This age old question again about interviews

Pistolpak1 · November 12th, 2007, 12:33

So I have been reading the bits on interviews around the sites here. I am appreciative of what I found but I am still VERY NERVOUS about what to expect. Please please give me areas to study or review. I have no idea what to expect. I know they ask HR questions but what do they ask? I know they ask CRM questions but once again what do they ask? I am very afraid my answers will seem "canned" I am trying for comair mesaba and Chitaqua (sp?) maybe ASA. they interview probably 500 pilots a month. How can I prepare myself and look somewhat ready even if I fail I wanna look like I at least came prepared. I scarred they will stop the interview at the third question and tell me to go home. I hate/ can't fly sims well at all and the only airplane I truely can fly really really well is a cessna 172 ( who can't?) I am not impressive in my experiences. The other problem is that there is no way I could ever afford this "pay for training" crap they make you do. how you pay for it without the confidence there is a job at the other end. you pay $40,000 or more and make $17,000 to $24,000 before taxes if you are lucky ( common knowledge). ANyone tell me how they did it? All I am asking is that you guys give me example questions that you remember in areas of CRM, HR, Technical. What sort of sim do they make you fly. Will a PCATD do the trick?
Poverty and Ignorance SUKS!!!!
Thanks and I know Iam pleading.

wheelsup · November 12th, 2007, 12:40

I'm confused with your history because you talk about paying for your training but you already are flying. People nowadays don't generally pay for any training above and beyond their commercial-multi-instrument ticket.

Give us a background on where you are in terms of hours, certificates held, age, martial status, location etc. and we can probably help you a bit more.

BobDDuck · November 12th, 2007, 12:50

I think he means that many HR departments are telling weak candidates to go get RJ "certification" and then come back and try to interview again.

MDPilot · November 12th, 2007, 13:09

PistolPak1
Occupation: REcreational CFII and Doctor
I fly for: Swift Aviation group
What I'm Flying:: B737-400

But I have been flying a lear part 91 and I have about 50 hours B-737. COM-INST-CFI/I-ME-GLIDER-AGI-A&P. 1200 hours. 50 multi.

Something doesn't fly here.

Pistolpak1 · November 12th, 2007, 14:36

Okay let me try this again, and better explain myself and so MDPilot doesnt go scavaging something else out of the past I already retracted just to try to make me look bad and him look smarter. As far as training: I have never flown in a part 121 scheduled airline enviroment. I have only done part 91 and some part 135 (I had the hours). I have never gone through the airline interviews like everyone else. I am at 1700 hours now and about 150+ multi. I live in louisville. my past experiences were programs that I worked as a mechanic and then would be trained as a FO/Co-pilot over time. Now I am looking at seeing if I can get into the airlines, I have the time but Iam not sure I have all the knowledge. Thats the source of my questions. I am building my flight time by working as a CFI again in addition to my regular job. I am curious to know what the interview questions will be like. I didnt mention previous experiences because they are not significant enough to mention. Also correct me if Iam wrong but I have spoken to like 4 or 5 regional guys (my source that told mke this) and they all said I have to pay for training in the regionals. I am sure in corporate and majors you dont pay. Has anyone here ever had to pay for the ground school and jet training as a condition of hire for the their employeers? then they get to fly? Am I confused? does this make sense to anyone what I am asking? My interviews in the other jobs were just technical questions and never as complex as what I understand the part 121 interviews to be.

Fly4Pay · November 12th, 2007, 14:49

First place I would stop would be www.aviationinterviews.com. Lots of interview gouge there (exact questions)... also www.willflyforfood.cc (there's some duplication between the two, but it's a good start.

Also, if there is a specific airline you are curious about, ask around on these boards for someone that works there. Airlines are very different in how they interview, so hearing from someone who works somewhere other than where you're interviewing is of little use. For instance, some places ask a lot of technical & FAR questions. Others ask NONE of that, and strictly deal with TMAAT questions (tell me about a time).

One last thing to remember--HR departments at the airlines check those gouge sites, too, and change their questions accordingly. I got a couple of curveballs thrown at me during my interview. That's what they are trying to do--catch you off guard. They're measuring you as a person (specifically as a person under stress) to see how you react. HOW you answer is as important as what you answer.

Hope this helps!

