James Weir

Promoted to current role within 3 months, subsequently maintaining a 100% first-time pass rate on 4 initial sign-offs, providing successful sign-offs for 3 student retests, and supporting 6 students of junior instructors. Mentor Cirrus Training Center Instructors (TCIs) standardizing operating procedures, enhancing new student recruitment efforts, and optimizing use of HubSpot CRM and customer service systems. Streamline check ride scheduling by proactively coordinating with Designated Pilot Examiners, reducing student wait times by up to 4 weeks. Manage a fleet of 4 aircraft, overseeing all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, coordinating vendor support, and ensuring timely aircraft cleaning, detailing, and database updates.

Provided flight instruction to Private, Instrument, and Commercial students under FAR Part 61 in Chicago's Class B airspace. Conducted post-maintenance check flights to verify proper operation of flight controls, powerplant systems, and avionics. Performed pre-check ride evaluation flights to ensure students were prepared to pass both oral and flight exams.

Created an investment strategy that identified aging ground equipment (tugs, deicing trucks, baggage carts, etc.) and designed a proactive replacement strategy that kept United on budget while reducing equipment downtime and operational disruptions. Led a two-person analyst team during COVID-19 pandemic-related furloughs, spearheading a cost-cutting initiative that delivered $18M+ in realized savings over eight months. Partnered with senior leadership across nine hub locations to design and implement infrastructure upgrades, including jet bridge replacements, ground power and air conditioning unit modernization, and robotic hangar automation systems.

Designed competitive ULCC pricing strategies which captured $900M in annual revenue from Frontier and Spirit Airlines. Created automated processes that scanned and analyzed internal airfare pricing, which identified and eliminated “mistake fares.” Taught "Pricing Software & Strategy" training courses and mentored team members during initial new-hire training.

Developed competitive strategies for non-code share routes to 16 Canadian cities, driving $600M in revenue. Oversaw refundable fare blackout processes for major sporting and conference events leading to 20% revenue increase.