I have had a very positive experience with these fairs. Though Mr. Publisher is correct in the assertion that AIR Inc's charging policies result in a slightly different blend of employer / employee prospects, I would defend it.
Though United, American, et al may not pay to be there, it nontheless costs them money, effort, and time to do it. Believe me they wouldn't be there if there were not a desire to do so. Kit delivers a nice crop of people who are motivated enough to pay the money and put on a good suit and travel, and the airlines know it.
I work these fairs recruiting for my company, and I have had a chance to chat informally with some of the recruiters at the after-hours gatherings. There is no doubt in my mind that there are two very large positives to be had from going through this effort to meet and see these people:
1) Some airlines (like mine) indeed do informal "prescreening" at these events, setting aside resume' s from people we think would be good candidates (a cold piece of paper can't hold a candle to a few minutes of talking with someone and seeing their demeanor in person). They are the first ones we call when we interview to fill a class (after the personal recommendations, of course).
2) In the case of the airlines that don't (like United, from whom your call was based entirely on the computer picking out your scantron), you at least got straight poop from the people running the department. This is invaluable!! A five minute talk with with the head of pilot recruiting sizing up your resume is worth a lifetime of rumors about what you need to be competitive and what you don't (how many of you have spent years in the right seat of a big jet when a year in the left seat of a little turboprop would've had you that interview years ago?). If you have a road map, you can find your destination so much faster!!
My first air fair was ATL '99, and I was at once frustrated and inspired. I was so pissed that with the resume I had I wasn't as competitve as I thought I was. At the same time, I had found out exactly what I had to do to get competitive - and it worked. I was hired at a major airline last year. Unfortunately 9/11 happened before I got a class, and I got a letter saying my new job had vaporized. Though it's dissappointing, if I did it once I can do it again - and there were choices I made as a result of the AIR Inc fair that led me straight to that job.
Majors not hiring now? Yeah, I know. But JetBlue, Southwest, Executive Jet, Airtran and other excellent companies usually have strong representation and give you a chance to have real conversations with people who can get you hired. Plain and simple. For those of you not yet competitive - this can give you a chance to concentrate your effort on the activites and jobs that will get you in the door in the least amount of time. They'll tell you exactly what to do!
For those of you in the "competitive" realm for regional airlines, these shows are veritable smorgasbords. All the good regionals are usually there, and many folks walk out the door with interview dates in hand (obviously after 9/11 it may be down a bit).
Though I have not yet been to an AEPS event - things over there seem to be pretty active as well. They have recently had forums with JetBlue and Southwest HR departments and I'm sure others.
If you are serious about advancing your career, or are an out of work pilot right now wanting to know what the marketplace is, these are can't-miss events IMHO. I have no affiliation with either AIR Inc or AEPS - I just think you are.....unwise....to go into battle without obtaining the proper information to achive your goal.
Good luck to all
