Sunrise, Sunset for FLYING: To Everything, There Is a Season

Sam Weigel writes his final Taking Wing column for the magazine.

Sam Weigel

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

After 14 years of FLYING columns, the author looks to new horizons. [Credit: Sam Weigel]

Key Takeaways:

The author is concluding his "Taking Wing" column for FLYING magazine after 14 years, a decision made partly due to external pressure from his airline.
His airline mandated he vet future columns and file a conflict-of-interest form after a vendor complained about a previous article, a requirement the author is unwilling to accept.
He also feels the column, originally focused on the struggles of youth and early career, no longer reflects his current stage as a senior airline captain, and he wishes to make way for newer, younger voices.
The author plans to pursue new writing projects, including books and freelance work, embracing the idea of moving on to the "next great gig."

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My high school journalism teacher told me not to bury the lede, so I won’t: This will be my final Taking Wing column in FLYING.

Now, now. Sheathe those pitchforks and snuff those torches, good citizens, for the magazine leadership has nothing to do with this. My editors assure me that if they had their druthers, I would scribble on ’til the ink pot slipped from my ancient, withered fingers.