Reference/Background Checks

EatSleepFly · February 8th, 2005, 16:50

Question for someone who might know...

Do airlines do background checks on everyone they interview, or just the ones they plan to hire?

I interviewed at another regional last week, and as of yesterday they hadn't contacted my present employer. I'm assuming they haven't today either, because he said he'd let me know when they did. He (very airline experienced) thinks that no news is probably good news and that I am going to get it, but I'm skeptical. OK...I'm downright pessimistic.

FWIW, the interview, written test, and sim eval went very well. They had said after the interview that they might be in touch as early as yesterday. A guy who interviewed last Monday morning got the call last night. I interviewed last Wed. night. Is it safe to expect that it might be another day or so before they get around to calling my references and deciding on me?

I'm going bonkers sitting here waiting for my cell phone to ring. Can't do any flying because I can hardly see across the street (foggy).

Thanks!

I_Money · February 8th, 2005, 16:55

They only do reference/background checks if they plan to hire you. Some companies make the offer, and get you to accept before proceding as it is a lot of work in you do not intend to start.

MikeD · February 8th, 2005, 16:58

They called me yesterday, and I told them I didn't even think you were a pilot.

Doug Taylor · February 8th, 2005, 17:02

I got a call and I said, "That guy? Is that the person who runs the meth lab during the day and plays piano at a 'house of ill repute' in the evenings? If you catch him, tell him he owes me $20 and that I found his name on the 'Megan's Law' website, but other than that, he's a great guy I guess."

Alchemy · February 8th, 2005, 17:03

At my airline many people passed their PC's before their background check was complete!

I don't even know if my former employers or references were ever contacted. I didn't ask any of them about it. They probably picked a few at random and followed up, doubt they contacted everyone on my resume.

Good luck man, hope everything works out for you!

Athena · February 8th, 2005, 17:07

Isn't that the guy that was trying to steal the roll of sub club stickers from subway?

Cosmo1999 · February 8th, 2005, 17:07

Well my experience with the regionals is that most of them seem to do the background check after you start ground school. At my first job it took my Background check forever. My sim partner didnt get his badge til halfway through sim training. I got mine just before I started sim. I am starting ground school on Feb. 14 at a new regional and I have been told they wait til after GS starts to do the check. Every airline is different however. There are also quite a few that do it before they offer you the job. The only way i can tell that its started is when I get a letter in the mail from the FAA stating my records have been requested. Good luck

kellwolf · February 8th, 2005, 17:19

Most only check who they plan on hiring. XJT didn't start the ball rolling on me until after I said "yes" to the job. Same with SWA. SWA contracted out the background check (which got screwed up and cost my wife her CSA job there), and I'm pretty sure XJT is the same. They have contact people at the airline that call you for clarification on some issues. I talked to a lot of XJT guys in IAH that were kinda worried since they were almost done with ground and didn't have their background checks done. It took almost two months for mine to clear, and I was just a ramper/CSA.

Bandit_Driver · February 8th, 2005, 20:50

At my employer the part of the background check was done before the interview. They verified your medical and pilot credentials. Before the end of the of 1st week of indoc the entire background checks were in and the employee got a copy of what turned up.

No one was badged until the background checks were completed.

EatSleepFly · February 8th, 2005, 20:58

Cool...thanks for the info. everyone.

After some more digging and string pulling, I've found out that people that interviewed after me have gotten calls as well. While I suppose it's still remotely possible I could get one, it appears that I wasn't what they were looking for. I suppose its not too hard to figure out why. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

But anyways, thanks again!

kellwolf · February 8th, 2005, 22:57

[ QUOTE ]
it appears that I wasn't what they were looking for. I suppose its not too hard to figure out why. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry to hear that, man. What about that freight job, is that still a possibility? To me that sounded like a better fit than Mesaba anyway.

EatSleepFly · February 8th, 2005, 23:21

Yeah, it's a definite possibility. They don't need anyone right now, but when they do I'm supposed to get a call. Better pay than any regional, that's for sure.

