From the ground up – Bristow’s Samantha Cheramie earning her wings

From the ground up - Bristow's Samantha Cheramie earning her wings

_{Samatha standing in front of an AC-130 gunship at Hurlburt Field, the AFSOC base where she was stationed.}

Bristow Customer Service Representative Samantha Cheramie never had the goal of flying an airplane on her radar.

She was raised in the small town of Cut Off, Louisiana, about 5,500 people in the heart of Cajun country that got its unique name from a local waterway that was a "cut off" from Bayou Lafourche.

"Growing up, I was a bit of a tomboy, but sports didn't really interest me," she said. "I loved being outside, though, spending time with my family and just enjoying life in a close-knit community."

As a child, Cheramie never had a specific dream job or career in mind. She did consider becoming a surgeon or dermatologist at one point, but the amount of schooling and the potential debt made her hesitant. Flying, however, never crossed her mind. In fact, she doesn't even remember the first time she was on a plane.

She joined the U.S. Air Force in 2019 and served active duty at Hurlburt Field in Florida, headquarters for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). In January 2024, she transitioned over to the Air Force Reserves. She says military life would shape both her personal and professional outlook.

"Serving in the military gave me a clear understanding of the value of discipline, resilience, and hard work. The experience also gave me a sense of camaraderie that I haven't found anywhere else," she said. "I really enjoyed working with a diverse group of people, all committed to a shared mission, and that's something I miss. Those lessons are a big part of why I want to become a pilot."

Working today as CSR at Bristow in Houma, Louisiana, she's managing her job, private pilot training, college studies, and commitment to the Air Force Reserves. But it was a unique experience on an incentive flight during her active-duty military service where she caught the aviation bug.

"My uncle was an F-14 Tomcat pilot in the U.S. Navy, and he always talked about how much he loved it," she said. "Seeing his passion for flying and hearing how it wasn't just a paycheck but something he truly enjoyed-that stuck with me. Then, one of my friends in the Air Force, a gunner on an AC-130, took me on an incentive flight, and that's when I felt it. The next day, I booked a discovery flight, and it just clicked. I knew right there and then I wanted to fly."

After leaving active duty in early 2024 and becoming an Air Force Reservist, Cheramie returned to Louisiana and began exploring her options. During a family outing, she talked to fellow Bristow CSR Jackie Galliano about wanting to fly. Cheramie wasn't sure whether she wanted to pursue fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, and she had a lot of questions. Galliano, based in Houma, suggested that Cheramie visit Bristow's Houma base and chat with some of the pilots.

"So, I took her advice and visited, and the CSRs and pilots I met there encouraged me to apply for a CSR position," she said. "I went for it, and I've been here since April. CSR's serve as the main point of contact between helicopter pilots, ground personnel, and customers for all their operational needs."

Since joining in April, Cheramie said she has found a sense of community among her coworkers, many of whom have been instrumental in her journey. She says it's what she enjoys the most about working at Bristow.

"Being around people who are just as passionate about aviation has been amazing. Every day I learn something new from the pilots and colleagues here. They're always willing to answer my questions and share their experiences, which has been invaluable.

"Being around like-minded people who are so dedicated to aviation just adds to the excitement and motivates me to keep pushing myself."

Despite the support, balancing her myriad commitments is no small feat. The financial and personal sacrifices she's had to make haven't gone unnoticed.

"Time is a big sacrifice-missing out on family events and personal downtime is tough," she admitted. "And aviation training isn't cheap, so budgeting carefully has become a necessity. But once I finish my private pilot training, my GI Bill should cover a lot of the costs moving forward."

Her drive and determination have pushed her through the challenges, including a recent milestone: her first solo flight.

"Flying solo is a huge step in earning my license," she said, recounting the mixture of excitement and relief she felt. "It's a confidence boost and a reminder of how far I've come."

Cheramie's ultimate goal is to commission as a pilot in the Navy or Air Force. She says she misses the camaraderie and the culture of the military, so rejoining in a flight role appeals to her. But she's definitely keeping her options open.

"If the military doesn't work out, I'll look toward building hours with a regional airline and eventually working up to the majors."

Beyond her long-term goal of becoming a fixed-wing commercial pilot, Samantha admits that she dreams of adding helicopter certification to her repertoire.

"I'd love to be dual-qualified, but I'm not sure yet how that will fit into my career," she said with a laugh. "I guess I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie."

What advice does Cheramie have for aspiring pilots?

"Take it one step at a time, and don't let obstacles discourage you. Start with a discovery flight and talk to people in the field. Networking is key, and so many pilots are willing to help and give advice.

"Seeing my progress in the air and reaching milestones like my first solo-it makes all the sacrifices worth it," she said. "I know every bit of hard work is leading me closer to becoming a professional pilot, and that's what keeps me going."

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