Pinnacle

kellwolf · February 26th, 2006, 00:57

So, pretty much all contact is through e-mail, from the first e-mail letting you know you got the interview to your flight confirmation and interview date and time. Positive space NR from DFW-MEM the day before and got to sleep in my own bed that night.

So, show up for the interview at 8 AM (30 minutes early), filled out a nametag and put the mound of paperwork in a folder with my name on it. The rest of the interviewees quickly filed in, and there were 14 of us total. We then walked from the corporate offices over to the training center, and one of the interview captains gave us a run down on the company (pay, benefits, number of a/c, bases, etc). After that, they asked for volunteers for the sim and two-on-one interviews. The rest of us got to take the written. I'll say this: if you don't study for the written, odds are you're not gonna make it past it. It's not the standard question over ATP regs (although there were a couple). A lot has to do with aerodynamics and things you may or may not have learned in your Comm or CFI training. We lost 4 to the written (one of which was out of the ERAU CAPT program, so I took perverse pleasure in seeing him go). After that, I did the two-on-one technical interview. Why Pinnacle? Jepp charts, 121 t/o alternate mins, couple of situational questions, etc. After that was the sim ride, which is where I felt I was the weakest. I'd never flown a Frasca 142 before, and it showed. ILS approach, some intercepting and tracking, and a hold. I THOUGHT I turned the wrong way on the hold entry, so I kicked myself for about a day over that. Then I was explaining what I did wrong to a student, and he said "That doesn't make sense." I drew it out and realized I DID do it right. Felt silly after that.

Last part was the exit interview with two captains. Once again got asked why Pinnacle, what would I do if I didn't get based in MEM (since I'm from there originally and my family is there), how would I make the jump from the Seminole to the CRJ and the infamous captain goes below MDA question. Told I'd know in a couple of days: phone call good, letter bad.

All in all the process took all day. We started out with 14 and ended with 7 (lost 4 to the written, 2 failed the sim and one said the upgrade time was going to be too long). I felt pretty tired when I left, and non-revved back on NWA to DFW that night. Waited on pins and needles for a couple of days. Took so long I assumed I was getting a letter in the mail, then got a call from HR while I was in the air saying I got the job.

Sorry, Stan. Unless you get to DFW on Fri, I'm gonna miss ya. My class date is March 6th in MEM.

DE727UPS · February 26th, 2006, 01:02

Congratz. What are your times?

"one of which was out of the ERAU CAPT program"

Man, that's crazy. You got a DC9 type rating but don't get the job because of the written.

kellwolf · February 26th, 2006, 01:07

I was actually the low time guy in the 7 that made it with 950TT and 240ME

H46Bubba · February 26th, 2006, 02:22

Kell, Congats dude! Dang they wanted you to start ASAP! Good luck with ground school.

wheelsup · February 26th, 2006, 14:19

That kicks @ss dude! You are so lucky to go to a place that has a base at your home town. You definately worked hard for it.

~wheelsup

flyboy04 · February 26th, 2006, 14:43

Youve given me hope, i was also the low time on a thurs interview. My times are 1150tt and 102multi, im praying i get a call too!

S.T.Aviator · February 26th, 2006, 15:52

Congrats Steve. Well done

pavelump · February 26th, 2006, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

one said the upgrade time was going to be too long)

How long did they say the upgrade was going to be?

Congrats and good luck!

kellwolf · February 26th, 2006, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavelump

How long did they say the upgrade was going to be?

Congrats and good luck!

Upgrade time is around 24 months, and that was based on one of the captains sticking his head in an upgrade class and asking people how long they've been with Pinnacle.

Maximillian_Jenius · February 26th, 2006, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Upgrade time is around 24 months, and that was based on one of the captains sticking his head in an upgrade class and asking people how long they've been with Pinnacle.

24 mnths isn't long for an upgrade. That guy who left because of the upgrade time is odd. Oh well he can go to Great Lakes for his 6 mnth-1 yr. upgrade!

PeanuckleCRJ · February 26th, 2006, 23:19

CONGRATS STEVE! I'll see you on the line man.... are they still paying for hotel? If so, I'll be around MEM on the 8th and 9th for my recurrent sim.

wheelsup · February 27th, 2006, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

24 mnths isn't long for an upgrade. That guy who left because of the upgrade time is odd. Oh well he can go to Great Lakes for his 6 mnth-1 yr. upgrade!

