AIR INC & Kit Darby, Disappointment

[Hugh Jorgan]

Later, at an interview one of those people recognized my face (it was obvious he had that look of "I've seen you before") and I'd like to think that it helped.

I had two interviews in which I was interviewed by the very person who's hand I shook at the convention. I'm sure they remembered my little finger-tickle tecnique in my handshake with the simultaneous wink. Seriously, though, one recruiter flat-out told me right away she remembered me from Dallas before I could even mention it. The other, when I introduced myself, I said "Good Morning, Mr.____. My name is ______, we met briefly at the airinc convention in Dallas. It's nice to see you again." Did it help? I dunno, but couldn't have hurt.

 

[Ty Webb]

Well put.

I think what most of us object to is the hucksterism and the fact that these things could be put on for maybe $20. bucks a head instead of charging ten times that so that KD can pad his pockets with the money of furloughed pilots.

If he had any sympathy for the less fortunate (some of whom decided to Come! Be a Pilot based on his self-serving promotions) then he would charge a nominal fee and make up the rest with sponsors. . . . CFI Booth sponsored by Ramen noodles, etc.

I went to one seminar for the sole purpose of getting face time. 90% of the day is self-serving hype to get you to buy stuff (which you don't have to and I never did). But I did get to meet 2-3 people that I wanted to make a first impression with.

Later, at an interview one of those people recognized my face (it was obvious he had that look of "I've seen you before") and I'd like to think that it helped.

So, in the end I paid $150 for a decent chicken lunch and 10 minutes of time with someone that I wanted to meet me. I accepted this as a resonable sum of $ to risk as an investment in my career.

For my money I got exactly what I expected to get. I used a service that someone made available to me. It worked for me and it might or might not work for you. Or, it might or might not be a cost that you are willing to accept. Nothing wrong with that.

As for someone "pitching" to improve their business - hey, that's captialism and "caveat emptor."

BTW - I thought that all those seminars and workshops would be a great collection of services for military transitions. It's kinda like one stop shopping for launching your civilian career. I was a commissioned officer in one of our esteemed services (but not a pilot) and that was one thought I took away from my experience.

I definitely agree that the whole L.R. thing seemed a bit insensitive and the "hiring stats" for the year are unbelievably misleading (the recycling thing).

Anyway, my .02. If you're smart enough to check things out here on this forum (and others) and to question things (beforehand) you can go there and get what you're expecting to get.

Cheers. [/B]

 

[N tha jungle]

Attitude is everything

Sure, these seminars are expensive- and if you walk around all day thinking how bad you got "swindled" you're not going to have a good day with the recruiters. As said before, "What you're paying for is the face-time." I didn't go to the morning meeting or lunch, just got there in time to stand in the long lines and get my resume into the "received at Air inc seminar stack." Use this to your advantage and put on your happy face when you meet these guys. Tell them you would be excited to fly with XXX airlines. That's what i did and it worked. Three calls for interviews, two job offers. I realize this is not everybody's outcome. The seminar itself does not get you hired. Its the combination of good flying experience, good resume, good personality, ETC.......

P.S. For newbies in the industry, take alook at the monthly newsletter by kit(maybe you can buy just one issue instead of getting taken for a whole year?) and send a proof-read resume to all companies you are seeking employment with. YES, i know you could reseach all this on the net or whatever for free, but i think it would be worth the couple bucks to get current info in one place. Also maybe raa.org or raa.com may help.

 

[DLslug]

Timing is everything!

Attended seminar Nov '97 (DFW), interviewed with Delta 2 months later Jan '98 after speaking with Plato Ryne and handing him resume.

It worked at the time because, well, times were good. Long lines with many airlines that were all hiring.

Hang in there.

 

[Lear70]

First, I had a chance to talk with Lonnie in January. He was NOT there representing USAirways in any way shape or form and did NOT speak on behalf of USAirways at all. The post earlier in this thread was referring to LAST year's (Jan 2003) DFW Career Fair where I was as stunned as everyone else. Not saying it to defend him, but he wasn't put up on stage THIS year as a USAirways recruiter when he's worried about HIS OWN job and pension.

Secondly, on the thought that "there must be another way"... WHY does ANYONE continue to go to the first half of the day? We ALL know it's bullsh*t designed to sell his products. I go to the one in DFW every year and sometimes in Atlanta but not since Delta stopped hiring - may go to the one this year for Air Tran, but back on subject. I've landed two of my aviation jobs DIRECTLY from those career fairs and haven't been to the morning session since '99.

Plan: Pay for seminar only. Do not need hotel room Friday night as I non-rev / jumpseat in early Saturday morning. Van to hotel, arrive just in time for free lunch. Meet up with old friends from Express One and other jobs for fun b.s. session in lobby during 2 last hours of "buy this stuff" session. Return for airline informational forum and meet-and-greet session. Go drink beer. Get hotel room, drink more beer. Call up ex-girlfriends in Dallas to come party, drink more beer and mix with margaritas. Wake up with hangover sometime Sunday just in time to jumpseat back to domicile and sit Late Ready Reserve.

Hey, it's not perfect, but it beats falling asleep in the morning while recruiters watch from the wings and there's no WAY I'd have a decent job right now if I hadn't gone to the AIR Inc fair in '01... just not sure I made the right decision between EJA and PCL... Hindsight isn't always 20/20!

Good luck to all!