Quantcast

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

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines mechanic: ‘I saw [my dad’s] drive, his work ethic, and I wanted to emulate that’
People
Webp american airline
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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airlines has highlighted the evolution of its cabin crew uniform, emphasizing its commitment to timeless design and practicality.

Oct 23, 2025

Emirates has achieved the Gold Tier status in the 2024 Fly Quiet Programme at New York’s JFK Airport, making it the only airline to receive this distinction among all participating carriers.

Oct 23, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025