Aviation and a love for animals have always been driving forces in Envoy Captain Daniel Pasco’s life. Whether he’s soaring through the skies or volunteering on the ground, Daniel combines his passions to make a meaningful impact for travelers, future assistance dogs and their handlers.
The makings of a pilot
Daniel’s aviation journey took off in high school where he balanced a rigorous academic schedule with training flights in Chicago.
“Along with running 300 days a year on our track and cross-country teams, it wasn’t easy,” said Daniel. However, his love for flying kept him motivated.
While attending Arizona State University, he joined Envoy as a Cadet in 2017 working toward his FAA certifications and ratings. Fast forward to June 2021, when Daniel joined Envoy as a First Officer.
Inspired by family vacations that fueled his interest in aviation, he cherishes how Envoy connects people from all walks of life.
“My favorite thing about Envoy is the amount of people I get to meet throughout the system,” Daniel said. “Despite being a large company spread across 160-plus locations, we often work with the same crewmembers and agents. It’s a fun atmosphere to share our love for the industry here at Envoy.”
Puppy love
In addition to being a dedicated Envoy pilot, for the past year and a half Daniel has also volunteered with the Puppies in Flight (PIF) program.
PIF is an American Airlines program that enables service dogs from Assistance Dogs International (ADI) to fly in the cabin free of charge, accompanied by volunteer American Airlines Group (AAG) employees. This unique initiative allows employees to volunteer their time and travel privileges to transport future assistance dogs to training facilities.
“Growing up, I volunteered at several animal rescue facilities across the country,” Daniel said. “I immediately got excited when I learned I could merge my passion for aviation and love for animals with PIF program.”
The PIF program is so popular there is often a waitlist to join. PIF offers extensive training that covers everything from TSA screening procedures to handling dogs in the airport. Volunteers like Daniel ensure these dogs are comfortable and ready for their important roles.
“Last month I was lucky enough to help transport an eight-week-old lab puppy from DFW,” Daniel said. “She brought so much joy to people throughout the airport, you couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.”
Happy trails, happy tails
Daniel’s dedication to flying and giving back exemplifies the heart of Envoy’s culture of connecting people, uplifting communities and supporting initiatives that create a positive impact.
As a pilot, Daniel helps travelers reach their destinations. As a PIF volunteer, he plays a vital role in helping assistance dogs prepare for their future journeys of service. With each flight, Daniel continues to bring joy, hope and smiles to people—and paws—everywhere.
Kudos to Daniel for his inspiring work on and off the runway!