Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Rincon.
Hi Caroline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My father was an aircraft mechanic for Air Tran (who was inevitably bought by Southwest). Pre 9-11 I was always around airplanes, running around the airport tarmac. I knew I wanted to be a pilot in some capacity and when I went to my first Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show at 12 I was certain it would be my career path. I joined Air Force ROTC in Hialeah High where I was surrounded by like minded aspiring pilots who are current colleagues of mine to this day. My mother was afraid of the military route for me, so she promised she would always find a way for me to financially afford the expensive pilot civilian track if I promised to not enlist in the military. So I decided to enroll in the Broward College Aeronautical program. With the ability to stay at home and treat school like my job I was able to graduate with my Associates in Professional Pilot Technology and all my pilot licenses (Private, Instrument, Commercial). After graduating I worked as an Operations Supervisor while working on my Certified Flight Instructor license. This is a license which allows you to gain hours and valuable experience. I was able to teach at Broward College for about 2 semesters as a flight instructor when I decided to move to Melbourne, Florida. Florida Institute of Technology was offering a competitive salary and a reimbursement in my next two flight instructor license add-ons (Instrument and Multi Engine). I stayed on for about two years. It was always my dream/end goal to work in the corporate/private flying sector. I was enthralled with Gulfstreams and the fast paced and varietal lifestyle that private flying gave. I was lucky enough to be offered a job by Planesense Inc where I flew a Pilatus PC-12 which delivered exactly that lifestyle. I landed in grass runways, backyards, hot Key West and snowy Nova Scotia all in the same day. I was then offered an opportunity to fly a Citation CJ3 with Jetsuite which expanded my horizons even further seeing more mountainous destinations, transporting celebrities, politicians and Silicon Valley executives. I was convinced I would fly corporate forever until I came across my now husband (then colleague) who painted the truth about the lifestyle of an airline pilot. At the time I was flying, the entry job into airline flying (regional flying) paid very little and saw boring destinations. Something I was not interested in. He informed me that with my experience I was able to apply to larger airlines, rather than the regional airlines I was so wary to fly for. I applied to Spirit Airlines, not expecting a phone call at all; since I met their hourly requirement in flight hours by very few hours. I got a call within 2 weeks! This call changed my entire life as the next 7 years of my life with Spirit are, to this day, my fondest. I joined at a time that I was able to gain seniority very fast and upgraded to Captain at the 2.5-3 year mark, despite the delay with COVID. My first flight there (I have a picture of this moment!) my father was able to see me off at the tarmac of Fort Lauderdale airport since he worked on the field with Southwest. It was a full circle moment for me. My father who gave me the passion for flying was able to see me off on my very first flight of an airplane holding 200+ passengers. Moreover it was a bittersweet moment because 7 months earlier my mother, who preferred I fly, in her words, “bigger safer airplanes” passed away from Lou Gherigs disease (ALS). She was never able to see me in my fancy crisp white pilot uniform with stripes. I spent 4 years as a Captain of the Airbus there and due to the industry difficulties I made the tough decision to work at a larger legacy airline. The decision was not difficult because of the airline I applied to, but because I was now a mother to a 3 month old and married to the very same pilot who set me on this airline career path. Most people don’t understand the difficulties in raising a child with another pilot where you can be a single parent 4 days at a time when your spouse is gone. Moreover missing out on moments due to travel and the financial constraints of a new job. Had it not been for the massive support from my family I would not be able to continue this career path today. I currently get to see new destinations, have an opportunity to fly bigger aircraft and my world has opened up even more. All because of the fabulous people in my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the sake of my family I had to apply to start applying and interview prepping for airlines after the industry started struggling. I vividly remember flying to Minneapolis 6 months pregnant and miserable, to a job hiring fair. Then having to leave my son 6 months post partum to attend training for the new job. The current struggle of juggling a schedule with my pilot husband and relying on my family for childcare has proven challenging. But it has been getting easier with every month. My sisters are my greatest supporters and champions to continue being a working mother.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently fly the Airbus series of narrowbody aircraft and am proud! It is more technologically advanced and at times feels like managing a computer. Which fits right into my specialties as a gamer. I am set apart by my colleagues by being part of the 1% of pilots who is a women of color. Everyday I meet people who are stunned to see me and I get to meet and inspire younger girls who run up to the flight deck for a picture. A moment I will never forget was meeting one of the women who inspired the movie Hidden Figures on a flight out of Baltimore. She came up to me and told me she was proud of ME?! That is absolutely wild coming from a heavily inspirational woman who paved the way for women like me. Also, surprisingly the amount of attention I get for wearing my natural curls some days gets the most attention. It took a while for me to be confident enough to be my true self and wear my hair naturally and I was shocked to see how many people compliment and commend me for doing so. I look very different from my colleagues and it makes me proud when I get to encourage others to do so as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @wander_curls91
Image Credits
Spirit Airlines
