The Austin Approach

The Austin Approach: One Year Later Feb 10, 2022

365 days and 22 episodes later, Season One of The Austin Approach is in the books! Join us as Bryce and Michele sit down with Jason Zielinski, the AUS videographer, to talk news, changes at the airport and the latest passenger numbers for 2021!

This Episode Is For The Birds! Jan 21, 2022

New year, new air service announcements! On this episode, Michele and Bryce talk all about some exciting new air service arriving from across the pond, as well as a new tool available in the terminal for those working while they fly. Plus a conversation with Chris Moret, the AUS wildlife biologist!

It‘s the FINAL Episode of The Austin Approach! (of 2021) Dec 22, 2021

On this special year-end, jumbo-sized episode of The Austin Approach, Michele and Bryce talk about some of their memories traveling during the holidays, reflect all that AUS accomplished in 2021 and discuss some of the new changes in the terminal that await travelers this holiday season and beyond.

Plus, the hosts sit down with Denise Hatch, the outgoing AUS deputy chief of operations who is retiring from the airport after more than 26 years of public service!

Post-Thanksgiving travel, Profit Margins and Pokémon? Dec 10, 2021

Coming off of the busiest Thanksgiving travel season in AUS history, there's a lot to talk about! That's why on this episode of The Austin Approach, the hosts sit down to chat with Mookie Patel, the AUS Chief of Business and Finance, to talk AUS recovery, growth and what's on the horizon.

Also, Bryce answers our first listener-submitted sock contest question!

The airport is going to be STUFFED for Thanksgiving! Nov 19, 2021

It's the week before Thanksgiving, and the hosts of The Austin Approach have met up for lunch in person (!) at AUS to talk all things related to travel this time of year. When to show up, how to pack, where to park - plus a few tips and tricks to ensure your turkey day travels go smoothly. Oh, and there is some VERY exciting new art in the terminal as well!

A Salute to Service With Austin-Bergstrom Veterans Nov 10, 2021

With more than 16% of the workforce at the Department of Aviation having prior military service, The Austin Approach is spending this Veterans Day devoting an entire show to all things veterans! From Honor Flights, to what makes AUS such a great place for veterans to work, to the stories of three AUS veteran employees, we're delighted to bring you this extra special one-hour episode.

An Emergency Episode! Well, an episode about emergencies... Oct 29, 2021

On the latest episode of The Austin Approach, we're talking emergencies! Michele and Bryce discuss crisis communications training they both recently attended, and then sit down with Tanner Hunt, the airport's emergency planning coordinator. Plus exciting news about AUS passenger records, airport socks, and a chance for listeners to win a pair of said socks?

The Return of an Old AUS Friend Oct 15, 2021

It's the middle of one of the busiest times of the year at AUS! On this episode we share a very exciting new air service announcement, Michele talks about AUS after dark, and with fall festivals and races happening, the hosts sit down with a member of the airport's landside access team to talk all things ground transportation.

The link to the episode of "From the Runway Up" recorded with our friends at RDU and TYS can be found online here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-do-aus-rdu-and-tys-have-in-common-a-podcast/id1014731221?i=1000537134414

The Austin Approach has to visit HR! Sep 17, 2021

On this slightly delayed (editor's note: Sorry!) episode of The Austin Approach, the hosts sit down with Dale Hall from the AUS Human Resources team to talk a little bit about his job, as well as his love of aviation. We also find out if Bryce managed to make it on his trip to Seattle, and learn about a unique new air service arriving in Austin soon!

Let there be rock! And R&B! And country! Aug 06, 2021

When you're the airport for "The Live Music Capital of the World" you've got no choice but to have a world-class live music program in your terminal! On this episode of The Austin Approach, we sit down the Michael Pennock, the AUS Music Program Coordinator, to learn about how he keeps music in the air - even during a pandemic. Plus concession updates, returning air service, and a cliffhanger?

*Editor's note: on this episode, Bryce mistakenly and embarrassingly calls the squid painted on the side of ToyJoy an "octopus". We regret the error.

OK, who remembers where we parked? Jul 23, 2021

This episode covers a LOT! We're talking the best flavor of Amy's Ice Cream, employment opportunities at the airport, and a little thing called the Airport Expansion Development Program. Plus Marshall Lamm joins the hosts of The Austin Approach to talk all things parking related at AUS.

Putting the "Art" in Department of Aviation! Jul 06, 2021

On this episode of The Austin Approach, we sit down with Cory Hurless, the AUS Program Manager for Art, Music, and Graphics, to learn more about some of the ways she and her team help bring together arts and aviation at the airport. Plus updates on a few of the airport's concessions, and exciting air service news!

"If something gross happens at the airport, we want to put some of it in a jar..." Jun 17, 2021

It's the TENTH episode of the Austin Approach! On this episode, Michelle explains a little more about what she does when she's not hosting podcasts, specifically in her role as the airport's Performance Management Program Manager. Plus we sit down with Kingsley Coppinger, a member of the AUS Environmental Affairs team, to discuss some of the work he does to help protect Austin's natural resources.

110 years of Austin aviation history in 38 minutes! Jun 03, 2021

On this episode of The Austin Approach, we take a look back at the history of aviation in Austin, from the very first airplane that ever landed in the city, to the transition of an Air Force base to the airport we know today. Our very special guest is Scott Madole, who served as the final wing commander for Bergstrom Air Force Base, and is current member of the AUS Airport Advisory Commission.

Planning for the summer... and the future! May 21, 2021

With passenger numbers starting to recover, it's getting busy at AUS! On this episode, we're talking about what you need to know for summer travel, a new air service announcement, plus we sit down with Jill Goodman, airport's Strategic Planning Manager to learn about how her team helps shape the future of AUS.

What's the most frequently asked question at the information desk? May 07, 2021

On this episode of The Austin Approach, we're still thinking that we should have jumped on that first flight to Hawaii! Meanwhile on the concessions front, an old Austin favorite returns to the terminal, and a new store gives travelers a taste of ATX. We're also joined by Jennifer McFarlin, a supervisor with the AUS Guest Services Team, to learn more about how they help make the airport accessible to all.

A new way to navigate AUS, and cookies! Apr 29, 2021

Did you know that airport cakes are a big deal? And what new island air service is coming to AUS? All that, plus Mandy McClendon, the AUS Public Information and Marketing Manager stops by to talk about a new way to navigate the terminal, on this episode of The Austin Approach!

What do bluebonnets, Star Wars, and the Airbus A220 have in common? Apr 08, 2021

Our fearless co-host Michelle is back, and we have a lot to talk about!

This week on The Austin Approach, we're talking about professional development training at AUS, Texas wildflowers, the Earth's magnetic poles, kids in the air traffic control tower, R2-D2, and windows in airplane lavatories - and chat with airport duty manager Christopher Rankin - trust us, it'll all make sense in the end.

Ramping up for Summer with new air service news! Mar 26, 2021

This week it's all about air service! More than a dozen new and returning routes have been announced for Austin in the past few weeks, so we'll be taking a deep dive into some of those destinations with our special guest co-host, Mandy McClendon, the AUS Public Information and Marketing Manager.

The Island Episode! Mar 11, 2021

It's finally springtime! On this episode of The Austin Approach, we celebrate more hours of daylight, Michelle shares memories of St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, and we speak with Patricia Mancha, a spokesperson with the TSA, about the upcoming Spring Travel Season. Also learn about why you should consider Hawaii when planning your next next vacation getaway!

This week's episode features music from local Austin artist, Andrea McGee, who you can find online at https://andreamageemusic.com/

Snow Problems: The AUS team responds to catastrophic winter weather Feb 25, 2021

When historic winter weather and freezing temperatures hit Texas the week of February 14th, millions across the state were impacted, and air service in Central Texas froze to a halt, buried under more than half a foot of snow and ice.

In this bonus episode of The Austin Approach, Michelle and Bryce talk about their experiences with the weather, and sit down with Mike Robinson, the Airport Systems Maintenance Chief, and Helen Smith, one of the AUS Airport Duty Managers, to discuss the incredible work that took place to protect the Austin airport's infrastructure and restore air service as quickly and safely as possible.

The Austin Approach Winter Weather Update Feb 22, 2021

A quick update from The Austin Approach on last week's historic snowfall in Central Texas.

Welcome to Austin-Bergstrom! Feb 03, 2021

"Wait - an airport podcast?" That's right! Welcome to the very first episode of The Austin Approach, where we're talking all things Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. This week, your hosts Michele and Bryce talk about their first times flying into Austin, the latest in airport food news, and interview the AUS Airport Operations Chief about the airport's response to COVID-19. Also, our friends from RDU's podcast The Fly Angle stop by to chat about about things to check out during your next trip to Raleigh-Durham.

Coming soon: The Austin Approach! Feb 01, 2021

A quick teaser for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's new podcast, The Austin Approach!

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