In this compelling episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with aviation leader and soon-to-be bestselling author, Nate Glover, to explore his dynamic career and experiences during one of the industry’s most challenging periods—the COVID-19 pandemic. Nate shares his journey from his beginnings at Continental Airlines and JetBlue, to his time with Norwegian, and finally, his pivotal role at Menzies Aviation in Canada.

Nate details the trials of managing operations during the pandemic, including the heartbreaking task of laying off hundreds of employees, navigating ever-changing airline demands, and rebuilding teams from the ground up. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of ground handling operations, the importance of safety and adaptability, and the leadership lessons he learned during a historic crisis.

Nate also discusses his debut book, Trust the Process: Navigating Leadership Through the Pandemic, which chronicles his experiences and offers actionable insights for leaders in any industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, aviation, or crisis management.

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In this episode of The Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass welcomes aviation veteran Sandra Pineau-Boddison to discuss her remarkable career spanning decades in airline catering, onboard services, and customer experience. From her humble beginnings managing a cafeteria at Chelsea Catering to becoming Vice President at Continental Airlines and later leading critical roles through the Continental-United merger, Sandra shares invaluable insights into the complexities of airline operations. She highlights the challenges of IROPs, aligning cultures during mergers, and delivering seamless customer experiences across regional and international fleets.

Sandra also dives into her leadership with the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and its foundation, which champions the next generation of onboard services professionals through scholarships. Now serving as Chair at Intervine, a company specializing in wine, beverages, and snacks for airlines and cruise lines, Sandra discusses how the pandemic reshaped the industry and how Intervine continues to innovate post-COVID. With stories of iconic cheeseburgers, evolving passenger expectations, and comfort food in the skies, this episode uncovers the often-overlooked world of onboard services that makes flying a memorable experience.

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In this episode of the Open Skies Podcast, host Chris Glass sits down with David Hailey, the founder of Countifi, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming inventory management in the airline industry. Drawing on years of experience as an auditor for major airlines like Delta, David shares how he identified inefficiencies in onboard services and turned them into opportunities for improvement. He discusses Countify's innovative approach to counting and analyzing onboard inventory using AI-powered image recognition, which drastically reduces waste and improves accuracy.

David dives deep into the challenges airlines face in balancing cost efficiency with customer satisfaction and how Countify is helping solve these problems. From managing catering waste to optimizing menu planning, the insights shared in this episode highlight the critical role technology plays in modern aviation. Whether you're an industry professional or a curious traveler, this conversation sheds light on the fascinating intersection of logistics, sustainability, and innovation in the skies.

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