AirInc: Good to go...or waste o' dough?

[DougsRule]

This is not flame bait! (Really...it's not!)


Is it worth while to got this these AirInc Seminars? I've had good luck going to my first one back 11 years ago when it was FAPA. But now... is it really worth it to fork over the bucks to stand in line for 15 seconds of face time to get my resume seen?

 

[Palomino]

i've never been to one and have done ok in my career track. however, lots of guys get several calls after the Air Inc deals.

i'd look at it this way: if you don't have someone putting your application at the top of the stack at your chosen carriers, then Air Inc might be for you. sounds like it helps to get yours pulled from one of 10,000 applications with the airline of choice.

i don't like their exorbitant fees and such, but write it off as career prep stuff. if i had to do it i certainly would spend the money.

clear as mud?

 

[JethroF15]

i've never been to one and have done ok in my career track. however, lots of guys get several calls after the Air Inc deals.

i'd look at it this way: if you don't have someone putting your application at the top of the stack at your chosen carriers, then Air Inc might be for you. sounds like it helps to get yours pulled from one of 10,000 applications with the airline of choice.

i don't like their exorbitant fees and such, but write it off as career prep stuff. if i had to do it i certainly would spend the money.

clear as mud?

Shift key broken on the keyboard? Guess not... you did manage to capitalize Air Inc each time.

 

[atlcrashpad]

AirInc = www.waste-o-time.com

You can get just as good info if you search the internet on your own. Hell, network with some of the guys and gals here. You might have to wade through the phonies first.

 

[pilotyip]

Dougs you should be poet if you don't no it. Seriously, do a search under Air Inc you will get the good the bad and the ugly. Not trying skip answering your question, but the search will give you tons of info fast. I will be there, always have great time.

 

[Palomino]

Shift key broken on the keyboard? Guess not... you did manage to capitalize Air Inc each time.

yes, my shift key is broken just like your sentence structure.

i never thought a dude named jethro would lecture me about grammar.

go ahead and pick on the lower case you high case elitist.

points for me: i use lose and loose properly, it's a moot point and not a mute point. looks like i'm at least above average for grammar artists on this board.

 

[poppi]

It got me an interview with a major cariier which I eventually got. A friend of mine went and got three interviews within a week. Its worth it. see if you can get any discounts ie if furloughed.

 

[johnnyV]

Schmooze time!

During my Air Inc experience I got to meet one of my future interviewers. It was super to have something in common, even that minor, to talk about during the interview. The interviewer was struck that I had remembered our chance meeting months earlier.

Stroke of luck I know, but you have to be in it to win it.

Good luck.

JV

 

[Uppercrust]

No doubt AirInc is one of the best deals goings for several reasons.

1) Direct personal time with Major airlines hiring representatives. A key to getting a leg on the competition for those coveted interviews at places like FedEx, UPS, and Pinnacle.
2) The best CRM and interview workshops hands down. A must for those wanting to seal the deal during the sim session and subsequent panel interview.
3) Networking and meeting with other professionals like me and yourself. I know for a fact that Kit does hang out after the sessions. What a great opportunity to meet with someone who has mentored and placed thousands of pilots into the 121 community. His time is valuable and the chance to spend even 10 minutes with a pro like this is worthy of the admission price.

4) Enjoy your time on the town. Most of the the cities AirInc targets have a great night life. Time to relax, soak a few beers and taste the flavor of the city your're in.

To pin point it down nothing less than a professional training experience with the added spice of companionship and taste of a town!!

 

[captain caveman]

Uppercrust, what about those afterhours sessions with some of the fellows you "networked" with. You are one funny dude. And I mean both kinds of funny!

 

[captain caveman]

As far as majors, I don't think it helps with FedEx or Southwest. I do think it helps with Airtran and Jetblue. The rest I'm not sure about.

 

[GVFlyer]

Having known Kit Darby for many years, I guarantee you that your attendance at any AirInc event will benefit him more than it will you.

