Internships?

[Jmmccutc]

i was just reading the thread about "HandiCAPT" and i know exactly how everyone feels about that so i'm not gonna continue the discussion. However, what is the general idea shared by you folks currently in the industry about doing an internship? i know that there are several benefits, ie. lower mins, networking, ground school (depending on the airline), ect...but what are some of the cons (and anymore pros you guys can think of) associated with these things? the only reason i'm asking is because i'll be eligable to do this in the coming summer or next fall, simply depending on when i choose to pursue this. and if i do decide to do this i'm going to have to take out a loan to live on...so i'm wondering if it's worth the extra cash to undertake something like this...

thanks

 

[groundpointsix]

You really have nothing to lose by doing it. The only downside is taking the time off from school (a moot point if you do it over the summer, besides, it's not like low time cfi's are being hired right out of college anyways). I'm currently in the final weeks of an internship and I have nothing but positive things to say about it. Even if you never decide that you don't want to make a career at the company you have interned at, you will learn a great deal about how an airline is run and it's a great opportunity to meet new people and make some contacts in the industry. As for the money issue, you might find one that pays. Some do, some don't, just do some research.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

 

[U-I pilot]

Im doing the UPS internship now. It is one year long that pretty much follows the calendar....newbies coming in soon. Paid as well, more than enough to support yourself and some fun flying habits for the weekend. PM for questions.

 

[staledog]

the only way i would do an intership is if it is PAID.

i woudnt wanna work for anybody for free.

my .02$

 

[Clyde]

i was just reading the thread about "HandiCAPT" and i know exactly how everyone feels about that so i'm not gonna continue the discussion. However, what is the general idea shared by you folks currently in the industry about doing an internship? i know that there are several benefits, ie. lower mins, networking, ground school (depending on the airline), ect...but what are some of the cons (and anymore pros you guys can think of) associated with these things? the only reason i'm asking is because i'll be eligable to do this in the coming summer or next fall, simply depending on when i choose to pursue this. and if i do decide to do this i'm going to have to take out a loan to live on...so i'm wondering if it's worth the extra cash to undertake something like this...

thanks

Jmmccutc,
I did an internship in 1995 when I was in college. Did it with American. All in all it was an excellent experience. It gave someone with only 250 hrs and a year to go in college a very good insight into how an airline works. The people I worked with were very good too, some of the best I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

It will give you an opportunity to creat networks and meet people. As far as interviewing, my internship experience allowed me an opportunity to interview, but I had to still meet the required minimums. I was offered and opportunity to interview with American in 2000, but I never took it and instead I am flying for another major. Nothing against American, but I really wanted to fly in the freight business.

Now, with all of that said, this is a differnt time. A lot of airlines are not hiring and probably will not hire for some time. The fact that you mentioned taking out a loan raises a red flag to me. I would not take this if it means going into debt, and I consider any outside financing going into debt. I would take one if the airline is going to pay you for it though. Otherwise, finish school and start building hours.

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Internships are an interesting monster.

I completed an internship with Northwest recently. The position was unpaid and I had to move across the country to Minneapolis to live and work. By the time the end of my junior year rolled around I had my CFII and 265TT; needless to say the job offers weren't rolling in.

I decided to apply for three internships of which I got offers from two. I picked Northwest. In exchange for my work during the internship I received the remaining 12 credit hours I needed to graduate.

The work was actually enjoyable and I learned more than I could have imagined. I went to ground school on a glass-cockpit airframe and attended instructor pilot ground school as well. Additionally, I rode the jumpseat on a line flight at least four times a week on average.

The people I met in the training department as well as those on line provided me with valuable insight as to their lives. I saw things I never thought I would see for many, many years. I learned more about airline operations and the lifestyle in 6-months at Northwest than I did in 3.5 years of college.

Did the internship get me the CFI job of my dream afterwards? No. In fact, I'm not sure if it help me at all in the short term. It is one more thing to put on my resume to make me stand apart from the next guy. As I fill out applications in the future I have an airline on my resume.

I wouldn't needlessly take on anymore debt in order to take an internship. If you have the means financially, do it. You have nothing to lose, especially if you are a 22-year-old with a jumpseat pass, an overnight bag, and a desire to see the country (like I was).

 

[flyflorida2001]

DO IT!!! I did a JetBlue internship this past summer and it was amazing. You learn so much, make great connections, and get to experience an airline from behind the scenes. JUST DO IT!

 

[Superpilot92]

All these guys are right on about the internships. I am a past intern for ExpressJet. It was the best time i have had by far. I met so many people, good people. I made awesome connections and like it was said before i learned more about the industry doing the internship than any class in college. I got to fly the sim, sit through ground school and when you take the systems test they give you a certificate that shows you completed it. I know many are saying wow a certificate! but what that does is when you go in for your interview you can take it and show them hey look i can learn i have done it before. I jumpseated all over the country and met alot of awesome pilots whom i really enjoyed flying with. I cant say enough about doing an internship. I would definitly do it over again. You dont get paid for some of them but the experiance and the connections are priceless. Good luck!

 

[kj6991]

Save up a little money and do the internship. just like flyingtoohigh said, i learned more during my internship with SkyWest than i did in 3 years of college. People are great and you'll have a blast. If you can mesh it, then do it and don't look back.

 

[ParrotheadPilot]

I'd have to say I agree. I'm going to be doing a part-time (couple days a week so I can still take classes) internship with Chautauqua. I'm looking foward to seeing what the airline industry is really like. Also you meet so many people with connections in the industry. Good luck