Cheechako · November 12th, 2007, 14:57

I'm not 100% sure on this, but of the big regionals, none of them require you to pay for your training anymore. Most will give you a paycheck and provide housing for you while you're in training. The old pay for training programs at the regional level is just about history. There are a few out there that may require this, but not many.

MusketeerMan · November 12th, 2007, 15:49

I'm still interested in what MDpilot found. We'd love to give you a ton of information, but would feel better if you were talking straight. How did you get your 737-400 hours? It also says your a doctor?? Please explain.

SoCalAprch · November 12th, 2007, 16:24

Something seems weird about this thread. Study and know your stuff and there isn't anything they can ask you that you won't be able to at least touch on. If you wanna sound canned then us telling you what they asked is your best bet however earlier you said you didn't want to sound canned so just study, study the ATP written and instrument stuff and you should be fine. Maybe buy some books on aviatoin interviews.

SeanD · November 12th, 2007, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

Okay let me try this again, and better explain myself and so MDPilot doesnt go scavaging something else out of the past I already retracted just to try to make me look bad and him look smarter. As far as training: I have never flown in a part 121 scheduled airline enviroment. I have only done part 91 and some part 135 (I had the hours). I have never gone through the airline interviews like everyone else. I am at 1700 hours now and about 150+ multi. I live in louisville. my past experiences were programs that I worked as a mechanic and then would be trained as a FO/Co-pilot over time. Now I am looking at seeing if I can get into the airlines, I have the time but Iam not sure I have all the knowledge. Thats the source of my questions. I am building my flight time by working as a CFI again in addition to my regular job. I am curious to know what the interview questions will be like. I didnt mention previous experiences because they are not significant enough to mention. Also correct me if Iam wrong but I have spoken to like 4 or 5 regional guys (my source that told mke this) and they all said I have to pay for training in the regionals. I am sure in corporate and majors you dont pay. Has anyone here ever had to pay for the ground school and jet training as a condition of hire for the their employeers? then they get to fly? Am I confused? does this make sense to anyone what I am asking? My interviews in the other jobs were just technical questions and never as complex as what I understand the part 121 interviews to be.

Huh?

Im curious what regional did these fellas fly for?

WAFlyBoy · November 12th, 2007, 16:45

If you truly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

have no idea what to expect.

Then you haven't really

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

been reading the bits on interviews around the sites here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

Am I confused?

Quite obviously. Take the advice from above: go to aviationinterviews.com, willflyforfood.cc. Study ATP written questions. Formulate responses to common HR questions and practice them. Study Jeppesen charts, IFR regs, and since you've been flying part 135 you should probably be prepared to answer some of those questions too. If the airline(s) you get an interview with require a sim evaluation, spend some time with an instructor in a sim. (Preferably a similar type.)

Perhaps most importantly, you'll need to convince your interviewers that you are competent and confident. Not hurried and flustered, as your posts on this thread make you appear.

surreal1221 · November 12th, 2007, 16:52

Can of worms meet can opener.

bunghole · November 12th, 2007, 16:55

Can't we just leave the past ....you know..in the past?

"Last time I checked the Lear had an two engines. And for all those interested, the PIC can put any one in the right seat that he or she wants. I have all the certificates. It's legal. Now if you are done flaming me and making assanine statements lets get back to point of my thread and that is to ask the is there a way to sling shot past the ######## of flying a bloodsucking regional airline such as Mesa and trying to get a flying gig. I was only trying to bring up my turbine experience to demonstrate that I have just a smidge more going for me than the average joe schmo flight instructor with only 1000 hours single engine Cessna 172 to offer when he or she goes applying to the airlines. And for those of you that want to further make your points known that yes it does not add up that a super low time guy would be sitting in the cockpit of a mid sized jet. I will say this in my defense. I have worked jets as a mechanic longer than I have flown them and therefore I have gotten oppurtunities because of my knowledge and that I have little time. I do know what all the buttons do and how to use them. Thats all. My rant is over. If I have not explained myself fully please ask questions, Iam not an A-hole. Iam more than happy to talk intelligently about any topic."

Quote from Pistolpak1

MDPilot · November 12th, 2007, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

Okay let me try this again, and better explain myself and so MDPilot doesnt go scavaging something else out of the past I already retracted just to try to make me look bad and him look smarter.

Trust me, I don't need you to make me look smarter.

