⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

I agree with Ranger - go to a regular school and fly on the side while you take a couple part time jobs - that's what I did. Domino's, local FBO, landscaping services, you name it...You know, sort of like going to a community college for the first 2 years to save money – flying at a local FBO as opposed to going to an expensive flight school will save you tons of money. Btw, what state do you live in?

As far as UPS intern “not working for the flight department” - well, you'll be working for the people who’re doing the actual hiring – HR department, so if you do a great job I doubt it'll hurt you . I did ran into a former intern who was an Airbus FO, wish I asked him more questions but he did say the internship was a tremendous help in getting the call and then getting hired. Also, PM BoilerUP - he's a former intern who’s now flying for a regional; he's a good guy, should be able to give you lots of good info.

PS. Just don't listen to him when he says Purdue is the best flight school out there - because they aren’t! Oh boy, I think I just started WW3…

The fact you're planning ahead so early in your career tells me you'll be very successful down the road - good luck!

Ranger

I keep waiting for SkyLow to roll in here with all of his doom and gloom stuff.

Freightpuppy

You would just have to go to an FBO and get the ratings/certificates/hours. You can fly while going to college. I had a wonderful single mother who always told me, "become something, don't work hard like me" and hence paid for my flying lessons. Therefore, I don't really know if there is a way to take loans out for flying if you go to an FBO. Does anyone know?

Ok, I just read some of the later posts and I guess you can work a few jobs while going to college and flying. I always had a job in college and I took flying lessons. Granted, like I said, I didn't have to pay for flying lessons but I sure pi$$ed a lot of money away at the bar. Anyways, I agree with the other people.......work multiple jobs if you have to and you will definitely save money by going to an FBO.

Freightpuppy

LOL! I haven't seen him on the cargo forum much. Maybe we are safe.

Pilotpip

7thgear,

Carbondale is a good school. Have a few guys in my class from there. My step-sister went there for a couple years before transfering to be closer to home.

The military is a great option if it's right for you. DO NOT go there only with the intention of using it as a stepping stone to a major. You're not doing anybody any favors if you do it and you'll find the 10 years after you sign the papers to be not so fun. I would do it in a heartbeat if called upon but for me it wasn't a good choice. I don't have any regrets about that.

That being said, you need to revise your goals a bit or you're going to be sorely dissapointed. It's going to be years from start to UPS regardless of where you go, what internships you get, or what kind of grades you get. You have about 20,000 qualified applicants waiting in line in front of you.

7 years ago, I was in the same position you were. I'm finally starting at my first airline job, and it's not UPS. I'm flying a little jet for turboprop pay. It's hard work and most people I know that graduated before this year (when this 'boom' really got going) are in the same boat.

Swedish Blender

You could just say Purdue is the best school or simply kissing my ring will suffice.

CaptainMark

somebody say ERAU???????????

Divergcm

E mail me if you would like to talk. I went TO SIU-C and completed the A.A.S. and B.S. programs in Avaition. I am now with UPS.

[email protected]

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.

de727ups

"She rebutted by saying that "it's something that they don't advertise because it's an insider thing in the industry."

Buzz is the head of the hiring group at UPS. I think I'd put a lot of emphsis on what he says over an "instructor/manager" at SIU.

If I were Buzz, I'd have a little talk with whoever runs the intern program to make sure the "false statements" problem gets fixed. It makes it even worse to come out and say "Buzz is fibbing to you because we can't have this information out in public". Give me a break....