Welcome to Episode 111 of The Journey Is the Reward! On this week's show, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome a true titan of the skies, soon-to-be Lifetime Global Services member, Fozz Mahmud of the Dots, Lines, and Destinations podcast. This man has more air miles than a commercial airline, and we can't wait to pick his brain. But before we ascend to that altitude, we've got some essential pre-flight checks. First up, we're answering a question from Listener Francis, who's curious about navigating the complexities of flying around and within closed airspace. And because we never shy away from a little turbulence, Micah and I will also be discussing the geopolitical intricacies of flying into regions like Israel and Iran. It's a topic that demands a professional pilot's precision and a diplomat's tact. Then, Listener Lu sends in a fantastic query about converted aircraft. She wants to know if we've ever landed ourselves in a plane that's been repurposed into a house or, perhaps, dined in a fuselage-turned-restaurant. We're ready to share our airborne architectural adventures! And, as always, we've got a few shout-outs and detours to cover. The Journey Is the Reward recently received a wonderful mention on the Plane Crazy Downunder podcast– a true feather in our cap! We'll also be touching down on the important topic of fish tacos at Rubio's in San Diego (because even aviators need good fuel!) and Brian's masterful use of the $200 Hilton resort credit from his Hilton Aspire credit card. Sometimes, even when you're not in the air, you're still strategically navigating the travel landscape. After all that vital housekeeping, Brian and Micah are absolutely delighted to share a recorded conversation with our esteemed guest, Fozz Mahmud, fellow co-host of the truly exceptional travel industry podcast, Dots, Lines, and Destinations. Fozz is on the cusp of achieving the legendary status of Lifetime 4 Million Mile status with United Airlines – a feat that makes most frequent flyers feel like they're still in the holding pattern. Brian's certainly been working towards it, though he's not sure he'll ever reach that altitude now that his full-time business travel days are somewhat grounded. It's a truly engaging conversation with Fozz, where we explore his preferred flying experiences, aircraft, and destinations, as well as the ever-evolving, sometimes turbulent, world of points and miles. And as always, our show is perfectly bookended by the truly soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic – they'll have you feeling like you're floating on cloud nine. So, buckle up, relax, and enjoy the flight! Let's make some memories and genuinely enjoy the Journey, because, well, it truly is the Reward!
