ExpressJet

[Captain_Bob]

Well... thought I'd post mine and get the XJT thread going!

Date of interview: October 19, 2004
Were you hired as a result of this interview? yes
Total flight time: 900
PIC flight time: 870
PIC TURBINE flight time: 0
Instrument flight time: 100
Total multi engine flight time: 680
Did someone walk in your application/ resume? no
How many letters of recommendation did you bring? 4
Are you a CFI? yes
Are you a CFII? yes
Are you a MEI? yes
Are you an ATP? no
Did you complete the ATP written? no
Are you an FE? no
Did you complete the FE written? no
How long after you sent your resume were you called? 2 weeks
Do you have a college degree? no
Do you have a military background? no
What is your current job? cfi
What is your age? 34
What aircraft were you assigned? ERJ
What is your training date? November 01, 2004



Interview experience:

Hi there folks, The day started early for most people. Interview started at 9:00am so if you were from away and had a morning flight, you most likely had to be at the airport around 4am. Even though I was in Dallas I still had to show up two hours before my scheduled departure of 6am for IAH. FYI... No one is actually at the ticket counter until 4:30am so get yourself an extra half hour of sleep.

I met one of the other candidates at the ticket counter waiting for 4:30 to roll around. I had considered sleeping on the flight down, but thankfully he and I hit it off, and we just talked about the interview and quizzed each other all the way down to Houston.

Also read the AirInc book "Questions, Questions" It's a wonderful review and a great review of IFR procedures, Regs, and situational questions. You can get it on AirInc's website. Dawn actually recommended that and the ASA Instrument Oral Prep guide to me on the phone interview.

Upon arriving at IAH Terminal C, we found the shuttle rather quickly by simply asking the guard outside of the terminal. He directed us right to it. We took the shuttle to XJT's Training site and paged the number we were asked to. However, it was 7:30am and the desk attendant said no one will be out to get us until at least 9:00am. So we chatted some more and waited as more candidates arrived.

9:00am, Dawn comes out and takes us into the briefing room. Company History, fleet past and present, stock price, pay overview, current bases, etc... gives us a few tips on how to interview (specifically, what not to ask, and what not to do), then she takes our paperwork. All of us in the room had it in order. There were 7 of us at the time. However two guys came in late @ 9:20 due to their flights arriving at 8:30. Dawn was not too happy with that. Questioned them in front of all of us and wanted to know why they were late. Long and short of it... Don't stop to go to the restroom if your flight arrives @ 8:30! Interview starts at 9:00... BE THERE. One of the late guys paperwork was not in order, Dawn was visibly displeased as she had to go over it with him.

So... 9 of us out of about 13 or 14 that were scheduled to show up. We were given a number and were called in to the interviews in that order. I was second to last. A good and bad thing. The good was you coould drill the guys who just came out of their interviews for information... The bad was waiting all that time.

Best advice I can give you guys. Work it as a team! All 9 of us stuck by each other, we quizzed each other, gave each other moral support and constantly helped each other out all day. I know I personally learned some new things that helped me out on the interview by doing this.

Interviews themselves were quite simple... 3 different rooms, 2 Tech and 1 HR. Know your Multi Systems and Jepps. On situational questions, there are no black and white answers. Think your way through each question before answering. Phrase your answer in a format similiar to this. 1. Maintain or ensure positive control of the airplane. 2. Evaluate the situation. 3. Utilize all available resources (CRM). 4. Inform the crew of your decision and ensure they understand. 5. Follow through.

You won't find solid answers to the situational questions anywhere. Only opinions of what seems to be the most correct thing to do. But if you follow the outline above... that shows control, thought, professionalism, assertiveness, and management. All are qualities they are looking for.

HR questions for you... "Have you taken any personal steps to increase your knowledge of advanced systems?" "You've been flying a plane with a top speed equal to our approach speed... what makes you prepared to fly our planes?" "If I've spent 4 days in the cockpit with you, what will I say is the most annoying thing about you?" Keep it light but professional.

Being told to grab all your things and wait in the hallway is an interesting experience. You are waiting out there to be told whether or not you are hired. If not hired, you get some great feedback... listen to it, take it to heart, and re-apply in 90 days. If hired... start on paperwork @ 1.5 - 2 hours, then off to fingerprinting on one side of Term C and drug screening on the other side of Term C... if they are still open. If not, you do it at a later date.

Then your are on your way home with a smile on your face and a skip in your step (even though you didn't break in your new shoes before the interview and your feet are killing you and your carrying a huge 3 ring binder that you have only 9 days to memorize!) Good times...