WAFlyBoy · November 12th, 2007, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunghole

Can't we just leave the past ....you know..in the past?

Oh.... I wasn't aware of the... umm.... "history."

Pistolpak1 · November 12th, 2007, 18:03

Okay good, now Iam starting to get answers to the questions I had. I didn't know where to begin as far as the style of questions that they ask. As well as websites that would give gouges. I wanted to know what areas I should focus on and what areas are a misleading area. I figured there would be ATP questions and Instrument questions on Jeppesen stuff. I didn't know how technical these questions get. The guys that said you have to pay for training was a 2 Comair Capts (26 years each both retired) and a Commuter guy and a Mesa capt. They all said that they had to take out loans to pay for training. It would make sense if they all did it a long time ago Good to know that is no longer the deal for the most part. I will probably go look for a book on this this weekend. I figured if I even if I knew canned answers it would be better then not knowing any answers. The How you answer in oppose to what you answer sounds like good advice as well. I am not claiming to know everything.
Thanks to those that dropped some useful advice.

Maximillian_Jenius · November 12th, 2007, 19:36

Guys/gals...I have known Pistolpak for more than 10 yrs. he isn't bs-ing the forum, and is generally trying to get some good info.

Furthermore he has met and hung out with Doug, Kristie, jtrain and a bunch of the other local PHX peeps, so he is very much coporeal. There is even pictoral evidence of those meetings on the forum.

While I don't know what's up with him saying he is a doctor, or the lear job. I know that he did work with Swift as a flight A&P mechanic.

In any event, since I have hopefully given proof that he is a real person, asking real questions. Lets all help a realitively new member out, who is trying to get his foot in the front door of this industry.

I'd appreciate it, and I'm sure Peter would as well!

P.S. Peter good job at staying cool and answering the qestions!

SoCalAprch · November 12th, 2007, 19:59

Pistolpak i am in no way saying regionals are the only route or the best route for that matter but no one said it would be easy. Don't you think everyone would be skipping the regionals and going straight to the majors if it were that easy or the QOL was that much better taking some other route like freight? Do you really think that the thousands of regional pilots on here are that dumb that we all didn't realize we could just skip this step and sit in a big 777 right out of the gate? No routes to the majors are going to be easy and with your 70 hours multi and 1200 or so total you still have several years of experience to build up to get to where we all want to be... There are all different sorts of pilots on here that will tell you different things about which is better the 135 freight route or the 121 regional route but I think everyone can say that they both have their pros and cons. And i know for certain that i am not paying a dime for my regional training however I have heard of certain 135 carriers making you finance it so if you leave the company you are stuck with the payments.

Now everyone gets nervous when we think about upcoming interviews but goto your local pilot shop and there are plenty of books and programs on how to prepare for aviation interviews and if you arent looking to spend any money this tool you are using right now called the internet has tons of valuable resources including this website. Im not going to list anymore but the websites listed previously are all good and google never hurt either.

Also I met a 737 swift crew in indianapolis on Oct 18 at the raddison. 2 pilots a mech and 2 very good looking flight attendants

. All nice people and deffinatly knew how to have a good time. We all closed up the Hotel bar. Maybe it was you who knows i don't really know how big the company is...

Pistolpak1 · November 13th, 2007, 09:48

[quote=SoCalAprch;728862]Pistolpak i am in no way saying regionals are the only route or the best route for that matter but no one said it would be easy. Don't you think everyone would be skipping the regionals and going straight to the majors if it were that easy or the QOL was that much better taking some other route like freight? Do you really think that the thousands of regional pilots on here are that dumb that we all didn't realize we could just skip this step and sit in a big 777 right out of the gate? No routes to the majors are going to be easy and with your 70 hours multi and 1200 or so total you still have several years of experience to build up to get to where we all want to be... There are all different sorts of pilots on here that will tell you different things about which is better the 135 freight route or the 121 regional route but I think everyone can say that they both have their pros and cons. And i know for certain that i am not paying a dime for my regional training however I have heard of certain 135 carriers making you finance it so if you leave the company you are stuck with the payments.[quote]

First of all I NEVER said anyone was dumb! I not looking for a for a free ride or a to transition out of a cessna 152 right into a right seat A380. But I will admit that would be VERY NICE. I was just curious to see if there is more than one way to "skin this cat". I hear all kinds of horror stories and wondered if I could use something to my advantage and I keep it interesting. So I realized that I might have to bite the bullet and put in some serious 121 time before I get where I wanna go. I respect that there are people here that are good enough to pass the interviews so I thought I might try to tap that resource and ask for pointers for my benefit.

