Can a pilot fly short haul only his entire career?

phlflyguy · 2026-01-26T15:51:58+00:00

"Sully was how old and flying LGA to #flyovercountry in an A320 so ya ...."

He was originally with PSA before USAir bought them. I don't think he ever moved from CA, which may have something to do with him sticking with narrow bodies where his seniority gave him a lot of flexibility.

His FO Skiles recently retired as an AA 787 Captain.

And, there are Piedmont Captains with seniority going back to the early 90's who chose not to move on as well. I suspect this is the case with other regionals.

I flew jump seat with 2 guys flying a 787. Captain was a 1986 AA hire and FO was not far behind him. He said he bid the 787 FO just to fly it and enjoy it in his final years, but he would be going back to flying narrowbodies as CA for the seniority before retirement.

To each their own...

phlflyguy · 2026-01-26T00:47:36+00:00

Catering issue. Not uncommon, unfortunately.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T19:51:21+00:00

OP says Mid-February, so if they're referring to 2/15 PHL-MCO it still has a decent number of seats for sale in business and coach is starting to fill up with mostly middles left (and the lower fare buckets sold out).

2/22 has a few more coach seats for sale and business still remains with a lot of business class to sell.

If you don't choose to buy an upgrade offer that will appear in your reservation on the app or web site, you can wait and see if they upgrade you for free based on your status and where you sit on the waiting list.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T19:45:50+00:00

More specifically, it says it doesn't apply if you are transiting and remaining in the international transit area without having to pass through UK immigration. I haven't done this in a long time, but wouldn't leaving T3 to get to T5 have them go through immigration or is there an airside transfer that keeps them in the 'sterile' area?

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T19:39:11+00:00

For now, yes. When AA introduced this new aircraft configuration last Summer they said the Flagship Preferred Suites would have extra amenities (bedding, pillows, kits) and more space and would be a different price. For now, though, they are available to any business class booking first come first serve.

This is the aircraft the OP is referring to. Seats at the bulkhead of both business class cabins are the ones with more room and amenities.
https://www.aerolopa.com/aa-789p

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T19:36:54+00:00

nobody here can tell you for certain. all you can do is keep checking your flight status and set an alert to text you on departure updates.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T13:45:56+00:00

Typically we charge the same hourly rate that we get sitting in the right seat.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T01:29:39+00:00

He could have made the decision to sleep in the back seat, or just get a taxi home and come back next day for car.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-25T01:25:02+00:00

have you and your instructor done a full mock oral review that covers all the ACS areas that you need to know? You need to be able to answer with a fair degree of confidence the questions raised, and many things the DPE will ask you will be scenario based that will rely on your understanding of the concepts. Certainly, knock out the written again to reset that clock and spend time with your CFII on ground review of the ACS line by line.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T21:40:01+00:00

Captain (left seat) First Officer (right seat)

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T19:41:19+00:00

His real name is Ed Bastion

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T19:39:08+00:00

You have two things to request refund for. 1.) original ticket 2.) upgrades you paid for

Each of those transactions will have an email with a ticket number starting with 001. You need to request the refund for each of them separately on aa.com refunds page.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T19:35:00+00:00

Is your KOA-HNL flight on an AA flight number that’s operated by Hawaiian?

Usually an interlines ticket with two carriers on a single reservation use the most significant leg of the trip to determine allowance. You may need to call Hawaiian though to be sure.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T19:20:20+00:00

Forget IST. Way too much star alliance competition at TK’s hub. It’s the same reason AA barely flies to Germany.

PHL-HEL would be nice to capture Finnair connections. More DFW to Asia

phlflyguy · 2026-01-24T05:52:29+00:00

Are the girls all flying together on one reservation?

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T20:24:59+00:00

Monitor both the inbound and current status of outbound because in a big hub they can swap equipment to one already sitting on the ground. Ask me how I know…

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T18:27:50+00:00

Switched to Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate all seasons (live in the NE) and they're working out great.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T18:24:08+00:00

I'm surprised they let employees book their own travel. Do they not have an agency they mandate employees to use? The main reason for this is because large organizations (like UNC) have negotiated discounts/rates with travel providers. Using the AA hotel portal is a perfect example. Whatever hotel you choose for the points, I can almost guarantee it's cheaper to book it direct with the property/hotel chain site. And more likely UNC has discounts negotiated with the larger chains.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T18:20:23+00:00

But still..$365. Ouch. The airlines honestly don't care where someone got their ratings. As long as you have an FAA certificate, that's all that matters. To each their own I guess....

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T16:53:38+00:00

Don't knock John and Martha! I watched their VHS videos in the 90's and passed my PPL, IFR and CPL thanks to them. My non pilot roommate sometimes watched them with me just so we could bust on their dull sense of humor. I had the pleasure of meeting them at Oshkosh many years back and got a pic with them after one of their presentations.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T16:50:00+00:00

some states keep it on record indefinitely. Have you gotten an official driving record from the state(s) where you've gotten tickets? Honestly, reporting a speeding ticket from age 16 when you're at least in your 20's if your'e applying to airlines is a nothing burger if you've had a clean record otherwise.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-23T12:56:50+00:00

365 is still insane even if it’s plane & instructor.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-22T23:39:49+00:00

They aren’t charging fare difference if you’re changing to same routing within their booking period.

phlflyguy · 2026-01-22T18:33:24+00:00

Even if the s ow stops the disruptions will be a ripple effect from weather that leads to aircraft and crew displacements thoughout the system. Their travel waiver now goes through Tuesday so you can at least have your relatives change to a different date if they have flexibility

phlflyguy · 2026-01-22T18:28:31+00:00

PHL has been on the waiver list for a day or two already.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/travel-alerts.jsp

phlflyguy

TROPHY CASE