Jim Thomas

Jimmy, JT

I went off to Texas for college and took private flying lessons during the summer after my freshman year. My dad recognized my interest in flying and explained how I could fly, serve my country and still have another job by joining the Air National Guard. I enlisted in the Guard and went to officer school and Air Force Pilot Training after college.

Once I started flying, I flew all over the world into some pretty difficult situations and locations. I think that helped me get hired by American Airlines at a relatively young age (just turned 25). I proudly stayed in the Guard for twenty years and flew some wild missions while deployed at different times. I also came back with good stories after seven months in Desert Shield & Storm.

I got married after pilot training and we celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. We tried [a lot!!] to have more kids but feel very blessed to have our one!

I've been with American for 23 years and went from a line pilot to a Check pilot, a Chief Pilot and now I am in charge of all training on the 737 and A300 airplanes. It's kind of a crazy job because I have an office, people that work for me and have to deal with all the corporate stuff, but get to go fly whenever and wherever I want.

Texas has been great, but we look forward to someplace new and exciting one of these days...

Unfortunately, I haven't been back since 1999...

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