Students Get The Leading Interview Edge

Giving Western Michigan University College of Aviation graduates a job hunting "edge," the college signed a "preferred interview" agreement with AirNet Systems on Friday, reported The Battle Creek Enquirer.

This agreement is the aviation college's fourth; it has three other airline agreements with ExpressJet, ASA, and American Eagle. And, according to Dean of WMU College of Aviation Capt. Rick Maloney, the institution is currently negotiating with three additional airlines.

Ohio-based AirNet's preferred interview agreement delineates that students who have: acquired 450 hours of flight time; receive a WMU chief flight instructor letter of recommendation; and good performance and training records, will be granted an interview. Additional requirements are outlined in the agreement.

"Getting the interviews is about 75 percent of the challenge," said Capt. Maloney. "... This is a very exciting opportunity."

Craig Washka, director of pilot recruitment for AirNet, said Friday that AirNet has hired dozens of WMU graduates over the years and knows the quality of Western's program.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to have a closer relationship with a college that's near our location in Columbus, OH, and help develop pilots for the future."

AirNet also is expected to have about a dozen internships available this summer, he added.

AirNet Systems has been providing time-critical air transportation services for small package shippers and banking customers to more than 100 cities nationwide for more than 28 years.

Also in the news is the "Fly Team Michigan!" consortium, announced last month, that includes aviation programs at WMU, Jackson Community College, Lansing Community College, Delta College, and Northwestern Michigan College. The goal of "Fly Team Michigan!" is to collaborate on programs and make Michigan a hub for aviation. Together, the five programs have more than  950 students.

FMI: www.wmich.edu/aviation, www.airnet.com