Was it worth it?
I have to say yes.
That was my first conference and the value for me came from the indirect lesson learnt:
What is my competition?
What makes that airline want to stand up and present?
What are they saying about entry requirements? (500+ Turbine multi crew) (Okay that's direct lesson learnt)
How the airlines see the future of their company and aviation on the whole?
How much value is placed on integrated / how little in modular.
For most of these questions I got my answer. Is it a money spinner? - Yes. Does everyone benefit? - Yes in some way.
EGCC4284 - I agree and disagree with you about your thread.
I agree she was entertaining and brave. I disagree that she was an inspiration. She was indeed smart to go down the route she went, but her presentation was under the banner of networking and going through Oxford integrated course does most of that for you - as we heard so often that day ( recommendation from FTO)
For true inspiration, I would like to see a young modular person who has built up their experience through the logical step of FI / basic twin etc and continued to network. Before you say it - no not like me.
I don't doubt she is the type of person that would be good in the cockpit, but I don't think her experience answered the exam question.
(reaches for shovel to dig hole as people lament about how wrong I am)