Firebird2XC
Well-Known Member
For those who have not attended, or have, but could not do so this year, allow me to fill you in on the finer points of Aviation Career Expo/Network Jetcareers 2010.
Early arrivals began showing on Friday. Several of us were goofing off rolling dice, sipping booze and telling lies when Doug and Kristie arrived. As the night progressed, we made the patio at Ghostbar our playground and made many, many new friends.
You might consider this the "advance party", or the group that prepares an area for arrival of the main group. We encountered a few hiccups in the operation and smoothed a few over. By and large, however, some of the most entertaining moments occurred watching a few of us try to look more pimp than everybody else and alternately succeeding each time. This is both epic and at the same time hilarious.
Don't forget to smile in your picture with Playboy's Miss November, or to scope out a glimpse of Verne Troyer, aka, 'Mini Me' playing blackjack.
I hear rumors that Jersey Shore was shooting that weekend as well, and some goober photobombed them. Who would actually do that?
Friday night ended sometime Saturday morning. The exact time varies by whose watch you were looking at.
Saturday saw the arrival of many more people. On both a personal level and overall for the many, I was greatly comforted by the goings on. Old friends became reacquainted. New friends were made and quickly brought into the fold. Even friends thought previously lost to arguments, differences of opinion, or deeper grievances came around on all sides. The Jetcareers community has many individuals, but ultimately a warm, welcome feeling began to make itself known through the haze of alcohol. Shot glasses were raised, and a toast was made.
"To family!"
Family, it would seem, is not always by blood. Family is very much a choice, and this family is a wonderful thing.
That said, Doug and Kristie had laid out an experience that definitively raised the bar. This was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Come Sunday, six brave souls ventured out into the desert to do combat. At first we just had skirmishes amongst ourselves, which were fairly balanced. Then, in a fit of bravery that can only be described as Quixotically Stupid, we took on a team of locals. We suffered together, and doing so, we bonded.
For those that missed the Paintball event this year, there were talks amongst us of doing it again next year. Not only was it great exercise and great fun, but it was incredible as a learning and bonding experience. Competitive sportsmanship brought out the best in us, and we also got some cool bruises and war stories to share.
All that, and I only got shot in the back by my own team once. It was totally an accident. No, really!
Sunday evening was the first real gathering of the larger groups of the Jetcareers community. We didn't just play at the Ghostbar. We took it over. For a matter of several hours, we were more or less the dominant force there. Good times were had, and introductions were made. It was my personal privilege to be asked to introduce some first-time attendees to people among the family. I think they'll like it here.
Monday morning. Jokes regarding D-Day were made. (Doug Day?)
When I finally was able to drag my vodka-saturated carcass downstairs, I was surprised to note that there was a very, very large gathering of some kind. There was a line to one of the conference rooms out onto the casino floor and around the bend.
The Aviation Career Expo was in full swing. Various airlines, freight companies, and aviation industry organizations were in attendance, and they all sent motivated, enthusiastic representatives. Some even sent notable executives. A few shared some of the most humorously colorful preferential hiring anecdotes that I've ever heard. You'd think that deep down some of the human resources types were pilots at some point in their lives. Oh wait, they were.
It was noted that at least one airline official was absolutely overjoyed at the sheer number of "quality applicants" they were seeing approach their company. Apparently the Jetcareers world is a magnet for high quality people.
Who knew?
The seminars given were outstanding and positively top-notch. One notable presentation was a man who (as rock stars often do) only had a first name. Ravi presented an amazing session on the merits of conserving your hearing, and also presented an amazing session on the merits of preserving general aviation. He's someone I'd personally term a 'true believer'. The man actually used the phrase "return aviation to its Golden Age".
He, like so many, does not make his living by flying. He simply loves aviation that much.
Monday evening downright shocked me.
"Opulence, I haz it."
The 28th floor 'Sky Villa' where Doug and Kristie hosted NetworkJC 2010 was simply awe-inspiring. "Party like a rock star", comes to mind. Oh wait, Ravi attended, so we had actual rock stars in attendance, literally, and not just metaphorically like in years past.
Wow, just plain wow.
Tuesday morning came a bit too early if you asked me. It showed up at the usual time, but I was not as keen to greet it as usual. Either way, I was up and moving at a prescribed time. I personally did not attend the LAS Tower Tour, but I hear it was awesome.
