Rob Ponto

"Be strong & courageous. Don't be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you in every place, wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@EvanPetzold Appropriate response

[Rae ❤️‍🔥 @FiatLuxGenesis]

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

https://t.co/VqMYogbSmk

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@MarcRyanOnAir Village in the summer. Museum in the winter.

[Robert Sterling @RobertMSterling]

I just had the craziest experience at the airport.

We are about to board a flight to Atlanta when the pilot from the incoming plane walks out of the jetway. Guy is probably late 50s, salt and pepper hair, military look. The kind of pilot you instantly feel good about seeing on your flight.

Pilot walks over to the counter, gets on the PA system, and starts addressing everyone. “Folks, I’ve been doing this a long time. Flying one of these jets is easy. The hard part is looking at 130 people and telling them their flight is going to be delayed.”

Audible groans throughout the boarding gate. Most people here are flying to Atlanta as a layover before another flight. 130 people just had their day become a complete mess.

The pilot goes on. “I get it, trust me. But here’s the deal: During our landing, we had a small mechanical issue. I’m not your pilot for the next leg, but I don’t feel confident the jet’s safe to fly until we have a mechanical team look it over, and I don’t feel comfortable asking the next pilots to fly you guys until we get confirmation.”

He points at the agents next to him behind the counter: “Now, none of this is the agents’ fault. Please be kind to them. I’m the one who made this decision, not them, so any inconvenience you experience is my fault. Just please know that I don’t do this lightly, and I’m only doing it because I believe it’s in the best interests of everyone’s safety.”

Now this is where the story gets crazy. The pilot puts the microphone down, grabs his suitcase, and all the people in the gate…

Start clapping.

I’m not joking, everyone starts clapping for the guy. 130 people who just had their travel plans ruined give an ovation to the guy who made the decision and delivered the message.

All because he addressed them with decency and transparency, took ownership of the decision, made it clear that it was necessary, and explained why it was in everyone’s best interest.

It’s honestly one of the best examples of strong communication—of strong leadership, for that matter—that I’ve seen in a long time.

@Delta, whoever your Atlanta to Wichita pilot was this morning, he’s one of the good ones. Please tell him the delayed passengers of flight 1637 appreciate what he did.

[mm @muhtacinm]

John Blair Bickerstaff is hilarious

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@FrediThePizzamn Mark Fidrych - knee/rotator cuff

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@FrediThePizzamn Kenta Maeda loading…

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@FrediThePizzamn Gibby and Senior Smoke

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

Are our @tigers winless in these blue jerseys and goofy hats?

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

https://t.co/wJgcjVFvqv

[MSU @michiganstateu]

MSU is helping provide the playing surfaces for the World Cup, in collaboration with @FIFAcom and @UTKnoxville.

Researchers previously worked with FIFA on the 1994 World Cup, developing and delivering a novel system of portable turfgrass. This system is now the industry standard.

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@MarcRyanOnAir Way to go, Stevie Y. You’re my fav HOF player, but a way too patient EVP/GM who has stacked the Wings with floaters and precious prospects you won’t dare leverage. Time to fail up to prez and bring in a competent GM to get the job done. Chris I isn’t mad. Parking lots are full.

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@DaveBondyTV This is the stuff we remember from our childhood.

[Rob Ponto @rcponto]

@MarcRyanOnAir He is indeed! Happy Easter, Marc and fam!

[Dave Bondy @DaveBondyTV]

I didn’t need the welcome to Michigan sign to tell me I’m here. The weed signs do it.

[Nick Brandel @MotorCityBanter]

Never forget when Kirk Gibson launched one COMPLETELY out of Tiger Stadium. 🚀