Samantha Spencer: Why airport ops is the hardest job at the airport
The unlikely path to airport leadership—and what it takes to last
AVIATE with Shaesta · Shaesta Waiz, Michael Wildes
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Show Notes
Samantha Spencer oversees both landside and airside operations at South Bend International Airport—meaning she’s responsible for everything from FAA and TSA compliance to snow ops, badging, construction coordination, and daily airfield safety. She explains why airport operations has no “typical day”: her team can handle a fuel spill, a raccoon on a runway, a runway closure, a diverted aircraft, and pilot deviation reporting all before lunch—then make it look smooth anyway.
She also breaks down what it’s like to lead young in an industry that often equates leadership with age. Instead of trying to look older or act tougher, she builds credibility through preparation, consistency, and stepping in wherever needed. She shares wins like driving strong compliance results and staying active in the industry through professional programs and young professional leadership—while pushing back on the idea that you have to “move out to move up” to be qualified.
Looking forward, Samantha talks about how airports are modernizing fast—massive infrastructure projects, bigger aircraft capability, sustainability upgrades, and safer airfield geometry. She argues the next decade will demand leaders who kill the “that’s how we’ve always done it” mindset, take ownership, and invest in the next generation early—because the workforce pipeline is thinning and aviation needs new talent to step up.
CHAPTERS
(00:00) Running airside + landside
(01:38) Modernization pressure is real
(04:44) Meet Samantha Spencer
(05:34) No background, chose aviation
(08:12) Finding airport ops path
(10:45) Young leader, proving herself
(17:19) SMS without reinventing wheels
(22:43) “Controlled chaos” before lunch
(25:58) Notre Dame surge and “Irish apron”
(39:47) Be happy, humble, know worth
SPONSOR
Atlantic Aviation | atlanticaviation.com
WORK WITH SHAESTA
For bookings and inquiries, visit: https://shaestawaiz.com/book
MORE ABOUT SAMANTHA SPENCER
LinkedIn: Samantha Spencer, C.M., ACE
MORE ABOUT SHAESTA WAIZ
Website: shaestawaiz.com
Instagram: @shaesta.waiz
LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@aviateplatform
TikTok: @shaestawaiz
Threads: @shaesta.waiz
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