Opinion or Truth... "the name counts"

[bjratchf1]

I've posted this on some other real aviation forums but I figure I'll post here too.

I have been searching multiple forums and have heard people using the argument "the name will be what gets me into the job." Like for example, a graduate of the Delta Connection Academy would have a better chance than someone with more TT time at a job interview, just because the Delta Connection name was more recognizable.

I have to ask- as I've heard many differing opinions - is the name really that important? I spoke with a pilot for Southwest this weekend and he told me that when I first step into the Human Resources office, they want to see someone clean cut, with a good attitude, and a paper resume with "X" TT hours and "Y" PIC hours. As long as you have the hours and ratings, one should be fine.

Others completely disagree and say that an education at one of the big name schools (Delta, Flight Safety, PanAm) although costing an exhorbitant amount, will bring in the jobs. I sometimes wonder if these people are only trying to talk themselves right about their decision to spend so much money, when they could have gone to other flight schools for less.

I am pretty uptight about a decision concerning my future. I have the attitude- I'll fly and study day and night if I have to (as long as I get my 8 hours of sleep daily, nothing else matters), but not the money. So a loan plus a cheap flight school would be key. However, if the name matters, then maybe a more expensive school would be better...

I already have graduated from Holy Cross with a ##### laude BA and german honors as well as delta phi alpha. I also have my PPL.. so the big "name" is there, right on the resume... just not an aviation name.

So, where could I get a straight answer about this issue?

-Brendan

__________________
Wer Rechtschreibfehler findet darf sie behalten!

 

[tarp]

My belief -

"It's who you know not what you know!"

A personal contact beats both of your other scenarios.

If I need a lawyer, CPA or CFO, then a Harvard Business or Law, maybe a Yale or Brown or Princeton with a look towards Wharton or some other known school. But I've had just as much trouble hiring "name school" folks as hiring others.

To the "x's" and "y's". Again, for some places its the mark and for others, no.

When I used to hire people - I would look for desire. People with drive and ambition stand out. I was looking for engineers in very specific fields - the x's and y's - OK they needed to know something - but desire to learn more was a real kick start for me.
People from top engineering schools were fine for entry level positions, but if I needed experience - it was real world experience not school that impressed.

But of all these, the easiest hire was for a co-worker to come in and say, "I used to work with Bob, you'd be an idiot if you didn't hire him." Now that would get my attention.

"It's not what you know.....it's WHO you know!"

My airline interview was arranged through a friend of a friend. That one little recommendation started the ball rolling - or rather moved my resume to the top of the little pile.

In aviation, you have your numbers.
In aviation, you have your known colleges (ERAU, UND, Webster)
In aviation, you have your academy's (FSI instructors have whole networks - I don't know about others)

In a competitive market, each of these could be considered discriminators. Enough to throw you on the top of the resume heap? No.

Here - you be the HR guy:

Candidate #1 - Fred Flint, age 42, ATP, 9,500hrs, has worked both 121 and 135 operations, 6500 turbine, SimCom trained in C-560, F-900, CL-65, Be-1900.

Candidate #2 - Pebbles McKay, age 25, 1700hrs, ERAU graduate and flight instructor. Served 4 month internship program with your company.

Candidate #3 - Barney Rub, age 30, 1500hrs, North American Aviation flight school. CFI, II MEI.

Who do you want? The grizzled veteran. The young college grad. The flight academy grad. What if one of them had a personal recommendation from a line captain?

 

[bjratchf1]

this is the coolest answer I have ever received to this question!

 

[bobbysamd]

Name recognition

I think name recognition is important, but not absolute. Going to a brand-name flight school will help establish your quals but will not in and of itself get you the job.

It helps greatly if you attend a well-known flight school with a good reputation. Your training is a known quantity, compared to someone (like me) who might have learned how to fly under Part 61 with someone who owned his own airplane.

Aviation is a small community. You might run into an interviewer who attended your school, or has friends who attended your school, or has had good luck with grads of your school. That could give you an edge over the others. Moreover, going to a well-known school gives you a chance to make contacts. Most people agree that contacts are vital to gaining a foothold in the career.

We do not always have control over our credentials. Luck and opportunity very much dicate the quals you might present. You at least have control over your education and training provider. Choose both wisely. Name recognition can help.

 

[Airpiraterob]

name recognition... yes can help. i didnt go to good englush college. but i got hired somewhere good. i just went throguh the hiring gamut and can tell you that in order...

1.)KNOW someone.
2.)KNOW someone
3.)past flight experience (equip and location)
4.)KNOW someone.

after knowing someone and getting an interview....

ive seen a riddle grad bomb the interview...
ive seen a 121 pilot bomb the interview for a 121 job...
ive seen a high time veteran bomb the interview...
ive seen a low timer bomb the interview...
(bomb=just didnt get hired.)

my flight time and experience of what ive been doing and where got the interview at Comair....wich i bombed....
however someone i got to know is how i got the Chaut. interview where i didnt bomb and made it in.

so its how you get yourself to the interview...and then how you get through the interview...theres 2 parts to the game.

gluck.....er ...gd'luck.

 

[bjratchf1]

hmmm... so bringing a bomb to the interview would not be the best idea I gather...


I wonder if the interviewees would not like my sense of humor.