Regional Airline Internship

[MarineGrunt]

Seeking advice from some of those who may be in the know:

I am currently a ramp agent at a regional airline and may have an opportunity to interview for an intern pilot position. If I were to take this position, I would end up working 7 days a week all summer between my ramp job, flying for the guard and the intern job itself, just to barely pay the bills.

Being an employee with the airline, knowing several captains and FOs, and having some quality military flight time, I think I could have a decent chance of an interview as it is. However, due to todays competative job market, I need all the help I can get. So my question is, would it be worth it? It would mean hellish schedules and possibly going farther into debt, which to this point is almost overwheming....

Thanks for any input.

 

[loverobot]

Tough to answer seeing how we don't have any information on the nature of your internship program. Does this mean that you stuff envelopes for no pay in the Cheif Pilots office for 6 months? After the 6 months of slave labor, do they guarantee a pilot job, or just an interview?

What airline, no need to be secretive? Some airlines are worse then others out there, and in the end you could be beating on a loosing horse anyway.

Many factors to consider.

I personally know about 3 guys who have declared bankruptcy chasing regional jobs. Its expensive training, and the pay is terrible. Don't fool yourself about getting some 100k job anytime soon in this business to make for all the debt you acquire now. Too many factors are out of your control; time to upgrade, time in training, how long on reserve without flying, etc etc.

 

[MarineGrunt]

In order not to unnecessarily highlight myself, I may choose to be a little secretive. Those that know me, know which airline , but it's one of the stronger ones out there right now. The internship would be with the chief pilot or in the company hangar. No pay. I don't have 100% of the details, but I think it is just for the summer semester, 3 months or so. I have absolutely no confirmation if they guarantee a job or even an interview. I fully understand regional pay and shouldn't be in a position where I would be near bankruptcy, unless something very drastic happens.

If having job with the company, a person or two to walk in my application and military time are sufficient to get me an interview without doing an internship, then I would probably choose not to do it and focus my energy elsewhere, like spending time with my wife and children who I haven't seen much at all in the past 2 years. But if this is something that will give me a significant edge, then I'm willing to work for it.

 

[loverobot]

If your already smashing bags, and running tugs for this airline, then I would say that you have already done the internship.

Create your own internship in that you show your pearly whites in the CP office every now and then. Go to the hanger and get on a first name basis with the lead mechanics. Seek out the dispatchers on your lunch break, flash your company badge at scheduling for an hour or two one day and see how they cruise the internet.

I think a lot of those internships are just ways to give young first job types a chance to wear a tie and prove that they can get out of bed to show up. They show them all the facets of the regional airline and get a chance to learn some names. You've already done a bit of that, just turn it up a bit and let it be known that your looking for a class date. No need to do the same crap your doing now, but for free.

good luck, I hope you find what your looking for.

 

[IP076]

The internship allows you to get inside and see how an airline operates....or doesn't operate....I'd say you're already seeing that as a Ramper...just try to get some face time with the CP or someone else who will be able to get your resume in front of the people that matter...

When I was in school, I had a little extra time, and actually did two...one with a major and one with a regional...I figured get on quick with a regional, then have an in at a major....I've yet to ever work for either of the companies, and never will since the (then) regional closed up shop a few weeks ago and the major was purchased as Furlough Fodder a few years back. I will say the internship at the major was an experience of a life time...20 year old college kid with jumpseat privileges around the US, Europe, and a few cities in Asia/Africa....made it to Milan, Madrid, Paris, and Honolulu all on weekends and took the Turkey Day vacation and went to Cairo. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to work for the company some day but Goliath had to come and buy them out...and then furlough most of their employees.

 

[Sucka]

I have been an airline pilot for 3 different airlines during the last 5 years. They all suck and the lifestyle is horrible. Find a job that pays above $30k a year and you are home every night and you will have all of the airline pilots beat... The profession is sinking to new lows...

 

[JumpCaptain]

Marine-

I did the same thing as you about five years ago. I worked at and interned at a regional that I was excited about. I won't say who, but for conversations sake, lets just say they have an Indian name and fly ERJ's.

Anyhow, after being used and abused as an intern, they gave me an interview and threw me into a hiring ocean with insanely low flight time(~250hrs). A month later, 911. Five years later, I'm still waiting for them to call me with a training date.

The point is, nothing is a gaurentee and interning may not even get you in the door. On the other hand, I've never heard of someone doing a good job interning with a regional and not at least getting an interview.

Good luck.

 

[rfa]

Worked on the ramp myself, and later in ops for a major.

1. UFS (ramp - United Feeder Service flying BEA ATPs out of ORD)
2. ACA (ramp - out of ORD)
3. ATA (ops)

Each had reduced hiring minimums for employees.

Hehe, funny thing is that the UFS and ACA jobs were seasonal jobs while attending college. I was happy that I had a shot at them with 600/50. Of course UFS went under in 1999 (graduated ERAU in 2002), and ACA became Ind and my "intern status" was lost.

So then came ATA and a job in Ops after I graduated college. ATA employees had reduced minimums for Chicago Express. Well, we all know what happened with that.

Sometimes you just got to smile.

...but yeah, screw any form of no pay college internships.

 

[broth9640]

marine, forget the internship unless it is with Camielle Ence. She is the hiring goddess at skywest. If you have the mins then send camielle your stuff and you will get a call when we start to hire again. Also drop her a line on company email and introduce yourself. She is really nice and personable. Ask her if it matters whether or not you do the internship. Of course I am assuming you are talking about skywest. I think you mentioned that on another post somewhere. Sorry secrets out. No worries!! if you already work here and do a good job and have the mins then you won't have a problem.