24 months ago, the upgrade was 24 months

. One has to look at a/c deliveries, attrition (I've heard its pretty high there), etc. before predicting upgrade times.

IMO, having a base where you live is one of the biggest plusses. Kell will get to sit reserve at home on the coach with his family instead of in a crashpad. If he's anything like me, he'll actually BID reserve when he can hold a line. Yes I am that lazy

!

As a side note, I met my former commercial instructor in Toronto not too long ago. He went to work for 9e and upgraded in 11 months. It worked for him.

blee256 · February 27th, 2006, 00:16

congrats didnt u go to skymates? I remember chatting with you sometime last year when u were getting your CFIs. You built up your time pretty quickly.

I wouldnt count on the 24 month upgrade. thats changed a bit since we dont have anymore planes coming. But it does look like you can get MEM out of class. and for those going to DTW, i cant see them sitting reserve more than a month or 2. On march's bid there i was only 1 more pilot on the bid list than hard lines!!

good luck in class.

kellwolf · February 27th, 2006, 01:02

Denny - Yeah, they're still paying for the hotel, and we'll definately have to meet up when you're in town for re-current.

Matt - the main reason I'm taking Pinnacle over the possibility at XJT is the chance to be living in base. No matter where I would be based with XJT, it would be commuting. Living in base means I'm spending less time getting to and from work and less money a month since I won't need a crashpad.

blee256 - Yep, I was getting my commercial ratings and CFIs at Skymates less than a year ago. I only instructed for 8 months, but it was an INTENSE 8 months. I rarely took days off and came pretty darn close to 8 flight hours a day a lot of times.

Doug Taylor · February 27th, 2006, 01:06

Hey, how's NM?

kellwolf · February 27th, 2006, 01:44

Oh man, don't EVEN get me started on that cluster of a trip. Icing in a 172 is no picnic, but Carlsbad, NM wasn't a bad place to divert for the night.....

Never been so happy to hear the words "Contact Regional Approach on 135.97" in my life.

Doug Taylor · February 27th, 2006, 01:53

Webmaster... All omniscient!

Thank you for making the decision not to press on.

Maximillian_Jenius · February 27th, 2006, 03:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Oh man, don't EVEN get me started on that cluster of a trip. Icing in a 172 is no picnic, but Carlsbad, NM wasn't a bad place to divert for the night.....

Never been so happy to hear the words "Contact Regional Approach on 135.97" in my life.

Did your bud in the turbo bonanza press on or did he stop in Carlsbad for the night with you?

n57flyguy · February 27th, 2006, 09:59

Congrads!!!!

bike21 · February 27th, 2006, 10:32

Congrats man!

Jason · February 28th, 2006, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Kell will get to sit reserve at home on the coach with his family instead of in a crashpad. If he's anything like me, he'll actually BID reserve when he can hold a line. Yes I am that lazy

!

Hahahahaha - now that's some funny stuff right there! You bid reserve at 9e and you can forget the couch - the only place you're going to be sitting is the right seat of a CRJ!

Jason

bob loblaw · March 2nd, 2006, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

So, pretty much all contact is through e-mail, from the first e-mail letting you know you got the interview to your flight confirmation and interview date and time. Positive space NR from DFW-MEM the day before and got to sleep in my own bed that night.

So, show up for the interview at 8 AM (30 minutes early), filled out a nametag and put the mound of paperwork in a folder with my name on it. The rest of the interviewees quickly filed in, and there were 14 of us total. We then walked from the corporate offices over to the training center, and one of the interview captains gave us a run down on the company (pay, benefits, number of a/c, bases, etc). After that, they asked for volunteers for the sim and two-on-one interviews. The rest of us got to take the written. I'll say this: if you don't study for the written, odds are you're not gonna make it past it. It's not the standard question over ATP regs (although there were a couple). A lot has to do with aerodynamics and things you may or may not have learned in your Comm or CFI training. We lost 4 to the written (one of which was out of the ERAU CAPT program, so I took perverse pleasure in seeing him go). After that, I did the two-on-one technical interview. Why Pinnacle? Jepp charts, 121 t/o alternate mins, couple of situational questions, etc. After that was the sim ride, which is where I felt I was the weakest. I'd never flown a Frasca 142 before, and it showed. ILS approach, some intercepting and tracking, and a hold. I THOUGHT I turned the wrong way on the hold entry, so I kicked myself for about a day over that. Then I was explaining what I did wrong to a student, and he said "That doesn't make sense." I drew it out and realized I DID do it right. Felt silly after that.

