Career Fairs

I went to another career fair today, my second this summer. Both were biotech/pharmaceutical based (since that is my background). I don't know what to make of these job fairs. On the one hand it is a place to make a face to face contact with a potential employer. Getting the next job is all about making connections right? Yet, it seems more often than not it's just a place to dump off a resume. There's nothing quite like standing in line after line only to be told to apply online. Well, why the hell have the career fair in the first place? I guarantee you that the majority of the people that attended already applied online.

Another issue I don't understand is what the hell is up with the dress code at these things. I always assumed that it generally called for either a suit and tie or business casual. Now, the majority of people were dressed that way. However at both job fairs I've been to there were a fair number of people in jeans, shorts, flip flops, etc. Now what the hell kind of impression are you trying to make. I don't give a crap so please hire me? Maybe its their strategy to stand out in a crowd of suits. Maybe I was just pissed because I was sweating like crazy in my suit.