Originally Posted by
7thgear
I spoke with Buzz Thompson today. He basically told me that to say that the internship program will increase your chances of getting hired by UPS is a false statement. It certainly can't hurt you, but it is not a substitute for experience. He still recommended me taking the progam. He also told me what the average qualified pilot posseses that is hired by UPS.
10-15 years in the industry
5000 flight hours.
1500-2000 PIC
All certificates and ratings
Transoceanic crossing experience.
A few more things he mentioned were that the military was a really long commitment. He said to do it if I want to. But if I want to stay civilian, I will have to work my way up from regional airline to bigger airlines that do transoceanic crossings. Also, the military will only work if I fly bigger planes. F-18 hours would not carry over to passenger aircrafts. He also recommended that the absolute first thing I do is get checked out by a physician to see if I'll even meet the medical requirements.
I also contacted SIU again and spoke to the same instructor/manager as before. I mentioned that I spoke with UPS's HR department directly and that they said her statement was false. She rebutted by saying that "it's something that they don't advertise because it's an insider thing in the industry." So basically she is saying that it does help, but UPS won't admit to that. I don't know who to believe.
If you are going to be looking into the Guard/Reserves anyway after your degree, I would join ASAP as an enlisted member while you are going to college. They will likely pay for your college, and give you rank and time in grade that will help you towards retirement, pay and benefits later when you make the switch to becoming an officer for the pilot gig. Plus it will help you be taken seriously when you apply for a pilot slot.
If you are in this career field for the long haul you may change your mind to another airline someday too before you get that final job. So make sure you go into with the intention of getting that experience required at most quality airlines. I know people that did the minimums, and got hired at United back in the day to find themselves on the street furloughed without enough PIC experience to find quality work as a pilot years later.