What is it really like interviewing for a regional airline once you hit 1,500 hours? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with a Thrust Flight CFI who recently crossed the 1,500-hour mark and started interviewing for the regionals. He breaks down the full process — from preparing your application and résumé to studying for the interview, managing nerves, and understanding what airlines are actually looking for.

We sit down with Casey Talbot, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about her journey from working as a flight attendant at Delta to becoming a certified flight instructor. Casey shares what it was really like to leave a stable airline career, start flight training in her mid-30s, and commit fully to aviation while raising two kids. We dive into fear, motivation, study habits, Part 141 flight training, checkrides, failures, and what helped her push through moments of doubt—especially during instrument training.

Getting stuck in the FAA medical process is one of the most frustrating—and least talked about—parts of becoming a pilot. In this episode, Tyler shares what it was really like having his medical deferred, waiting nearly a year with no clear timeline, and pushing through the uncertainty without quitting. We talk about what happens when your paperwork is “just sitting in line,” how medical delays affect motivation, and why patience becomes part of the pilot journey whether you expect it or not.