Cranky Talk

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A show about the ins and outs of aviation and travel, from interviews with industry leaders to deep dives on a range of travel topics.

Cranky Flier


    • May 2, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 39m AVG DURATION
    • 107 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Cranky Talk podcast is a highly enjoyable and informative show that brings a fresh perspective to the world of air travel. Hosted by Brett and Dave, this podcast offers fun and smart takes on commercial aviation, making it a must-listen for both av-geeks and travelers alike. One of the co-hosts really knows his stuff, ensuring that the coverage is interesting and engaging, without taking itself too seriously.

    One of the best aspects of The Cranky Talk podcast is the great interviews it features. The hosts bring in a diverse range of guests from the industry, providing listeners with insightful conversations and unique perspectives. These interviews add depth to each episode and create an engaging listening experience.

    Additionally, the episodes are succinct and fast-paced, making it easy for listeners to stay engaged throughout. The material is always updated, ensuring that listeners are kept informed about the latest news and developments in commercial aviation. This is further enhanced by an expert who explains the updated material with clarity and expertise.

    Despite his name, Cranky presents himself as a calm, well-informed, and highly polished presenter. His West Coast laid-back style creates a welcoming atmosphere for listeners. He is unpretentious and humble, yet his deep knowledge and experience shine through in his insights and interview questions. This combination of expertise and approachability sets this podcast apart from others in its genre.

    In terms of drawbacks, there are very few negatives to be found in The Cranky Talk podcast. However, some listeners may find that the episodes are released less frequently than desired. Subscribing to receive new episodes every couple of weeks can help alleviate this issue.

    In conclusion, The Cranky Talk podcast is a gem for anyone interested in air travel or aviation in general. With its fun yet informative approach, engaging interviews, concise episodes, and knowledgeable host, it provides an excellent listening experience that is worth subscribing to. Whether you're an av-geek or simply a curious traveler, this podcast is sure to entertain and educate.



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    Latest episodes from Cranky Talk

    Cranky Talk: New Rules from DOT

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 22:08


    We're back! DOT recently announced some new rules for airlines intended to benefit consumers. What are these rules? When are these rules? What do they mean for you? All that and more, on this episode of Cranky Talk!   Source links: Rules regarding refunds Rules regarding junk fees New regulations announcement   Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #34: Southwest SVP Network Planning and Network Operations Control Adam Decaire

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 27:34


    Southwest has done something unique, bringing its Network Planning group -- the people who decide when and where to fly -- under the Chief Operating Officer instead of the Chief Commercial Officer. I spoke with Adam Decaire to learn more about the decision and see how it's going.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #33 - Porter EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Kevin Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 26:31


    Kevin and I sit down to on an airplane to talk about Porter's big expansion plans

    Cranky Talk:Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and the Boeing 737-9 Max

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 15:24


    We're dusting off the podcast to talk about Boeing, the Max, and what we know about flight 1282.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: NDC Woes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 19:11


    We're back! Join us for an episode all about how NDC might not quite be as ready for prime time as American wants it to be and its impact on the travel agency world. We're joined by special guests from the Cranky Concierge team, sharing their real-world stories about how difficult this has been.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #32 - United SVP Global Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 30:51


    Following up three years after our June 2020 discussion, Patrick and I run through the different regions and talk about what United is seeing in terms of success in the network planning world.

    Cranky Talk: A Conversation With Wallace Beall on Airline Pricing and Overbooked Flights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 36:06


    In a special return episode, Brett and Dave had a chat with Wallace Beall who worked in revenue management at several airlines including American, and was in charge of yield management when Brett worked at America West. Listen in for a behind-the-scenes talk about how overbooking is decided and how much the industry has changed in the last couple of decades.     

    The Cranky Flier Interview #31 - Air Canada EVP Marketing and Digital Mark Nasr

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 25:38


    Mark and I spoke about Air Canada's plans for rolling out its implementation of NDC for travel agency bookings. The airline is taking a more thoughtful approach, and Mark has plenty to say about how other airlines are handling this move.  Listen in to hear more about how Air Canada wants to roll this out.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #30 - Norse Atlantic President Charles Duncan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 28:57


    Join me as I talk with the new president of Norse Atlantic about the airline's plans.

