1. We certainly don’t want to dwell in the past, but sometimes it’s helps the drive forward to look in the rear view mirror. If you could go back and change one thing about the way you were raised, what would it be? If it’s nothing, tell us why? 

I don’t think that I would change anything! I look back at my childhood with good memories and I think the way I was raised really helped me get to where I am today. I really got a great chance to explore hobbies and interests like model airplanes and flight simulators when I was a kid that instilled the passion that I have for aviation today.  Family vacations that I took when I was young created a desire inside of me to see as much of the world as I possibly can and taught me to see other cultures with an open mind. I think that being in the airlines really allows me to enjoy aviation while seeing many interesting places and if I wasn’t introduced to those things at a young age I’m not sure I would be here.

2. If you could go back and tell your 10 year-old self, or tell an authority figure, one thing, which person would you choose and what would you say? 

I would tell my 10 year old self to be as open to as many opportunities that present themself. I think there’s so much to be learned and experienced by stepping outside of the comfort zone and I wish I had done that more often at a younger age.  Also, eat healthy! Breaking the habit of eating mostly junk food would have been a lot easier if I had started at a younger age haha. 

The present.

3. When’s the last time you felt afraid and/or lonely? We’re not trying to be sad here but a little “me too” always feels good. 

My first solo in an aircraft was definitely a scary experience, exciting but still full of unknowns that definitely worried me a bit until it was over. I think currently I’m most afraid of the large scale crises going on the world today from climate, to war, to the pandemic. It makes me a little uncertain about the future but I really think and hope that as a society we can come together and make the world a great place for us and for future generations. 

4. We all know magic is way more than a card trick. So, when was the last time you experienced magic? Or the only way to describe the experience was “magical”?

Scuba diving with whale sharks was the most magical feeling I can think of in recent times. Its truly indescribable when a creature that large just silently glides past you only feet away, there’s really nothing you can do besides just watch awestruck.  

5. When is the last time you felt the most free? Any tips for how we can replicate it? 

Going far out into nature is what gives me this feeling the most.  I have done some pretty incredible hikes from Norway to Patagonia and being away from all the worries of day to day life and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery is about as close to pure freedom as one can get!  Even if you aren’t able to go far away go explore some new place in your area, drive out to a dark place and stare at the milky way, there’s always a way to connect with nature and distance yourself from the stresses of real life that make us feel so boxed in.  

6. Is there a way that aviation taps into the sacred/holy/spiritual/universe to you? If not - no, wait, there has to be right? 

In my mind aviation gives you a glimpse into the vastness of everything. Theres nothing like being out over the open ocean seeing an infinite distance in every direction from an airplane, it really makes you think of how small we really are in all of this and wonder what’s truly beyond the horizon. I love to think about the universe and the cosmos because there has to be so much that we still don’t know about, its fun to ponder. 

The Future.

7. If you could guarantee 1 thing for yourself 10 years from now, what would it be? Or maybe it’s nothing because messing with the future is tricky? 

I would definitely want to guarantee that aviation is still flourishing and I would love to still be deeply involved in it! Personally I’d like to be a wide body captain flying to Europe and Africa and all over the world by then. I’d also like to guarantee my health because without that flying and seeing the world would definitely be compromised.

8. What gives you hope that tomorrow will be better than today? And thus, gives us all a little hope? 

Humans as a species are always innovating and finding out new better ways to do things! There are some truly incredible people out there and I believe that the amount of discoveries and inventions that we are about to see will eclipse many of the things we have done so far. I definitely have hope for the world of the future and want to live in it and explore for as long as I can. 

For more about Trey you can check out his instagram feed.