A smiling man wearing sunglasses, a jacket, and a vest holds a coffee cup on a busy city street.

"I’ve been flying long-haul routes for quite a while now, and if there's one thing I’ve learned, it’s how to manage the chaos of constantly changing time zones. Not easy, let me tell you. Life at 35,000 feet isn’t all glamour; it tests you—physically, mentally. You juggle irregular sleep, ever-changing schedules, and yes, even personal struggles. Just last month, balancing work and my son’s school activities felt like coordinating a moon landing. But, you know, it’s the small things that get you through—like this tiny ramen shop in Tokyo; it's my go-to after a red-eye flight. Nothing beats that broth after hours in the cockpit. Food’s my anchor, keeps me grounded when life doesn’t. Speaking of which, my co-pilot, Jamie—she introduced me to that place. We've had our ups and downs, like anyone else, but those shared small meals, they help us bond, iron out the kinks in our teamwork. And it’s crucial, considering the cockpit is where we spend most of our waking hours. It’s not all about the struggles though; flying has its perks. The view from the office is unbeatable, and touching down in new places never gets old. Still aiming to make captain before I hit 50. It’s the big goal, my horizon. Meanwhile, I try to stay fit, watch my diet—a bit of a challenge when you’re tasting the world one layover at a time. But here’s a secret, the best meal I’ve had? Not the Michelin stars—the fish tacos right here on the streets of San Diego. Simple, fresh, with a kick of lime. Just perfect. Makes every touchdown back home sweet."