Captain Don Cuzzort is a retired Southwest Airlines Captain with an impressive 45-year career in aviation. Born and raised in Alabama, he’s a true country boy who found himself flying airplanes all over the world. With over 27,000 hours of flight time under his belt, Don’s passion for flying is infectious. His journey started with Pan Am, where he flew all over the Western Hemisphere. Wide-eyed and awe-struck by the wonders of the globe, Don soaked up new experiences with every takeoff and landing.

Don is a storyteller, and when he explained flying, I felt like I was right there with him in the cockpit. He walked me through every step of the takeoff, from the moment the airplane pushes back from the gate to liftoff from the runway. He described every noise, feeling, and movement so vividly that I felt like I was sitting next to him on a flight. For nervous flyers, Captain Don’s gift is his ability to make the experience feel natural and even enjoyable. He can imitate all the hums, clicks, and roars of an aircraft, turning what can be a nerve-wracking experience into a lighthearted, educational journey.

But Don’s not just about making people laugh—he’s got the knowledge and experience to back it up. He’ll be the first to tell you that airplanes are marvels of engineering, meticulously built and rigorously tested. And he’s seen it all—well, almost all. In 45 years of flying, he’s never encountered severe turbulence, reassuring for those of us who fear those mid-flight bumps. Captain Don reassured me that turbulence is simply the air behaving like water, rolling over bumps and turning like a river flowing over rocks. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous—just buckle up, and you’ll be fine.

Captain Don explained the intense training and safety protocols of being a pilot. Every pilot endures years of rigorous study, practice, and countless simulations before ever sitting in the captain’s seat. “Pilots are the most monitored, overseen group of workers in the country,” Don says, noting that every switch, lever, and decision is recorded and scrutinized. He walked me through the lengthy checklists and meticulous procedures pilots follow to ensure a safe journey from takeoff to touchdown. To Don, knowledge is the key to overcoming fear, and he believes that the more you understand about flying, the more you’ll trust the process.

Whether you’re intrigued by the science of aviation or anxious about your next flight, Captain Don can put your mind at ease. He’s patient, funny, and thorough. You’ll find yourself laughing and learning when you chat with him. In a world where flying can feel intimidating, Captain Don is the friendly, knowledgeable pilot who makes it seem less daunting. He’s spent decades in the cockpit and is eager to share his wisdom, one takeoff at a time, so book your call with Captain Don and Dial A Pilot today.