GV

 

[SkiFishFly]

This is not flame bait! (Really...it's not!)


Is it worth while to got this these AirInc Seminars? I've had good luck going to my first one back 11 years ago when it was FAPA. But now... is it really worth it to fork over the bucks to stand in line for 15 seconds of face time to get my resume seen?

Worked for me.
I did not know anyone who could move my resume up in the stack. Went to Air Inc seminar. Met an AirTran Capt. Got to present myself and got an interview. Got hired and loving every minute.
Never pass up an opportunity to break yourself out from the crowd. All of the airlines hiring have a LOT of resumes/apps to look at.
Good luck.

 

[T2Pilot]

I have mixed feelings about Air Inc. Kit Darby really annoyed me back in the 90's as he seemed to be telling military pilots that they were stupid if they stayed in the service. Recently I gave them another try and went to one of the job fairs. I had a good chat with SWA, FEDEX, etc. May have been coincidence but I got invited to a SWA interview shortly thereafter. FEDEX gave honest help on what it takes to get hired. I had a good time at the seminars - ran into some old buddies. The seminars were informative as well. I had an interesting talk with some of the fractional guys also. Learned some things I didn't know. I would go. Dress well and attend a couple seminars. Talk to as many people as possible including other job seekers. The interview seminar and the military transition seminar were helpful to me. Be friendly and professional and bring well-written resumes and you may get some leads.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

COMPLETE WASTE. Did it for 2 years. Not one thing they sent me actually helped me get a job. A subscription to Aviation & Space etc would do far more good. Hell the internet was great when it came to researching companies. Couple that with a ton of networking in your squadron, flying club, current 91/121/135 job, airport -- you name it, and then a good interview prep when you get the call with LOTS of practice on being "you" ... and you will be set.

AirInc is like a union for those with no jobs. A newsletter, magazine -- lots of fluff, no substance.

 

[Bjammin]

It worked for me.

I got 3 interviews dates, including SWA, within a week of attending. I also was interviewed at SWA by the same girl that I talked to at the seminar.

Someone tell me how that's a waste of time or money.


I also learned quite a bit at the military and interview seminars and had a fun time to boot.

I don't care if Kit is a fraud, I got some oppertunites I MAY not have got otherwise.

I'm willing to pay, in this day and age, for just a little bit of a PROBABLE edge.

 

[Slice121]

It worked for me.

I got 3 interviews dates, including SWA, within a week of attending. I also was interviewed at SWA by the same girl that I talked to at the seminar.

Someone tell me how that's a waste of time or money.


I also learned quite a bit at the military and interview seminars and had a fun time to boot.

I don't care if Kit is a fraud, I got some oppertunites I MAY not have got otherwise.

I'm willing to pay, in this day and age, for just a little bit of a PROBABLE edge.

Did you already have the 737 type?

 

[Bjammin]

Yep...

 

[Bavarian Chef]

It worked for me.

I got 3 interviews dates, including SWA, within a week of attending. I also was interviewed at SWA by the same girl that I talked to at the seminar.

Someone tell me how that's a waste of time or money.


I also learned quite a bit at the military and interview seminars and had a fun time to boot.

I don't care if Kit is a fraud, I got some oppertunites I MAY not have got otherwise.

I'm willing to pay, in this day and age, for just a little bit of a PROBABLE edge.

You mean networking in K-Rock didn't help at all? Man I got an airline job and a reserve job, a sweet non-ip reserve job, all from networking. Granted I am a handsome, charming and powerful man (did I say witty?) ... maybe that had something to do with it. Ha.

Never attended a seminar however.

 

[Bjammin]

Networking in K-rock DID lead to an interview with my current employer, and obviously a very sweet IP reserve job.

HOWEVER, interviewing with the companies I met at Air Inc and the seminars I KNOW FOR A FACT helped me termendously in passing one of the toughest interviews out there.

Even tough the two flying jobs I have now were not due to Air Inc, I would still do it again.