SoCalAprch · November 13th, 2007, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolpak1

First of all I NEVER said anyone was dumb! I not looking for a for a free ride or a to transition out of a cessna 152 right into a right seat A380. But I will admit that would be VERY NICE. I was just curious to see if there is more than one way to "skin this cat". I hear all kinds of horror stories and wondered if I could use something to my advantage and I keep it interesting. So I realized that I might have to bite the bullet and put in some serious 121 time before I get where I wanna go. I respect that there are people here that are good enough to pass the interviews so I thought I might try to tap that resource and ask for pointers for my benefit.

Thats fair enough and as you have read there is more than one way to skin this cat. Regionals aren't bad nor are they great by any means and same goes for freight. As the interviews go, thats the easiest part, but just be yourself, study the stuff that people have said and if you have a good understanding of that stuff they probably will hire you. Do you have any place or airline in particular that you are interested or are you just starting your search? And I deffinatly agree that it would be VERY NICE to transition from a Cessna to an A380 but for safety reasons that isn't reality.

WAFlyBoy · November 13th, 2007, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalAprch

And I deffinatly agree that it would be VERY NICE to transition from a Cessna to an A380 but for safety reasons that isn't reality.

Well, it IS reality in some parts of the world.....

charlie1017 · November 13th, 2007, 13:10

Outside the US, it might be possible to step into a large jet with a wet Commercial...

From the HR website of Copa Airlines ("Copiloto" or Copilot position):

-Mínimo 250 horas de Vuelo
- Licencia vigente de piloto comercial multimotor e instrumento
- Certificado médico de 1ra clase
- Dominio del Idioma Inglés

Translation:
-Minimum 250 flight hours.
-Current Commercial Multiengine and Instrument pilot licenses.
-First class medical certificate.
-Speak english fluently.

The smallest plane in Copa's fleet is the Embraer E-190.

BobDDuck · November 13th, 2007, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie1017

The smallest plane in Copa's fleet is the Embraer E-190.

Do they still have any? Last I remember they took one swimming.

charlie1017 · November 13th, 2007, 14:08

Hi,

I got the fleet info from the Copa website...

http://www.copaair.com/html/user/def...eid=42&lang=en

Didn't know about what happened to that E-190...
The first time I heard about Copa's hiring minimums was about a month ago; a pilot who told me Copa was actually hiring wet Commercial people for the 737 fleet.

Cheers

SoCalAprch · November 13th, 2007, 14:41

I realize that in different parts of the world things are different. A good amount of my students were Indian (dots not feathers) and when they went back they were going to ground school for boeings and airbii with wet commercial tickets. These guys will be flying 777s while Im still sitting in an ERJ. But they told me that they have to be a third spectating crewmember for the first year or more before you even get to touch anything. So you pretty much ride the jumpseat for a couple years and watch how its done before you get to fly any heavy metal.

So Pistol YES you can skip the regionals and fly the big boys but you would have to leave the country.

November 12th, 2007, 12:33	#1
Pistolpak1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: My old kentucky home Posts: 106	This age old question again about interviews So I have been reading the bits on interviews around the sites here. I am appreciative of what I found but I am still VERY NERVOUS about what to expect. Please please give me areas to study or review. I have no idea what to expect. I know they ask HR questions but what do they ask? I know they ask CRM questions but once again what do they ask? I am very afraid my answers will seem "canned" I am trying for comair mesaba and Chitaqua (sp?) maybe ASA. they interview probably 500 pilots a month. How can I prepare myself and look somewhat ready even if I fail I wanna look like I at least came prepared. I scarred they will stop the interview at the third question and tell me to go home. I hate/ can't fly sims well at all and the only airplane I truely can fly really really well is a cessna 172 ( who can't?) I am not impressive in my experiences. The other problem is that there is no way I could ever afford this "pay for training" crap they make you do. how you pay for it without the confidence there is a job at the other end. you pay $40,000 or more and make $17,000 to $24,000 before taxes if you are lucky ( common knowledge). ANyone tell me how they did it? All I am asking is that you guys give me example questions that you remember in areas of CRM, HR, Technical. What sort of sim do they make you fly. Will a PCATD do the trick? Poverty and Ignorance SUKS!!!! Thanks and I know Iam pleading. Last edited by Pistolpak1; November 12th, 2007 at 14:43.

November 12th, 2007, 12:40	#2
wheelsup Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _ Posts: 5,498	Re: This age old question again about interviews I'm confused with your history because you talk about paying for your training but you already are flying. People nowadays don't generally pay for any training above and beyond their commercial-multi-instrument ticket. Give us a background on where you are in terms of hours, certificates held, age, martial status, location etc. and we can probably help you a bit more. __________________ "It takes just as much time to be nice to someone as it does to be a jerk."

November 12th, 2007, 12:50	#3
BobDDuck Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Left Seat Posts: 5,736	Re: This age old question again about interviews I think he means that many HR departments are telling weak candidates to go get RJ "certification" and then come back and try to interview again. __________________ TBJC08 The Gear Monkey The Gear Monkey Store

November 12th, 2007, 13:09	#4
MDPilot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southeast US Posts: 780	Re: This age old question again about interviews PistolPak1 Occupation: REcreational CFII and Doctor I fly for: Swift Aviation group What I'm Flying:: B737-400 But I have been flying a lear part 91 and I have about 50 hours B-737. COM-INST-CFI/I-ME-GLIDER-AGI-A&P. 1200 hours. 50 multi. Something doesn't fly here. __________________ Mike

November 12th, 2007, 14:36	#5
Pistolpak1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: My old kentucky home Posts: 106	Re: This age old question again about interviews Okay let me try this again, and better explain myself and so MDPilot doesnt go scavaging something else out of the past I already retracted just to try to make me look bad and him look smarter. As far as training: I have never flown in a part 121 scheduled airline enviroment. I have only done part 91 and some part 135 (I had the hours). I have never gone through the airline interviews like everyone else. I am at 1700 hours now and about 150+ multi. I live in louisville. my past experiences were programs that I worked as a mechanic and then would be trained as a FO/Co-pilot over time. Now I am looking at seeing if I can get into the airlines, I have the time but Iam not sure I have all the knowledge. Thats the source of my questions. I am building my flight time by working as a CFI again in addition to my regular job. I am curious to know what the interview questions will be like. I didnt mention previous experiences because they are not significant enough to mention. Also correct me if Iam wrong but I have spoken to like 4 or 5 regional guys (my source that told mke this) and they all said I have to pay for training in the regionals. I am sure in corporate and majors you dont pay. Has anyone here ever had to pay for the ground school and jet training as a condition of hire for the their employeers? then they get to fly? Am I confused? does this make sense to anyone what I am asking? My interviews in the other jobs were just technical questions and never as complex as what I understand the part 121 interviews to be.

November 12th, 2007, 14:49	#6
Fly4Pay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ATL (Work) / Warner Robins, GA (home) Posts: 824	Re: This age old question again about interviews First place I would stop would be www.aviationinterviews.com. Lots of interview gouge there (exact questions)... also www.willflyforfood.cc (there's some duplication between the two, but it's a good start. Also, if there is a specific airline you are curious about, ask around on these boards for someone that works there. Airlines are very different in how they interview, so hearing from someone who works somewhere other than where you're interviewing is of little use. For instance, some places ask a lot of technical & FAR questions. Others ask NONE of that, and strictly deal with TMAAT questions (tell me about a time). One last thing to remember--HR departments at the airlines check those gouge sites, too, and change their questions accordingly. I got a couple of curveballs thrown at me during my interview. That's what they are trying to do--catch you off guard. They're measuring you as a person (specifically as a person under stress) to see how you react. HOW you answer is as important as what you answer. Hope this helps! __________________ The above text is the opinion of the author only, not of AirTran, my wife, my mom, my next door neighbor, or anybody else.

November 12th, 2007, 14:57	#7
Cheechako Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 984	Re: This age old question again about interviews I'm not 100% sure on this, but of the big regionals, none of them require you to pay for your training anymore. Most will give you a paycheck and provide housing for you while you're in training. The old pay for training programs at the regional level is just about history. There are a few out there that may require this, but not many. __________________ Urban Dictionary: /chee-CHA-ko/ Alaska Airlines 737 FO http://www.AllAboutGod.com

November 12th, 2007, 15:49	#8
MusketeerMan Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 2,054	Re: This age old question again about interviews I'm still interested in what MDpilot found. We'd love to give you a ton of information, but would feel better if you were talking straight. How did you get your 737-400 hours? It also says your a doctor?? Please explain. __________________ JBDaP --------------- "The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training" - Joe Biden on Obama's lack of experience.

November 12th, 2007, 16:24	#9
SoCalAprch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CMH Posts: 807	Re: This age old question again about interviews Something seems weird about this thread. Study and know your stuff and there isn't anything they can ask you that you won't be able to at least touch on. If you wanna sound canned then us telling you what they asked is your best bet however earlier you said you didn't want to sound canned so just study, study the ATP written and instrument stuff and you should be fine. Maybe buy some books on aviatoin interviews. __________________ I approve this message.

November 12th, 2007, 16:52	#12
surreal1221 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alpha Tango Lima Posts: 9,847	Re: This age old question again about interviews Can of worms meet can opener.

November 12th, 2007, 16:55	#13
bunghole Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 254	Re: This age old question again about interviews Can't we just leave the past ....you know..in the past? "Last time I checked the Lear had an two engines. And for all those interested, the PIC can put any one in the right seat that he or she wants. I have all the certificates. It's legal. Now if you are done flaming me and making assanine statements lets get back to point of my thread and that is to ask the is there a way to sling shot past the ######## of flying a bloodsucking regional airline such as Mesa and trying to get a flying gig. I was only trying to bring up my turbine experience to demonstrate that I have just a smidge more going for me than the average joe schmo flight instructor with only 1000 hours single engine Cessna 172 to offer when he or she goes applying to the airlines. And for those of you that want to further make your points known that yes it does not add up that a super low time guy would be sitting in the cockpit of a mid sized jet. I will say this in my defense. I have worked jets as a mechanic longer than I have flown them and therefore I have gotten oppurtunities because of my knowledge and that I have little time. I do know what all the buttons do and how to use them. Thats all. My rant is over. If I have not explained myself fully please ask questions, Iam not an A-hole. Iam more than happy to talk intelligently about any topic." Quote from Pistolpak1

November 12th, 2007, 18:03	#16
Pistolpak1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: My old kentucky home Posts: 106	interviews Okay good, now Iam starting to get answers to the questions I had. I didn't know where to begin as far as the style of questions that they ask. As well as websites that would give gouges. I wanted to know what areas I should focus on and what areas are a misleading area. I figured there would be ATP questions and Instrument questions on Jeppesen stuff. I didn't know how technical these questions get. The guys that said you have to pay for training was a 2 Comair Capts (26 years each both retired) and a Commuter guy and a Mesa capt. They all said that they had to take out loans to pay for training. It would make sense if they all did it a long time ago Good to know that is no longer the deal for the most part. I will probably go look for a book on this this weekend. I figured if I even if I knew canned answers it would be better then not knowing any answers. The How you answer in oppose to what you answer sounds like good advice as well. I am not claiming to know everything. Thanks to those that dropped some useful advice.

November 12th, 2007, 19:36	#17
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 19,030	Re: This age old question again about interviews Guys/gals...I have known Pistolpak for more than 10 yrs. he isn't bs-ing the forum, and is generally trying to get some good info. Furthermore he has met and hung out with Doug, Kristie, jtrain and a bunch of the other local PHX peeps, so he is very much coporeal. There is even pictoral evidence of those meetings on the forum. While I don't know what's up with him saying he is a doctor, or the lear job. I know that he did work with Swift as a flight A&P mechanic. In any event, since I have hopefully given proof that he is a real person, asking real questions. Lets all help a realitively new member out, who is trying to get his foot in the front door of this industry. I'd appreciate it, and I'm sure Peter would as well! P.S. Peter good job at staying cool and answering the qestions! __________________ Rear Admiral www.gayviator.com Maximillian Pegasus

