WIA worth it?

[melltimejr]

That's not what I said or meant. Go talk to them, and be yourself. But don't lie. If they ask if JetBlue is your first choice, be honest.

I don't have a problem with you talking to everyone, but don't tell them all they are number 1.

Gotcha. Yeah, like I said this is my first time in the arena, not completely sure how the game is played. If they ask if they're the #1 choice, I won't lie, but at the same time, I really don't think I'm wasting my time or theirs. I don't want to be a regional lifer and would be happy there if that's how the cards play out. Aside from the legacy carriers they probably would be my #1.

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

Gotcha. Yeah, like I said this is my first time in the arena, not completely sure how the game is played. If they ask if they're the #1 choice, I won't lie, but at the same time, I really don't think I'm wasting my time or theirs. I don't want to be a regional lifer and would be happy there if that's how the cards play out. Aside from the legacy carriers they probably would be my #1.

Go. Talk to them. See if each airline is a good fit. Try them all on with no preconceived ideas. Just go have fun, and enjoy yourself.

 

[Hacker15e]

I really appreciated their candor at Vets In Blue when nearly everyone representing jB said, "if you are planning on leaving to a legacy if they call, please don't bother applying, interviewing, or accepting a job offer with us."

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

I really appreciated their candor at Vets In Blue when nearly everyone representing jB said, "if you are planning on leaving to a legacy if they call, please don't bother applying, interviewing, or accepting a job offer with us."

Yes. The attitude is that we only interview so many, and you may take a spot from someone who truly wants to be here if we aren't your first choice.

 

[Screaming_Emu]

Completely depends on the airline and the circumstance. I recently spoke to Alaska at a job fair, and my time with the Chief Pilot was primarily discussing my resume, and then a bit of discussion about what I felt made Alaska different than other 121 airlines. Another guy at the same fair, speaking to the same Chief Pilot, was asked about Alaska's core values and what they meant to him. Still another guy I know who spoke to one of the HR folks at Alaska was asked, "What does Alaska Spirit mean to you?" He had not studied up enough to know what it really meant, so he stumbled on the question to say the least.

Related, I think it might be a good idea to study up on who the big wigs are at each company in case you happen to interact with them outside of the event activities.

Last summer I volunteered at OBAP. I was put behind the check in desk with minimal training. Towards the end of the day a man approaches me and says he accidentally gave his Gala ticket instead of his lunch ticket earlier this afternoon. He was wondering if there was a record of him purchasing one or if I could possibly track it down for him.

Long story short I have him follow me around from one person to another while I try to get to the bottom of it. Eventually we end up downstairs where the people running the event are. I ask him to wait outside while I duck in to ask what they would like me to do. One of the full time volunteers asks me his name, I stick my head out and ask, turns out it was the VP of flight ops for Alaska Airlines.

Had I recognized that, I would have perceived the situation differently. He was incredibly polite, but kept kind of inferring that maybe they'd just let him into the gala. Not knowing who he was, I approached the situation from a perspective of "well, we should probably find your ticket" instead of "people will recognize you, you'll probably be fine."

 

[Screaming_Emu]

That's not what I said or meant. Go talk to them, and be yourself. But don't lie. If they ask if JetBlue is your first choice, be honest.

I don't have a problem with you talking to everyone, but don't tell them all they are number 1.

I'm sorry, but I just don't think that's a very realistic approach.

Had JetBlue called, I would absolutely have gone there, worked hard, and been one of the best employees they've ever had. They weren't my end goal, but neither were 8 years in the right seat at XJT. I think you need to take forward movement where you can get it, because you never know when the music is going to stop.

It's not ideal, but as nice as it would be to keep in mind the feelings and resources of all of these companies, you really have to look out for yourself. It's kind of like nonreving. Do you take the 10AM double connection that definitely has seats on it, or do you wait for the noon that only has one seat left.

Another perspective is for someone like me who spent 8 years doing the same job. When you look at my resume you can see that I don't have a recent track record of training success. Making the jump to an airline that ultimately wasn't your end goal might be just what your resume needs to get you where you want to go. Or the music might stop and you'll be stuck at JetBlue, which certainly isn't the worst of fates.

