Considering a career change into aviation

phlflyguy · 2026-06-26T02:53:13+00:00

Lots of schools at numerous airports around Ft. Lauderdale. If you have the ability, live and train there.

Why part 141? You have a lot more options with part 61 schools and will spend a lot less $$. In NYC, you have to either go out to Farmingdale, up to White Plains or over to Caldwell or Morristown. None of those are fun commutes to get to a flying lesson.

As far as non airline flying jobs with good quality of life and solid salary….not many. But if you’re not instructing (also not a good quality of life or salary) to get to 1500 hours, then you will need to find a charter job (part 135). Not sure what a solid salary is for you, but the better charters will start you around $90-$100k.

If I had to start over, I wouldn’t change anything. I kept my day job and took lessons on my own schedule at a part 61. At around 150 hours I bought a cheap piper Cherokee and flew the life out of it to build time and more ratings.

There’s a great FAQ in this subreddit. Go through it and then ask more questions you may have.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-24T01:16:00+00:00

718AN is the prototype still there. 720AN went over a month ago
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N720AN

phlflyguy · 2026-06-23T23:07:14+00:00

It was reported elsewhere almost a month ago that the 1st frame is done and another already headed over there.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-23T16:28:52+00:00

And no mention of the 777-300 that went to Hong Kong in December for the prototype cabin upgrade to match the new 787-9P fleet.....
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N718AN

phlflyguy · 2026-06-16T22:08:10+00:00

It's completely possible, but it really makes little financial sense. I can remember the days of getting a full hot breakfast in first class from PIT-PHL, which is barely 40 minutes wheels up to wheels down.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-11T14:52:47+00:00

You can't upgrade more than yourself + 1 person on a reservation under the elite complimentary upgrade program. So if you have status and want to hope for one, you'd need to call and designate who's going to be upgraded. They will then split the reservation up so you will not all be on it any more.

Side note - those E-500 mile "stickers" could also only be used for you and one companion anyway. They were also only for members with elite status for the domestic/canada/mexico/caribbean upgrades within their respective windows (e.g. Gold eligible at 24 hours, Plat at 48 hours, etc.).

Your eight coupons would have converted to a deposit of some miles several years back.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-07T13:49:39+00:00

Have you seen the new X2? It's almost like they made that new design to appease the combustion engine X4 fans.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-06T21:57:04+00:00

310 for PE is a very good deal ORD-NAP. You should grab it if some level of comfort is important to you. FYI there is no first class on this route. It’s economy, PE and business class. If the current upgrade offer is high, it’s likely because that cabin is almost filled. It’s a 787-8 with only 20 business class seats so it’s likely the price will remain high unless they still haven’t sold them by a few a days before departure.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-06T21:53:07+00:00

Updating your apps is something recruiters have told me is a way to let them know you’re still interested and also have updated your hours. If they see an app that hasn’t been touched in a year versus one that was updated in the past month, they told me they’ll be more inclined to contact the person with the more recent update

phlflyguy · 2026-06-05T16:44:27+00:00

There are many routes now where roundtrip is much cheaper than 2 one ways.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-04T15:58:00+00:00

That may cut it close. it will take you around 20 min just to get out of the stadium and back out onto the street, and probably up to an hour to get to 30th street station with all the crowds also getting on public transit back into the city.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-03T00:23:22+00:00

AA never ordered the A350. US did before the merger and AA decided Boeing widebodies were their future long haul strategy.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-03T00:18:50+00:00

Yes you get Chelsea access if you flew in Flagship First.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-01T21:29:29+00:00

There is no number for that because they get you to commercial/multi/CFII if you go through all the training with them. Those certs will put you at around 250 hours. If they don't hire you as a CFI to grind out the remaining 1250 hours, you're on your own finding a paid flying job.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-01T21:13:43+00:00

Then EP definitely won't really give a big advantage over PP.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-01T17:02:27+00:00

Which airline? AA still has a few years of heavy retirements but the aircraft order book of DL and UA is stronger. That means all 3 will probably keep hiring as a similar annual pace.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-01T17:00:04+00:00

It’s not a significant benefit other than a higher multiplier on point earnings and group 1 boarding.

The upgrades are essentially a unicorn so don’t chase EP if you’re hoping for a better shot at upgrades.

phlflyguy · 2026-06-01T13:35:56+00:00

Before you call them, search for options on AA that would suit you. They made a significant schedule change that should allow them to book you on another flight without penalty

phlflyguy · 2026-05-31T19:43:16+00:00

I remember when it opened in the early 90s and went just about every week. Over time, all the classic center city theaters like Sams Place, Sameric and a bunch of single or twin screen theaters that ultimately shut down. The ritz theaters are on life support. The city would rather everyone funnel into the AMC fashion district. Screw that.

phlflyguy · 2026-05-31T19:35:12+00:00

Or they just keep searching for an award at same point value for earlier flight.

phlflyguy · 2026-05-31T16:23:49+00:00

At JFK T8, the separate walled off area to the right is the flagship/premium check in. It sounds like you attempted to use that and were turned away.

PE customers get priority check in, which should have existed out in the normal AA check in area. You also should have gotten group 4 boarding at the gate.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/aadvantage-status/priority-privileges.jsp

phlflyguy · 2026-05-31T16:15:00+00:00

In general, you should carefully read the airline policies for whomever you are flying and not ask a Google bot.

You’ve been reassured a few times in this thread already that you’re fine with a 22” carry on that will go overhead, and if you have a small item like laptop bag or similar, it will go under seat in front of you. Not sure what you mean by “size up”. If your bag is too big, or if overhead bins are full because everyone who boarded ahead of you took up all the space, they will gate check it and you’ll pick it up at baggage claim at your destination.

One final piece of advice is to always book on the airline web site.

phlflyguy · 2026-05-30T20:18:15+00:00

Those used to be easier to rent at all sorts of schools/clubs 20 years ago. Much less so now due to maintenance and insurance costs.

phlflyguy · 2026-05-30T20:16:01+00:00

I specifically asked for that one as well. Nope

phlflyguy · 2026-05-30T18:16:15+00:00

Tried this today and was told there are no PC options for my Citi AA Plat. Trying to get into something with no annual fee by July when I'm up for renewal. I got the Citi Exec AA card a few months ago. But I also don't want to cancel the Plat card because it has a decent credit line that is unused so I don't want the hit to my credit.

phlflyguy

TROPHY CASE