Airways Interview: Meet Cindy Cox, 'Ball of Fire' Part 1

DALLAS — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, designed to bring attention and raise funds for research into the disease’s cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

With the month in mind, Airways publisher Steve Cosgrove met with Cindy Cox, a Boeing 777 First Officer for American Airlines (AA), who shared her long and successful journey battling the disease.

STEVE COSGROVE: Cindy, when did you decide you wanted to become a Pilot? 

CINDY COX:  I started out in nursing because I wanted to help people. When a patient passed away, I withdrew from the program on a full academic college scholarship. About five days later, my mother asked me what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I told her I wanted to be a Flight Attendant. She strongly suggested I do something different. So I said, “Then I'll fly the airplane.” 

So, on July 12, 1980 I went out of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and took my first lesson. My father was there waiting for me, and I came back down from my flight with the biggest smile. I said, “Dad, if I can fly the rest of my life, I'll be happy.” 

My father's advice was to find my passion in life. Don't settle for mediocrity because you have to work most days of your life. If you love what you do, you won't work a day in your life. He told me to try any occupation. I found my passion, FLYING! The coolest part of this story is that I'm the only daughter. I have two older brothers, and I'm the only Pilot, except for my father, who was a Carrier Pilot for the Navy, flying the RA-5C Reconnaissance version of the Vigilante jet in Vietnam. I followed in my father’s footsteps in the civilian route, but he did not suggest it.

Okay. So you came up the civilian route. Let’s talk about getting what it took to be in the mainline. 

I completed a two-year college program in one year, where I received my Private license, Commercial license, and Instrument rating. I'm not that smart,  I just went summers. After one year of college, I transferred into Purdue University as a junior. I received a four-year degree in three years from Purdue University. While I was attending college,  I would drive three hours one way to fly a Citation II for the Rea Magnet Wire Corporation. I logged almost 400 hours during a year and a half as a corporate Pilot. At the same time, I was working on my DC-8 Flight Engineers Rating, which I received through Purdue University.

Then, I returned to St. Petersburg, Florida, where I became a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII). I loved teaching; it was so rewarding, especially the primary students. I also taught Commercial and Instrument students for about a year before flying corporate again. I spent the next three years flying for a commuter airline called ASA, Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Then on October 12, 1987, I was hired by Piedmont Airlines, which US Air then acquired and eventually merged into my current airline, American Airlines.

And now you are a First Officer for the Boeing 777 based in Charlotte. And how long have you been with the airline? 35 years? 

Yes. 

I loved your attitude when I met you, about a year ago, at the DFW Employee Store. You were like someone who had just got a Pilot license the day before. You were so excited about flying; I think it was your second flight back. You said you had been off for 15 years? 

I was off for 16 years, believe it or not. We met in 2020. So that was two years ago. 

And, being a nosy person, I asked you why you had been off for 16 years. As you were telling your story, I just stood there, I think with my mouth open, and my jaw dropped. Please, tell our readers what happened.

While checking myself I found a mass in my breast. Before that, I had had my regular mammograms, which had never picked it up. So I found the mass, and it turned out to be cancer. I had breast cancer twice. 

At one point, I felt like I was dying, and I stood in my bedroom, looked up to the ceiling, and said, pretty much in this tone [frustrated tone]: “OK, God, I know I am dying because I can feel it, and if it's my time to die, so be it, I will die. But if not, send somebody to me or let me find them.” 

I was looking for help because the cancer center that was treating me had brushed me off and had said it was all in my head, when it wasn't.

The next day, my mother, who doesn't believe in alternative treatments or natural medicine, told me about a research scientist. That was a miracle! I went to see him and, in my opinion, he saved my life. The scientist got arrested by the State of Florida. According to his criminal attorney, "only a MD is allowed to cure a disease in the State of Florida."

So, I believe in keeping a robust immune system and prayer. That's just my personal belief. Also, follow your instinct, your gut. My brain and heart have lied to me, but my instinct never has. I feel like some people need to think outside the box and, in my opinion, that's why I'm healthy. 

I'm alive! I got my career back after 16 years. I’d been cancer-free since 2007, but I was on a pharmaceutical that kept me out of flying. Once I got the medication, I could reapply for my medical and get it back. I returned to American Airlines on Halloween day, October 31, 2019. I am very thankful, blessed, and happy to be alive, healthy, and have my career back.

I’ve had cancer, and I know what it's like when the doctor looks at it. He says you have cancer, and it's a punch in the gut. But you said that, in your case, it wasn't. You probably took the doctor aback with your attitude. 

Stay tuned to Airways next week for Part 2 of Capt. Cindy Cox's story.

Join with the AARC to find better ways to prevent and treat breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time for reflection on trends in breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Visit the American Association for Cancer Research (AARC) for more information.

_{The contents of this interview are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, image interpretation, or treatment. Airways recommends seeking the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition.}