James attended Northrop University's Airframe and Power Plants course and in 1988 obtained his federal license as an aircraft mechanic. Upon graduation he was hired by American Airlines. He is qualified to repair the following aircraft: DC-10, DC-10-30, DC-9, DC-9-30, MD-80, 737-200, -300, -400, -700 & -800 , ' 757-200, 767-200 & -300, 747-1 OOF, -200, BA-146, A300-600, ATR42 and 72, SAAB 340, JET STREAM 31. Repairs include any and all aircraft repairs and Engineering Change Order's, from light bulbs to cannon plugs. He qualified as a Lower Minimums Program (LMP) mechanic on the MD-80, 757, 767and 737 aircraft and the DC-10 when the 10 was in Americans fleet. He has performed airframe de-icing. Additionally he is qualified to taxi for maintenance MD-80, 757-200, 767-200 & -300 and 737-200, -300, -400, -400 & -800.