September 09, 2022
Through partnership, aviation students will have the opportunity to take advantage of the most direct path to the United flight deck
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been named a United Airlines Aviate partner, offering an accelerated career path for aviation students interested in becoming pilots at United Airlines. Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend a signing ceremony at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center (TEC) multipurpose room, 545 N. Airport Road, Murphysboro. Parking is available to the northeast and south of the TEC.
Aviate is United’s industry-leading pilot career development program, offering aspiring and established pilots the most direct path to the United flight deck.
As an Aviate university partner, SIU aviation students and instructors who apply and are successful in the Aviate selection process will join the program, receive a conditional job offer from United and enjoy the benefit from a defined career path. SIU is the latest university to participate in the United Aviate program.
This year alone, United has hired more than 1,600 pilots and is on track to meet the airline’s goal of hiring 10,000 pilots by 2030.
Attending the event are SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane, Dan Mahony, SIU System president, José Ruiz, interim director of SIU’s School of Aviation, Michelle Hodges, United Airlines’ vice president of global human resources and talent management, and Capt. Mike Bonner, managing director of Aviate and pilot strategy, along with SIU aviation students. SIU and United officials will be available for interviews.
Journalists who would like to attend should contact Kim Rendfeld, director of communications, at kim.rendfeld@siu.edu or 765-426-3650 by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. Media are invited to arrive at the TEC at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13.