Captain Cheryl Pitzer, Traveling at Warp Speed

The Road Less Traveled at Warp Speed

Captain Cheryl Pitzer

 

Captain at FedEx, volunteer pilot for Project Orbis, and rancher of exotic animals - Cheryl Pitzer knows what she wants. She has single-mindedly followed her own Road Less Traveled at warp speed, and she’s making a difference. Here is her story.

 

I worked my way through college selling spring break trips to students. For every 10 trips I sold I got to go for free. In those days I sold a lot of Mazatlan trips. Upon graduation, armed with a degree in advertising, I wanted to keep traveling so decided to become a flight attendant while continuing to look for that perfect advertising job. Early into my flight attendant career I stuck my head in the cockpit and saw the pilots in action. The view from the front of the aircraft struck me like a lightning bolt; I wanted to be in the driver’s seat flying.

 

I continued working as a flight attendant while taking flying lessons at Hooks Airport in Spring, Texas. It took a while, but I eventually got enough hours, and obtained my ratings. Along the way I met Marcela White, one of the few female managers of a charter company in the United States. With the lack of female pilots in the industry, she not only became a good friend, but as a mentor gave me much-appreciated advice.

 

“As a female pilot it won’t be easy, but it’s achievable. You must stay focused, work hard, keep your nose clean and stick to your principles, no matter what. You must also be thick skinned as you will be a minority in a world of men, but don’t let that deter you. Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.”

 

I took her advice to heart and went on to build a successful flying career. My flight path was not different from many other pilots. Seeking to build flight hours I flew for different charter and air cargo companies, got my dispatch license, earned a few type ratings and eventually found myself flying for Merlin Express out of San Antonio, Texas. They were a small carrier contracted by Federal Express from time to time when they had a mechanical failure or got overloaded. Through them I got to know the crews at FedEx and vowed to work for them one day. It was not easy to get on with a prestigious organization like FedEx, but with perseverance, hard work and patience I eventually got my chance.

 

In 1995 I was hired to fly as a second officer on a DC10 cargo aircraft. I eventually worked my way into the captain’s seat of the MD11, which I still fly today. In my flight career with FedEx, I accepted a position in the flight training department and qualified to issue type ratings in the MD11. Most recently, I accepted a new position as the Duty Officer for Global Operations Control working with the dispatchers to run System Control.

 

Through my work with FedEx and the training department, I’ve had the opportunity to study human factors and have applied that learning to crew performance. I feel FedEx has one of the safest and most highly regarded Crew Resource Management Systems in the business. There are two specific incidents that stand out for me as great examples of teams working together in emergencies.

 

9/11/2001: When the planes hit New York City’s twin towers, my crew and I were en route from Hong Kong to Anchorage, Alaska. We were flying along the coast of Asia, just about to jump off and head across the Pacific Ocean, when we got an ACARS (aircraft communications addressing and reporting system) message telling us “A plane has been hijacked.” On the heels of that message, we got the second notice about the twin towers being hit by a plane. We thought it was a joke and quickly, with all the chatter on the radio, realized it was not.

 

Things were extremely confusing, but our crew exhibited the type of performance we at FedEx expect. We stayed calm and put a plan together. FedEx dispatch had their hands full and relayed a message directing us to divert the aircraft to Anchorage. Knowing how confusing things were, and realizing the closest airport to us was Tokyo, we contacted the tower at Tokyo only to find out they had just closed the airport. Upon hearing our dilemma, they immediately opened up the airport and allowed several aircraft to land. For the next few days, as the U.S. grounded all aircraft, the world kept flying and the Tokyo airport was as busy as ever.

 

It was almost impossible to get through to anyone back in the U.S. since our analogue cell phones would not work in the digital Japanese environment. It took us five days to relay our location to FedEx Dispatch. It was a time I’ll never forget.

 

JFK: The second incident where our Crew Resource Management was put to the test and passed with flying colors was an emergency that occurred when I was flying Captain on an MD11. We’d just taken off out of JFK airport when we had a complete electrical failure. With the glass cockpit in the MD11, that meant all our instruments were unreadable.   This caused problems with the flight controls, aileron, rudder… the basic tools we needed to land the aircraft. There was no checklist as it was the type of failure that should not be possible; yet here we were. Despite the urgency of the situation we remained calm and together we ultimately landed the aircraft safely. I later received the CEO award for our actions. It’s one of the highest awards bestowed by FedEx. I give my first officer and the Air Traffic Control team a lot of the credit for their calm problem-solving demeanor. Without their input, the situation could have ended differently.