Overall... I'm thinking that 3 didn't get hired. Don't know why... but... the two guys who were late did get hired. So it's not over until the fat lady sings. Hang in there. It's going to be a great ride. Remember to talk with fellow interviewees as well. Think of them as potential co-workers/classmates/teammates versus competition for the job. It will make your day so much easier. See you in the skies!

Hope that helps somebody!

Bob

[moxiepilot]

thanks c.b. i'm sure it will help someone.. congradulations!

[Guidetothesky]

I was very impressed with your post. You will do well in this industry!

See you in the skies....

[KLB]

Hey Bob!

No SIM ride?

[Captain_Bob]

Hey Kelvin...

No Sim Ride... Whether that's good or bad, I don't know. I do know that in the weeks prior and after that they sent several people home from interviews if they showed up to the interview without the requisite time, or if they stated on the online application that they had the appropriate amount of "multi- time" (for example) but then their logbooks showed that they got the time between the date they filled out the online app. and their interview date.

In other words, they lied on the online app. thinking that it wouldn't be a big deal because they knew they would have the time by the interview date. They (XJT) scrub the logbooks thoroughly (first thing in the morning while you get the company overview... you don't see your logbook again until one of your Tech interviews when they ask about your types of AC you've been flying and your hours) so don't screw yourself up by doing anything like that.

I want to say that their pass percentage in indoc/ground/systems/FTD/SIM/PC is over 97%. Which means as long as you apply yourself, and show you have a true desire to learn then they will work with you to get you through.

You've heard something like this before... "The Job is yours to Loose." That is definately true here at XJT.

Bob

[KLB]

Thanks Bob!

When are you back out?

[Captain_Bob]

K,

I took the whole rest of the month off. I'm heading up to Colorado to ride dirt bikes with a buddy Thurs-Sun... but other than that I don't go back until Sep. 2.

I've had a busy, busy, schedule recently, so I rewarded myself and my family by advertising my 2nd half of August trips and having them picked up. I love this job!

Bob

[gomntwins]

from when you applied, how long did it take to hear back from xjet? Thanks!

[jtrain609]

[ QUOTE ]

How long after you sent your resume were you called? 2 weeks


[/ QUOTE ]

[gomntwins]

ah... missed that

[FlyingNole]

[ QUOTE ]
They (XJT) scrub the logbooks thoroughly (first thing in the morning while you get the company overview... you don't see your logbook again until one of your Tech interviews when they ask about your types of AC you've been flying and your hours) so don't screw yourself up by doing anything like that.


[/ QUOTE ]

I admittedly flew for a whole month past the experation of my medical a couple years back. It was my first renewal ever, and for whatever circumstances I didnt have it renewed until a month later, yet I flew about 10 times in that span. I know I dropped the ball, but nothing can be done about it now. Will XJET or any other company for that matter know that? Like will they just check my current medical? Everything medically related is A-OK, so its the only thing that I'm kind of nervous about.

[kellwolf]

Well, seeing as you can get your medical renewed before it's up (as in you can get your third class at 30 calendar months instead of 36), I don't see how they would know......unless they read Jetcareers.

[Doug Taylor]

Chances are, is that they're running some of the tail numbers to see if you've got any "Parker Pen Time".

But that's just a "hunch" and I really have no idea.

[FlyingNole]

[ QUOTE ]
"Parker Pen Time"

[/ QUOTE ]

Does that mean doctoring my logbooks? If that's the case, Im an angel

[FlyingNole]

What does anyone else think?

[giladal]

Hi Capt Bob.

Congratulations!

I noticed that you dont have a college degree, did they say anything about that? Also, I was wondering what is the average grade here for the ones who did take the atp written.


Gil Alon

[Minnesota_Flyer]

I am no expert, but I can't think how an airline could find out what the status of your medical was on a particular date years ago.

[BrianNC]

Great informative post Bob.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of answers should you give for that "if I was in the cockpit with you for four hours" kind of stuff?

[Bigey]

Just out of reading this post, you got me even more excited on my road to becomming a pilot.

You just made me leave a note so i can call my flight school up and take a couple more flights. You bastard..making me spend MORE money on aviation!

[Captain_Bob]

Brian,

Those type of questions are usually in the HR portion of the interview... it is here where the importance of "Being Yourself" really comes out. Be congenial, honest, and forthcoming in your response... They are simply looking at personality here.

giladal,

Nothing was said regarding my degree... I'm thinking they may have noted my "life experience" in various management positions, because I would still say that the MAJORITY who where hired had degrees. I have over 90 hours from Texas Tech and made a big mistake thinking I didn't need the degree to do what I wanted to. As a result I was stuck in Middle Management for the last 12 years before I made the career change to fly. I am currently enrolling in an Online Degree program where I can also get credit for my flight ratings as well so those credits combined with my transfer hours and a few semesters of work means that I should hopefully have my degree soon.

bigey,

Admit it... You really do enjoy it when the Aviation Bug starts biting again!

