aaa i NS hf - Sunday, June 15, 2008 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 9 SUBMITTED PHOTO Thomas Reich, formerly of Shavertown, is the Research Manager at TranSystems Alexandria, Vir- ginia office. TranSystems is a transportation consulting firm with offices across the country. At the age of 27, Reich is one of the youngest people to occupy a key position in aviation consulting. Tom Reich is living his boyhood dream When Tom Reich was just 6 years old, his parents took him on a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., which included his very first airplane trip. Mari- lyn and Paul Reich had no idea how much of an impression that trip would make on their eldest son. While waiting for their flight at the airport, the young Reich no- the flight crew walking ugh the terminal like a scene right out of a Hollywood movie. From that moment, he knew that when he grew up, he wanted to work in the airline industry. Airlines were always at the forefront of Reich’s mind. At the age of 12, he made his own airline reservations as well as assist fam- ily and friends when making theirs. Shortly thereafter, he be- gan flying alone to visit relatives in Atlanta, Ga., a trip he previous- ly was only allowed to take with other family members. His cousins often referred to him as “The Man with the Plan” because of his keen interest in the aviation industry and the preci- sion by which he planned for his future career. In school, he was of- ten called “Tom Tom the Air- plane Boy” or "Wingnut” because of his dogmatic focus on all things related to commercial aviation. As a teenager, Reich, a soon-to- be Eagle Scout, joined Explorer Post 747 based at the Wilkes Barre/Scranton International ort. There, he began learn- ‘more about commercial avia- tion from the post’s leader, the late John Millington, who had a lengthy career working for sever- al prominent airlines. During this time, Reich spent countless hours collecting airline memorabilia, studying airline timetables and route maps and looking for any airline news he could find in the local newspaper. He could often be found on the observation deck of the old Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Interna- tional Airport, watching planes landing and taking off, all the while dreaming of his future ca- reer. While in high school, Reich built a very large-scale model of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 727-200 from photos and the help of a smaller plastic model. The com- pleted hand-painted model was over three feet long and was on par with the finest professional models seen in airline headquar- ters. During the summer between high school and college, Reich created a prototype for an airline, complete with route maps, flight schedules, logos, luggage tags and aircraft fleets. After graduating from Dallas High School in 1998, he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Uni- versity in Daytona Beach, Flor- ida. One of his favorite activities e in college was to compete his fellow “wingnuts” in identifying aircraft that ap- proached the Orlando Interna- tional Airport. The students would use their knowledge of air- craft types to see who could first identify the incoming aircraft type. After an internship with Air- Tran Airways at its headquarters in Orlando where he worked with the Chief Pilot ‘and Director of Flight Standards, Reich accepted a full-time summer job as a cus- tomer service agent with the air- line. After graduating from Em- bry-Riddle in the spring of 2002, he was interviewed by Atlantic Coast Airlines of Dulles, Va., dur- ing which time he was asked what experience he had that would qualify him for a position with the company. Reich present- ed the interviewer with a copy of his airline business plan to illus- trate the breadth of his airline knowledge. An offer of employ- ment soon followed. The position of Scheduling Planning Analyst called for some- one with several years of experi- ence but Reich’s business plan and scheduling knowledge were an adequate substitute, enabling him to start his career in the headquarters of an innovative air- line. When he received his bache- lor’s degree in the spring of 2002, he was one of only a few gradu- ates with a solid job in airline management awaiting him. After working for Atlantic Coast Airlines only a few months, Reich took part in the prelimina- ry discussions to transform the airline from its present business as a regional carrier for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines into a low-fare airline similar to Air Tran or jetBlue. He was present during the transformation plan that changed Atlantic Coast Air- lines into Independence Air and was put in charge of the flight schedule implementation for the new airline. Dubbed “America’s next great low-fare airline,” Independence Air began operations on June 16, 2004 with Reich on board the in- augural flight where he managed to leave his mark on airline histo- ry. Independence Air's first scheduled flight was flight 1995 between Independence Air’s hub at Washington Dulles Interna- tional Airport and Atlanta, GA. Stucker Tours 655-8458 www.stuckertours.com BERMUDA CRUISE R.C. SEPT. 6-11 $929 YANKS /ORIOLES OVERNIGHT AUG. 23-34 $239 N.Y. CRUISE & LITTLE ITALY AUG. 2 $112 WILLIAMSBURG, VA. SEPT. 25-28 $499 TENN. XMAS NOV. 10-16 $899 NIAGARA FALLS CANADA JUNE 20-22 $399 MAINLY MAINE, (FEW LEFT) AUG. 14-17 $559 CHARLIE PROSE DINNER SHOW OCT. 1 $119 Reich scheduled the first flight this way to pay homage to his boyhood trips to Atlanta and to remember his favorite baseball team, the 1995 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. Reich went on to accept a posi- tion with US Airways, the same airline of that memorable first flight when he was just 6 years old, as Project Manager for Fu- ture Schedules. His time at US Airways was short-lived, howev- er, because only a few months in- to his employment, the airline merged with America West Air- lines and began moving the head- quarters to America West’s Phoe- nix, Arizona location. Choosing not to make the move, Reich accepted a more challenging position as Manager of System Schedules with Colgan Air, a small family-run regional airline in Manassas, Va. Two years later, TranSystems, one of the premier aviation con- sulting groups in the nation, of- fered Reich a position as Re- search Manager in its Alexan- dria, Virginia office. In this posi- tion, he oversees analysts and works with multiple airlines, air- ports and related clients, advis- ing and recommending, finan- cial, operational and scheduling improvements, cost savings and business planning. Part of his job is to make busi- ness case presentations for pro- spective and established clients while cultivating working rela- tionships with them to ensure their business needs are met and their interests secure. Currently residing in Alexan- dria, Va. with his wife, Diana, Reich is enrolled in Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Busi- ness on his way to completing his MBA. “The Man with the Plan” is tru- ly living his childhood dream. FRANIA’S WORK ON EXHIBIT AT BERWICK HOSPITAL CENTER SUBMITTED PHOTO The Berwick Hospital Center is presenting the premier exhibit of artworks by 12-year-old Ryan Frania, of Shavertown. Frania, the son of John and Linda Frania, has studied art for the past four years with Dallas-based artist Sue Hand. He has won numerous prizes in competitions, includ- ing many blue ribbons and Best of Show awards. The exhibit includes his drawings and paintings created in the past three years in the mediums of oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, ink, graphite and colored pencil. Frania enjoys the intricacies of architecture and animals but he also excels in landscape, seascape, still life, portrait and abstract. The public is invited to view Frania's work through June 26 at the Berwick Hospital Center, 701 E. 16th St., Berwick. Frania is shown here with Marilyn Muehlhof, past president of the Berwick Health & Wellness Auxiliary, left, and Sue Hand DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE QUARTER HONORED The Dallas High School PTSO Steering Committee, in conjunction with the guidance depart- ment, held a Student of the Quarter Breakfast in honor of the 16 students of the quarter for the 2007-2008 school year. State Senator Lisa Baker and State Representative Karen Boback pre- sented certificates of recognition to each student of the quarter. From left, seated, are Molly Gilligan, Boback, Baker and Kristina Toussaint. Second row, Virginia Reinert, Hannah Grube, Katie Confer, Chris Wilson, Cory Conrad and Jenna Stanish. Third row, Kris Harger, Matthew Glicini, Bruce Sobicinski, Jason Darling, David Carey, Andrew Judge, Mike Tonart, Stacey Step- niak and Superintendent Frank Galicki. Pamper Dad with a Caring * Housekeeping * Transportation * Meal Prep * Bathing (570) 824-3005 CABINETRY 130) 9.0 B Visit! AREAS OF [Ml THE HOME j= KITCHENS TEARS ES & cont ENTERTAINMENT AND SERVICE CENTERS ~~ DISCOUNT too meres ANSTETT’S KITCHENS 12 EAST CAREY STREET, PLAINS, PA = 570-825-7530 pine F a better way ..shopsh “= Now, at no extra cost, enjoy the time-saving convenience of our Shop At Home service. Just call us to schedule an appointment. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers