How We Help
Two services. One framework. Built around your career as a pilot.
Planning comes first. Investment management is something we offer to clients who want it — not something we require to work together.
Financial Planning
Every client at Incline Financial Planning starts here. We work with you across the full arc of an AA pilot's career: eliminating consumer debt early, maximizing the right tax-advantaged accounts in the right order, saving for your children's college, paying off the mortgage on a schedule that gives you financial freedom, and structuring your portfolio so you can fly on your terms.
This is the Financial Operating Manual. It's a sequential framework we've developed specifically for AA pilots, and we use it as the spine of every client relationship. You can read more about how it works here.
The planning relationship includes a complete review of your situation, a written financial plan that maps your path through the FOM, ongoing review as your career and family evolve, and the ability to call, email, or schedule meetings whenever you need guidance.
Investment Management (Optional)
The financial plan spells out the asset allocation we recommend for your situation. Some pilots prefer to implement and manage that recommendation on their own. Other pilots prefer to have IFP execute the plan on their behalf.
For clients who want IFP to manage their investable assets, we hold accounts at Charles Schwab and manage them according to an Investment Policy Statement we develop with you. Investment management is only available to clients engaged in financial planning. The two services are designed to work together — the portfolio reflects the structure we've built through the planning relationship.
How fees work
Our fees are simple and predictable.
Financial planning fee:
$250 per month for clients who are still flying with American Airlines.
$500 per month for clients who have reached age 65 or have retired early from flying at American Airlines.
* Billed quarterly in arrears via ACH, credit card, or debit card. Prorated for partial quarters.
Investment management fee (optional):
0.25% per year on assets managed at Schwab.
*Billed quarterly in arrears, debited directly from your accounts
What you can expect throughout the year
Every client gets a structured quarterly cadence covering the financial work that matters most for that time of year. Quarter 1 and Quarter 4 are meetings — substantive conversations where we work through priorities together. Quarters 2 and 3 are reviews — we do the work internally and reach out if something needs your attention.
The calendar isn't a maximum. You can call, email, or schedule additional meetings anytime.
Quarter 1 (January–March) — Year-ahead planning meeting
The new year is when we set direction. We confirm where you are in the FOM, review what changed in your situation over the prior year, and lock in the year's planning priorities. We project the year's tax picture and identify Roth conversion windows and charitable giving strategies. For parents, we review college funding progress. We rebalance investment accounts as needed.
Quarter 2 (April–June) — Insurance review
We work through your insurance coverage — life, disability, umbrella, property and casualty — and confirm you have the proper coverage. If anything needs your attention or input, we reach out.
Quarter 3 (July–September) — Estate plan review
Mid-year is the right time for the estate planning review. We review your will, trust documents, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations across all accounts. If documents are outdated or missing, we help you find an estate attorney and work through what needs to be drafted. If everything is in order, the review happens quietly.
Quarter 4 (October–December) — Year-end execution meeting
The final quarter is the deadline for most tax-saving opportunities: Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, charitable giving, 401(k) maximization, and AA open enrollment. We work through your year-end checklist together and confirm everything is executed before December 31.
How we work
Our practice is small by design. Every client relationship gets meaningful time and attention. If you're an AA pilot considering whether IFP is the right fit, the first step is a discovery call. We'll talk about your situation, walk through how the FOM applies to where you are in your career, and answer any questions about how we work. There's no charge for the call and no pressure to engage.