Secret to Alaska interview

[Beaver]

This truly happened and is not flame bait. Earlier this year I had a friend attend an all womens aviation conference and come away with an Alaska interview, he starts in Sept. Thats right, (HE). He said he was not the only male there but he definately stood out. In addition he did not have a silver bullet.
I thought this was just one of those bizarre things that only happen in this industry. I just heard from another friend who had a similar experience this last weekend. This person is as white as a soda cracker and he went to the Black Airline Pilots convention in Atlanta last weekend, he got called two days ago to interview next Wednsday. It is an awesome company and they are looking for people who really want to spend a career with them, I guess these two individuals stood out in the crowd of applicants.

 

[English]

Yeah Beaver, this is nothing new. We've been posting encouragement for male pilots to go to the women in aviation conference for this very reason. Do a search.

 

[AlbieF15]

I have heard of people joining "minority" organizations, even if they were not "minority" members, just so they could put the organization down on their resume or app.

I don't know if what I heard was an interviewing "urban legend" or not. I give it about a 10% chance of being true, and about 50% chance of being sort of true then embellished.

In any case--imagine the look on the interviewers face when you show up with "Association of Black Airline pilots" or whatever on your app, and it is apparent you are NOT a minority member. When you say (as the urban legend has it) that "I really support the organization because I BELIEVE in their goals", the interviewer is likely going "this jerk is trying to play the minority card (since race is NOT on the app as far as I know) trying to get us to give him an interview. I personally think the ploy rather dishonest and likely to backfire, but it makes a good story.

On the other hand, IF you are interested in ANY organization, minority based or not, I think its a great way to make industry contacts and network. I've said before (and not trying to stir the mil/civ or minority issues) that the networking structure for military guys is a LARGE reason so many mil guys are successful at finding jobs--airline or otherwise. Anyone can use a few friends in this business...and any contacts with airline pilots in the business can't hurt. The local Navion or Comanche Society, the 99s, the local school board/PTA in a domicile city, little league parents groups, civic organizations, and airshows are all opportunities to meet sponsors and mentors. If I were 2-4 years out from trying to get on with a major, that is where I would start my search for help.

As always....just my 2 cents and I may be wrong.....

 

[English]

One does not need to be a female to join WIA, or to attend the conferences, or to apply for the scholarships. A male pilot attending a WIA conference appears to recruiters as a progressive individual willing to support flying endeavors of others. Get the picture? You won't look like an angry white male if you attend the conference and support women in the industry. Instead you'll be a minority, which will help you be noticed.

 

[U2FDX]

English,

Did you quit smoking today or something. Not everyone has been on this board since it started.

If someone brings up a helpfull hint to benifit others, I personally believe it should be commended not slammed for lack of currency.

 

[English]

Not meant to offend. I just find it incredible that someone could be so surprised that men would attend a women in aviation conference, or that white pilots would attend an OBAP conference. Aren't we in the year 2002?


My apologies if I offended.

 

[zonker]

Let me put it to you this way. I have a friend who happens to be black (I'm white). A year and a half ago he worked for a major that I wanted to work for. So I sent him my resume, thinking he would turn it into the CP office or something.

As it turns out, he gave it to the OBAP liason/point of contact for this company and gave me a recommendation. Bam, I had an interview in about 2 weeks. And I got the job, too, after interviewing and doing the sim like everyone else. I never asked OBAP to do this, and I never put it on my resume that I was affiliated with them.

So last August, as a show of my appreciation, I went to the OBAP job conference in MEM (and I planned on being there this year). They're a bunch of great guys and gals. They only want the best person to get the job. And as the liason told me, "We recommended you because we wanted to let them know that WE don't care what color you are, as long as you are qualified to do the job. That's the point."

Of course a month later disaster happened and it's all messed up now. But I have nothing but respect for OBAP.

