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Originally Posted by TheWife  Of course it doesn't help that "prudes" like me aren't into the drinking scene either. |
When I attended NJC, I took care of all the non-drinkers - we went to the strip club, wearing track suit bottoms and smoking cigars!!! it worked really well - we funded the development for the Wynn, and had a great time.
There are a couple things about NJC
Networking
Networking is not something you start to do before you a looking for a job to get a job - it is an ongoing process throughout your career. When you are a student pilot, networking with a CFI might allow to sit in the back on someone else's lesson, or if he is ferrying an airplane, maintaining currency, etc invite you along. You might get an opportunity to sit in an empty leg on a corporate jet. You might think this is a big deal, for these guys it is like you getting into their new car and taking you for a spin - they want to show off their toy! You might be lucky enough to meet MikeD, I can think of no better way to impress your gf than taking her to an airshow, watching the Stealth fly and nonchalantly drop that you know that guy who is flying it. Later take her to the roped off section, where Mike happily leads you passed the armed guard and proceeds to give you and your girl a private guided tour of the airplane - while everyone outside thinks who the hell is that lucky bastard!!! These are all opportunities you can easily get on JC before you even have your private, and I am sure there are many many more.
The People
Pilots are an incredibly friendly, welcoming group of guys. You do not need any qualifications to fit into this group of guys - even if you are still reviewing flight schools you are welcome and will fit in. People like Doug, other major airline pilots, CFIs you name it will happily talk to you about choosing a flight school, what plane you should learn on, how to pick an instructor, airsickness, etc. And you will be able to listen to an instrument pilots, the next stage up, ask questions important to them, all the way up to Doug talking to someone like Don about the 757/767.
I remember when I wanted to be a pilot I used to always go to the airport to pick up my father and introduce myself to as many pilots as possible - there is no better place than NJC to really make connection, ask these questions, and have fun.
There is an old saying - The easiest wasy to achieve something is hang out with people that have done so already - no better place than NJC for that!