csp20110

I am a junior at University of Central Missoui and studying to be a professional pilot. I have my private license with a instrument rating and working on my commercial rating. I should have it by the end of this year if all goes right. I really want to get an internship for the 2010 summer. I have looked around at some like American, Delta, and Alaska. I really want to get a paid internship.

Which airline is a good one to look into?

How do I go about getting a internship?

Any information that would help of getting a internship or any contacts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

iPilot

Poor kid, he's about to get his first lesson in aviation...

LeineLodge

First off, congrats for being motivated enough to look into the internship idea. They can be a great deal or a total waste of time. Most of that generally depends on what you're hoping to get from the experience. If you're looking for a fast track to a job somewhere, then your summer would probably be better spent getting the rest of your ratings an possibly instructing a little bit.

If you're more looking for industry experience, then you're on the right track.

Are you sure you want a career with the airlines? This may be a good way to see if it's for you or not. Maybe you'd be better off interning with a company outside the industry to see what else is out there. Especially in this industry it's important to have a backup.

Good luck and pm me if you want some insight on my experience. I interned with ASA in college and it turned out to be a great thing even though I didn't end up flying for them. Stay positive and realize that while this may never be the career it once was, you'll still like your job a hell of a lot more
than your friends working in the cubicle.

airventure

I interned with American Airlines a few years ago. PM me if you have any specifics about that program. Your best bet is to contact someone at your school that takes care of internships. Your school may have relationships with certain airlines that'll help you get these internships.

SoCalGuy

The above post makes a lot of good points. It's been almost 15 yrs since I did an internship w/ AA, I'm sure many things have changed. When I did my summer internship, none of the carriers that I looked into offered a 'paid' position....again, that may have changed over the recent years.

Like the rest of the guys have mentioned in this thread....feel free to drop a PM, would be happy to answer any specifics.

Best of luck in your pursuit.

KC10 FATboy

I completely understand your wish to fly ... I have it myself. But please please please, DON'T go to school to be a pilot. Learn another skillset instead. At some point in your quest to be an airline pilot, it will come in handy. You are betting the farm if the only thing you know is airline speak.

jumppilot

Get out of aviation.

Read this post in 10 years and tell me I was wrong. Please.

deltabound

If a pilot you must be, I strongly suggest you go talk to the armed forces for a pilot position.

You'll gain valuable flight experience, meet people who will beat you to the majors who might just walk in your resume someday, and will have a "fall-back" position if/when you're furloughed and if/when your airline retirement tanks.

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

Csp - don't forget the UPS internship or co-op. Very competitive but it is paid; in the past former co-op students were very succesful in getting hired.

It took me 8 years to get hired at big brown and I bet you I'd have been able to shave off at least 7 years had I done that internship.

csp20110

I checked the UPS website but couldnt find anything about any airline internships. Do you have a website I could use. Thanks

Also, some people in earlier posts said to PM them. Where do I find that, I would like to do that but I cant find out where to.