internships worth it?

[Redneck]

While thinking about what to do with my next few years in college I remembered that my university (Auburn) had flight ops internship opportunities with everyone from Airnet, some regionals, to to the majors. Assuming the industry recovers from its downturn, would this give me a leg up in the hiring process, enough to warrant spending an extra semester in college? Im not expecting to get hired with the commercial mins, just something to differentiate myself from the rest of the resumes.

Beyond that, does anyone have any expereience as an intern? H@ll I will probably do it just for the fun and the experience, whether or not it helps me get hired.

 

[CFIIer]

I did an internship with Alaska Airlines back while I was going to school (ERAU). I think it's very beneficial, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it. I learned a lot about the workings of an airline, and had the opportunity to jumpseat all over the west coast (well prior to september 11th). At the completion of the graduation I received a letter from the Chief Pilot that guaranteed me an interview once I met the minimums. I'm nowhere's near the minimums and I don't think that they are hiring anyway, but I think it'll help get my foot in the door someday.

Good Luck

 

[tk855]

Go for it!!!!

I sometimes think people underestimate the power of an internship. I interned with Delta back in 2001 and had one of the best learning experiences of my aviation career. I think you are on the right track when you realize that the internship isn't going to get you any "magical interview" at minimums, but it will be something to set you apart when you apply. You meet some fantastic people through internships, and those people then become your connections when the internship is over.

When I started at Delta, they sat me down and told me that I had just began a four month interview. As long as I didn't make anyone mad, or do something stupid I would get a good recomendation. The whole time while I was there, I saw numerous past interns getting hired.

Good luck with your decision.

tk

 

[bobbysamd]

Internships

I think internships are worth it. You need contacts to progress in aviation, and internships virtually hand you a plateful of contacts.

Internship opportunities are one of the plusses of attending an aviation college. People don't always consider the opportunity for internships when they advise against going to big-time aviation colleges. Being seen and known as a good guy/gal can do wonders for opening doors at the time you want to open those doors.

Do not expect an internship to lead to a job offer at mins or at graduation. Expect the good impression you made during your internship to lead to good things when the time comes.

 

[BoDEAN]

I took a flight internship in Chicago with American Airlines, and it was one of the best learning experiences of my aviation career! I enjoyed every minute of it. I learned so much, and met so many great people. How many college aviation bound students do you know who sat jump seat in an MD-80, and witnessed first hand first a go-around in 3/4 mile visibility, followed by use of the autoland system? This was all after eatting a nice breakfast mind you! Got the blood flowing, but it is one of those experiences I will talk about for years to come!

 

[Booker]

I can really only parrot what people have said here. However, this testimonial may carry marginally more weight, depending on your perspective: I interned with UA last summer, and I still think it was the best three months of my life. I've since realized that I learned as much there as I had during my four years of college. Plus, it was a helluva good time. Went to Sydney first class on the 400, London in business on the triple...and both of those trips were with full jumpseat priveleges, too. (AFAIK, companies like ALK and ACA still allow their interns to jumpseat...UA, DAL, etc., have curbed their programs for now.) Will the preferential hiring bit kick in? Can't say. But even if not, I have no regrets about it.

 

[antney]

Never interned myself, but the regional I work for had and has a lot of interens. Most of all them get a class date guaranteed. I beleive flychicago (screen name on flightinfo) was a intern here as well. I wish I had done it. I would definitlly recommend doing it with a regional due to the lack and future lack of hiring throughout the majors. If you go to a regional carrier were you can intern, it would be better off. You'll meet a lot of contacts throughout the industry when flying in the cockpit in the regionals. I have met so many pilots from Southwest, United, ATA, etc just from jumpseating, keeping good contact with them might help me out in the future, but reality is set in, and the regional airlines is were most of us will spend some itme at. There is nothing worst then flying around being a CFI wishing you can just have that one chance to get an interview to prove yourself. Remember you have to make yourself stand out from all the other resumes in HR. Interns make their resumes stand REALLY out. good luck, and take the chance, I regret it, you'll learn a lot.
Anthony

 

[PUflight]

I'm a former UAL intern, actually one of the last for now anyways, fall 2001. Possibly the most interesting time to be an intern at United. Jumpseating was great, met a ton of pilots, got to see the behind the scene action, got to see that there's alot more in this country than Indiana, and loved those sleeper seats in first class on the -400. I'd highly recommend an aviation internship to anyone!

 

[bobbysamd]

Internships

One thing I'd add, which may be slightly off the topic, but not really. I've heard of regional airlines who hire ex-interns with CFIs to work in their training departments. I don't know for sure what work they do, or can do, as brand-new CFIs. I have heard, though, that with this very large foot in the door that these folks are eventually hired as pilots.

 

[slapstick]

I was a Delta intern in 2001, and there were 2 Auburn interns among the 7 total. Even if I hadn't made connections and built a better resume, I would've easily taken a semester off and have done it for the pure fun and learning. Jumpseating anywhere, messing around in the simulators, experiencing B737-800 groundschool, bumming around maintenance hangars, doing fun projects, meeting great people, etc.

Delta's intern program is shut down temporarily, but will be back in the next year...I would hope. Good luck.

 

[ilinipilot]

I was an AA intern alum, and everything that was said on this board so far is absolutely correct. U meet great people, get great connections and have tons of fun.

Also, imagine when the airlines DO start hiring god knows when, how many apps will be on file. There were 20,000 apps on file with AA 2 summers ago when I was an intern, now there will be double triple that. Your application will be different from all the rest of the applications because on completion of your internship u are given an evaluation and a file is kept on u at AA. When u apply call the intern coordinator and tell them your application is in, and your file is sent over with your evaluation, recommendations letter etc. Having an evaluation from a senior AA manager/pilot is worth so much. It really gives the recruitment department an example of your work ethic, dedication, etc. More than any simple application will.

Also, the new-hire dinner that I attended at AA all the youngest new hires were past interns 27-28 years old.
PM me if u have any specific AA intern questions.

D

 

[BoDEAN]

When and where did you intern with American?
Was Lisa the person incharge?

 

[darien]

I understand that these intern programs are closed now. But when they were up and running were they only for students that went to the university programs?

 

[BoDEAN]

Darien, there may have been an "exception" here and there, but for the most part (and for everyone on my intern) they were college students enrolled at a university (the university helps set it up).

 

[ilinipilot]

Hey
I interned summer of 2001 and I worked at DFW with the Chiefs.
Also, Lisa was in charge
D

 

[Booker]

PUflight

PUflight, check your PMs...

 

[TurboS7]

There is nothing like being there, smelling it , feeling it, and and seeing it. As an intern you are in a special position as you can do nothing wrong yet have total accessibility to anywhere you want to go. If you can afford it the time will well be worth it.
You just might meet a nice new FA.............

 

[chuychanga]

I interned at American in Fall 2001. Everything said above is right on. I jumpseated all over the place until Sept 11. They have since cut down the program some. When I was there we had 20 interns, now they have 8 I think. I know a guy who just applied for it and he thinks they got their jumpseat priviledges back.

I learned a lot and met some great people, including lots of former interns who got interviewed as soon as they met the minimums. And yeah, Lisa is still in charge, but she got married and changed her last name.

 

[Bonefish]

I did an internship with CoEx over the summer of 2001. I say they are the best thing you could do over your summer break at University. I worked with the Chief Pilots and got to go and do everything they were doing. Its a perspective you cannot get as a line pilot for the company. Most internships also have a ground school or sim set up for you to attend. Thats priceless there. Use your universities career center to help set this all up.

 

[mrvmo]

If you have the opporyunity, do it. If you don't you will probably regret it. All that needs to be said.