What's the skinny on hiring conferences?

[llowwelll]

I'm going to the OBAP conference in Seattle this week. I know it's not exactly a hiring conference but there will be representatives and recruiters from various airlines in attendance (from what I hear). I've never been to one of these sorts of things before, so I was wondering if any of you all could help me out with some ideas of what to expect, what to bring with me, and perhaps some do's and don't's. Thanks in advance!!

 

[skirt]

Having been to many of these from both sides of the table (applicant and exhibitor), her are a few tips for you:

Come dressed in complete interview attire (including a smile on the inside and out), and have an up-to-date resume and business cards. Have a nice briefcase to put applications and handouts in. If you get an application there, consider going to Kinkos that night and filling it out, and presenting it the next day in person.

If you are looking at commuters, have your logbooks ready (some do interviews on the spot), though I don't know if that is the case at OBAP.

Show up early, rather than towards the end. Exibitors are people too, and they get tired after hours and hours, and days and days of talking.

Research all the companies you are interested in, BEFORE you show up. Know everything you can. The internet is a wonderful tool. The OBAP website will probably tell you who the exhibitors are.

Read the exhibit map before you walk in, so you can plan your day.

Drink lots of water before hand, as it is easy to get fatigued from dehydration.

Follow up, follow up, follow up.

Good luck

Skirt

 

[Orionpilot]

OBAP CONFERENCE

llowwelll,
I am also planning on attending the conference. What day(s) are you planning on attending? I'm trying to figure out what the best time would be for getting face time with the exhibitors. I am planning on attending the pilot hiring seminar on Friday and thought that showing up early Friday AM to stand in line at the exhibitor booths sounded like a plan. Like you , this is my first time at one of these cenferences and I'm not sure what to expect. I copied the following article from Alaskas employee website: http://www.alaskasworld.com/.

This Thursday marks the start of the three-day national convention of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP), hosted by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and The Boeing Company. More than 600 participants are expected to attend the event at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers.

A first for the Pacific Northwest, "the convention is one of the premier events of the aviation industry," said Alaska Captain Mike Swanigan, this year’s convention chairman.

As the title sponsors, Alaska, Horizon and Boeing will host several functions, including the August 16 awards banquet where TV’s Judge Joe Brown will speak. The evening will also honor Marlon Green, the first African American pilot hired by a major airline, and the late Michael Anderson, an astronaut lost on the Spaceship Columbia earlier this year.

In all, more than 30 employee volunteers have donated countless hours since last fall to organizing the convention, lining up sponsors and speakers and securing donations for a silent auction, which funds the organization’s yearly youth camps.

"It’s great to see all our hard work coming together," said Sheri Viggiano, manager of diversity.

The convention serves as a way to examine the current state of minorities in aviation, as well as providing a valuable networking opportunity for pilots. In addition, participating airlines may set up pilot interviews.

Again this year, Alaska will staff a booth with representatives from Employee Services and Flight Operations. Several Alaska pilots got their start with the airline at previous OBAP conventions.
To learn more about the OBAP convention, including how to register, click here.

Founded in 1976, OBAP is a national organization of more than 2,500 full and associate members committed to the training, mentoring and hiring of black and other minority pilots. When the organization was founded, only 80 black pilots were employed by the major U.S. passenger and freight airlines. Today that number has grown to more than 1,200, but it still represents only 2 percent of all U.S. pilots.

In addition to Alaska, Horizon and Boeing, FedEx, UPS, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, Continental, US Airways, Costco and United are OBAP sponsors.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

See you all there!!!

WD.

 

[SFR]

I think OBAP is great! Good opportunity for people. But my only question is if a white dude (whatever white means I am not sure yet, I am more baige/tan myself) went and formed OWAP, whould that not be okay? Everyone would call that person a racist probably.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

SFR,

I had a reply all set up for this type of comment but instead of taking that route I will say this, OBAP is not at all what you may be thinking it is. The history is far too long for me to go into on this board and should be researched by the inquiring party. I can tell you this, you are free to join the organization regardless of your skin color!!! There are members of every race here.

WD.

 

[de727ups]

"It’s great to see all our hard work coming together," said Sheri Viggiano, manager of diversity.

Manager of Diversity...hehe. What a job title.

