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Talking Flight

Talking Flight

Episode 72: Retired Alaska Airlines Captain Edward Robertson

Jun 20, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min · 11 segments

Welcome to another episode of Talking Flight. Our guest today is Captain Ed Robertson, a retired Alaska Airlines Captain whose aviation journey spans military service, airline leadership, and a…

Welcome to another episode of Talking Flight. Our guest today is Captain Ed Robertson, a retired Alaska Airlines Captain whose aviation journey spans military service, airline leadership, and a lifelong passion for flying. It's a story of perseverance, service, opportunity, and leadership. Please join me in welcoming Captain Ed Robertson to Talking Flight.

Welcome to another episode of Talking Flight. Our guest today is Captain Ed Robertson, a retired Alaska Airlines Captain whose aviation journey spans military service, airline leadership, and a…

Spotify Apple Podcasts Website

Speakers: Ed RobertsonGuestMike SwaniganHost

Show signals: Audience≈100 followers

Top entities: Ed Robertson×27 Army×41 Alaska×24 Alaska Airlines×22 Fort Rucker×13

Opening Banter & Rapport2:31 – 3:27

Ed RobertsonGuest

2:31

captain ed robertson welcome to talking flight thank you mike appreciate it it's an honor to be here with you

M

Mike SwaniganHost

2:37

you know i think you are the first alaska national guardsman that i've had on this show so one of my national guard brothers finally came on the show and it's so good to talk to you

Ed RobertsonGuest

2:48

that's good i have a lot of things to tell you about my military career which includes that in the alaska army national guard as well as alaska air national guard

M

Mike SwaniganHost

2:57

Yes, and you're the second rotor pilot that I've had on the show.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:01

So that's really special to me.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:03

I went forever trying to get a rotor pilot, and I couldn't get anyone to agree.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:07

They had too many dark secrets or something.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:09

I don't know what it was.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:10

Right.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:10

But then you agreed to do it, so I'm just thrilled to have you here.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:13

And we worked together at Alaska Airlines as well.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:15

That's right.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:16

We were compatriots at Alaska, so we've got a lot of history between us.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:21

So be careful what you say about me, okay? I will.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:24

I will.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:25

All right, Ed, let's get started.

Ed RobertsonPersonCanadian musician
99%27 mentions
ArmyEntity
98%41 mentions
AlaskaAdministrative AreaUS state
97%24 mentions
Alaska AirlinesAirlineAirline
96%22 mentions
Fort RuckerDefense EstablishmentCensus-designated place in Alabama
95%13 mentions
VietnamCountryCountry in Asia
94%12 mentions
Alaska Army National GuardOrganization
92%8 mentions
AnchorageCityCity in Alaska
91%12 mentions
HawaiiAdministrative AreaUS state
90%7 mentions
SeattleCityCity in Washington State
89%11 mentions
TexasAdministrative AreaUS state
88%2 mentions
Sikorsky UH-60 Black HawkEntityMedium utility helicopter
87%16 mentions
Air forceEntity
85%11 mentions
Little Diomede IslandTourist AttractionIsland in the Bering Strait
84%5 mentions
GermanyCountryCountry in Europe
83%2 mentions
Fort LewisDefense EstablishmentFort
82%9 mentions
AlabamaAdministrative AreaUS state
81%6 mentions
Warrant Officer Candidate SchoolOrganization
80%2 mentions
Bruce R. KennedyPersonAmerican businessman and former CEO of Alaska Airlines
78%7 mentions
United States ArmyCompanyArmed forces
77%1 mention
Tom KeenePersonAmerican journalist
76%3 mentions
Vietnam WarEventArmed conflict
75%3 mentions
National Guard of the United StatesOrganizationMilitary reserve
74%2 mentions
Alaska Air National GuardOrganizationMilitary unit
73%4 mentions
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterEntityUtility aircraft
72%10 mentions
Sikorsky HH-60 Pave HawkEntityMedium lift helicopter
70%3 mentions
Bell UH-1 IroquoisEntityUtility helicopter
69%1 mention
Cold WarEventWar
68%3 mentions
Chicago BlackhawksSports TeamIce hockey team
67%3 mentions
ETOPSEntity
66%6 mentions
9th Infantry DivisionOrganizationMilitary unit
65%1 mention
VHF omnidirectional rangeEntity
63%3 mentions
McDonnell Douglas MD-80EntityAircraft family
62%5 mentions
WashingtonAdministrative AreaUS state
61%5 mentions
LandPlace
60%1 mention
Okinawa IslandPlaceIsland in the Pacific Ocean
59%2 mentions
Wright Brothers Master Pilot AwardEntity
58%2 mentions
Theodore StevensPersonLawyer and former President pro tempore of the United States Senate
56%2 mentions
Hughes TH-55 OsageEntityAircraft model
55%3 mentions
Federal Aviation AdministrationGovernment OrganizationFederal agency
54%6 mentions
Dutch HarborCity
53%1 mention
Big Diomede IslandPlaceIsland in Russia
52%2 mentions
Fort BelvoirDefense EstablishmentCensus-designated place in Virginia
51%1 mention
Soviet UnionCountryCountry
49%1 mention
The CWCompanyTelevision broadcasting company
48%1 mention
210th Rescue SquadronOrganizationMilitary unit
47%1 mention
VirginiaAdministrative AreaUS state
46%1 mention
militaryEntity
45%1 mention
75th Ranger RegimentOrganizationOperational military unit
44%1 mention
Denis HamillPersonWriter
42%3 mentions

Society
ChildhoodFamily
College ExperienceEducation > Higher Education
AviationMilitary
Military CultureSociety > Cultural Experiences
Army AviationMilitary > Aviation
Cultural ExperiencesSociety
Education
Military
Family
Flight TrainingMilitary > Aviation > Army Aviation
Warrant Officer Candidate SchoolMilitary > Aviation > Army Aviation > Flight Training
Military FamilyFamily > Childhood
Growing UpFamily > Childhood > Military Family
Parental InfluenceFamily > Childhood > Military Family > Growing Up
Flight SchoolEducation > Higher Education > College Experience
Training ProgramsEducation > Higher Education > College Experience > Flight School
Vietnam War EraSociety > Cultural Experiences > Military Culture
Impact of War on SocietySociety > Cultural Experiences > Military Culture > Vietnam War Era
Higher EducationEducation

Opening Banter & Rapport2:31 – 3:27

Ed RobertsonGuest

2:31

captain ed robertson welcome to talking flight thank you mike appreciate it it's an honor to be here with you

M

Mike SwaniganHost

2:37

you know i think you are the first alaska national guardsman that i've had on this show so one of my national guard brothers finally came on the show and it's so good to talk to you

Ed RobertsonGuest

2:48

that's good i have a lot of things to tell you about my military career which includes that in the alaska army national guard as well as alaska air national guard

M

Mike SwaniganHost

2:57

Yes, and you're the second rotor pilot that I've had on the show.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:01

So that's really special to me.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:03

I went forever trying to get a rotor pilot, and I couldn't get anyone to agree.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:07

They had too many dark secrets or something.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:09

I don't know what it was.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:10

Right.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:10

But then you agreed to do it, so I'm just thrilled to have you here.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:13

And we worked together at Alaska Airlines as well.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:15

That's right.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:16

We were compatriots at Alaska, so we've got a lot of history between us.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:21

So be careful what you say about me, okay? I will.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:24

I will.

M

Mike SwaniganHost

3:25

All right, Ed, let's get started.

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