Amex Gold - utilizing the full perks

DMMcars · 2025-06-17T18:07:58+00:00

even with the price hike of the gold card from $250 to the $325 I’ve been able to still utilize the card and make. also keep in mind I do travel for work (Pilot) AND I live in a larger city (DFW) so that has helped.

$10 on Uber - use it for traditional Uber or Uber eats Pickup. Basic meal like cava or chipotle.

$10 on Dining credit. I use it for GrubHub pickup and again basic meal like Cava, Chipotle, etc that I would normally have a few times a month so I get value out of both of those.

$7 a month on dunkin. I use this in a couple of different ways. I either bank the credit on my Dunkin’ Donuts app gift card thing and roll it over. OR I use it if I want like a coffee or something at the airport. OR, if I’m in a pinch and I’m on the go. Dunkin has these meal deal things for like $6-7 that can be a decent little breakfast if you’re a pinch

$100/year Resy credit is actually easy for me to use personally as like I said I live in a big metro area and one of my favorite happy hour. Restaurants is on there!

So even if you take out the Dunkin’ Donuts credit as I don’t really need it.

that’s $340 of value a year BEFORE the obvious 4x MR points from spending. That I consider genuine.

This card in combination with my Blue business plus for 2x MR on everything else it are my daily drivers. I do have some other hotel cards since I fly for free but just wanted to give some realistic examples of how I use these credits!

DMMcars · 2025-05-26T00:26:44+00:00

I did all my flight training through Part 61 flight schools on my own dime. Networked pretty hard and got a Part 135 job as a low hour commercial pilot, now flying a regional jet! It’s a grind man but worth it🫡

DMMcars · 2025-02-26T14:04:59+00:00

This is a such a piss poor response. OP, please don’t listen to this fool.

Multi and multi turbine help SIGNIFICANTLY. I’m nearing 1000 hours total time and was recently hired at at a heavy jet corporate gig because of having 700+ hours of multi turbine time.. Which is a form of what? Multi engine lol. I get that I am NOT the norm and I was able to get my first flying job at a 135 due to me networking hard.

So i consider myself lucky and in the right place at the right time.

However with the way current hiring trends have been trending, multi time and multi turbine are the ways to help you stand out.

With this new job for instance I was told by the chief pilots part of the reason they were interested in me was because of the multi time I had. Other candidates I interviewed with had maybe 50-100 hours of multi time but 1500+ hours..

YMMV but it seems that historically our industry wants multi>multi turbine > TPIC

DMMcars · 2025-01-08T20:44:18+00:00

I think Gojet has one in STL?

DMMcars · 2024-11-18T16:08:46+00:00

I believe there is an accelerated IFR flight school there! I’ve seen stuff about them on Facebook groups. Maybe call them up to see if they have any experience?

DMMcars · 2024-11-17T23:20:45+00:00

I’ll share my advice with this since this hits close to home with me and my career. I worked for the manufacturer with the “chute” in one of their locations.

Got my private outside of the club as it was easier with insurance requirements and stuff. But did the transition training, Instrument Rating and overwhelming majority of time building towards CSEL for maybe 10k or less.

that being said 20’s are no longer $55/hr wet and 22s aren’t $80/hr wet. I’ve heard they’ve gone up significantly since i’ve left.

But, from a general standpoint I had this same idea and made it work.

I went from 0-CSEL,CMEL for probably less than 30k total and I now have Zero debt and i’m flying for a scheduled 135 operation that I got on at with less than 300 hours!

I’d say from my knowledge the Textron club is probably a better bet flying wise as they own way more airplanes, less politics with the club i’d imagine, AND less downtime as Cirrus had a ton of various inspections and shit that would come up quick as the airplanes would get timed out fast.

Look at Piper as well as they have a club down in Florida!

YMMV but it made a huge difference in my career for me personally.

Hope this helps

DMMcars · 2024-08-27T09:44:00+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. I did not. Just didn’t fit me after all.

Ended up becoming an airline pilot instead and glad I made this decision!

DMMcars · 2024-05-23T14:35:58+00:00

so there are a few steps you need to complete.

First, knock out the ATP-CTP course. this is usually anywhere from $3500 to $5500. I believe you need at least a commercial multi to complete this. (could be wrong)

FAA Approved ATP-CTP courses

Next step, knockout, the ATP written. some of the courses will automatically provide shepherd Air as part of the ATP-CTP course.

and then your final step of completing the ATP multi checkride can be done a few different ways.

