Quantcast

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

Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike - Wikipedia
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
The aviation industry just got exactly what it wanted from Trump's EU deal
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

The SFO Facility recently hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which was deemed a success by organizers.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an appreciation event at its SFW facility to honor its employees.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that it contributes all of its taxable income annually to the Chicago-based Sue L. Gin Foundation Trust, which supports healthcare, education, legal aid, and immigration rights.

Oct 21, 2025

Eileen Ho, the Human Resources Manager of Flying Food Group, announced that the company will implement wage increases for cooks and coordinators following a lack of response from Unite Here to its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Oct 21, 2025

Breeze Airways announced on Tuesday that it will make significant changes to its Breezy Rewards program starting next year.

Oct 21, 2025

Travelers planning to fly for the upcoming holidays are being advised to book their flights soon, as current data suggests that airfares are at their lowest now and will likely increase as the holiday season approaches.

Oct 21, 2025