ALA, SW, and JB contacts?

[Mooseflyer]

I'm going to the LAX job fair next weekend, and rather than address cover letters to "dear sir or madam", I'd like to use actual names. Anybody know the proper names for the following attending airlines?

Alaska (Heidi Adam, Barry Rainey, and Steve Mikkelson attending)
Southwest
Jetblue

Thanks to all.

 

[colorado418]

For JetBlue it would be Dean Melonas.

 

[Mooseflyer]

Thanks Colorado......would it be Capt or Mr. Melonas?

 

[dlredline]

His Royal Highness of Hiring, The Grand Poobah of Pilots, Lord of the Apps, King Dean.

On second thought, just try Mr. Dean Melonas.

Red

 

[Cpt. Over]

It would be Mr. Dean Melonas. He is the Director of Pilot Recruitment for jetBlue. Hope this helps. Good luck at the fair.

 

[AlbieF15]

Well, according to some out there, flight attendents don't know squat about hiring pilots...and since Dean is JUST a former flight attendent I wouldn't worry about what you call him...he's not that important

If you don't catch the sarcasm here--let me be clear. He is a great guy, and he holds a lot of lives in his hands. Keep that in mind next time you want to badmouth the FA community...

 

[mittro]

Moose............................
I will give you my 2 cents worth on the job-fair scene. I recruited at a few in my previous life for our sister carrier and got to see how this REALLY works ( or so I think).
Alaska is one of the few carriers who actually recruit and hire at these events. If you really want to work at Alaska or any other mentioned you need to be the first in their line and sell them on all the reasons why you honestly want to be here. Barry, Heidi etc. at Alaska are great folks and know who to select and who might be BSing................
There is a "pool" of about 35-50 now, in the next couple of years I have heard we retire 1 every 4 days and with current expansion plans that would take a great deal of hiring starting in 2005.
Best of luck with any carrier you want.

C-ya

 

[CatfishVT9]

No letters needed

Mooseflyer,

I've been to several of these Air Inc. seminars. All you need to bring is your resume with no cover letter required. Make sure you have a well formatted resume.

Of the three you mentioned, the only one that attending the job fair helps with potentially getting an interview with is Alaska. I'll admit though that I know very little about them. They backed out of the last one late.

JB won't even take your resume, but they may ask for your name on a 3x5 card to show you were there (Jan. seminar they didn't want or take anything). They are just there to answer questions. Very nice folks but glad handing won't give you a leg up. I believe SWA is now following the same path.

On the other hand, if you are interested in AirTran or ATA, if you don't have an internal recommendation, this is the only other way to get an interview. I know for a fact this works. My former boss and another O-5 from my wing both got calls from AirTran (last August after June seminar).

Also, expect that some on this board will trash Air Inc for various reasons. However, as a military guy with limited Airline contacts (me anyway), it's a great way to get started.

Best of luck,

Catfish

 

[Mooseflyer]

Thanks for the info guys. Since I already have the letters done, except for the "dear xxx" part, I'll bring them - can't hurt.

Mittro, should I address the Alaska letter to Paul Majer, or one of the other reps actually attending (i.e. Heidi or Barry)?

Any SW experts out there help me out with a name?

Thanks again.....

 

[FL510GV]

Alaska = AS

Mooseman... if you want Alaska, you need to sell yourself as a 100% Alaska man. That means know that Alaska is AS, not ALA and don't call them "Alaskan" a guy I personally know called them that in his interview and didn't get hired. Know a lot about the company. i.e. Guys have been asked the closing price of the stock the day before, the pilot bases, the "historical leaders" of the company etc. during interviews. It also is important to let them know that you have no intention of leaving Alaska -- why you want to live/stay in Seattle or one of the other places. If you do have a nice cover letter tell they how/why you've "always wanted" to fly for Alaska, why you're willing/ready to wait for them to start hiring again... I've made my point.

 

[English]

Is Jacque no longer with Alaska?

 

[mittro]

Moose, I would think a letter to Captain Paul Majer, Chief Pilot would be good and if you want to get more personal I would also have a letter ready for all from the Alaska gang. I dont know if they will be interviewing there but they have in the past and quite a few have been hired and are now working here.
It has been a while since I recruited at one but looking back I would encourage you to be the first in line to speak with these folks should Alaska be your choice, same goes for any other carrier you want to sell yourself on, should help your chances.
FL510GV gave some good advice and as weird as it may seem that is exactly what they are looking for. If you go to Alaskair.com at the top will be several links, click "more" and you will be able to look up a great deal about the history,fleet type etc. all the info that you should know. Looking at our seniority list it looks like approx. 500 retirements in the next 6 years and with about 1500 on the property now we will have to hire in huge way just to keep up with that.
Best of luck......................C-ya

P.S.
H-R shakeup last year, Jacque and Rita have moved on.

 

[av8instyle]

500 retirements in the next 6 years

Actually, it's closer to 300...but it's still a lot.

 

[Mooseflyer]

Thanks Mittro.

Check this out - after the seminar portion ended, the job fair started. I stood in the Alaska line for over TWO HOURS to speak with Barry Rainey (LAX CP). I finally got up to the front of the line. The guy before me finished his conversation and left, and as I was walking up, he said he had to bail for an appointment!!!Couldn't believe it - what p!ss poor timing. It was like when you're a kid at Six Flags and they close the roller coaster right when you're the next to board. I got my package in at least. Two hours - next time I'm going to WIA or OBAP.....