Stone Cold · February 9th, 2005, 11:21

Just out of curiosity, what freight job are you looking at?

MQAAord · February 9th, 2005, 18:09

When I transfered to American from Eagle I had to interview just like everyone else (off the street). This included the new-hire background check. Even though I'd been employed within AMR for over 5 years, I had to undergo the same background check as the others. The independant company that AA contracts with to do their background checks lost my information . I waited a few months, then other transfers who'd interviewed after me started getting class dates, and I didn't. I finally called to ask what was going on, and AA F/A recruitment did some checking and had to re-submit my info for the background check. This delay cost me 4 weeks, which amounted to about 200 senority numbers initially, then TWA was purchased while I was in class, and because of the delay in getting me in class I am now behind all the TWA F/As. My first furlough would have been avoided completely had I been the in the class I was supposed to be, and I would have recieved a recall letter with the latest recall had I been in that class.

Long story short, maybe the airline in question lost your info? Or hasn't processed things properly? Don't give up all hope until you get that lovely rejection letter.

JayAre · February 9th, 2005, 18:28

My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program

Doug Taylor · February 9th, 2005, 18:45

My last airline was short on pilots and told me that they would take "exactly six weeks". They cost me about 120 numbers on the seniority list.

I_Money · February 9th, 2005, 18:45

They legally cant give you a bad reference - I would get a friend to call him and document it.

kellwolf · February 9th, 2005, 19:44

[ QUOTE ]
My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out.

SteveC · February 9th, 2005, 20:21

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out.

[/ QUOTE ]

His bride didn't ask for references?!?

JayAre · February 10th, 2005, 11:56

[ QUOTE ]

Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm... I interviewed with Skywest and didn't get it. I really don't know if he did or not, or even if they called on my reference's and background checks. It just pisses me off that this guy was my best man at my wedding also who also had the worst best man toast ever. So bad the bride's maid had to grab the mike and tell a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke. Come to think of it I can't decide what was worse the threat or the toast

EatSleepFly · February 10th, 2005, 11:59

[ QUOTE ]
Long story short, maybe the airline in question lost your info? Or hasn't processed things properly? Don't give up all hope until you get that lovely rejection letter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, there is a faint glimmer of hope because I had forgotten that she said if they filled up this class they might call some of my group later for the March class before they start interviewing others for that one. We shall see...no rejection letter yet.

I_Money · February 10th, 2005, 12:58

I have recently gone through the waiting game, and happily called the recruiter a couple times. She ended up saying 'Iain - we are getting the paperwork sorted, let me assure you it does not take a week for me to get a rejection letter out, I normally do that the day of the interview'.

I_Money · February 10th, 2005, 12:59

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I was refering to 'bad' they can be honest about being late, performance related issues, etc - they can not say bad things that are not hard, documented facts!

JayAre · February 10th, 2005, 13:36

True everything must be documented in the HR business. But when they don't keep track of attendance, tardiness, performance etc...what is fact and not?

On the side
We have been discussing this in the HR class most employers will just verify that he/she worked from this date to this date. The average defamation suit runs about $60,000 to settle. And the employer is correct and will win most of the time. But the expense of fighting it over in court is much more than the settlement.

EatSleepFly · February 10th, 2005, 14:05

[ QUOTE ]
I have recently gone through the waiting game, and happily called the recruiter a couple times. She ended up saying 'Iain - we are getting the paperwork sorted, let me assure you it does not take a week for me to get a rejection letter out, I normally do that the day of the interview'.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds promising...

February 8th, 2005, 16:50	#1
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Reference/Background Checks Question for someone who might know... Do airlines do background checks on everyone they interview, or just the ones they plan to hire? I interviewed at another regional last week, and as of yesterday they hadn't contacted my present employer. I'm assuming they haven't today either, because he said he'd let me know when they did. He (very airline experienced) thinks that no news is probably good news and that I am going to get it, but I'm skeptical. OK...I'm downright pessimistic. FWIW, the interview, written test, and sim eval went very well. They had said after the interview that they might be in touch as early as yesterday. A guy who interviewed last Monday morning got the call last night. I interviewed last Wed. night. Is it safe to expect that it might be another day or so before they get around to calling my references and deciding on me? I'm going bonkers sitting here waiting for my cell phone to ring. Can't do any flying because I can hardly see across the street (foggy). Thanks!