 

I am grateful for the path I’ve taken and look for ways to pay it forward. Three years ago I began volunteering as a pilot for Project Orbis, a flying eye hospital. https://www.orbis.org/en   This program has been around 30 years. It began with a donated DC-8 from Pan Am and has evolved to a state-of-the-art DC10 donated by FedEx about 3 years ago. The front of the aircraft has a 46 seat classroom where local doctors from third world countries come to observe and learn vision saving techniques from experienced doctors operating in the sterile surgical unit in the rear of the aircraft. Project Orbis is a teaching hospital and the aircraft has no “home”. It moves around from countries like Ethiopia to Mongolia. Most of the donors are from Asia, but we are looking for more sponsors in the U.S and plan on featuring the aircraft in shows like Oshkosh and Sun ‘n Fun. I am looking forward to flying to Mongolia with the team later this year. Below is a link to a story the Memphis Daily News did on the organization and our involvement:

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2016/jun/17/eye-in-the-sky/ 

 

Growing up I rode horses competitively, so when my fellow FedEx pilot and husband Pete and I were looking for a place to buy, we knew we wanted property where we could keep horses. We now own Lazy Dog Ranch in Nevada, Texas where not only do we have horses and donkeys, but camels
too. https://lazydogranchtx.com/ One of my favorite pets is zdonkey, a cross between a zebra and a donkey.
At the ranch we also host a camel clinic through our vet once a year. It’s quite a sight to see when you look out and see 21 camels in one place.

 

On our time off, Pete and I love to sail. We have participated in several regattas. One of my favorites is the Interline Regatta out of the BVI’s (British Virgin Islands). Our racing boat, “Freight Dog” was painted with orange and purple letters.

 

Some would say I live an interesting life and I would agree. Thinking back, there have been lessons learned that I share today with younger women in the hopes that they can avoid some of my pitfalls. Regardless of how many times I’ve fallen, I always pick myself up, course correct, and keep going. Above all, I never quit learning. I recently obtained my helicopter type rating last year and someday hope to do volunteer search work with it.

 

 

In the aviation world it’s assumed a man can do the job until they can’t, while women must prove that they can. You are scrutinized more for your mistakes.

 

• In my flight career I’ve always felt more encouraged by the men than the women. I have tried to be an example to other women to help change that mindset.

 

• I’ve always kept my nose clean and stayed true to my principles, despite getting pressured by some to do otherwise.

 

• I sought mentors and was thrilled to find two strong women among them. Marcela White, today the co-owner of Tavaero Jet Charter out of Houston, taught me professionalism and the importance of being tough around guys when things weren’t going well. Cyndi Berwin, Senior Manager of Flight Training at FedEx taught me how to stand up for what I believe. I am known in some FedEx circles as the “Crazy Chicken Lady” because I fought to ensure that the baby chickens and ducks be moved to the upper deck from the lower while being transported due to the high rate of loss. We are currently involved in a project on how to safely transport animals such as whales, dolphins and zoo animals.

 

• Never be “done”. Always aspire to your next adventure. I am looking forward to my new position as Duty Officer. I never thought I’d hold a management position, but what I have realized is every time I stepped up to the challenges presented me, I’ve learned.

 

• It’s a small world. Be careful who you “piss off” as they may one day be your boss.

 

• Take the high road, do the right thing. People do notice

 

• Never let them see you cry. Go into the bathroom, step away, do what you have to do, but in a male world, typically tears are seen as a weakness.

 

 

Marcela’s advice about having thick skin would come back to serve me well over the years. Some pilots accepted me willingly as a peer; others continually challenged me believing women didn’t belong in the cockpit. Nevertheless I was determined, had the support of great friends and mentors and have thoroughly enjoyed my career as a female pilot.

 

It is my great pleasure to tell Cheryl’s story. It’s one fraught with adventure and is not without challenge. Through it all she has maintained her principles and values and is paying her success forward. Thanks, Cheryl, for being such a great role model for other women aspiring to travel down their own “Road Less Traveled”. If you know someone that can benefit from Cheryl's experience, please share this article. It is our goal to inspire women to follow their dreams.

 

Lorraine Grubbs is an author, speaker and leadership development expert who works with companies to help them create Happy Workplaces. To read more articles like these go to her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorrainegrubbsinspiringpeople/