F/O Louis Prieto Fuenmayor at Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport in Venezuela during a visit to his hometown.

The first time I set foot in the United States was in 2010, when at the age of 17 I enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. But my aspirations to become an airline pilot took flight years before, and with help from those who mentored and supported me along my journey, my dream came true.

No one in my family had an aviation background; so in my early teens, I’d go to the airport near my hometown in Caracas, Venezuela, and ask flight crews from Continental, Delta, United, and other airlines for advice and guidance. They directed me to Embry-Riddle.

I jumped in with both feet, joining the ALPA ACE Club my freshman year. By my junior year, I was elected into a leadership position, staying in the post until I began airline internships and was no longer able to commit to the time requirements. My membership in the ACE Club provided me with both a social network and early mentorship from the pilots who came to talk to us.

After initially interning with Allegiant Air, I started an internship with the Network Operations Department at United in Chicago, Ill. This not only gave me another perspective on aviation, but also the opportunity to learn more about United as well.

During my internship, I was nonrevving to Sydney, Australia, and said hello to the pilots on the way to my seat. One of them looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her. Later, I looked through old photographs and realized she was one of the Continental pilots I’d met in Caracas when I was a teenager—F/O Adrienne Trembly, now a United pilot. I was able to get in touch with her, and we stayed in contact.

F/O Adrienne Trembley (United) provided encouragement to a young Luis in 2007 in Caracas, Venezuela…

… and later reconnected with Luis during his internship at United Airlines on a flight to Sydney, Australia (along with Capt. John Prater, a former ALPA president).

I began my professional career with ExpressJet, working there from March 2019 until I was furloughed in late 2020. I subsequently worked for Kalitta Charters II and JetBlue. But my goal had always been to return to United; and in 2023, I submitted my application, with a recommendation from Adrienne, Capt. Beau Brant (United), and Capt. Laszlo Horanyi (United), who were among some of my mentors and friends during my internship.

F/O Jean Mbog (United) was extremely helpful in explaining to me the “soft skills” United looks for; educating me about United’s “Core 4” values of safety, caring, dependability, and efficiency; and preparing me for the scenario-driven interview process.

My dream came true in summer 2023 when I received a class date at United of August 15. I currently fly the B-737 out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Tex., and remain in touch with all my mentors, friends, and now colleagues—talking with them every few months to keep them updated on my progress and to see how they’re doing.

I still can’t really believe that my dreams have come true—a young boy in Venezuela asking questions of any pilot who’d take the time to speak with me to now being a pilot at a major airline in the United States.

Prieto Fuenmayor at his wing ceremony, flanked by his parents and F/O Michelle Arcamuzi (United) and Capt. Blake Moore (United).

Drive, perseverance, and resiliency have been key to my success—along with the mentorship I received from so many individuals, plus the advice and perspectives from many others at Embry-Riddle’s ACE Club, the Latino Pilots Association, and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. I look forward to being able to help others interested in following their dreams of becoming an airline pilot just as so many individuals helped me.

I still have many photos of the pilots I met in Venezuela, and I sometimes run into a face I recognize while flying the line. In 2007, Capt. Tom Larsh (United) took time out as a probationary first officer to speak with me, and we reconnected last year in Panama City, Panama—17 years later. I also recognized Capt. Mike Bettencourt (United) from a photograph we took together in Caracas in 2008. And I’m hopeful that I’ll reconnect with more of the individuals who’ve encouraged me as my career continues.

If you remember speaking with a young aviation enthusiast in Caracas 15 to 20 years ago—thank you, and I made it! Now I’m on to my next big dream: a “full circle” moment of flying an airliner into my hometown airport (if United resumes service there). And maybe when I do, I’ll encounter a young teenager looking for a pilot to help spark their dream.