February 8th, 2005, 16:55	#2
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: Reference/Background Checks They only do reference/background checks if they plan to hire you. Some companies make the offer, and get you to accept before proceding as it is a lot of work in you do not intend to start.

February 8th, 2005, 16:58	#3
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Reference/Background Checks They called me yesterday, and I told them I didn't even think you were a pilot.

February 8th, 2005, 17:02	#4
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,824 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Reference/Background Checks I got a call and I said, "That guy? Is that the person who runs the meth lab during the day and plays piano at a 'house of ill repute' in the evenings? If you catch him, tell him he owes me $20 and that I found his name on the 'Megan's Law' website, but other than that, he's a great guy I guess."

February 8th, 2005, 17:03	#5
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,721	Re: Reference/Background Checks At my airline many people passed their PC's before their background check was complete! I don't even know if my former employers or references were ever contacted. I didn't ask any of them about it. They probably picked a few at random and followed up, doubt they contacted everyone on my resume. Good luck man, hope everything works out for you!

February 8th, 2005, 17:07	#6
Athena Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Northwest State of Mind, WA Posts: 477	Re: Reference/Background Checks Isn't that the guy that was trying to steal the roll of sub club stickers from subway?

February 8th, 2005, 17:07	#7
Cosmo1999 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 247	Re: Reference/Background Checks Well my experience with the regionals is that most of them seem to do the background check after you start ground school. At my first job it took my Background check forever. My sim partner didnt get his badge til halfway through sim training. I got mine just before I started sim. I am starting ground school on Feb. 14 at a new regional and I have been told they wait til after GS starts to do the check. Every airline is different however. There are also quite a few that do it before they offer you the job. The only way i can tell that its started is when I get a letter in the mail from the FAA stating my records have been requested. Good luck

February 8th, 2005, 17:19	#8
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,252	Re: Reference/Background Checks Most only check who they plan on hiring. XJT didn't start the ball rolling on me until after I said "yes" to the job. Same with SWA. SWA contracted out the background check (which got screwed up and cost my wife her CSA job there), and I'm pretty sure XJT is the same. They have contact people at the airline that call you for clarification on some issues. I talked to a lot of XJT guys in IAH that were kinda worried since they were almost done with ground and didn't have their background checks done. It took almost two months for mine to clear, and I was just a ramper/CSA.

February 8th, 2005, 20:50	#9
Bandit_Driver Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DTW Posts: 1,674	Re: Reference/Background Checks At my employer the part of the background check was done before the interview. They verified your medical and pilot credentials. Before the end of the of 1st week of indoc the entire background checks were in and the employee got a copy of what turned up. No one was badged until the background checks were completed.

February 8th, 2005, 20:58	#10
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Reference/Background Checks Cool...thanks for the info. everyone. After some more digging and string pulling, I've found out that people that interviewed after me have gotten calls as well. While I suppose it's still remotely possible I could get one, it appears that I wasn't what they were looking for. I suppose its not too hard to figure out why. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But anyways, thanks again!

February 8th, 2005, 22:57	#11
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,252	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] it appears that I wasn't what they were looking for. I suppose its not too hard to figure out why. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. [/ QUOTE ] Sorry to hear that, man. What about that freight job, is that still a possibility? To me that sounded like a better fit than Mesaba anyway.

February 8th, 2005, 23:21	#12
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Reference/Background Checks Yeah, it's a definite possibility. They don't need anyone right now, but when they do I'm supposed to get a call. Better pay than any regional, that's for sure.

