DarinFred

Does anyone know Paul's last name? He was a Captain manning the USAir booth. PM me. Thanks!

xjtguy

Bit of an interesting shift as it relates to activities in one's spare time.

Pre 9-11, they wanted to see that you eat-pooped-peed-breathed-slept aviation. They wanted to see how dedicated/committed one was advancing they're career and being 100% dedicated/focused on aviation and that you spent ALL your time on that goal.

Douglas9

Giving blood is pretty easy plus you get your cholesterol number. Elementary schools are always looking for career day volunteers. The best questions I got were..."Was La Bamba true?" and "If you crash in the ocean will sharks eat you?"

Yoda2

Not necessarily true... Employers in general including many aviation employers have looked at extra curricular activities including volunteering for a long time. There are many things employers look into that are not obvious to an applicant. A hiring panel is screening you for all manner of things with many applicants being unaware. You could innocently mention in passing that you just bought a new fishing rod and can't wait to try it out; that might have sufficed to answer a question before it was even asked. An interview can start or go bad before you think it is started. How would you like to be in the middle of an interview and find out you have parked you pilot POS in the bosses parking space, Etc. Pilots, for years have been volunteers; most just don't talk about it. The reason it might not have been made a big deal is that they don't want you to think it is a big deal to them, or to a particular employer it wasn't. They would prefer you figured the volunteer deal out on your own. Now that everyone knows, employers might feel they need to find additional hiring criteria... Instead of volunteering at a soup kitchen you may need to start one!

xjtguy

Agreed. I was simply saying, BEFORE 9-11 they weren't as direct about it. Many of questions somehow all circled back to the applicant and aviation, and how they got to that point.

Now, it's in the forefront.

Lucky Pierre007

Just wanted to echo what has been written in this thread. I was there on Friday and my experience was almost identical to what has been posted here. Volunteer stuff was definitely stressed which can be debated. Supply outweighs demand, for now. The vibe there was quite positive, but at the same time it seemed the various reps were stressing that there were currently many more apps than available slots.

DakBroadbent

I concur, as well. I was simultaneously encouraged and slightly deflated. It seems that now that I have lots of TT/PIC, etc., the rug is being pulled out, and that's the last thing on their minds!
I was surprised to learn that I had more community involvement than I had realized. There were things I had taken for granted (adopt-a-road, etc.) that definitely helped "check that box."

JamesNoBrakes

Does transporting people for nearly free count How about doing preflight without even being paid!

Yoda2

Or... I volunteered to give up a lucrative career to persue this!

In response to another great interview question... (I recommended a buddy for his first flying job, this is a true story) When being interviewed for a major he was asked if he had ever done anything illegal; [regarding flight operations] He was not really prepared for some reason so he thought for a moment, gave the panel a strange look and responded with "Well I flew night freight" He got the job...

BizPilot

Maybe next year I'll do the WIA and use my Mastercard for expenses. And when they ask about community service I'll tell them it was all court-ordered. Their expression will be priceless.