Laxrox43

I have been given the opportunity to have an internship with Piedmont Airlines' training department. What do y'all think about it? It seems like an awesome opportunity to me. I will most likely meet VIPs and other personel that more than likely will help with my networking. Get to see the ins-and-outs of PDT's training program, sit in on GND school, learn the companies proceedures...possibly get to fly the SIMs on downtime. I do understand that it is non-paying, and I talked to a Line Capt. and he said that I could easily get a crash pad for the time being for about $160/month + food, etc. (I am ok with these expenditures, so money is not an issue) Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks!

Flying Ninja

Why not? If you don't have anything else better to do and money isn't an issue, it's an opportunity to experience the airline's management and training procedures. I'd say go for it. Sounds like a good way of meeting new people in the know and you can tell us all about your perspectives once you get out of it.

atpwannabe

Laxrox43:

I couldn't agree more.

Punkpilot48

DING!!!!!!

check6

When did PDT start having an internship program? Are you in school? I went to an aviation college and wish I had done that.

Booker

I was a new hire there in February '04 and they had an intern from ERAU then. I don't know how old or how consistent the program is, though.

Laxrox43

I knew a guy that worked in the training department (who now is back on the line). He invited me down to tour US Airways training facility in CLT. I met some really cool people including a few managers, line check instructors, and gnd/sim instructors. I have no clue what I did or said (I was just being myself around the guy...), but my friends boss told him to invite me for an internship this summer. So here I am with an internship by no fault of my own!

But I sat down and had a heart-to-heart with, now, my boss, and we layed out what I would be doing this summer. Basically I am going to get to see a little bit of everything. (FO class, FA class, shadowing management, shadow instructors in gnd school/sim sessions, hopefully jump seat a few legs...) I need to know the Dash-8 inside and out (to the best of my ability) so if they put me in new hire FO classes, or the sim, I won't be completely clueless as to what is going on. I will be living in a crash pad...so that will be interesting. Then after my time expires at PDT, I am on god's good graces. I may get an interview...or they might tell me to come back in a few months..who knows?

PropClown

Laxrox

It sounds like a good opportunity you have. You will be able to see how the company is run and the day to day operations. I had any intership myself before with a mainline company, and it taught me alot. Unfortunately, this was not with the flight/training department.

I wish I could of had an opportunity like this with a company I was looking at working for in the future. All I can say is pay attention to everything around you and make your own decisions on what you are told from both sides of the table.

Laxrox43

Thanks PropClown,

Come May, I will be a sponge for the next 3 months of my life...I am a little bit nervous about the whole deal. I don't know anyone down there, at all...I guess this is just part of growing up and the nature of the biz?...

Thanks for your input folks!