edik

Hi everyone, this posting is for jetBlue pilots or anyone that has any information about the airline. As a 20 year old student, can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get my way in with the airline as a pilot? I tried searching for internships, but came up short. Can anyone be willing by just giving few suggestions?

FlyerJosh

Sure... (not to sound sarcastic), but finish your UND degree, instruct some (at UND or elsewhere), get on with a regional, fly as a first officer for a few years, upgrade to captain, get 1000+ hours turbine PIC, 4000+ hours total time, and apply.

I know that the picture that Ken and Pete and Kent (and various others) paint of the airline industry up there is rosy and that things are booming... in a way, that is their job- to keep you motivated and keep the money coming in (and I respect them all as professionals and friends), but the real world is a bit less rosy than what it might seem at UND. There are no real short cuts out here...

Study hard, fly harder, enjoy your time, and set some realistic goals for flight time and experience. When you achieve those, set new goals. I'd be more than willing to offer some advice along the way if you would like... ~Josh

banger

As far as interns, I have met a couple in the last couple years. We do take them and they seem to have a leg up on just your average candidate. The first was in Long Beach and another is here in JFK.

edik

By any chance would you know where I can get some information on it. I saw some, but it was on Purdue's web site, so I figure it might be differnt for a UND student.

SkyHigh

Stay at UND. Build some time. Get a second degree or job training totally outside of aviation. Expect to fly 300-600 hours a year. Brace yourself for the worst but hope for the best. The good news is that UND is a good school to be from.

SkyHigh

CALPilotToo

And make sure you do not get married or have any kids until you are on with the final job (in theory) of your career. Unless she makes a fair amount herself.

Never be in a position that you have to choose a relationship over the opportunity to build good time with a far away job offer.

An old airline CA gave me this advice and it worked for me to the letter. Got married after getting on with CAL and everything has been great.

__________________
Do not pretend this is a career anymore.