Dirt Bag Airman

An Airman who possesses a highly developed ability to disappear the exact moment work begins for a cigarette break, reappear when food arrives, and somehow have an appointment every time they are needed. Often recognized by a questionable uniform, selective hearing, an energy drink, and repeated use of the phrase, “Nobody told me.” A true DBA operates at the absolute minimum level required to avoid paperwork while maintaining maximum distance from the NCOIC.

Jensen is such a Dirt Bag Airman, the only two things he’ll willingly do are marshal planes in and take smoke breaks—and somehow the smoke breaks last longer than brake jobs.

Dirt Bag Airman by The airplane mechanic August 13, 2026