Internships: What would you do?

[JSky26]

Hello All,

I might have the opportunity next summer to intern at one of the top 3 low cost carriers. I am currently a college student working on my ratings and will hopefully be instructing by then. The internship will allow the opportunity for me to waive the 1000 PIC 121 time required for an interview and get hired on with considerably less time. (some of you might already know what airline I'm talking about). I've been told it could cut down on maybe two years of flying at the regionals.

My question should I get my foot in the door at a carrier like this or should I try to get an internship with a company where I will get employment sooner, i.e. a regional?

Or even intern at all? I know during the internship I won't be building a lot of flight time. Do the connections that are made at an internship out-weigh that semester off of flying?

What are some of your guys/gals perceptions on something like this?

Thanks

 

[joevollers]

Absolutely interview with them....
I know many people for whom this has worked out well.. and in this industry connections are everything....

 

[frog_flyer]

wellp its not swa

 

[FN FAL]

wellp its not swa

Why, do you got to go to DeVry to intern there?

 

[epic!]

that sounds like a pretty good deal, maybe i can find something like that where i live

 

[Resume Writer]

JSky,

I would suggest doing the internship. First, I have a few questions. How close are you to graduation? If you are not that close, ie., a sophomore, then do the internship at the low cost carrier this year, and perhaps an internship at a regional the next year.

Further, how long is the internship? If it is just for a few weeks, then could you do both internships (not at the same time of course), and make contacts at both airlines?

As other people have said, connections in this industry are everything. How you perform during the internship will cement the deal. I had a client who participated in an internship at Continental, worked in the regionals for a few years, and was hired on with them last summer as a First Officer.

Good luck to you!

 

[JSky26]

Kathy,

I would not have time to do two internships, thus my question, what would be better? If I did the internship it would be for a full summer into my junior year or I could hold it off until the following summer into my senior year...

Thanks

 

[nwa_contrails]

DO IT! I interned with NW a year or so ago and it was well-worth it! As others have said, you make connections that, if you keep up, can help you down the road. The experience of 'working' at an airline before you actually 'work' for them is invaluable and something that you'll take with you no matter where you end up. Even better that they lower their mins for you, and what's 3 months of not instructing if you're getting airline experience instead. Good luck with the interview!

 

[U-I pilot]

Regionals requirements are low enough right now that the benefit is minimal. Plus, other benefits of working at a regional are minimal....i havent heard of one that is paid or gets you all that much useful experience besides jumpseating. Its fun, you meet people and might get an interview a bit faster....

I vote to do one somewhere you can make a career that will be around (ie SWA, FDX, UPS and alike...). Those places will be harder interviews to get (or near impossible) if you dont have an internal recommendation. SWA and UPS are paid internships (dont know about FDX). Plus, they actually have you involved with the company versus getting coffee and copies. Though UPS you can not jumpseat, many other opportunities become available from being around and meeting the right people. I did the UPS internship and it was a 1 year internship. Though the time commitment is longer, it allowed me to make better connections that will last until I get there (so I hope) versus being around for 2-3 months and another intern arrives....

Anywhere you go, learn as much as you can and that expereince will be useful at airline you go to. Any internship and 121 exposure is a help....
Good luck.

 

[frog_flyer]

Why, do you got to go to DeVry to intern there?

lol no... swa has 1300 pic requirement now.. hence why he the airline he has an offer from cant be swa.

n00b