Well, on June 29th at about 0140, I submitted my application online at the Republic Airways website. It's a pretty lengthy application, and the only thing that I didn't have to submit was a DNA sample and fingerprint. When it's possible to do that online, I have no doubt that they'll require it . . .
At 0845 the following morning, I got the call from Stacey in the HR department. She told me that they had reviewed my resume and wanted to know if I would be interested in scheduling an interview. I told her yes, and we scheduled one for the next available date, Monday the 9th. Within a few hours of that phone call, I received an email from her with the information about the interview. The letter gave the address for the Corporate headquarters, the hotel, listed what to bring to the interview, etc.
The Friday before my interview, I received an email with my e-ticket to fly up to Indianapolis, although I had already decided to drive (it took about the same amount of time, and driving my own car was much more comfortable). I was ready to go!
I arrived in Indianapolis at about 1830, and got checked into the hotel. They give you a really good $39.99 rate at the Holiday Inn Select right around the corner from the interview location, and this is also the hotel that new-hires stay in. The hotel is really nice – indoor pool, hot tub, a place to eat on the property, and lots of beer e . . . extracurricular study locations within a block or so.
Anyway, the next morning, had some coffee and it was time to gussy up. Since I’d driven, I didn’t have to grab the shuttle. However, the hotel shuttle will run you over to the office at about 0740 or so.
I arrived and took the elevator up to the third floor. There, in the lobby, were the three other gentlemen that would interview that morning. All of us came from different backgrounds. One, I believe, was a CFI. One did air ambulance work in a Lear. One guy flew for Citation Shares (don’t ask me . . .), and then there was this dirty, nasty freight guy. I don’t know how he even made it to this point . . .
A bit before 0800, Linda came out to greet us, and we went back to the classroom. We immediately did a roll call and started testing. We first did the
Wonderlic test. You can’t study for it, so don’t try. It’s a 50-question test that you have 12 minutes to complete. It’s very rare to complete all of the answers, so just answer as many of them as you can and move on.
Next, we took the technical test. It was pretty simple. Basic instrument stuff, no tricks. Be able to convert temperatures, know lapse rates, and ALL of the airport signs, markings, lighting, etc. In other words, be able to do what an instrument student should be able to do on checkride morning. There are no tricks to the test, and it’s even multiple choice.
After the tests are complete, we fill out PRIA paperwork – all of the 8060 forms. To be able to complete these, you would be wise to bring names and addresses for all of your previous aviation employers. Don’t try to figure out which ones . . . if it involved aviation, bring the address. In addition, you’ll answer the “have you refused, or failed drug testing . . . “ question. Also, you’ll complete a 5-year employment history, so make sure you have names, addresses and phone numbers, as well as dates of employment. Just makes it easier. Also, as a part of the paperwork, you’ll sign the NDR request form (you know what’s in yours, right?) and acknowledge that you WILL be drug tested. The paperwork is a pain in the rear, and takes a while to get done. Just knock it out, and move on.
Once everybody was finished with the paperwork, we had a pep talk about the company, the history, growth, bases, aircraft, culture, and we were then told about the training sequence. We were also told, point blank, that if we weren’t offered a class date, don’t ask why. Just re-apply if you want to, although there’s no guarantee that you’ll get interviewed.
Oh, and we watched the “
By the Numbers” video, which I thought was pretty cool!
After this, we all went out to the break room. We were called one by one to fly the sim, and then interview. The sim was really an Elite PCATD. If you haven’t had any experience with one of these, go practice . . . it’s not like a real airplane. It’s VERY pitch sensitive.
The profile is as follows:
Depart the airport, direct to a VOR, hold for a few turns, proceed to the LOM, do a procedure turn and full ILS, go missed. In the climb, lose an engine . . . feather, secure, etc. That’s it.
The interview portion was 2-on-one. I wasn’t asked any technical questions at all. Quite a few HR questions, though.
-Why should we hire you?
-What is a common misconception about you?
-What are some strengths?
-Tell us about your aviation background?
-What pet peeves do you have when it comes to your employers?
-Have you ever failed any checkrides?
-Are we going to find anything in your criminal background check?
The pilot asked me a few other questions:
-You’ve been flying checks . . . Do you guys fly in bad weather often, with approaches right down to minimums? (My answer: Yes, sir! If it’s legal and safe, we go. He liked that answer . . . ).
-What makes you think you can transition to something much faster than a Baron?
-Do you think you’ll have any trouble with the automation, FMS, etc?
He also reviewed my logbook for a bit, and asked about the places I’ve flown at FLX.
That was it – I got absolutely NO feedback during or after the interview! I felt pretty good about it, but wasn’t sure where I stood. I got the call about and hour and a half after leaving for a July 25th ERJ class.
Seems like a solid company with good, grounded people. This’ll be fun!!!
For any other questions, feel free to ask!!