Interview without going to job fair
 

How important is it to go to a job fair for United in trying to get an interview?

I interviewed 2 yeas ago with no job fairs. Once they call you for an interview it doesn't matter. Not like they ask you about why you didn't go to one. The only reason they matter at all is for points on the app.

As a regional FO with no TPIC, I went to a ton of them since I didn't find my 5,000+ TT to be all that competitive. They're soul-crushing, but seem to help. I got called for the interview before I finished Captain upgrade at the regional.
Since Chief Pilot M&Gs seem to have been devalued, I would supplement with job fairs.

Sorry to burst your bubble and not to discredit your experience.....but.....you competition is guys that have 2000 hours in fighters with several combat tours and 4000 PIC turbine as RJ Captains.
5000 hours is a lot, but the competition is wicked right now. Welcome if you got hired, good luck if you are on the way to an interview

That depends on the person. You need to have enough points to get selected for an interview. I couldn't get enough without the job fairs and chief pilot meet and greet. I know people who were hired and didn't do a job fair, but it's very rare. They were either interns or extremely qualified military pilots.

The sad part is the 2000 hours of single pilot fighter pilot time means nothing in a 121 transport category airplane.... Oh this skrewed up industry

How exactly does that mean nothing?

ClearedDirect,

Go to the job fair. You'll be glad you did and most find them beneficial, in one way or the other.

Enjoy the fair and stop by our booth if you have any questions before you meet the recruiters.

Centerline

Obvious flamebait, please do start yet another mil vs civilian thread drift. There are great resumes from both sides getting hired and great resumes from both sides not getting called/hired. Both backgrounds are represented by good and bad major pilots. End of story.

The gentleman above makes it seem like 2000 fighter pilot hours means you are Christ reborn. Flight time is flight time is flight time. This isn't a jab at any military or civilian pilots at all.