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American Airlines mechanic: ‘I saw [my dad’s] drive, his work ethic, and I wanted to emulate that’

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American Airlines mechanic: ‘I saw [my dad’s] drive, his work ethic, and I wanted to emulate that’
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Brian and Malachi Drenthe | https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2025/Meet-the-father-and-son-building-a-legacy-at-American-TM-03/default.aspx

Malachi Drenthe, an Overhaul Support Mechanic for American Airlines, credits his father's determination to work multiple jobs and pursue education as the inspiration behind his own work ethic. Drenthe's reflections were shared in a March 6 post.

"More than anything else, my dad reminded me that when he was a young guy in Chicago, he had upwards of three different jobs just to put himself through school," said Drenthe. "I saw that drive, that work ethic, and I wanted to emulate that in my life."

Drenthe, who works at American Airlines' Tulsa maintenance base, was influenced by his father, Brian Drenthe, an Aircraft Base Maintenance Manager. Growing up, Malachi attended Family Days at the base and developed a passion for aviation. After considering various career paths, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and join American Airlines.

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In a YouTube video, Drenthe said that before committing to aircraft maintenance, he explored different career options within aviation. However, he ultimately chose a hands-on role that allowed him to remain close to home. He attributed his decision significantly to his father's journey toward earning Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant licenses. Malachi credited Brian's work ethic and persistence as key influences on his career choice. Brian worked multiple jobs in Chicago to fund his education and instilled in Malachi the importance of perseverance. Malachi expressed a desire to emulate this example in his professional life.

American Airlines’ Tulsa maintenance base, known as Tech Ops – Tulsa, is one of the largest aircraft maintenance facilities globally. The base supports the airline’s fleet by employing thousands of aviation professionals dedicated to ensuring safety and efficiency.

American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and operates as one of the largest airlines worldwide. It serves nearly 350 destinations across more than 50 countries and is a founding member of the Oneworld Alliance. The airline employs over 130,000 team members globally.

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