Colleen Mondor
@chasingray.bsky.social
Aviation journalist, especially on Alaska. Never met a federal database I didn't love. "Probable Cause" newsletter is here: https://colleenmondor.substack.com/
Argentum Airways is now operating ATRs in Alaska and some folks have asked for a bit of info about them. (This is a screenshot from FB.) Here's what I know:
January 10, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Argentum Airways is now operating ATRs in Alaska and some folks have asked for a bit of info about them. (This is a screenshot from FB.) Here's what I know:
I see hysteria build here today over the USPS like I saw over aviation earlier in the year.
All you have to do is go up to the USPS counter and get a manual stamp on your ballot and you have the dated postmark. There is no additional charge. It takes 2 minutes.
Please - stop spreading fear.
All you have to do is go up to the USPS counter and get a manual stamp on your ballot and you have the dated postmark. There is no additional charge. It takes 2 minutes.
Please - stop spreading fear.
December 29, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I see hysteria build here today over the USPS like I saw over aviation earlier in the year.
All you have to do is go up to the USPS counter and get a manual stamp on your ballot and you have the dated postmark. There is no additional charge. It takes 2 minutes.
Please - stop spreading fear.
All you have to do is go up to the USPS counter and get a manual stamp on your ballot and you have the dated postmark. There is no additional charge. It takes 2 minutes.
Please - stop spreading fear.
If you are mailing anything that is time sensitive for any reason, you should be doing this already. And in the press release, it suggests that is the process.
So, don't panic. Just walk up and say "hello" and ask that it be manually stamped. It's easy.
So, don't panic. Just walk up and say "hello" and ask that it be manually stamped. It's easy.
December 29, 2025 at 9:29 PM
If you are mailing anything that is time sensitive for any reason, you should be doing this already. And in the press release, it suggests that is the process.
So, don't panic. Just walk up and say "hello" and ask that it be manually stamped. It's easy.
So, don't panic. Just walk up and say "hello" and ask that it be manually stamped. It's easy.
We got books for Christmas.
December 28, 2025 at 5:09 AM
We got books for Christmas.
Good grief. The current front page for the WSJ is not giving positive vibes for the country right now.
(I know there is little to be positive about, but the WSJ! Whoa!)
(I know there is little to be positive about, but the WSJ! Whoa!)
December 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Good grief. The current front page for the WSJ is not giving positive vibes for the country right now.
(I know there is little to be positive about, but the WSJ! Whoa!)
(I know there is little to be positive about, but the WSJ! Whoa!)
Better shot of our metal Christmas tree. You can see a Poker Flat rocket behind it, hanging on the wall on the left.
The tree-topper is, of course, Santa in an airplane. 😃
The tree-topper is, of course, Santa in an airplane. 😃
December 21, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Better shot of our metal Christmas tree. You can see a Poker Flat rocket behind it, hanging on the wall on the left.
The tree-topper is, of course, Santa in an airplane. 😃
The tree-topper is, of course, Santa in an airplane. 😃
Ours is metal….really.
December 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Ours is metal….really.
Also, this isn't the first time there have been military/civilian tragedies in civilian airspace. The FAA was built on such preventable accidents which is what makes DCA all the more heart-breaking. /fin colleenmondor.substack.com/p/37-the-ret...
December 18, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Also, this isn't the first time there have been military/civilian tragedies in civilian airspace. The FAA was built on such preventable accidents which is what makes DCA all the more heart-breaking. /fin colleenmondor.substack.com/p/37-the-ret...
Newsletter just went out wherein I talk all about the NDAA and what that means for civilian/military airspace issues and the ROTOR Act which is supposed to fix the NDAA issues and how I'm skeptical and, well, you get the idea. Read it here: colleenmondor.substack.com/p/37-the-ret...
December 18, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Newsletter just went out wherein I talk all about the NDAA and what that means for civilian/military airspace issues and the ROTOR Act which is supposed to fix the NDAA issues and how I'm skeptical and, well, you get the idea. Read it here: colleenmondor.substack.com/p/37-the-ret...
We are limited by 205 words for starred reviews at Booklist, but I'm proud of how I used every single one of them to explain how great a book "NO MORE TEARS: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson" by Gardiner Harris is. There is no hyperbole in what I wrote here - the book really is that fantastic.
December 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
We are limited by 205 words for starred reviews at Booklist, but I'm proud of how I used every single one of them to explain how great a book "NO MORE TEARS: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson" by Gardiner Harris is. There is no hyperbole in what I wrote here - the book really is that fantastic.
Also, the way we are elevating people who work without pay as the "true patriots" should concern everybody.
It's wrong. Everything about this is wrong and it does nothing to increase flight safety in America.
It's wrong. Everything about this is wrong and it does nothing to increase flight safety in America.
November 21, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Also, the way we are elevating people who work without pay as the "true patriots" should concern everybody.
It's wrong. Everything about this is wrong and it does nothing to increase flight safety in America.
It's wrong. Everything about this is wrong and it does nothing to increase flight safety in America.
And as for this comment in the press release, it is beneath an agency dedicated to safety to include it.
This is more evidence of the insidious practice of politicizing the FAA. It's a not so subtle threat, but in 2025 I am not surprised. /fin
This is more evidence of the insidious practice of politicizing the FAA. It's a not so subtle threat, but in 2025 I am not surprised. /fin
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM
And as for this comment in the press release, it is beneath an agency dedicated to safety to include it.
This is more evidence of the insidious practice of politicizing the FAA. It's a not so subtle threat, but in 2025 I am not surprised. /fin
This is more evidence of the insidious practice of politicizing the FAA. It's a not so subtle threat, but in 2025 I am not surprised. /fin
From the FAA press release cancelling recent emergency order that reduced flight ops in 40 airports nationwide.