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

I'm sorry, but I just don't think that's a very realistic approach.

Had JetBlue called, I would absolutely have gone there, worked hard, and been one of the best employees they've ever had. They weren't my end goal, but neither were 8 years in the right seat at XJT. I think you need to take forward movement where you can get it, because you never know when the music is going to stop.

It's not ideal, but as nice as it would be to keep in mind the feelings and resources of all of these companies, you really have to look out for yourself. It's kind of like nonreving. Do you take the 10AM double connection that definitely has seats on it, or do you wait for the noon that only has one seat left.

Another perspective is for someone like me who spent 8 years doing the same job. When you look at my resume you can see that I don't have a recent track record of training success. Making the jump to an airline that ultimately wasn't your end goal might be just what your resume needs to get you where you want to go. Or the music might stop and you'll be stuck at JetBlue, which certainly isn't the worst of fates.

That's certainly an option, and I get it. But you can't fault B6 for screening very hard for those who actually want to be here.

 

[Kingairer]

Go. Talk to them. See if each airline is a good fit. Try them all on with no preconceived ideas. Just go have fun, and enjoy yourself.

That's a nice way to put it, but Im sure they really don't want to invest in someone(spend thousands) only to have them leave three months later.

Yes. The attitude is that we only interview so many, and you may take a spot from someone who truly wants to be here if we aren't your first choice.

 

[Kingairer]

So there you are, you've done it all right. Spent the money, got the time off, gone to the fair. You made the rounds and stood in lines, to no avail. Then you remember the guouge about heading to the bars. So you do, and you meet up with others there, you really hit it off, networking. You've bought rounds, they bought a round. You're ready to hand them card when you ask "so which airline are you representing?" "Airline, oh were not with an airline were with IBM at an annual meeting....wait where are you going?"
Can anyone illustrate this cartoon for me?

 

[grkero]

So there you are, you've done it all right. Spent the money, got the time off, gone to the fair. You made the rounds and stood in lines, to no avail. Then you remember the guouge about heading to the bars. So you do, and you meet up with others there, you really hit it off, networking. You've bought rounds, they bought a round. You're ready to hand them card when you ask "so which airline are you representing?" "Airline, oh were not with an airline were with IBM at an annual meeting....wait where are you going?"
Can anyone illustrate this cartoon for me?

No illustrations needed... that was funny enough as is.

 

[derg]

Sigh...

They can tell. And frankly, why waste your time, and theirs?

I'm of the different school of thought. Never turn down an interview or chance to speak to someone on that level.

In the 90's, it was United or BUST. Biggest airplanes, west coast bases, profitable, everyone in the mid 90's there was pulling on the same side of the rope.

SouthernJets (southeastern airline, would be a 727 engineer the rest of my career and pulled wholesale off the west coast after Western) called first, knocked my socks off and of course sometime in 2035 I'll know if I made the proper decision or not.

On the career fair thing, GO TO THE BAR. I have a friend at WIA that said that pretty much the entire cadre of recruiters were at the bar at the hotel. Easy networking.

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

I'm of the different school of thought. Never turn down an interview or chance to speak to someone on that level.

In the 90's, it was United or BUST. Biggest airplanes, west coast bases, profitable, everyone in the mid 90's there was pulling on the same side of the rope.

SouthernJets (southeastern airline, would be a 727 engineer the rest of my career and pulled wholesale off the west coast after Western) called first, knocked my socks off and of course sometime in 2035 I'll know if I made the proper decision or not.

On the career fair thing, GO TO THE BAR. I have a friend at WIA that said that pretty much the entire cadre of recruiters were at the bar at the hotel. Easy networking.

I'm not suggesting that he not talk to them. But he seems very "I'm just practicing." That will shine through pretty clearly, and it won't help his cause for B6. Since it isn't his goal airline, that's okay I suppose.

I'd rather he say, "I have no preconceived ideas, and I'm going to learn more about all the carriers." Meh, semantics I suppose.

 

[Der rote Baron]

I'm of the different school of thought. Never turn down an interview or chance to speak to someone on that level.

Rule Number 1!

 

[Seggy]

I really appreciated their candor at Vets In Blue when nearly everyone representing jB said, "if you are planning on leaving to a legacy if they call, please don't bother applying, interviewing, or accepting a job offer with us."

This may be the military cultural thing again, you say it is candor I say it is very disingenious for them to say that. JetBlue would have ZERO issues furloughing or displacing someone when fecal matter hits the fan again immediately if they thought it was the right business decision.

As a professional, besides crossing a picket line, you have to do what is best for your family and career first and foremost. At the time it may have been the best decision to go to JetBlue, but things can change, and you decide to go to another carrier. As a professional, what they feel isn't your problem.

 

[Seggy]

Yes. The attitude is that we only interview so many, and you may take a spot from someone who truly wants to be here if we aren't your first choice.

As stated, I am sure that when/if fecal matter hits the fan again, JetBlue will have no problem making the right business decisions in their mind. It is a profession and a career, not a make everyone feel OK industry.

 

[Seggy]

I'm sorry, but I just don't think that's a very realistic approach.

Had JetBlue called, I would absolutely have gone there, worked hard, and been one of the best employees they've ever had. They weren't my end goal, but neither were 8 years in the right seat at XJT. I think you need to take forward movement where you can get it, because you never know when the music is going to stop.

It's not ideal, but as nice as it would be to keep in mind the feelings and resources of all of these companies, you really have to look out for yourself. It's kind of like nonreving. Do you take the 10AM double connection that definitely has seats on it, or do you wait for the noon that only has one seat left.

Another perspective is for someone like me who spent 8 years doing the same job. When you look at my resume you can see that I don't have a recent track record of training success. Making the jump to an airline that ultimately wasn't your end goal might be just what your resume needs to get you where you want to go. Or the music might stop and you'll be stuck at JetBlue, which certainly isn't the worst of fates.

Well said.

 

[Seggy]

I'm of the different school of thought. Never turn down an interview or chance to speak to someone on that level.

In the 90's, it was United or BUST. Biggest airplanes, west coast bases, profitable, everyone in the mid 90's there was pulling on the same side of the rope.

SouthernJets (southeastern airline, would be a 727 engineer the rest of my career and pulled wholesale off the west coast after Western) called first, knocked my socks off and of course sometime in 2035 I'll know if I made the proper decision or not.

On the career fair thing, GO TO THE BAR. I have a friend at WIA that said that pretty much the entire cadre of recruiters were at the bar at the hotel. Easy networking.

Well said.

There are A LOT of SkyWest and ExpressJet Pilots who didn't want to go to Continental because they didn't have any West Coast bases...they are still at SkyWest or ExpressJet.

 

[MikeD]

i did not see you say 'so to speak' in any of that....you have come a long way...I'm proud of you.

But he still points with his elbow at traffic he sees while coming up initial for the overcranium.

 

[derg]

Oh they can tell. The stories I found out just by flying with some of the CAs that have gone and done these events.

I'd highly suggest stopping at an airline desk only if you truly are interested in working there.

I do not agree. If you want to work at American, get your feet wet at another carrier first. Its ok and makes your interview experience at American that much smoother.

 

[ClarkGriswold]

Once upon a time in my recruiter days I couldn't care less if people shopped around, We even encouraged it. Job fairs are supposed to answer questions too, facetime with a recruiter can tell you more than the internet can. We would tell candidates to go talk to everyone and see who you think you will fit in best with, come back if you think it's us. I wouldn't even get mad if people gave me a resume with another airlines name on it, i'd give them a hard time about it but mistakes happen and guaranteed they won't do it again. Granted, this was at the regional level but you can't put your eggs all in one basket and any decent recruiter should know that, a good candidate will be a good employee whereever they get hired. This "don't waste our time if you're gonna leave right away, only apply if you want to be here" is just an excuse to cover up lower pay or work rules IMO, seen it at a few shops.