February 9th, 2005, 11:21	#13
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US Posts: 2,942	Re: Reference/Background Checks Just out of curiosity, what freight job are you looking at?

February 9th, 2005, 18:09	#14
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,813	Re: Reference/Background Checks When I transfered to American from Eagle I had to interview just like everyone else (off the street). This included the new-hire background check. Even though I'd been employed within AMR for over 5 years, I had to undergo the same background check as the others. The independant company that AA contracts with to do their background checks lost my information . I waited a few months, then other transfers who'd interviewed after me started getting class dates, and I didn't. I finally called to ask what was going on, and AA F/A recruitment did some checking and had to re-submit my info for the background check. This delay cost me 4 weeks, which amounted to about 200 senority numbers initially, then TWA was purchased while I was in class, and because of the delay in getting me in class I am now behind all the TWA F/As. My first furlough would have been avoided completely had I been the in the class I was supposed to be, and I would have recieved a recall letter with the latest recall had I been in that class. Long story short, maybe the airline in question lost your info? Or hasn't processed things properly? Don't give up all hope until you get that lovely rejection letter.

February 9th, 2005, 18:28	#15
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 986	Re: Reference/Background Checks My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program

February 9th, 2005, 18:45	#16
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,824 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Reference/Background Checks My last airline was short on pilots and told me that they would take "exactly six weeks". They cost me about 120 numbers on the seniority list.

February 9th, 2005, 19:44	#18
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,252	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program [/ QUOTE ] Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out.

February 9th, 2005, 20:21	#19
SteveC Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR Posts: 8,362	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program [/ QUOTE ] Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out. [/ QUOTE ] His bride didn't ask for references?!?

February 10th, 2005, 11:56	#20
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 986	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out. [/ QUOTE ] Hmm... I interviewed with Skywest and didn't get it. I really don't know if he did or not, or even if they called on my reference's and background checks. It just pisses me off that this guy was my best man at my wedding also who also had the worst best man toast ever. So bad the bride's maid had to grab the mike and tell a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke. Come to think of it I can't decide what was worse the threat or the toast

February 10th, 2005, 11:59	#21
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] Long story short, maybe the airline in question lost your info? Or hasn't processed things properly? Don't give up all hope until you get that lovely rejection letter. [/ QUOTE ] Well, there is a faint glimmer of hope because I had forgotten that she said if they filled up this class they might call some of my group later for the March class before they start interviewing others for that one. We shall see...no rejection letter yet.

February 10th, 2005, 12:58	#22
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: Reference/Background Checks I have recently gone through the waiting game, and happily called the recruiter a couple times. She ended up saying 'Iain - we are getting the paperwork sorted, let me assure you it does not take a week for me to get a rejection letter out, I normally do that the day of the interview'.

February 10th, 2005, 12:59	#23
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] My last employer threatened a bad work reference if I didn't blow sun shine up peoples a** about his wonderful pilot program [/ QUOTE ] Actually, my buddy's CFI DID get a bad reference from the charter gig he left. Wound up costing him a Skywest job two years ago. 'Course now he's with ASA, married and happy so I guess it all worked out. [/ QUOTE ] When I was refering to 'bad' they can be honest about being late, performance related issues, etc - they can not say bad things that are not hard, documented facts!

February 10th, 2005, 13:36	#24
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 986	Re: Reference/Background Checks True everything must be documented in the HR business. But when they don't keep track of attendance, tardiness, performance etc...what is fact and not? On the side We have been discussing this in the HR class most employers will just verify that he/she worked from this date to this date. The average defamation suit runs about $60,000 to settle. And the employer is correct and will win most of the time. But the expense of fighting it over in court is much more than the settlement.

February 10th, 2005, 14:05	#25
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Reference/Background Checks [ QUOTE ] I have recently gone through the waiting game, and happily called the recruiter a couple times. She ended up saying 'Iain - we are getting the paperwork sorted, let me assure you it does not take a week for me to get a rejection letter out, I normally do that the day of the interview'. [/ QUOTE ] That sounds promising...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode