When your job involves traveling thousands of miles each month, finding the right balance between life and work isn’t always easy. Republic Airways Captain Bryan Linck reflects on what it is about Republic that makes him feel at home.
“I’ve had a lot of jobs,” he says. “I was a math and English teacher. I was a builder. I worked for a nonprofit. This is completely different.”
For Bryan, that difference goes beyond the demands of the cockpit. “The actual job of being a pilot is similar anywhere you go. You’re flying a plane, you’re flying passengers or cargo from point A to point B. What makes the difference with Republic are the intangibles – the culture, being somewhere that feels like family. Everybody’s got your back.”
That’s made his time at Republic unlike any other. “Once you find a place that kind of feels like home, flying becomes a job you love doing.”
Republic’s focus on work-life balance made an immediate impression on Bryan. “From the moment I got involved with Republic, I didn’t feel like a number,” he says. “I felt like I was going to be supported.”
He saw that firsthand during the week of Thanksgiving – the single busiest time of the year for air travel. “I was teaching a course at Republic’s new training center, and could have done a two-leg commute on Thanksgiving Day and then come back,” he says. “But I’d rather spend less time in airports and more time with my family.”
Bryan’s wife and two teenage daughters drove to Indianapolis to spend the holiday with him – while he finished up his teaching duties at the Training Center, across from the Brickyard Hotel. Owned and operated by Republic Airways, the hotel provides a place for associates to stay during training. The hotel offers relaxing spaces as well as full meals, prepared by its very own chef.
“We had plans to go out for a nice dinner together,” Bryan says. “But when I came down for breakfast at the hotel that morning, the chef said, ‘We’re doing a big Thanksgiving feast here. We’d love to have you.'” Although the offer came as a surprise, Bryan and his family decided to accept.
Bryan was further surprised to see Republic’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Matt Koscal there with his own family. “He was greeting people as dinner got underway, and waved my family over as we came in to welcome us,” Bryan says. “We had a great experience. Not only do I feel like I’m part of a family at Republic – but my actual family is part of the Republic family.”
Bryan and his family also appreciate being able to fly anywhere in the world on Republic’s three partner airlines: American, Delta and United. “We try to do an international trip every month,” he says.
“This greatly expands travel options for us,” Bryan explains. “Maybe you have plans to take a United flight that fills up. No problem. We can just check Delta or American. For us, that’s a big deal.”
“Allowing my kids to see the world, hopefully they see what a benefit it is to work for Republic.”
If you’re interested in joining Republic Airways, learn how our culture and work-life balance sets us apart.