One of the key things that came out of the conversation following the DCA midair was the definition of "normal", as it pertains to ATC, is a very fluid thing. /1
One of the key things that came out of the conversation following the DCA midair was the definition of "normal", as it pertains to ATC, is a very fluid thing. /1
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM
From the FAA press release cancelling recent emergency order that reduced flight ops in 40 airports nationwide.
One of the key things that came out of the conversation following the DCA midair was the definition of "normal", as it pertains to ATC, is a very fluid thing. /1
One of the key things that came out of the conversation following the DCA midair was the definition of "normal", as it pertains to ATC, is a very fluid thing. /1
Next newsletter goes out tomorrow. Sign up here: colleenmondor.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Next newsletter goes out tomorrow. Sign up here: colleenmondor.substack.com
For those tracking the Typhoon Dogs out of southwest Alaska, here is another reunion, in Anchorage. (From the family's notes in the comments, they look cold because they all ran outside when they heard that Boots had arrived.)
November 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
For those tracking the Typhoon Dogs out of southwest Alaska, here is another reunion, in Anchorage. (From the family's notes in the comments, they look cold because they all ran outside when they heard that Boots had arrived.)
Boeing is part of the investigation because it now owns McDonnell Douglas. The companies were separate when this aircraft was built and sold however. (For the difficult history of that merger, I strongly suggest Peter Robison's book, FLYING BLIND. peter-robison.com/the-book) /4
November 5, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Boeing is part of the investigation because it now owns McDonnell Douglas. The companies were separate when this aircraft was built and sold however. (For the difficult history of that merger, I strongly suggest Peter Robison's book, FLYING BLIND. peter-robison.com/the-book) /4
What aviation looks like in Alaska these days. This is Ryan Air, unloading Typhoon dogs in Anchorage.
Pic was taken from the Ryan Air FB page.
Pic was taken from the Ryan Air FB page.
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
What aviation looks like in Alaska these days. This is Ryan Air, unloading Typhoon dogs in Anchorage.
Pic was taken from the Ryan Air FB page.
Pic was taken from the Ryan Air FB page.
You know where this is going, right? The system was not in operation in 1967 because, well, money and lack of leadership and too many different groups arguing about what to do and MONEY. Also, going to the Moon.
But it will be ready by 1973!!!! /4
But it will be ready by 1973!!!! /4
November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
You know where this is going, right? The system was not in operation in 1967 because, well, money and lack of leadership and too many different groups arguing about what to do and MONEY. Also, going to the Moon.
But it will be ready by 1973!!!! /4
But it will be ready by 1973!!!! /4
From September 19, 1969 in the NY Times. First, the headline highlighting a preventable accident. This is when folks typically say the FAA never does anything and always waits for tragedy before acting. But then read the article excerpts & below to see that is not true. The FAA does try. /3
November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
From September 19, 1969 in the NY Times. First, the headline highlighting a preventable accident. This is when folks typically say the FAA never does anything and always waits for tragedy before acting. But then read the article excerpts & below to see that is not true. The FAA does try. /3
Here's some of the headlines from decades ago that I have found in researching ATC. They could all be written today, couldn't they?
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of covering the FAA is how much this story never changes. /2
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of covering the FAA is how much this story never changes. /2
November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Here's some of the headlines from decades ago that I have found in researching ATC. They could all be written today, couldn't they?
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of covering the FAA is how much this story never changes. /2
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of covering the FAA is how much this story never changes. /2
These folks are awesome.
Please donate here to the great folks of Bethel, Alaska who are saving a ton of a dogs (and at least one turtle) following the typhoon. :https://www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
Please donate here to the great folks of Bethel, Alaska who are saving a ton of a dogs (and at least one turtle) following the typhoon. :https://www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
November 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
These folks are awesome.
Please donate here to the great folks of Bethel, Alaska who are saving a ton of a dogs (and at least one turtle) following the typhoon. :https://www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
Please donate here to the great folks of Bethel, Alaska who are saving a ton of a dogs (and at least one turtle) following the typhoon. :https://www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
My Mom’s sunglasses were wicked cool in 1975 and still are today. 🙂
(I am going thru some old family photos.)
(I am going thru some old family photos.)
October 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
My Mom’s sunglasses were wicked cool in 1975 and still are today. 🙂
(I am going thru some old family photos.)
(I am going thru some old family photos.)
World Central Kitchen is in Bethel, Alaska and doing the same good work there that they do around the world. Make sure you follow them! @wck.org & founder @chefjoseandres.bsky.social.
October 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
World Central Kitchen is in Bethel, Alaska and doing the same good work there that they do around the world. Make sure you follow them! @wck.org & founder @chefjoseandres.bsky.social.
Typhoon Dogs update - they are heading out to, hopefully, trap the last of the dogs in Kipnuk, Alaska!
Donate to help the amazing work of these dog heroes here: www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
Donate to help the amazing work of these dog heroes here: www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
October 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Typhoon Dogs update - they are heading out to, hopefully, trap the last of the dogs in Kipnuk, Alaska!
Donate to help the amazing work of these dog heroes here: www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
Donate to help the amazing work of these dog heroes here: www.bethelfriendsofcanines.com/donate.html
Highly highly recommend you read Jeron's entire commentary (and the first part from a few days ago). He's an excellent writer. Here's a bit more from him on adjusting to Anchorage. (The link: alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/24/a...)
October 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Highly highly recommend you read Jeron's entire commentary (and the first part from a few days ago). He's an excellent writer. Here's a bit more from him on adjusting to Anchorage. (The link: alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/24/a...)