Bob

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Brian,

Those type of questions are usually in the HR portion of the interview... it is here where the importance of "Being Yourself" really comes out. Be congenial, honest, and forthcoming in your response... They are simply looking at personality here.

giladal,

Nothing was said regarding my degree... I'm thinking they may have noted my "life experience" in various management positions, because I would still say that the MAJORITY who where hired had degrees. I have over 90 hours from Texas Tech and made a big mistake thinking I didn't need the degree to do what I wanted to. As a result I was stuck in Middle Management for the last 12 years before I made the career change to fly. I am currently enrolling in an Online Degree program where I can also get credit for my flight ratings as well so those credits combined with my transfer hours and a few semesters of work means that I should hopefully have my degree soon.

bigey,

Admit it... You really do enjoy it when the Aviation Bug starts biting again!

Bob

Cant say it hadnt already hit, i just ran out of money for it!

But, i sucked it up, worked more hours...and made enough for about 2-3 flights.

Geez...i hope this all pays off one day.

[pilotkppsg]

Ok, paperwork is a must. You've really gotta be meticulous w/ the paperwork, they look at that pretty hard. Ok, that said if you currently use NOS charts, STOP and use Jepps because that is what you will be quizzed on. Don't take this lightly, Jepps is a huge part of this interview, know them and that'll be at least 25 % of the battle (paperwork is like 50%). Now, I know most of the guys in the morning group didn't get hired, my friends told me that they were weak on Jepps and aircraft systems. In my afternoon group I know about 9 out of 13 got the job, don't know about the others. Most of us were instructors, a 135er here and there and that was it. As for the ATP instructors who did the CRJ course, some of them didn't get it. You've gotta have a humble attitude and drop the cocky CFI attitude if you've got one. They don't give a rat's butt if you can fly a Seminole up God's ass, they want to know if you're not a toolbox ######bag who they can both train and fly with on a month long trip. Alright, all that said, I was asked a few situation questions directly from the gouge, bunch of Jepp symbols, speeds, holding info, aircraft systems from the biggest multi i'd flown (I imagine they hear Seminole crap all day), then what I had done to prepare for the interview and had I read the gouge. I was then asked what I had done to prepare myself from flying pudknocker pistons to prepare myself to handle an ERJ and what would my biggest obstacle be in training. HR wasn't tough at all, decode a METAR and a TAF (lots of unusual symbols on this, so read the FAA publication and review all symbols in METAR/TAF format) then the ILS into IAH w/ no IAF. The IAF is the GS intercept and that is also the FAF. Asked any busted checkrides, accidents, incidents, speeding tickets. Told to chill outside and got the offer in like 5 minutes. Orientation in Nov and class in Dec.

[buffalopilot]

What did you answer when they asked if you have read the gouge?

[AaronPilot4life]

Thanks for the Express Jet interview info! I work the ramp for Continental Airlines at Chicago Midway and service Express Jet ERJ's all day long. Met some really cool flight crews so far. I plan to apply for an FO position after I graduate college in 2 years. Just curious how many hours you had (pilotkppsg) or anyone on here when you were interviewed? Also does CoEx have a set minimum time of instrument required? Last I heard minimum time for an interview was 600 and 100 but competitve was still over 1000.

Good point about the use of Approach Plates/Charts! I've only been using NOS and don't have much exposure to Jep but I will surely switch to Jep now. I have a buddy (he also works the ramp for Continental ) who has more flight hours then I do and is planning to apply to Express Jet soon but is really worried about his chances of getting hired on with a Regional because he busted his Instrument Checkride twice. The Oral once and then the Practical, 3rd time he passed. Any advice I can give him? Can busted checkrides be enough for them to say no way flying for us?

I've heard from some of the Express Jet Pilot's I've talked to and they said the New Hire Ground School is top notch training. Sounds like a good company to be part of from what I hear.

JetCareers Rocks!

[pilotkppsg]

Originally Posted by buffalopilot

What did you answer when they asked if you have read the gouge?

I looked the dude dead in the eye and said "yes." They're looking to see if you're fibbing or not; c'mon gang, they EXPECT you to prepare for the interview and if that means reading the gouge, then git-r-dun!

My times as of Oct. 13th (interview day) were 910 TT and 194.3 multi w/ about 40 hrs of actual time (plus to have multi eng. IMC). Took about 5 months from app. submit to interview invite. PM me if you've got any other q's.