Profile
Occupation: Commercial Pilot
Airline: American Eagle
Aircraft: SAAB 340
Location: Inglewood, CA
Interests: Flying, Football, Basketball
What made you want to be an airline pilot?
Greetings. My name is Melvin White and I am a First Officer on the Saab 340 with American Eagle Airlines based at LAX. I am 29 years old and live in Inglewood, California...about 5 minutes east of LAX. I was born in Boston, MA. I moved to California when I was 4 years old. That 5 hour flight from Boston to LAX on a TWA L10-11 had a huge impact on my life. Not only did I stay up the whole flight looking out of the window, but I did not want to get off of the plane after we landed...I completely embarrassed my Mom... It was at this young age that I became extremely fascinated with airplanes and I knew that I wanted to be a Pilot.
As a child I was hooked on planes and I found myself wanting every model commercial airplane available. I would also just stare into the sky for hours watching the planes about to land at LAX. When I learned to drive, I still found myself watching the planes...while I was driving...not too safe right? I was always flying Online on Microsoft Flight Simulator as well. In 1998 while I was in college, I got a nice tax return and decided to use the money to start flying. That first flight was Amazing!!!! I flew about 11 hours total in about a month or so and I was very enthusiastic about flying, but I ran out of money pretty quick and was forced to put my logbook on the shelf with just 11 hours total time. I graduated from the University of Redlands in 2000 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and began working for Allstate Insurance Company handling auto accident claims.
I put flying on the back burner, thinking that becoming a pilot was just a Dream. In an attempt to make myself more marketable, I got back in school and got my Masters in Business Administration. As time passed, I became very comfortable working at Allstate, especially with the Pay Checks; however, I was not happy doing what I was doing. I realized that I am not an in office, working in a cubicle, being on the phone all the time type of worker. I love to fly and love to travel. The passion to become an Airline Pilot never went away. I worked at Allstate for 7 years, but it was time for a Change in Careers.
I learned about ATP from a friend who was also interested in becoming a Professional Pilot. I researched what ATP and other flights schools had to offer, and I was confident that ATP would be the perfect choice for me. I also had the opportunity to meet with American Eagle Michael and Kevin before I decided to begin my journey. I started ATP’s Private Pilot Program in March 2007 and obtained my Private Pilot License in May 2007. I started the the Airline Career Pilot Program (ACPP) in July 2007 at the Long Beach, CA location and finished in 96 days with my Commercial Single/Multi and Flight Instructor Instrument Single/Multi Certificates. Right after I completed the ACPP, I completed the Regional Jet Standards Certification in Jacksonville, FL and Thanks to all of the Advanced Training that I received at ATP, I was hired by American Eagle Airlines on November 20th, 2007. It took 8 months for me to go from a Student in the Private Pilot Program to First Officer with American Eagle.
I’m living proof that with Hard Work, Dedication, and Perseverance...Dreams Do Come True ! I thank my Wife, Parents, Family, and Friends every day for their Support and Encouragement.
I received A LOT of information and advice from this Forum as a Student at ATP. Please let me know about You and Your Goals. I’m looking forward to meeting you and answering any questions you have.
Bob
Bob is based in Newark (EWR) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in, Houston (IAH), and Cleveland (CLE).
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 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), and Cleveland (CLE).
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 Newark (EWR) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Houston (IAH), and Cleveland (CLE).
Chris
Chris is based in Newark (EWR) for Continental. They also have bases in Houston (IAH) and Cleveland (CLE)
JJ
JJ is based in LAX with SkyWest. They also have bases and domiciles in COS, DEN, FAT, PDX, PSP, SAN, SBA, SBP, SMF, SLC, ORD, SFO, TUS, ATL, and MKE
Ken
Ken is based in Columbus (CMH) with Republic. They also have bases in Indianapolis (IND) Pittsburgh (PIT), Washington DC (DCA), and Philadelphia (PHL).
Corporate Dan
Dan is based in Teterboro, New Jersey (KTEB) for Hertz Corporate Aviation
Roger
Roger is based in Houston (IAH) for ExpressJet. They also have bases in Newark (EWR), and Cleveland (CLE).
Dan
Comair has bases in New York (JFK) and Cincinatti (CVG).
Mitch
Mitch is in training for Compass Airlines. Compass Airlines is based in Chantilly, VA
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.
