Going to a PAPA aviation recruiting event at ~900 TT — what should I bring / how do I get the most out of it?
Posted by Money-Objective7452@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Hey everyone,
I’m planning on attending a PAPA aviation recruiting event soon and wanted to get some advice from people who’ve gone to these before. I’m currently around 900 hours TT, so I know I’m probably not at the point where I’m getting hired by a regional on the spot, but I want to start networking, getting my foot in the door, and learning how these events work.
What should I realistically bring with me?
Printed resumes?
Business cards?
Digital business card/contact info?
Logbook copies?
Suit or more business casual?
Also curious what helped you get the most value out of these events early on in your career. Any advice is appreciated!
sprulz@reddit
I've gone to a lot of these recruiting events. I'll be honest, you're not going to get much out of it at your experience level. Bring a couple of resumes in case, but all the regionals are going to tell you is to keep building time and there aren't a lot of 135s that go to these events.
The best networking opportunities are generally at the socials.
Money-Objective7452@reddit (OP)
Would you recommend going to all three days of the expo, this is my first time attending these events so I don’t know what to expect. I’ll be flying in and I’m planning on going to all three, or should I just do 2.
KCPilot17@reddit
A regional wouldn't hire you on the spot if you had 2,000 hours. They don't do that there.
Couple resumes, but don't expect much at all. You're not competitive for what they're looking for. Your resume won't go in the "look at again" pile.
Just the facts. You're too early.
Money-Objective7452@reddit (OP)
Im planning on attending at few days but ill be flying, would it be worth going to all three days and getting the most out of it or just 2 (first day is just check-ins and networking)
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
All they are going to tell you is to apply to their cadet program. Don’t bring a resume that will just go in the trash
HoldinTheBag@reddit
OP is at 900 hours which is the awkward point of being at the cutoff for cadet programs (usually require less than 1000 hours) and being way to inexperienced for anything else
UndeadFrogman@reddit
When is the best time to get into a cadet program?
MeatServo1@reddit
As soon as you’re eligible, which is usually right after commercial but less than 750 hours.
HoldinTheBag@reddit
Prob before hitting 750 hours
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
Not all of them. And if OP doesn’t qualify then they’ll say to apply as a regular FO.
Veritech-1@reddit
Disagree. Bring a resume. Even knowing it will go in the trash 99% of the time.
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
I used to do recruiting and was the person OP would talk to at these events.
Veritech-1@reddit
And how would you have reacted if you happened to like a candidate for a cadet program, asked for a resume and they said “I didn’t bring any.”
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
Never asked for a resume.
21MPH21@reddit
600 additional hours, all of it multi.
Honestly just go to network. Bring a good attitude with you.
Money-Objective7452@reddit (OP)
Is it worth it for the full three days. Im planning on attending the full expo
21MPH21@reddit
I wouldn't unless you're local and will have your 1,500 in the coming months.
If your still a year away and not local, why spend the money?
Used_Rutabaga_9119@reddit
It’s never a waste of time. Go. Dress like you want others to respect you, even if you don’t have the resume to back it up. Go. And meet the folks you’ll be talking to for the next chapter of your life. Go, it’s always worth the effort and the connections.
Money-Objective7452@reddit (OP)
Would you recommend going for the the full three days, currently I’m planned to go to all three
FlyingShadow1@reddit
These events are only useful to meet other people.
In regards to companies/exhibitors there? You should already be a professional pilot somewhere. Otherwise, it's a waste of time.
I went to NGPA. Nothing came of it.
Arkin3375@reddit
Wear a suit, bring a clean black winder with some resumes.
Like others are saying don’t expect a job. That said, plant the seeds. Talk with the smaller operations, leave a resume and build that relationship.
Also get Involved with papa or other organizations and start giving back
CarminSanDiego@reddit
I don’t understand why people say go and build relationship. They’ll forget you as soon you am walk away unless they do intend on hiring you
slendermanboxedwine@reddit
100% go, Resumes help with smaller 135 carriers. 121 probably not gonna help you too much. What helps your app get pulled at a 121 carrier is gonna be getting people in the company already putting in a word to the interviewers. But still it’s who you know.
I don’t see how it would be a “waste of your time” everyone tells you to network but then they tell you don’t network unless you have more hours? … doesn’t make sense
Never too early to start! Good luck.
KJ3040@reddit
You’re gonna waste everyone’s time including your own
a_provo_yakker@reddit
I suspect they’d tell OP to apply for their cadet program if he hasn’t already. And if he hasn’t already applied for those, he’s behind the curve anyway.
Even when the gettin’ was good (2022) these were so hit or miss. Regional captain, checked all the boxes, scored a meeting with all the legacies and WN that day. The only useful info I got was AA saying “maybe we’ll take a look at you with 500 pic, but really 1000 is what we like”. Which sucked to hear but they also didn’t get my hopes up with a gregarious chief or recruiter meeting that was just another of the hundreds of faces they saw that day.
And the standby lines, goodness. I showed up around noon for my various appointments. United had a standby line in the main banquet hall that wrapped the perimeter of the entire space. And a secondary standby line downstairs in reception. I was hearing hours just to get in the main line, and then that only moved as quickly as the recruiters could get you between meet & greets. I can’t even imagine now.
Worried-Ebb-1699@reddit
You’re definitely not going to gain any value from going in terms of flying jobs.
BUT- if you go in armed eager to help, learn, explore other avenues of aviation and come in professional looking and all.
You COULD find that maybe while a flying job with XYZ isn’t on the table for you yet, perhaps you can work in some department of an airline.
Example: “I have 900 hours yada yada- and I’d love to work for (name) airline so I can learn the company and grow as I gain my hours and qualifications. Are you or a colleague able to discuss other opportunities?”
Nobody is above doing ramp work, HQ, misc behind the scene stuff as you gain experience.
Just a thought.
MyPilotInterview@reddit
Plan to network at the bar afterwards harder than at the conference - that’s where you’re most likely to find people who will help you!
Relevant-Train5317@reddit
I’m going to be honest with you, probably a complete waste of your time.
airgroundpound69@reddit
You get out of it what you put in. If you make the right connections that will make it significantly easier for you to get hired at your dream carrier. Especially if you make friends with the recruiters. I’ve seen it happen so many times
LikenSlayer@reddit
Be as hopeful as a Mustard Seed!!
But in reality, you're in a small narrow window. Almost too much time for cadet program, definitely not competitive enough for regionals or 135.
Better off spending the day with your family or staying home applying for Cadet programs.
Veritech-1@reddit
Just go and have fun. Meet people. Make friends. Learn about other flying opportunities you hadn’t considered.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hey everyone,
I’m planning on attending a PAPA aviation recruiting event soon and wanted to get some advice from people who’ve gone to these before. I’m currently around 900 hours TT, so I know I’m probably not at the point where I’m getting hired by a regional on the spot, but I want to start networking, getting my foot in the door, and learning how these events work.
What should I realistically bring with me?
Printed resumes?
Business cards?
Digital business card/contact info?
Logbook copies?
Suit or more business casual?
Also curious what helped you get the most value out of these events early on in your career. Any advice is appreciated!
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