Don't pay Kit D. any more $.

[rjcap]

Having worked at Air Inc approximately 2 years ago I can side with both views on this board.
To put Air Inc. in perspective you have to consider that the internet has become the primary source of info for the airlines and airline interviews gouge. Prior to the internet there was really no single readily available source of info other then friend of a friend or Air Inc. However, the internet has made Kit's business irrelelvent. Any prospective pilot can gather the relevent info via the internet and network via the internet far better then what you might gather at an Air Inc, seminar. The info Kit diseminates at those conferences is the same old stuff he has been kicking out 5 or more years ago. It sounds good but is highly suspect.

Basically, times have changed and Kit has failed to broaden his business plan to capture other opportunities. With the ongoing furloughs he could have made a windfall by addressing the realities of losing your airline career and moving on to something other profession. He is unable to do this because he has no other experience then the airline undustry.

Cheers

 

[Publishers]

for who

This is really a case of do you want someone else to do some of the work for you at a price or do you want to take the time and do it yourself.

What needs to be remembered here is that Kit or AEPS or Pilotstaff.cv or Climbto350 need is a realtionshhip with the companies. In the end, their success depends on that for if they are successful with that relationship, you guys will pay them whether you like them or not.

 

[Huck]

I agree, Dualrated, and the overall effect is a "blanding down" of all potential pilots. I doubt that many of the interesting characters I've flown with would even be considered today. Not when there are two dozen navy-blue-suited clones available, all spouting out the same answers.

(I've had a moustache since I was sixteen, but I have shaved it off for the two major interviews I've had. Why? Because everybody else does, because some "expert" at Airinc said to. Can't show any individualism, can we?)

The VERY EXPERIENCE that would make a safe, conscientious airline pilot also ruins your interview presence. After enough years of dodging storms, making command decisions, and being responsible for multi-million dollar aircraft and all aboard, you just can't bend yourself into that sanitized box that is required to compete. So they hire the clones. It certainly doesn't make for a stronger airline industry.

 

[bobbysamd]

The void Kit fills

The deal with Kit is that he advertises, and, perhaps, panders to the pilot masses. So many people want to be professional pilots and Kit sells them that dream. He provides an entry with his materials.

I really have no problem with the basic premise of providing a resource to gain entry to the process. To the layman, professional aviation is a kind of arcane, labyrinthine, secret society. You need a place to start. Lou Smith started FAPA to help military pilots find that start. I recall that FAPA was foundering when Kit came along. Marketing genius that he is, Kit contrived the pilot shortage, promoted it, expanded his advertising to the pilot masses, made professional aviation sound so easy, and built his empire. Sadly, fifteen years ago, there was no internet in the form it is today. Kit was The Man.

Now, if there was a resource available that supplied honest and candid information about the risks v. rewards of the career, was entirely candid about the pilot non-shortage, and gave instruction on the job-seeking process, there would be no need for Kit.

Basically, times have changed and Kit has failed to broaden his business plan to capture other opportunities. With the ongoing furloughs he could have made a windfall by addressing the realities of losing your airline career and moving on to something other profession . . . .

And, in so doing, perform a real public service for pilots and maybe sow the seeds for repeat business if those pilots decide to come back. However, how can you expect someone who contrives half-truths to suddenly develop scruples? Leopards can't change their spots, you know.

 

[freightdogfred]

The only good thing about a United bankruptcy is the thought of that con-artist shoving out the 200 clams for one of his own pony shows. I'm sad to hear he bought FCI, that was a good rag to find a job..........

 

[BoDEAN]

Re: The void Kit fills

Now, if there was a resource available that supplied honest and candid information about the risks v. rewards of the career, was entirely candid about the pilot non-shortage, and gave instruction on the job-seeking process, there would be no need for Kit.

All joking aside, If you find a source, please let us know!

 

[bobbysamd]

FCI

The only good thing about a United bankruptcy is the thought of that con-artist shoving out the 200 clams for one of his own pony shows. I'm sad to hear he bought FCI, that was a good rag to find a job..........

It was, and Captain Mac was one of the few first-class people you'll encounter in this business. I wish him well in his retirement.

 

[rjcap]

This guy doesnt know when to stop he just bought Flight Crews International, that was a decent source of info till he bought it

Does anybody else see the irony here ?



Ever since Sept 11, 2001 Air Inc.'s business has pretty much gone in the toilet. So what does Kit go and do ?

He buys another airline info/recruit business in hopes of growing himself into profitability.

Kinda like United purchasing UsAir !!

 

[Timebuilder]

If enough people pass this info around, then Kit will be out of business.

The questions are these: how many suckers are born every minute?

How many furloughed pilots will line up to buy Kit's "job fair" ticket?

How many people think that Kit will give them the necessary "edge"?

My guess: a lot. I wonder if a segment on 60 minutes would help or hurt?

 

[ms6073]

I wonder if a segment on 60 minutes would help or hurt?

Possibly, but only if it includes a reasonable attempt at publically debunking this 'pilot shortage' myth that seems to continue to persist for the better part of the last 15 to 20 years.

IMHO the only sector of aviation that could be considered to have continuely enjoyed a shortage of pilots, is the various branches of the U.S. military!

 

[pilotyip]

Boycott

Yea, a boycott would be good idea, that way the people who do attend and there will still be 300-400 of them won't have competition at the Job Fair and stand a better chance of getting some of the jobs that come out of the fair. I know of al least 25 guys who landed great jobs as a result of the fair.

 

[trainerjet]

I think there was someone earlier in the thread who mentioned that he was one of them. No one wants to hear that stuff, though.

They just want to hear the ranting and raving about what a rip-off it is.

 

[Timebuilder]

I know of al least 25 guys who landed great jobs as a result of the fair.

Outside of PFT, I think it is GREAT that 25 people got great jobs. Hurray!

Now, more to the point, how many people paid money based on HYPE, and were NOT hired?

How many of the 25 could have been hired WITHOUT Kit Darby?

Those are good questions, eh?

 

[Publishers]

wrapped up

Me thinks that you get too wrapped up in the semantics and reality.

The fact is that it does not make a big difference whether or not there was a shortage. As long as there are people willing to seek a pilot profession and as long as companies will show up at the job fairs, Kit will have a business. People want to be commercial pilots and will seek out the information and be willing to pay for it. This is not a public service and why should he have one.

He says this is how to get the job. If he says Delta likes men to have red ties on and blue suits, are you going to chance something else.

 

[Anaconda]

IMHO what is even worse than this subject is the number of flight schools that are still running advertisements in all of the major aviation magazines with all of their promises of future employment with airlines that have pilots on furlough and cute stories of single moms making a go of it in the airline industry. that to me is beyond reproach in this day and age, and they should be ashamed, but i know they won't because they are all out for a buck...