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Alabama Adventure held a job fair Saturday to get ready for the summer season. Last year, it drew 125 job seekers. But on Saturday, there were an estimated 800 people. Many of them weren't the usual teenagers looking for a summer job.
The line stretched out the door, through the security guard office, around the parking lot, and down the driveway.HE LINE
"Oh, I was out here about eight o'clock," said one teenager.
"They say we'll be out here for five hours," said another job seeker.
Richard Irvin stood at the end of the line behind hundreds of teenagers.
"I was working at Hyundai, and they cut us from five days to three days to no days. Right now, I am getting unemployment but I need a full time job," said Irvin, a job seeker.
Irvin wasn't the only experienced worker hoping to get a seasonal job doing anything.
"I need it to provide for my family," said Kathy Robinson who has worked at Alabama Adventure for six seasons.
Alabama Adventure is hiring one thousand people.
But by the length of the line, most people knew that there was a lot of competition.
"I've been looking for a while," said one teenager who hasn't found his usual summer job.
"People are cutting back on employees," said Misty Worthington who wants a job to help out her mom.
Alabama Adventure employees say turnout quadrupled this year and many prospective employees came with impressive resumes.
"We are seeing more experience employees coming through, so it could be a bit different this year when you come through the park," said Brian McDuff, marketing manager for Alabama Adventure.
After hours of waiting, the smiles on people's faces said it all.
"I got the job," announced a woman to the people still waiting in line.
"I think the people who are employed don't realize how blessed they are to be working," said Irvin.
The fair was extended an extra three hours to interview everyone.
Park officials aren't sure how many people were hired.
But if there are still a large number of openings, they may consider hosting another job fair.
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