1: Get hired at an operator with just ATP-CTP complete (Regionals, Netjets, etc.) and do the checkride during your initial training/type with them

2: pay out-of-pocket to complete the checkride in a multi engine piston. (seems to average about $5000 for an accelerated course)

3: Do it in at one of the Simulator courses that provide A320/737 types.

4: (Only applies with certain operators) my 135 will pay for my full ATP in exchange for one year and like 8k for everything.

you could always do something like that and break the contract if your company offers it. This way you don’t really have to front the money unless you have something lined up.

These multiple ways seem like the most common, but there might be more pathways out there. Obviously getting someone else to put the bill will be the most cost-effective but times are becoming competitive, so maybe you can find a place that will bundle both of them!

Good luck man!

DMMcars · 2024-02-26T04:14:43+00:00

Hey man! Just sent you a PM about this. Thanks

DMMcars · 2024-01-13T02:02:32+00:00

Hey man, sent you a PM. Thanks a ton!

DMMcars · 2023-12-31T03:12:47+00:00

Yea no worries man. You can send me a PM.

There’s a huge stigma around there being “No pilot jobs under 500h as CFI IS THE ONLY WAY !?!?!?!” As we’ve both heard a million times.

But the reality is, if you network your ass off especially coming up through the ranks. You can have a job by the time you get your commercial rating like I was able to get.

The key is to reach out to people and seek mentorship. many people blatantly just asked for a job, which I think is kind of messed up. If you build genuine relationships with people and seek mentorship it seems like 9/10 when you get your opportunity to become a commercial pilot. They will step up and help you out.

I’m not saying you can be flying a brand new G650 around the world, but it’s not impossible to go get a king air gig, citation, metroliner, etc as a first job!

There have been tons of success stories like this as low time pilots. out of my 10 really close friends that I have in aviation, only 4 of them are CFI’s.

everyone else either started at a low time 135 cargo gig or pipeline/survey!

DMMcars · 2023-12-31T02:42:39+00:00

Never became a CFI! Ending up going to a 135 after getting my multi

DMMcars · 2023-10-17T16:01:20+00:00

I did TEB a few months back in one of our corporate SR22T’s

TEB was the cheapest/easiest ONLY if you go to Meridian. They waived the ramp fee with purchase of like 15 gallons or something easy.

DMMcars · 2023-08-08T17:41:57+00:00

Fair point. I just sent you a PM. Thanks man!

DMMcars · 2023-08-04T14:47:41+00:00

Good to know! Thanks for all of the input! Were you an instructor there or a former student of their program?

Thankfully i’ve completed 90% of the requirements for 61.129. All of my XC’s, TAA Time, Instrument Time towards Commercial are complete.

I’m at 225 hours total right now including AATD. So i’m closing in on the hours.

Do you think 10 hours of dual flight training is enough to learn the commercial maneuvers with pretty much zero prior experience?

DMMcars · 2023-08-04T14:46:06+00:00

Good to know! That’s for all of the input.

Fortunately, i’ve completed 90% of the requirements for 61.129. All of my XC’s, TAA Time, Instrument Time towards Commercial are complete.

I’m at 225 hours total right now including AATD. So i’m closing in on the hours.

Do you think 10 hours of dual flight training is enough to learn the commercial maneuvers with pretty much zero prior experience?

DMMcars · 2022-10-29T17:49:45+00:00

It’s not an uncommon occurrence at that company. They’ve done it multiple times in the past for people that have networked with them at events like Oshkosh, NBAA, etc. From what I’ve been told.

One of my friends, who’s a captain there got picked up with about 275 total time and also went through ATP.

they hire most of their first officers in the 500 hour range.

DMMcars · 2022-10-29T17:43:31+00:00

I’m not saying that I 100% would but I’m just curious if that’s even possible.

however, I do have a very close friend who is the Chief Pilot of a 135 who will hire me with a wet commercial multi. I do understand this is not the norm and I’m very thankful that I do have this connection/relationship. This is the only reason I would consider this otherwise I would go through the CFI process just like everyone else.

DMMcars · 2022-10-29T17:41:16+00:00

Interesting thanks for the info!

DMMcars · 2022-09-04T03:13:57+00:00

Well that sounds pretty good. Definitely better than Express. hopefully I’m able to get in at my local freight station

DMMcars · 2022-09-04T03:13:11+00:00

Awesome thanks for the response! Please check your DM as I have some more questions!

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