Airline Pilot Life: Bidding, Line Checks, Aviation Radiation & Same Call Sign Chaos

<p>Welcome back to <strong>The Black Box Aviation Podcast</strong>! 🎙️✈️</p><p>In this episode, airline pilots <strong>Tom and Mike</strong> pull back the curtain on the unpredictable reality of life on the road. From packing in minutes and recording a podcast while traveling to TSA mistaking aviation equipment for something else, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what professional pilots deal with.</p><p>Mike is getting ready to jump on the <strong>Brightline train</strong>—yes, the “death train” conversation makes its return—before heading out for more flying. If you missed our previous episode, listen here:</p><p>🚆 <strong>Previous Episode: Flight Sim Mastery, Navy Checkrides, and the Pilot Stripe Mystery</strong><br /><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lfnQxux7xHqjmx790jO0T?si=xWSNwfUdRSG9HdU7qe5DzA" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lfnQxux7xHqjmx790jO0T?si=xWSNwfUdRSG9HdU7qe5DzA</a></p><p>The conversation then takes off into <strong>airline pilot scheduling, PBS bidding, line bidding, seniority, reserve, base changes, captain upgrades and waiting for bid results</strong>. What happens if you forget to submit a bid—or accidentally bid for something you don't want?</p><p>Tom also shares a story from an <strong>FAA line check</strong> involving an unexpected aircraft malfunction, landing gear warnings, a challenging crosswind landing and the pressure of being evaluated in the cockpit.</p><p>Mike talks about heading to <strong>Medellín, Colombia</strong>, where high terrain creates unique challenges. The guys discuss <strong>mountain flying, depressurization, engine failures, terrain clearance, drift-down procedures and planning for the “what if?” before something goes wrong.</strong></p><p>☢️ The episode also revisits <strong>radiation exposure for pilots and flight attendants</strong>, including <strong>cosmic and ionizing radiation at altitude, long-term exposure and potential occupational risks</strong>.</p><p>Missed our earlier deep dive? Listen here:</p><p>☢️ <strong>Previous Episode: Is Your Flight Path Giving You Radiation?</strong><br /><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FrQ3V8AOe3qa9B5ZEfUr9?si=zLzwgyXMQ7e43rfcaOPp2w" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FrQ3V8AOe3qa9B5ZEfUr9?si=zLzwgyXMQ7e43rfcaOPp2w</a></p><p>Also in this episode: <strong>How did two separate airplanes end up airborne with the EXACT SAME call sign?</strong> Tom and Mik