Are pilot job fairs worth $200 to attend?

Rodger Wilco

Rodger Wilco

Well-Known Member
Here is the deal. I am in PHX, this job fair is in LAS. Some friends and I are thinking about going, but admission is $100 and hotel/gas would probably be another $100 each. Is this thing worth the $200 it would cost me to go?

Here is the link: http://www.aerocrewsolutions.com/las-vegas-job-fair-july-20-2013/

A little more info. I am a PHX CFI with 1250TT. All ATP mins met minus the total time. I am not sure what they can tell me at the job fair that I cannot learn sitting right here at my computer. Some of the seminars do interest me.

Has anyone been to one of these things? If you were a broke CFI (and I do mean BROKE) would you spend the time and money to go?

Thanks!
 
No absolutely not.
Get the mins then it WILL be the best $200 bucks spent to get infront of the carrier you want.

Unless you want to talk to a 135 outfit there.
 
As someone who got an interview with an lcc and two legacies with less than 1000 pic. YES! That is the only reason I ever got an interview. The job fairs ARE your only way these days.
 
I don't think you'll get a job, but for $100 it is probably worth your time. Even if it just makes you less nervous the next time around.
 
Why is it $200? The FAPA one I went to in 2011 was only $70... Anyways... If you fly a decent amount of hours and will be at ATP mins in the next few months (around the sept, oct time frame) you might as well go, get the contacts, and when you get the mins, make the call, tell them you have the ATP mins and you talked to "So n so" at the July job fair in <insert city name>" .
 
KHanson said:
Why is it $200?
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I believe the $200 is the total out of pocket for the OP to attend.

And I would say go. Here's why:

1. If you truly are a BROKE CFI living in PHX, a job fair in LAS will be about as inexpensive a job fair as you can go to.

2. Other posters are correct in that you won't get a regional job from this fair, but if you go in with a good presentation, project a positive image, they'll take your résumé from you and it will go into a different pile than those just filling out AirlineApps.

3. Your job will be to collect as many recruiter names and email address as possible, so that when you're right at 1450 TT you'll be able to email these folks directly, mention that you met in LAS, and that you're updating your total time, etc.

If they ask you why you're there with 1250 or so just tell them that this was close to where you live and you're just trying to get your name in early. Show initiative and good form and you'll have half a dozen interviews when the time comes.
 
Here is why you shouldn't go:

The regional market is hurting for pilots. You will be called for an interview WHEN YOU MEET THE MINS. Until then, maybe you'll get called, most likely you won't.

IF you get called for an interview ( chances are an HR person screwed up and didn't do their job) we are a point were you cannot attend ground school until you meet the mins (1500). These people do not gather seniority while the company (regionals) wait for their logbook to get fatter.

I can almost promise you, you will be called for an interview when you hit mins. Save your $ for a quality beer or two.
 
In the simplest terms, for Spirit, Delta, Airways, JB, United, etc. yes. Regional? (except for maybe SKYW) No... your just wasting your money.
 
There's a 98% that the people on this board saying that you'll get an interview at 1,500 hours, regardless of your attendance at said job fair, are correct. Maybe even higher than that.

What going to this job fair will do is give you more options, if you do it right. If you're targeting a specific regional carrier closet to home and would rather not work for a carrier with a cross country commute, I think you'd do well by going.

Your job is to know something about every carrier that's there, where their bases are, who their mainline partners are, types in their fleet, future orders, etc, so you can have an intelligent conversation with everyone there.

Be upfront with the fact that you've got x hours, you're logging y hours per month, and your doing your homework ahead of time regarding whom you want to end up working for. Make this about you learning about them and I think that will come across well. Make sure that you're collecting specific contact information, not just general HR emails.

If you instead show up as an uninformed CFI who knows nothing about the ATP rule, etc, you'll shoot yourself in the foot.

But like I mentioned, and others have said, you'll most likely get a job regardless when the time comes.
 
You could also possibly defray costs by going as a group with some other CFIs in your school/area. Carpooling and sharing a hotel room, etc.
 
juxtapilot said:
A tax deductible reason for a trip to Vegas? Definitely go.. Just party AFTER the job fair Mkay?
Click to expand...

Chances the original poster files anything other than a standard deduction? Slim.

Don't bother going. Get to 1500 hours, and you'll have your pick of regionals. Plus when you do apply with them you can sit in your underwear with a beer when you click the send button and you just saves $100.
 
There are pros and cons for attending the event.

The Cons:
  • The biggest con for you is the cost to attend the event. The admission price is currently $104. Add in the cost of gas and a hotel room and it will be another $100. If you can find another person to attend the job fair your travel costs are cut in half.
  • You are currently short of the ATP mins. The recruiters will not invite you to an interview until you meet the minimums. You do meet the minimums for AirNet and Cape Air.
  • Our next west coast show will be in Las Vegas in January.

The Pros:
  • The face time you receive with the recruiters is worth the admission. You will learn how to network and see what exactly the recruiters are looking for in a candidate. When you do meet the ATP minimums you can call or email the recruiter directly. When you are invited to the interview the recruiters already have a first impression about you because they talked to you at the job fair.
  • There will be a career seminar that lasts about an hour. Topics include pilot retirement numbers, job fair expectations, interview reminders and online/social media presence. Some airlines will be making a presentation during the job fair. You can ask the recruiters any question you have about their airline.
  • Network, network, network. You will meet pilots with all levels of experience. Introduce yourself to everyone and start building relationships. You never know where your next job recommendation will come from.

Good luck with you decision. If you have any questions about the LAS job fair please send me a PM or email.
 
v1valarob said:
Chances the original poster files anything other than a standard deduction? Slim.

Don't bother going. Get to 1500 hours, and you'll have your pick of regionals. Plus when you do apply with them you can sit in your underwear with a beer when you click the send button and you just saves $100.
Click to expand...


Party pooper.
 
For me it was a waste of time and money, but I've heard of guys/gals who have benifited from them. Go and see what it can do for you. Everyone is different.
 
If I was in your shoes, I would do it if I could afford it. It's never too early to start networking. I had an internal rec that I kept in contact with for 6 years untilI I was competitive enough to get a interview. He gave me some great career advice along the way, and I even ran into him on the day of my interview. The more face time you get yourself, the better your chances.
 
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