Executing category-three landings in dense fog, using the “voice of God” to manage difficult passengers, and calling Mayday after an engine fire—commercial airline pilot Paul Drusch has seen it all. Why does a pilot’s paycheck effectively begin the moment the parking brake is released? And what exactly is a “sterile cockpit”? (Hint: it’s not about cleanliness.) [buzzsprout episode=’19294742′ player=’true’] View the episode transcript About What It’s Like to Be… In each episode of What It’s Like to Be…, bestselling author Dan Heath talks with someone about what it’s really like to step into their (work) shoes. Behavioral Scientist is a distribution partner, with new episodes released every other week. Learn more about the podcast’s “slow curiosity” mission here, and click here to read Dan’s reflections on how that mission has evolved after a year of conversations. The “Airline Pilot” episode of What It’s Like To Be… features Paul Drusch and was produced and edited by Matt Purdy. Copyright © 2026 by Dan Heath. All rights reserved. The post What It’s Like to Be…an Airline Pilot appeared first on Behavioral Scientist.