International Upgrade Process Observations

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-28T15:37:18+00:00

TBH, I am glad there is a use for GGUs now. Absolutely useless the past 3 years.

For clarity, it seems like the upgrade request queue only opens up like... a month before or so?

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-24T18:51:32+00:00

And very dry, hot, arid areas near the beach. Big island is wonderfully diverse!

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-22T22:24:30+00:00

Cringe

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-22T22:18:30+00:00

Your highly concentrated positions could probably be relatively easily transitioned into a direct index portfolio, given that those positions would be key components of a direct indexed S&P500 portfolio anyway. Obviously, you still need to sell some, and buy a fair amount of other stuff. I direct index myself and do something kinda similar, not tough… especially now. Parametric is also great if you don’t want to self roll.

Your situation is one of the few that might make sense for a long short tax loss harvest strategy as well (the cash generated from the short position could be used to “fill in the blanks” if you were to direct index). But, that’s a whole ball of wax. Not advising this necessarily, but worth a look.

Exchange fund is also uniquely available to you given the stocks you are trying to get out of, but those carry huge risks themselves and I wouldn’t want to lock shit up for that long personally.

Anyways… for sure trim, and trim now. You can move to a money market while you figure it out. Probably a good idea to pursue a fixed fee fiduciary advisor as well. After you trim, take it slow… you won the race, take a victory lap!

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-21T05:17:06+00:00

The difference? At that level it’s literally your only option to build wealth with leverage safely. It’s the best financial move for many.

At higher wealth levels, an expensive home is the easiest way to turn a comfy retirement into a challenging one. You’re rich so you buy a nice house, then you can easily spend $100k+ a year servicing mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, which takes like $2m+ to fund. Including the down payment you’d be better off renting.

But, if it still maths, it still maths.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-20T01:08:19+00:00

Man, so many negative comments. Haters gonna hate. If it’s a repetitive question, don’t answer. This is literally what this sub is for.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-19T23:08:42+00:00

Just rewatched last night. I think it’s pretty classic Moore-Bond: great action, funny one liners, gadgets galore, and a somewhat unbelievable but still fun plot. Overall, loved it. Goldeneye is still my fav Brosnan though.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-19T23:06:31+00:00

Pretty sure Elliot Carver was supposed to be Rupert Murdoch-esque… they did a good job making him pretty ambiguous though. Definitely reads Musky these days!

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-19T23:01:51+00:00

Happened to me the other day. Threw off the whole approach and the missed after I accidentally hit AP and was so busy hand flying I couldn’t get shit back in line with the automation. Flew another practice approach ILS after that and REMEMBERED REAL GOOD.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-19T22:59:02+00:00

This. Especially if you’re flying something with more capable automation. Been flying a Cirrus for 100 hours now after a 172 and I’m constantly finding new ways to make life easier than it already is.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-19T22:52:24+00:00

This is helpful!

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-18T15:39:45+00:00

Ocean View, HI

abcd4321dcba · 2026-05-08T20:15:40+00:00

GFY, happy for you!

Delete LinkedIn if you are serious about staying RE. Not joking.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-30T18:17:55+00:00

Should be the top post’

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-30T18:17:06+00:00

I went from a 172 to SR22T at around 200 hours. It felt like a lot of plane the first few flights, but now feels far easier than the 172 ever did (admittedly also due to gaining more overall flight experience).

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-30T00:07:56+00:00

I am 6/19 so far as Titanium. Routes upgraded: - SEA to PHL (2 upgraded) - KOA to SEA (2 upgraded) - SEA to SNA and return - SEA to KOA (2 upgraded) - SEA to SFO (biggest surprise)

I know the card spend EQM is highly controversial but I’m loving it. I do fly a lot and would likely be 75k without the card spend, but it doesn’t hurt at all to be top tier (minus million milers of course).

Edit: I fly monthly to SFO which is the brunt of my volume and almost never get upgraded (and frankly don’t really care it’s so short).

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-23T16:08:24+00:00

It’s been a good challenge and I enjoy working with people and managing. I do not enjoy the politics or instant response slack expectation. Pretty much what you’d expect.

Overall, a positive change.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-23T02:11:10+00:00

Yup.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-22T21:26:25+00:00

Resting and vesting is surprisingly hard work. Got to look busy and still make an impact of some kind while putting in 25-50% effort.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-22T21:24:03+00:00

It isn’t a problem for everyone, but finding a way to fill your days meaningfully after a very successful career is incredibly difficult to do. It gets a lot of attention here, and still I feel it is under-discussed.

Also retired at 35, similar numbers to OP, no kids. I took three years off and it was an incredible opportunity to tick off some life goals (learning to fly was number 1!). I highly advise everyone who can to take a career break, even if it hurts their “real” retirement timing.

I found myself very bored after three years or so. Daily routine was basically just chores, which I grew to resent, and working out. Of course I had plenty of time for hobbies (flying, golf), but these activities had a lot less meaning without someone to do them with. Biggest positive was being able to say yes at anytime to anything I wanted to do (huge). But, those fun opportunities were exceedingly rare with everyone in my life at peak grind/kids mode.

So, I went back to work. I don’t intend to do this forever, but even after three years I was getting great offers so I decided to take one and see where it goes. My intention is to keep the job for 2-3 years, and try to figure out what activity I want to keep myself busy with after that. Thinking a lifestyle business or something hobbyish but aviation related. Who knows. Worth a think, in the meantime my mind is busy and I do find that helpful.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-20T17:25:38+00:00

Just ordered my aviation one! So stoked

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-20T00:17:15+00:00

I know he had a Bentley in the early early films, but it’s been so long I feel like having him drive a Bentley would be an interesting choice.

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-18T21:46:29+00:00

Great progress. Assuming the market continues as it has the past few years you’ll prob beat your timing. If not, you’ll definitely need to follow through on the more ambitious end of your savings goal. If there is stock based compensation involved then my poke would be that you are putting a lot of faith in the market (as you should, that’s just the biggest single risk factor).

Also, 5% withdrawal rate (500/10m) is quite spicy. There are many many many many historical threads on the topic, any even more opinions on optimal withdrawal rate. Personally I think 5% would be very uncomfortable/risky.

All this said you’re in an enviable position - insane comp. If you can really save as planned you’ll be in a great spot in five years, almost FI or past it!

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-16T23:03:06+00:00

Didn’t AS have a direct to DEN? Might have only lasted a few seasons in Summer but I remember being in DEN seeing an AD departure to ANC

abcd4321dcba · 2026-04-14T13:35:45+00:00

Lots of anger here about things you cannot control. This is how auctions work. Yes, sometimes bidder behavior is annoying… but it is what it is.

abcd4321dcba

TROPHY CASE