TWU by Jeff Rehmar | February 6, 2025

A Major Airline Pilot Spills His Best Travel Hacks

Jeff Rehmar
February 06, 2025

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🎙 Interview: Nick Schreiber, Major Airline Pilot

This week, I talked to Nick Schreiber, a major airline pilot and college friend of my brothers, Austin & Greg.

From Brecksville, OH (for all my Cleveland people)
Trained at Ohio University
Started in private jets, now flies commercial
Moves people across the country at 500 mph

Nick sees the world from 30,000 feet and the front seat.
He’s got insider travel tips, pilot-only secrets, and a few hot takes on airports—so let’s get into it.

Why did you become a pilot?

I always loved airplanes, and loved the idea to get paid to travel and meet new people.

Where did you do your pilot training?

Ohio University.

What’s your favorite airport in Ohio, California, Arizona, and Texas—and why?

Ohio – KBKL (Burke Lakefront Airport): Approach over the water, easy access to Cleveland.
California – KSAN (San Diego International): Because of the views on approach and departure. Coming in it’s a steeper than normal approach so you always have to be on your toes!
Arizona – KSDL (Scottsdale Airport): Because of the mountain views and sometimes challenging approaches plus I want to live there 😂
Texas – T82 (Fredericksburg Airport): Because you fly over the beautiful Texas Hill country, and there’s a delicious diner at the airport. Last you can just hangout there and watch planes takeoff and land, while meeting people who share the same interest as you.

Most memorable flight?

My most memorable flight would be when I got to take my parents up for the first time.

Or it could have been when I just got my license and your brothers went up with me because they were the first people I ever took up in a plane (they are brave) 😂

Biggest difference between a 737-700, 737-800, vs. 737 MAX?

Not really, you fly the plane the same.

The Max is just an updated version of the 700-800 (Different engines, big screens up front, and quieter).

The Max engines do take longer to start so you may be near the gate longer before you can taxi out. It’s also easier to control the temperature from upfront in the 800 and Max.

Best travel tips for frequent flyers?

✅ Be nice. If there’s a delay, it’s out of everyone’s hands. We all want to get there on time.
✅ Carry-on only. Luggage gets lost, flights get delayed—carry-ons give you freedom.
✅ Pilots control the temperature, NOT flight attendants. If you’re hot or cold, tell someone!

Most underrated U.S. city for a layover?

It’s hard to answer underrated because everyone likes overnights for different reasons, I will say I loved layovers in the mountains when it’s snowing (Aspen, Jackson Hole, Bozeman, Park City, Steamboat Springs, Telluride).

I love the Texas weather so when I can get an overnight in the mountains to see some snow and come right back to the heat I love it.

🔥 The Airbnb Problem No One Talks About

Airlines have referral programs.
Hotels have referral programs.
Uber, Lyft, even Taco Bell give you free food for referrals.

Yet Airbnb—a business built entirely on word-of-mouth—refuses to have one.

If you book a great Airbnb, you tell people.
If you stay in a nightmare, you tell even more people.

Either way, you’re doing free marketing for them. And what do you get in return? Nothing.

If anyone at Airbnb is reading this: Fix it.

📚 Further Reading (For the Curious)

The Best Part of Flying Isn’t in the Sky…

It’s the quiet moments:

The acceleration at takeoff.
Breaking through the clouds.
That first deep breath when the engines settle.

If you’ve made it this far, hit reply and let me know:

Best meal you’ve had at an airport.
The flight route that should exist.
Whether you’ve ever gotten anything from Airbnb for free.

See you next Thursday.

✈️ Jeff

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