 

[atlcrashpad]

You can do what you want with your money. All the info you'll get at Air Inc you can find on the web for FREE. As far as getting on with a Major, there are few hiring. If you are competitive, you'll get an interview.

 

[Caveman]

On a whim I attended the AirInc conference/job fair in November. I waited in line for an hour and a half to talk to the JetBlue recruiter. We chatted for almost 40 minutes. When I got home I applied on-line. Three weeks later they called. I start at B6 next week. No coincidence as far as I'm concerned. It cost me about $500 in gas money, hotel, food and conference fees. Worth every penny.

Darby's info was interesting but really had no bearing on whether or not I got hired. The face time with the recruiter was invaluable IMO. I know plenty of people that have had apps in at JetBlue, AirTran, SWA and others for a year or more with no calls. I also know plenty of folks that shortly after attending an AirInc conference got calls for interviews.

Bjammin made an excellent point that pretty much sums up my philosophy about AirInc:

"I don't care if Kit is a fraud, I got some oppertunites I MAY not have got otherwise.

I'm willing to pay, in this day and age, for just a little bit of a PROBABLE edge."

 

[Publishers]

Whether it is worth it or not depends on what company you are after, and, how compeitive you are on paper. It is a legitimate opportunity to meet recruiters although you should not assume that because they are there, they are recruiting. You need to know whether the company is a prospect for you and if you are competitive in times for that company.

 

[j41driver]

I had my application in at AirTran (with 2 Captain recommendations) for a little over a year with no call. Several weeks after attending an AIR Inc seminar, I got the call. Would I have gotten the call anyway? I'll never know but it was well worth the $$ in my opinion.

 

[gt1900]

Gotta go with what publishers said... If you don't do your research, no matter how many times you go, it aint gonna help. Certain airlines place a lot of attention on Airinc seminars, some don't. If you wana go to an airline that doesn't put much emphasiz on airinc, it aint gonna help. If you want to work for an airline that attends airinc and actually looks at resume's, I suggest that #1. You be competitive. and #2. You send them an application before you go. When I talked to the recruiter at the airline i was applying for the respone was this "oh, Ive seen your resume before". Ya, no chit. I sent it in several times online just before the conference and had it walked in several times as well. By the time I got to Airinc they probably could have wrapped all their families X-mas presents with my resume... I got the call two weeks later! So, do your research, make sure the company you are trying for actually recruits from airinc, and don't have it be the first time they have seen your resume!!

 

[Old School 737]

I had a few friends get interviews because of going to the job fairs. How do I know it was because of the job fair? It was before all the airlines went to on-line apps and they did not have anything "on file" at any of the places untill they handed their resumes to the recruiters. They were also called less than a week after the job fair. So yes they do work for some and others for whatever reason it does not seem to do any good.

I suggest for maximum exposure and face time you go to the Women in Aviation Conference or the OBAB? ( is that right?) Job fairs. I'm assuming you are a White guy, if not this might not work as well? But It worked for me. I went to the Women In Aviation Conference and stuck out like a sore thumb. And because of that the HR people remembered me the next year I went and I firmly believe it helped get me the job.

Good luck!

 

[AlbieF15]

Melissa and I will likely be there...

We are there to promote the 747 training program we have spun up. Don't need one? Socializing, BSing, and beer drinking with us at the bar don't cost nothin' but drink money...

Seriously--until we get another venue with a bunch of airline recruiters hanging out in ONE place on ONE day, the Air Inc seminars offer guys and gals who otherwise wouldn't get the exposure.

 

[shuttlepilot]

I paid $195 and they pulled my name out of the bowl for a $7000 type rating...
That's a good return on my investment.

 

[boeingdriver213]

I used FAPA in 1988, got hired at USAir which at the time was the airline of choice. I used Air Inc. in 2005 in got hired at Southwest which seems to be the flavor of the month right now. You can get all kinds of free info on the internet and from insiders, but to me, the benefit of going to the job fairs was meeting the hiring people face to face, and also networking with other guys and gals going through similar circumstances that I was. I think it was worth it.....