 

[Simon Says]

Give me a break...........What if I started an orginization called. Association of White Pilots. Or Association of White Male Pilots. They say that the airlines only want the most qualified. Then how come that most women at my airline hired with the majors were still FO's. How come some majors give out type rating scholarship for women only? And finally where is my United Mentor? PC or not I don't care.

Flame away................

 

[zonker]

I understand what you are saying, although I disagree with it. That's how this industry works, like it or not. It's about connections. Furthermore I don't think there is a shortage of white males in this industry, and there ain't never gonna be one. I had 5000+ hours at the time and I was an RJ Captain for 2 years, so it wasn't like I was some newbie.

You might change your perspective when someone does something that creates a life-changing event for you.

What was I supposed to do, say,"Waaait a minute! I don't need you black dudes helping me out! I'm offended by that! Call those guys up and tell them I don't want to interview!"

I never asked anyone to do anything for me. They just did it.

 

[English]

Simon Says,

I'd like to know which major gives out scholarships to just women. The scholarships I'm familiar with (I attended the last two WIA conferences) are available to both men and women. Again, there is another thread on this very subject.

All scholarships offered by the Women in Aviation organization are available to both men and women. It was announced at the last conference that only a handful of men even applied for the scholarships, although one man did receive a scholarship.

 

[AK737FO]

Red Neck Opinion

Simon,
I agree with you... but keep in mind that white boys will always fill the vast majority of job openings. The bottom line is that sometimes people get jobs because they are black, yellow, pink or because they are female. They may get the phone call to interview a lot sooner because of their minority status - but they still have to pass the interview and the sim ride.
I have many high time white boy friends waiting for the call. They may have 10,000 hours but their phone doesn't ring. They are one of many... A person of color or a female just might get the job with 2,000 hours. They are one of few... It is frustrating, but in the long run I know that the 10,000 hour guy will get his chance. He just has to wait a bit longer and keep the faith.
Life is not always fair and sometimes the best person for the job doesn't get the job.

 

[dogg]

Actually AK 737 I think that the most qualified does get the job. However qualifications don't always have to do with 10,000 hours as you well know. And if your friends are not out on the hunt but waiting for a referral or the word of a friend to get them hired, they will be waiting a long time. It is just about face time and connections and that is it. And like it or not that is fair.

 

[Simon Says]

Well I dont want to piss off IFLY4FOOD because this doesnt deal with specific interviews, but I know this is the way it is and probally will be the way it will be. So I do deal with it, but I dont like it and probally never will.

Zonker, I am not flaming you for taking that route, I give you an A for creativity. Nice Job.

English, in the year 2000 I know Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines gave out type ratings to females, and females only. I dont know where you can find these scholarship names, but you can probally call their human resource office to get your name in the kitty.

And I am still looking for my United Airlines Mentor.

 

[English]

Simon says,


I'm not familiar with the Delta scholarship, but the Continental scholarship was offered through WIA, and men and women were both eligible to apply for it.

 

[English]

After doing some research, I see Delta awarded a maintenance, engineering and management scholarship. No type rating or flight training scholarships as far as I can tell from the website. Men and women are both eligible for these scholarships.

Simon, you mentioned on these boards previously your intent to leave the regionals and move up to the majors. Perhaps sounding a little less like an angry white man who is owed something will help improve your chances.

 

[F9 Driver]

SWA had two free type ratings offered a few years ago. One to a female and one to a racial minority.

They were advertised in Air Inc (or FAPA at that time) and they raised quite a fuss at that time.

That is the way the industry works in today's world. Either get over it or don't, but being angry shows up at some point in an interview.

Regards

ps. I think it stinks too. I don't care what demographic the other pilot is from as long as they're qualified to be there!

 

[Simon Says]

I might have to stand corrected because I cannot find any proof of those scholarships. Anyways I will retract my comments for now until I find the one that I am looking for.

I know of it because an FO received one only open to females, but I cannot find proof for now.

By the way I have accepted the fact of being in the majority.