I did attend the MGM Corporate Aviation tour, and I'm still reeling from it. Not only were our hosts gracious and informative, but they were more than happy to answer many questions about a hugely successful and ridiculously beautiful operation.
I must admit their jets are notably shinier than any RJ I've yet seen. That, and a carefully taken photograph later placed in your Facebook account can make your vacation look a little shinier, too. I'll let my non-aviation friends in on the gag later. I'm letting them think I'm that much of a big-shot for a little while.
The Allegiant Tour rounded out the special events roster. I regrettably did not make the tour, but I hear it was also a great and informative time.
For those who still lingered Tuesday evening, we got to sample a little culture. One of our own shared a little of his family heritage with us and took us out for kosher food. Some of you may know how much I love hummus. I had no idea. I'm a little clueless, I suppose, but I look forward to eating kosher again sometime soon. (They did look at me a little funny when I asked if I could get bacon on my sandwich, though. I think I may have committed a faux pas. I'll look into that.)
The evening was capped off with a winding down at Planet Hollywood. There, in an area recently remodeled, we found that which we have been seeking since 2008.
They had a mechanical bull. Hilarity ensued.
Through it all, many good times were had, many good stories told, repeated, and were written. Through it all, long conversations about the aviation industry in all facets were held. What do you think hiring will look like? How do you feel about the new rule changes coming to the airlines? What's your opinion on this employer's philosophy versus another employer?
How many pretty strangers heard the line "Hey beautiful, did I mention I'm a pilot?"
I've mentioned in another post that being part of the Jetcareers community has not only made my career better, but that it has made my life better. I could not say that with any more possible enthusiasm. The relationships I've developed through Jetcareers have helped me grow as an aviator and as a human being. When I've been challenged, I have found teachers. When I have learned, I have become a teacher. When I have laughed, others have laughed with me. When I have taken myself too seriously, others have laughed AT me until I laughed, too. When I have stumbled and fallen down, others have carried me.
Nobody has ever tried to tally a debt against me.
As the aviation world goes, there are many things that divide us. Many of us are literally worlds apart. Some, only philosophically, and we leer at each other from across the crew room.
This past week, however, there was really only one group present...
...the Jetcareers family.
The overall philosophy was ever-present and very, very clear.
"Pay it forward."
Cheers. :beer:
Early arrivals began showing on Friday. Several of us were goofing off rolling dice, sipping booze and telling lies when Doug and Kristie arrived. As the night progressed, we made the patio at Ghostbar our playground and made many, many new friends.
You might consider this the "advance party", or the group that prepares an area for arrival of the main group. We encountered a few hiccups in the operation and smoothed a few over. By and large, however, some of the most entertaining moments occurred watching a few of us try to look more pimp than everybody else and alternately succeeding each time. This is both epic and at the same time hilarious.
Don't forget to smile in your picture with Playboy's Miss November, or to scope out a glimpse of Verne Troyer, aka, 'Mini Me' playing blackjack.
I hear rumors that Jersey Shore was shooting that weekend as well, and some goober photobombed them. Who would actually do that?
Friday night ended sometime Saturday morning. The exact time varies by whose watch you were looking at.
Saturday saw the arrival of many more people. On both a personal level and overall for the many, I was greatly comforted by the goings on. Old friends became reacquainted. New friends were made and quickly brought into the fold. Even friends thought previously lost to arguments, differences of opinion, or deeper grievances came around on all sides. The Jetcareers community has many individuals, but ultimately a warm, welcome feeling began to make itself known through the haze of alcohol. Shot glasses were raised, and a toast was made.
"To family!"
Family, it would seem, is not always by blood. Family is very much a choice, and this family is a wonderful thing.
That said, Doug and Kristie had laid out an experience that definitively raised the bar. This was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Come Sunday, six brave souls ventured out into the desert to do combat. At first we just had skirmishes amongst ourselves, which were fairly balanced. Then, in a fit of bravery that can only be described as Quixotically Stupid, we took on a team of locals. We suffered together, and doing so, we bonded.
For those that missed the Paintball event this year, there were talks amongst us of doing it again next year. Not only was it great exercise and great fun, but it was incredible as a learning and bonding experience. Competitive sportsmanship brought out the best in us, and we also got some cool bruises and war stories to share.
All that, and I only got shot in the back by my own team once. It was totally an accident. No, really!
Sunday evening was the first real gathering of the larger groups of the Jetcareers community. We didn't just play at the Ghostbar. We took it over. For a matter of several hours, we were more or less the dominant force there. Good times were had, and introductions were made. It was my personal privilege to be asked to introduce some first-time attendees to people among the family. I think they'll like it here.
Monday morning. Jokes regarding D-Day were made. (Doug Day?)
When I finally was able to drag my vodka-saturated carcass downstairs, I was surprised to note that there was a very, very large gathering of some kind. There was a line to one of the conference rooms out onto the casino floor and around the bend.
The Aviation Career Expo was in full swing. Various airlines, freight companies, and aviation industry organizations were in attendance, and they all sent motivated, enthusiastic representatives. Some even sent notable executives. A few shared some of the most humorously colorful preferential hiring anecdotes that I've ever heard. You'd think that deep down some of the human resources types were pilots at some point in their lives. Oh wait, they were.
It was noted that at least one airline official was absolutely overjoyed at the sheer number of "quality applicants" they were seeing approach their company. Apparently the Jetcareers world is a magnet for high quality people.
Who knew?
The seminars given were outstanding and positively top-notch. One notable presentation was a man who (as rock stars often do) only had a first name. Ravi presented an amazing session on the merits of conserving your hearing, and also presented an amazing session on the merits of preserving general aviation. He's someone I'd personally term a 'true believer'. The man actually used the phrase "return aviation to its Golden Age".
He, like so many, does not make his living by flying. He simply loves aviation that much.
Monday evening downright shocked me.
"Opulence, I haz it."
The 28th floor 'Sky Villa' where Doug and Kristie hosted NetworkJC 2010 was simply awe-inspiring. "Party like a rock star", comes to mind. Oh wait, Ravi attended, so we had actual rock stars in attendance, literally, and not just metaphorically like in years past.
Wow, just plain wow.
Tuesday morning came a bit too early if you asked me. It showed up at the usual time, but I was not as keen to greet it as usual. Either way, I was up and moving at a prescribed time. I personally did not attend the LAS Tower Tour, but I hear it was awesome.
I did attend the MGM Corporate Aviation tour, and I'm still reeling from it. Not only were our hosts gracious and informative, but they were more than happy to answer many questions about a hugely successful and ridiculously beautiful operation.
I must admit their jets are notably shinier than any RJ I've yet seen. That, and a carefully taken photograph later placed in your Facebook account can make your vacation look a little shinier, too. I'll let my non-aviation friends in on the gag later. I'm letting them think I'm that much of a big-shot for a little while.
The Allegiant Tour rounded out the special events roster. I regrettably did not make the tour, but I hear it was also a great and informative time.
For those who still lingered Tuesday evening, we got to sample a little culture. One of our own shared a little of his family heritage with us and took us out for kosher food. Some of you may know how much I love hummus. I had no idea. I'm a little clueless, I suppose, but I look forward to eating kosher again sometime soon. (They did look at me a little funny when I asked if I could get bacon on my sandwich, though. I think I may have committed a faux pas. I'll look into that.)
The evening was capped off with a winding down at Planet Hollywood. There, in an area recently remodeled, we found that which we have been seeking since 2008.
They had a mechanical bull. Hilarity ensued.
Through it all, many good times were had, many good stories told, repeated, and were written. Through it all, long conversations about the aviation industry in all facets were held. What do you think hiring will look like? How do you feel about the new rule changes coming to the airlines? What's your opinion on this employer's philosophy versus another employer?
How many pretty strangers heard the line "Hey beautiful, did I mention I'm a pilot?"
I've mentioned in another post that being part of the Jetcareers community has not only made my career better, but that it has made my life better. I could not say that with any more possible enthusiasm. The relationships I've developed through Jetcareers have helped me grow as an aviator and as a human being. When I've been challenged, I have found teachers. When I have learned, I have become a teacher. When I have laughed, others have laughed with me. When I have taken myself too seriously, others have laughed AT me until I laughed, too. When I have stumbled and fallen down, others have carried me.
Nobody has ever tried to tally a debt against me.
As the aviation world goes, there are many things that divide us. Many of us are literally worlds apart. Some, only philosophically, and we leer at each other from across the crew room.
This past week, however, there was really only one group present...
...the Jetcareers family.
The overall philosophy was ever-present and very, very clear.
"Pay it forward."
Cheers. :beer:
