Original Message

Same here, granted I couldnt afford to go at 200hrs and didn't go to my first show till I got my first "real" job at 1000hrs in NYC/NJ.  But even then walking the floor and seeing the hardware on display after only being around R22's and S300's was a blast.  I was lucky enough to go to a flight school where it was almost a guarentee provided you werent an idiot that you would be hired after passing your CFII. Plenty of students to build to 1000hrs and a great relationship with the entry level tour/charter operators in NYC that once a year would take all the 1000hr plus CFII's.  I know others however that after getting all their certs/ratings they had no place to go at 200hrs and for a while you couldnt get work as a CFI/II.  Everyone networking try to fight for a random CFI job anywhere in the country for $15hr.

Been almost every year since, great relationships built with many of the exhibitors and manufacturers through aircraft purchases and deals with others.  Now in EMS I'm just a number thats not buying anything so its just great to meet up with friends and see whats out there.