Profile
Occupation: First Officer
Airline: American Eagle
Aircraft: Saab 340
Location: LAX, California
Interests: Flying, Running, Hiking, Baseball, Music, Golf
What made you want to be an airline pilot?
I am a 25 year old First Officer for American Eagle based at LAX. I fly the Saab 340 B+. Just a short while ago I was a college graduate ready to embark on an intense journey to become an airline pilot. I was filled with excitement, anxiety, doubt, and relief that I was finally at a point in my life where I could pursue my dream.
My love of flying started from as young as I can remember. My father was active in General Aviation but due to health problems never had the chance to become a pilot. My mother was head flight attendant for Mohawk Airlines before becoming a supervisor of reservations for USAirways and my Uncle Dave is a Captain on the 737 for USAirways. As you can see the aviation bug bit me from both sides of my family.
I took a few ground school lessons in high school but could not handle the extra work load between school and sports so I had to put flying on the back burner for a little while. I ended up going to college and studying the Music Industry with hopes of becoming an entertainment lawyer or to work in radio. All throughout college I knew that I was not going to end up working in the music industry. I was not getting out of it what I put in and I just could not find my place in the industry. I always had flying in the back of my head throughout college but was hesitant to give it serious thought as a career. I did not want to switch schools and start over at an aviation college. So I took my Uncle’s advice and finished my degree so that I had something to fall back on in case I decided to pursue flying. I enjoyed my time in music and radio but as soon as I graduated college in May of 2004 I signed up for my first flying lesson. Throughout the training I knew aviation is where I belonged. 4 months later I was a brand new private pilot.
My experience with ATP started in November of 2004. I spent quite a lot of time researching schools during my PPL training. I needed a school that fit my personality and focused primarily on training you for the airlines. I wanted a school that worked fast but safely; affordable but professional. The school had to give me structure and direction but also plenty of freedom. ATP fit that description. I spent 11 months at ATP and honestly enjoyed all of it. I felt part of a team with ATP where everyone was working towards the same goal. I trained in Stuart, FL and instructed in Atlanta, GA. Through ATP I was interviewed and hired by American Eagle with approximately 650 hours total time of which 450 was multi time.
Flying is not for everyone. It is a lifestyle that is always changing and demands hard work. But if you have that desire to get off the ground, don’t fight it. I guarantee you will regret it if you don’t. Your dream can become a reality. I have been in your shoes before with plenty of questions about this career path. I will be honest and open about my experiences in this industry thus far and will do my best to answer any of your questions.
Bob
Bob is based in Ontario (ONT) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Cleveland (CLE), San Antonio (SAT), and Los Angeles (LAX).
Josie
Josie is Based in Dayton (DAY) with PSA. They also have bases in Knoxville (TYS) and Charlotte (CLT).
Clint
Clint is based in Milwaukee, WI. SkyWest also has bases and domiciles in COS, DEN, FAT, MRY, PDX, PSP, SAN, SBA, SBP, SMF, SLC, LAX, SFO, TUS, and ATL.
Michael
Michael is based in Chicago (ORD), with Eagle. They also have bases in Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (LGA) and Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), and San Juan (SJD).
Bobby
Bobby is based in Memphis (MEM) with Pinnacle. They also have bases in Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW) and Minneapolis (MSP).
John
John is Based in Charlotte, NC (CLT) with PSA. They also have bases in Knoxville (TYS) and Dayton (DAY).
Adam
Adam is based in Newark (EWR) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Houston (IAH), Cleveland (CLE), Ontario (ONT), San Antonio (SAT), and Los Angeles (LAX)
Kevin
Kevin is based in Chicago (ORD), with Eagle. They also have bases in Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (LGA) and Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), and San Juan (SJD).
Jeremy
Jeremy is based in Ontario (ONT) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Cleveland (CLE), San Antonio (SAT), and Los Angeles (LAX).
Chris
Chris is based in Newark (EWR) for Continental. They also have bases in Houston (IAH) and Cleveland (CLE)
JJ
JJ is based in ORD with SkyWest. They also have bases and domiciles in COS, DEN, FAT, MRY, PDX, PSP, SAN, SBA, SBP, SMF, SLC, LAX, SFO, TUS, ATL, and MKE
Ken
Ken is based in Denver (DEN) with Republic. They also have bases in Columbus (CMH), Indianapolis (IND), Pittsburgh (PIT), and Washington DC.
Corporate Dan
Roger
Roger is based in Houston (IAH) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Newark (EWR), Cleveland (CLE), Ontario (ONT), San Antonio (SAT), and Los Angeles (LAX).
Dan
Comair has bases in New York (JFK) and Cincinatti (CVG).
Mitch
Mitch is based in Newark (EWR) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Houston (IAH), Cleveland (CLE), Ontario (ONT), San Antonio (SAT), and Los Angeles (LAX)
Jerry
Jerry is based in New York (JFK) with Comair. They also have a base in Cincinatti (CVG).
Melvin
Melvin is based in Los Angeles (LAX) with Eagle. They also have bases in Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD), New York (LGA) and Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), and San Juan (SJD).
Todd
Todd is based in Denver (DEN) with SkyWest. They also have bases and domiciles in COS, FAT, MRY, PDX, PSP, SAN, SBA, SBP, SMF, SLC, LAX, SFO, TUS, MKE, and ATL
Matt
Matt is based in Altanta (ATL) with ASA.