November 12th, 2007, 19:59	#18
SoCalAprch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CMH Posts: 807	Re: This age old question again about interviews Pistolpak i am in no way saying regionals are the only route or the best route for that matter but no one said it would be easy. Don't you think everyone would be skipping the regionals and going straight to the majors if it were that easy or the QOL was that much better taking some other route like freight? Do you really think that the thousands of regional pilots on here are that dumb that we all didn't realize we could just skip this step and sit in a big 777 right out of the gate? No routes to the majors are going to be easy and with your 70 hours multi and 1200 or so total you still have several years of experience to build up to get to where we all want to be... There are all different sorts of pilots on here that will tell you different things about which is better the 135 freight route or the 121 regional route but I think everyone can say that they both have their pros and cons. And i know for certain that i am not paying a dime for my regional training however I have heard of certain 135 carriers making you finance it so if you leave the company you are stuck with the payments. Now everyone gets nervous when we think about upcoming interviews but goto your local pilot shop and there are plenty of books and programs on how to prepare for aviation interviews and if you arent looking to spend any money this tool you are using right now called the internet has tons of valuable resources including this website. Im not going to list anymore but the websites listed previously are all good and google never hurt either. Also I met a 737 swift crew in indianapolis on Oct 18 at the raddison. 2 pilots a mech and 2 very good looking flight attendants . All nice people and deffinatly knew how to have a good time. We all closed up the Hotel bar. Maybe it was you who knows i don't really know how big the company is... __________________ I approve this message.

November 13th, 2007, 09:48	#19
Pistolpak1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: My old kentucky home Posts: 106	Re: This age old question again about interviews [quote=SoCalAprch;728862]Pistolpak i am in no way saying regionals are the only route or the best route for that matter but no one said it would be easy. Don't you think everyone would be skipping the regionals and going straight to the majors if it were that easy or the QOL was that much better taking some other route like freight? Do you really think that the thousands of regional pilots on here are that dumb that we all didn't realize we could just skip this step and sit in a big 777 right out of the gate? No routes to the majors are going to be easy and with your 70 hours multi and 1200 or so total you still have several years of experience to build up to get to where we all want to be... There are all different sorts of pilots on here that will tell you different things about which is better the 135 freight route or the 121 regional route but I think everyone can say that they both have their pros and cons. And i know for certain that i am not paying a dime for my regional training however I have heard of certain 135 carriers making you finance it so if you leave the company you are stuck with the payments.[quote] First of all I NEVER said anyone was dumb! I not looking for a for a free ride or a to transition out of a cessna 152 right into a right seat A380. But I will admit that would be VERY NICE. I was just curious to see if there is more than one way to "skin this cat". I hear all kinds of horror stories and wondered if I could use something to my advantage and I keep it interesting. So I realized that I might have to bite the bullet and put in some serious 121 time before I get where I wanna go. I respect that there are people here that are good enough to pass the interviews so I thought I might try to tap that resource and ask for pointers for my benefit.

November 13th, 2007, 13:10	#22
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 417	Re: This age old question again about interviews Outside the US, it might be possible to step into a large jet with a wet Commercial... From the HR website of Copa Airlines ("Copiloto" or Copilot position): -Mínimo 250 horas de Vuelo - Licencia vigente de piloto comercial multimotor e instrumento - Certificado médico de 1ra clase - Dominio del Idioma Inglés Translation: -Minimum 250 flight hours. -Current Commercial Multiengine and Instrument pilot licenses. -First class medical certificate. -Speak english fluently. The smallest plane in Copa's fleet is the Embraer E-190.

November 13th, 2007, 14:08	#24
charlie1017 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 417	Re: This age old question again about interviews Hi, I got the fleet info from the Copa website... http://www.copaair.com/html/user/def...eid=42&lang=en Didn't know about what happened to that E-190... The first time I heard about Copa's hiring minimums was about a month ago; a pilot who told me Copa was actually hiring wet Commercial people for the 737 fleet. Cheers Last edited by charlie1017; November 13th, 2007 at 14:15. Reason: add info

November 13th, 2007, 14:41	#25
SoCalAprch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CMH Posts: 807	Re: This age old question again about interviews I realize that in different parts of the world things are different. A good amount of my students were Indian (dots not feathers) and when they went back they were going to ground school for boeings and airbii with wet commercial tickets. These guys will be flying 777s while Im still sitting in an ERJ. But they told me that they have to be a third spectating crewmember for the first year or more before you even get to touch anything. So you pretty much ride the jumpseat for a couple years and watch how its done before you get to fly any heavy metal. So Pistol YES you can skip the regionals and fly the big boys but you would have to leave the country. __________________ I approve this message.

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