This is the exact reason I find it ironic that everyone here ASSUMES they're going to land a job at the majors.

Hate to break it to you, but a lot of you guys are going to retire from the regionals/stepping stone airlines like Allegiant, jetBlue and Virgin. That's why you need to Unionize and get the maximum you can as far as wages/benefits go.

Then, even if you do make it to the big leagues, you can have the satisfaction of knowing YOU made it better for the guys behind you.

The numbers are there, anyone who wants a job at a major in the next 10 years will get it...it's a matter of time.

PREDICTION: 5 years from now Job fairs will have interview teams vying for a fast pass chance to talk to applicants! Job offers will be made on the spot and just like the regionals now....signing bonuses will sweeten the pot. At this point Regionals as we know them will have ceased to exist.

It doesn't matter. That's not a shortage. When even currently employed pilots have to line up in the THOUSANDS to hope for just an interview, it is not a shortage!

I'll tell you what is a shortage. If a pilot applies to Delta, United, and American on Monday and by Friday has at least two of those three airlines calling and saying hey we'd like to interview. When interview offers go out in abundance + cold calls, and pretty much everyone applying and beating the minimums by a margin is getting called easily, then I'll believe there's a shortage. Currently, there is none. Only at the regional level but that was self-inflicted by both pilots and management alike.

Agreed. Back in the '60s when you got a Commercial license, United called and offered you an interview.

That's a shortage. Until that happens again, a "pilot shortage" is a fantasy.

Actually, that's a crisis. ^

The fact that 50% of the flights in the air, that were mainline flights, are now being operated by regional carriers that can't find qualified applicants is a shortage.

Honestly it doesn't really matter. The fact of the matter is that retirements are starting and for the foreseeable future will continue, which will only serve to weaken the pool of qualified candidates at various levels. It doesn't matter that 3000 pilots have lined up. If it wasn't coming or already here, most wouldn't even bother going.

Stop arguing about it. It's just a fricking difference of opinion.

Regional shortage yes. Major/Legacy shortage? No.

1st yr attending
 

This is my first year attending to the conference as a job seeker.. (looking for JetBlue) Is 2623 the limit number of fast pass already given? or is it the total number of passes they will give at the Veracruz South Registration Counter?

Fast Passes available at WAI by airline:

Alaska - 258
American - 215
Delta - 344
jetBlue - 860
SWA - 430
United - 516

US Air, FedEx, UPS not participating.

Any indication as to who's doing the most hiring?

Fast Pass desk is open each day, and it doesn't appear that anyone can get a Fast Pass prior to the event. Sounds like each airline will have a separate Fast Pass desk/line. No indication if you can get a Fast Pass for the next day or if only for the current day. And the ultimate question, is a Fast Pass the only way to get to the HR folks, or will there still be the regular lines? This is all separate from the scheduled airline seminars, which each airline has several of each day - possibly another chance for facetime or at least to get them your resume showing that you were there. Good luck!

Don't forget, you have to be a WIA member to recieve a fast pass, per WIA site.

First Job Fair.....
What are the "In's and Out's" of this Face-to-Face if I'm lucky enough?
Any "tell me about a time etc."?
What's the Gouge on this?!
Thx.!