 

[SFR]

I know OBAP is open to all skin colors. My point is that the name of it ofends me. In fact, I feel discriminated against because of it.

Not really, but sounds good.

All I know is that if I created an organization called "Organization of White Airline Pilots (OWAP)" I would be considered a racist.... Without a doubt.

BTW, I am not.

Why should there be quotas anyways? If ou are qualified...good, if not....go away. I don't give a darn what color your skin is. I think Halle Berry is hot.

 

[Ty Webb]

Well, I'm probably going to pull a lot of grief for this one, but here goes:

I think that organizations that promote minority hiring are kind of ridiculous in today's world. Any qualified minority pilot is going to get AT LEAST the same consideration for employment as a white male in this day and age, period.

I think these organizations could better benefit the people they want to serve by encouraging more minority kids to GET QUALIFIED instead of having "specialty hiring events".

One 600 hour minority pilot getting hired over a 2000 hr non-minority pilot does much more harm than good to the cause of equal opportunity, that's for sure.

Just my own humble opinion, based upon more than just a few years of observation.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Ok SFR, this is getting us no where fast. Go to the website research the history then tell me if you feel offended. I don't want to get on the offended feelings kick but I will go there with you if you feel the same after you do a little research.

WD.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Well, I'm probably going to pull a lot of grief for this one, but here goes:

I think that organizations that promote minority hiring are kind of ridiculous in today's world. Any qualified minority pilot is going to get AT LEAST the same consideration for employment as a white male in this day and age, period.

I think these organizations could better benefit the people they want to serve by encouraging more minority kids to GET QUALIFIED instead of having "specialty hiring events".

One 600 hour minority pilot getting hired over a 2000 hr non-minority pilot does much more harm than good to the cause of equal opportunity, that's for sure.

Just my own humble opinion, based upon more than just a few years of observation.

Ohhh boy!!

I'm trying REAL HARD not to get too worked up over the small things but as it seem you too need to do some research T.W. I think if you both hit the site you may see what I mean!!!!

 

[Ty Webb]

I think if you read my post in the spirit it was written, you will see that I am not against hiring qualified minorities, but I am against hiring minorities who are not competitively qualified. That just tends to give ammunition to the few who are against minority hiring.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Ty,

One can only go by the words written and not on the spirit in heart and mind!! Research the site and get back to me after that.

WD.

 

[Ty Webb]

Alright, I'll take a look. It may take me a day, or two to get back to you on it, though, I'm calling it a night . . . . .

Speaking of taking a look, is your avatar making fun of me? It seems to be making fun of one-eyed white people with a drinking problem . . . . . and on behalf of all one-eyed white people (with or without a drinking problem) I wish to register a complaint.

Just kidding, please don't take it down, but hopefully, you can appreciate my point- that is just how silly some of this stuff can get.

 

[flx757]

Ty,

I think your avatar is making fun of people who might move to Montana and raise up a crop of dental floss. Or who suffer from "stink foot".

 

[Ty Webb]

Ty,

I think your avatar is making fun of people who might move to Montana and raise up a crop of dental floss. Or who suffer from "stink foot".

Now, that really hurts. . . . . . that's my high school graduation picture, circa 1984.

Nah. As you probably recognized, it's the late, great Frank Zappa. Saw it on some news story and thought it would be fun to try on for a week.. . . in honor of the "Joe's Garage" album.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Ty, I was looking for a good avtar and found this. It went well with my callsign "WiskeyDriver"

WD.

 

[getfurloaded]

affirmitave action

All I can say is,

I betcha there are a lot of pilots on the street with out a pot to piss in right now that were hired as a result of affirmative action. He He He. Sucks to be underqualified nowadays, I dont care what color you are or what you have in your pants.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Re: affirmitave action

All I can say is,

I betcha there are a lot of pilots on the street with out a pot to piss in right now that were hired as a result of affirmative action. He He He. Sucks to be underqualified nowadays, I dont care what color you are or what you have in your pants.

Really trying to understand your point! It would seem on the surface by your comment that every minority pilot is underqualified and that they were only hired as a result of affirmative action, is this what you are attempting to say??

WD.

 

[secks]

It amazes me that businesses can legally favor one applicant over another on the basis of race, rather than merit. I guess as long as white males are on the losing end, it isn't racism.