The State of the Airline Industry with Sara Nelson

We’re taking a closer look at the current state of the aviation industry. This is our time to talk about the realities, empathize with each other, and discuss what’s really going on in aviation right now. We’re so excited to have labor leader Sara Nelson in the studio with us this week. Sara is the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO and was called “America’s most powerful flight attendant” by The New York Times. She is currently leading over 55,000 aviation first responders in 20 airlines all over the United States. Her relentlessness and willpower make her an icon for all of us. We get into the shutdown of Spirit Airlines and what it means for thousands of workers, the situation involving ICE and flight attendant Enzo Thompson, the continued strain on our Air Traffic Control system, government shutdowns, recent aviation incidents, and the bigger question so many crew members are asking: should we be worried about where the airline industry is headed? Sara also shares her perspective on what flight attendants should be paying attention to, what we can actually do, and why having a strong collective voice matters SO much right now. Solidarity forever! Chapters: \[0:00] Welcome to Episode #49! \[1:37] Sara Nelson on labor movements \[5:11] The amazing letter carriers union  \[6:18] Working people have to fight back \[7:34] Our air traffic controllers \[12:19] The BIG issue  \[16:49] Everything is political \[19:58] Are flight attendants safe? \[25:44] Yes, flight attendants want unions \[31:35] Let’s talk about Spirit Airlines \[35:44] Unions support and protect flight attendants \[38:57] We love Spirit flight attendants!  \[44:45] Should we be concerned? \[49:30] At the forefront of people's rights \[51:25] Using power for the greater benefit \[56:46] Flight attendants are first responders \[1:00:16] Flight attendants represent \[1:01:43] Sara Nelson has high hopes \[1:05:56] The magic of flying \[1:09:25] Let’s play Cross-checked! Text us or leave us a voicemail! Join us for an unforgettable Christmas Markets adventure through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in December 2026! Experience festive markets, charming medieval cities, holiday treats, and the magic of three countries in one incredible trip... View the Itinerary + Book Your Spot ✈ Join our official community for exclusive merch, early access, behind-the-scenes footage, and more! As independent podcasters, we rely on audience support to keep our show going. We couldn't do it without you! Join the Galley Gang on Patreon ✈ Have a funny, wild, or heartwarming travel story from a flight that you’re dying to share with us? Submit your story at the link below and we could feature your story on an upcoming episode of the show! Submit Your 'Galley Gossip' Story ✈ This episode was brought to you by StaffTraveler, the #1 non-rev app! If you travel on standby and are looking to make your journey easy and stress-free, check out StaffTraveler for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Download StaffTraveler