Grandma's cooking and America's airspace

Audio By Carbonatix

This week’s Travel Tuesday podcast is a delightful blend of culinary nostalgia and aviation insight. Hosts Kevin McCullough and Linda Perillo kick things off with a mouthwatering review of Enoteca Maria, a Staten Island gem where grandmas from around the world take turns cooking their native dishes. Linda shares her recent visit, complete with tales of Nonna Carmelina, a 90-year-old hostess with lipstick and charm, and a Trinidadian grandma serving up oxtail. The restaurant, now the inspiration for a Netflix film, is as hard to get into as it is heartwarming.

The conversation then takes flight—literally—as the hosts welcome Dr. Sharon DeVivo, President of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology. She dives into the aging infrastructure of America’s air traffic control system, revealing that many control centers are decades old and in dire need of modernization. Dr. DeVivo explains how Vaughn College is stepping up to train the next generation of air traffic controllers, especially after the pandemic disrupted the pipeline.

Linda and Kevin probe deeper into the challenges facing the FAA, including outdated equipment, budget constraints, and the mandatory retirement age of 56 for controllers. Dr. DeVivo emphasizes the need for long-term investment and planning, rather than the current year-to-year budgeting that hampers progress. She also highlights the importance of raising awareness about aviation careers beyond piloting—especially in underserved communities.

The trio also touches on the real-life impact of these issues, with Kevin recounting a recent flight reroute due to runway construction and traffic congestion. Dr. DeVivo explains how airspace is managed and why delays happen, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the complex ballet of keeping planes safely in the sky.

To wrap things up, Linda shares a list of top family-friendly resorts across the U.S., from Maine to Georgia, while Kevin teases the next issue of their travel magazine, Passport Life. With a perfect mix of pasta, planes, and policy, this episode is a flavorful journey from the kitchen to the control tower.