    Cranky Talk: CNA Wrap Up and a Special Announcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 35:51


    Brett does a recap of the CNAs with Courtney Miller from Visual Approach!    Stay tuned til the end for a special announcement on the future of the podcast from Brett and Dave! 

    Cranky Talk: Southwest Goes to Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 19:28


    Southwest was called to the principal's office in DC to answer for the meltdown over the holidays. We break down some testimony and what could happen if a passenger's bill of rights were ever to pass.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk:Wifi on airplanes! How did we get here? Is it getting better?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 17:55


    With Delta announcing free wifi, the differences between airlines continue to grow. Join us for a brief history of wifi on airplanes and what the future might hold.      Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk:The 2023 Cranky Network Awards Categories!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 20:06


    It's time for the annual Cranky Talk exclusive peak behind the curtain at what you can expect when you tune in to the 2023 Cranky Network Awards on February 23!    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: The 2022 Southwest Holiday Meltdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 23:06


    We return from our break a little early to pod about the Southwest meltdown over the holidays.   Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.      

    Cranky Talk: Why is Seat Pitch a Terrible Metric for Legroom?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 12:06


    Brett goes on a rant about seat pitch and why it's terrible for measuring legroom. Is there a better alternative? Listen to find out!    Photo gallery:    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: Frontier Launches GoWild! Is it Worth it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 16:20


    Frontier's GoWild! is live. Brett tries to see if Dave thinks it's worthwhile.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: A Breakdown of Biden's Junk Fee Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 21:21


    President Biden gave a speech on junk fees recently so Brett and Dave carved up the portions specific to the travel industry and discussed what is true, what stretches the truth, and what might be junky in this less-than-amazing speech.    Transcript of the speech Video of the speech “Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees “   Thanks to our sponsor IDEMIA! IDEMIA is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #29 - Flair CEO Stephen Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 27:23


    Listen to an interview with the CEO of Flair, Stephen Jones, on how he sees the market evolving.

    Cranky Talk: The 2023 Cranky Network Award Preview!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 19:13


    On this episode, Brett and Dave are joined by Courtney Miller from Visual Approach to give listeners a sneak preview of the 2023 CNAs! Listen in to find out where the show is happening and the special plans Brett and Courtney have cooked up!    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #28 - Horizon Air President Joe Sprague

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2022 37:46


    It's about as hard as it's ever been to run a regional airline right now, and Horizon Air President Joe Sprague took the reins in late 2019, just before the industry began to unravel. Joe sat with me to talk about the challenges Horizon has faced, and exactly how it has gone about facing them.

    Cranky Talk: Winter Outlook

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 17:38


    Will there be chaos this winter as airline operations get stretched thin again? We take a look at the data to help you find out.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: Summer 2022 Top Travel Destinations!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 13:53


    This week, we're doing a retrospective on the most traveled destinations Cranky clients went to this summer!   Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: Mailbag Episode!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 25:54


    You have questions and we have the answers for you! Welcome to our first mailbag episode! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: Spirit and JetBlue Part 3!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 16:47


    The last time we made an episode about Spirit, JetBlue had just gotten hostile...well they won and now pending federal approval, they'll get to merge with Spirit. We go over how this happened and what comes next! Thanks to our sponsor IDEMIA! IDEMIA is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.  

    Cranky Talk: Fume Events! Fact or Fiction?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 14:32


    This week, we're talking about the great mystery in the sky....fume events! Are they real? Are they overexaggerated? What is going on up there?!    LA Times: How Toxic Fumes Seep Into The Air You Breathe On Planes    NIH: Characterization of the frequency and nature of bleed air contamination events in commercial aircraft   Cabin Air Safety Act of 2022   Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: Southwest Credits No Longer Expire With Southwest Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 16:28


    This week, we're joined by Southwest's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green to talk about the airline's big change this week!   Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: A US Travel Stress Test With Special Guest Dawn Gilbertson!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 20:27


    On this episode of Cranky Talk, Brett and Dave are joined by special guest Dawn Gilbertson, columnist for the Wall Street Journal to discuss her story "11 Flights, 6 Airlines, 4 Days: A Flying Test of the U.S. Travel System"  Listen in for some surprising results as Dawn recaps what it was like to do all that travel over the Fourth of July weekend.    Thank you to our sponsor, Medjet! The membership service that protects you if you get sick or injured while traveling.

    Cranky Talk: All About Alliances!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 17:23


    Thank you again to Ezra who wrote in with a great question: Do alliances even matter anymore? Star Alliance, Sky Team, One World, the Rebel Alliance, etc.  We get into that and much more!    Star Alliance  KLM/Northwest   Thanks to our sponsor IDEMIA! IDEMIA is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.

    Cranky Talk: The Summer of Airline Madness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2022 15:39


    Summer 2022 is shaping up to be quite wild in the world of aviation. Prices and demand are high, travel numbers are way up, and airlines...are delaying and canceling flights left and right! Brett breaks down what's going on and what to expect on your travels this summer. 

    Cranky Talk: JetBlue Gets Hostile With Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 17:00


    JetBlue wants Spirit bad and is willing to go hostile to get it!    

    Cranky Talk: What is the Point of a Travel Agent?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 22:20


    Brett and Dave take on a listener question! What's the point of travel agencies these days? With a plurality of options available to consumers to book directly with airlines, what can we do that you can't on your own?    Thanks to our sponsor IDEMIA! IDEMIA is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.  

    Cranky Talk: The Oakland California Corridor Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 36:32


    Brett got to nerd out on a bunch of flights over three days to prove once and for all that flying between Oakland and Southern California is BACK!  Thanks to our sponsor Idemia! Idemia is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.  

    Cranky Talk:The Airplane Seat of the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 32:29


    Seats are getting smaller and more uncomfortable all the time...or are they? Brett and Dave talk about all this and then guess what the airplane seat of the future might look like.  Thanks to our sponsor Idemia! Idemia is an authorized enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck.   double decker cloud concept Coffeehouse Swivel Skyrider 2.0 Bike seat

    The Cranky Flier Interview #27 - Denver Air Connection's Jon Coleman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 29:31


    It's not easy being a little guy, but Denver Air Connection has come up with a pretty interesting plan to get pilots onboard, teach them how to fly, and save the industry... or something like that. I spoke with Jon Coleman, head of business development for the airline -- and a pilot -- about what it is doing to keep its airplanes flying.

    Cranky Talk: Dave Flew Spirit!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 23:02


    Dave flew Spirit Airlines for the first time and Brett had many questions about the experience! 

    Cranky Talk: Russia Invades Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 24:08


    In this episode, Brett and Dave recap what happened after Russia invaded Ukraine and the wide-ranging impacts on the aviation world.

    Cranky Talk: Airplane Livery!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 36:11


    Dave and Brett disagree about airplane livery. Dave thinks brands should take bold swings and get creative, Brett thinks it doesn't matter and everything should just be presentable. Things got heated during this debate, as Brett pulled down a lot of livery images and Dave reacted to them.    If you want to follow along:  AA Old AA New UA Saul Bass  UA New  LH  Zip  ValuJet TWA Final  Etihad  BA Landor Korean Hawaiian  Figi  Air Tahiti Nui  Qantas  America West Teamwork Southwest   

    Cranky Talk: Spirit and Frontier Merge!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 21:44


    Spirit and Frontier decided to merge so we abandoned our original plan for this week to talk about the news and what it could all mean! 

    Cranky Talk: The Cranky Network Awards!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 26:42


    Brett decided to create a whole award show for the airline nerds, and Dave can't believe some of these categories. Join us for a breakdown of all the nominees and get the scoop on the most exclusive industry awards show in 2022!   Here's a link to the 2021 ceremony    And here's a link to stream the 2022 ceremony

    The Cranky Flier Interview #26 - Northern Pacific CEO Rob McKinney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 16:40


    Northern Pacific will be the brand that uses 757s to connect the continental US to North Asia via Anchorage. It's a throwback in that sense... airlines haven't needed to stop in Anchorage for decades. But CEO Rob McKinney thinks he's on to something here with low fares and a decent product. Rob and his team were down here in SoCal this week to unveil the livery on the first 757 where it was painted at San Bernardino International Airport, and I spoke with him for 15 minutes about the plans.

    Cranky Talk: Omicron and Airline Staffing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 20:03


    We kick off the new year with the topic dominating all the headlines: the Omicron variant. Brett and Dave talk about how this new strain is spreading like wildfire and causing all kinds of staffing problems for airlines.    CDC links:  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/burden.html

    Cranky Talk: 2021 Holiday Spectacular!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2021 23:13


    It's the holidays! Brett and Dave look back on a very turbulent year and speculate a bit on what's ahead in 2022. Happy New Year to all our listeners!  Stay tuned until the end of the episode a holiday gift from us to you: the 2021 blooper reel! 

    Cranky Talk: Dave Went to Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2021 30:11


    An episode all about travel and aviation in the time of COVID! Dave went to Europe, so join us for all the detailed breakdowns of exquisite lunches in the rolling hills of  Tuscany, vespa tours through Italy....just kidding. This is all about what it was like to travel abroad during this moment in time, featuring the Omicron variant! 

    The Cranky Flier Interview #25: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 22:07


    I sat down with United CEO Scott Kirby to talk about Omicron, how the airline industry is looking at operational performance all wrong, and the future of regionals. Scott is never afraid to speak his mind, so it's always great to talk to him. This interview was recorded at the APEX Expo in Long Beach, CA on November 30, 2021.

    The Cranky Flier Interview #24: Current Aviation CEO Brad Beakley

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 31:19


    If you've never heard of Current Aviation, you are not alone. Current is going to be an airline that flies no airplanes... but it has a lot of partners that will. Have a listen to CEO Brad Beakley talk about the venture which just came out into public view.

    Cranky Talk: Airline MELTDOWNS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 28:03


    Airlines are melting down all over, with three in October alone. Why is this happening? When will it stop? Listen to find out!    Flight attendant union memo    Want to sponsor the Cranky Network Awards? Send a note to cna-sponsor@crankyflier.com and we'll be in touch! 

    Cranky Talk: Potential Permanent COVID Travel Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 21:18


    Brett and Dave speculate on what may stick from all the COVID related changes to travel. Voluntary masking? Permanent touch less airports? Biometrics? Airplane cleaning? All of these and more.     

    Cranky Talk: Post-9/11 Travel Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 19:47


    The world changed after 9/11, but this week Brett focuses in specifically on what changed for air travelers here in the US. Next time, Brett and Dave will speculate on what permanent changes may be in store for air travelers once COVID is under control.     

    Cranky Talk: DOJ vs BlueMerican Partnership

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 27:08


    We're talking about Jetblue and American's partnership and why DOJ is suing them!    DOT agreement    Want to sponsor the Cranky Network Awards? Email cna-sponsor@crankyflier.com

    The Cranky Flier Interview #23: United Afghanistan Evacuation Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 2020:00


    It's a different kind of interview as I sit down with Jillian Johnson, United flight attendant and Artemis Bayandor, United corporate safety employee turned translator to discuss what it was like to work the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) flights carrying Afghan evacuees to the US.   We've all seen the news stories, but there is nothing like hearing these first person accounts to really understand what was happening and just how difficult it was for the people fleeing the country.

    Cranky Talk: Airline Employee Vaccine Mandates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 21:46


    Vaccine mandates for COVID-19 are here, and every airline has a different policy. Brett breaks down the differences here.   CDC COVID vaccines FAQ   Thanks to our sponsor Jets ETF!

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