Last part was the exit interview with two captains. Once again got asked why Pinnacle, what would I do if I didn't get based in MEM (since I'm from there originally and my family is there), how would I make the jump from the Seminole to the CRJ and the infamous captain goes below MDA question. Told I'd know in a couple of days: phone call good, letter bad.

All in all the process took all day. We started out with 14 and ended with 7 (lost 4 to the written, 2 failed the sim and one said the upgrade time was going to be too long). I felt pretty tired when I left, and non-revved back on NWA to DFW that night. Waited on pins and needles for a couple of days. Took so long I assumed I was getting a letter in the mail, then got a call from HR while I was in the air saying I got the job.

Sorry, Stan. Unless you get to DFW on Fri, I'm gonna miss ya. My class date is March 6th in MEM.

Kellwolf, it's no secret you and I didn't get along on this board. However, upon reading your announcement of getting hired by Pinnacle, I gave you props and wished you fun in the flight levels. I still stand behind that post, but I do find it troubling that you take pleasure in another human beings failure. The ERAU CAPT interviewee has dreams and hopes just as you do. He may even have a family to feed, and has put himself into debt to try and make his dream come true. I worked very hard to get where I am at, and I have witnessed many a family give money to their kids to pursue the dream. Not once did I wish them ill will because they were given money to make their dream come true faster while I worked 60 hours a week to fly for 1 hour a week.

To take pleasure in his/her failure, regardless of how they got there, speaks volumes of your personality. Upon learning of his failure, did you speak up about it too everyone else, or did you keep your happiness to yourself only to gloat here on this forum. Why on earth would you take pleasure in seeing another human being (your equal) fail? You do believe he is your equal don't you? Please take a moment and tell us how you are better than him as your happiness at his failure suggests.

kellwolf · March 2nd, 2006, 12:39

I think it wasn't the fact that he went to CAPT that did it for me, it was his attitude of "I have a type rating, so this job is in the bag for me." And it's not taking pleasure is seeing the individual fail, but more of a seeing the program at ERAU not performing as they intended. I'm not going to turn this thread in a forum that is intended to give people a heads up on interviews into a CAPT bashing thread. We can move that to another forum.

DE727UPS · March 2nd, 2006, 12:54

"The ERAU CAPT interviewee has dreams and hopes just as you do"

First of all, I think it's great that a guy who bought into the CAPT program couldn't pass the Pinnacle written. Nothing personal against the guy, just against the choice in which he pursued the career. Apparently, CAPT isn't all what it's cracked up to be if a guy with a DC9 type couldn't get hired while a guy with 950/250 and a CFI background could.

Secondly, you seem to have a personal vendetta against a member of this board that you are going out of your way to push. Not sure why that is but it's making you look like a jerkoff...just thought you might want to know.

bob loblaw · March 2nd, 2006, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"The ERAU CAPT interviewee has dreams and hopes just as you do"

First of all, I think it's great that a guy who bought into the CAPT program couldn't pass the Pinnacle written. Nothing personal against the guy, just against the choice in which he pursued the career. Apparently, CAPT isn't all what it's cracked up to be if a guy with a DC9 type couldn't get hired while a guy with 950/250 and a CFI background could.

Secondly, you seem to have a personal vendetta against a member of this board that you are going out of your way to push. Not sure why that is but it's making you look like a jerkoff...just thought you might want to know.

I respect your opinion, however, I don't have a personal vendetta against anyone. If I had a vendetta, I certainly wouldn't give him props, and I wouldn't wish him ill will. But like I said, the guy has hopes and dreams and noone should take pleasure in another human beings failure. As I said in my post, I worked my tail off to become a CFI/CFII/MEI. I am also paying my dues to make my dreams come true. I have no hard fellings against someone who has the money to earn ratings quickly and bridge into a job I hope to get in the future, more power to em. As for looking like a jerkoff... if the shoe fits you must acquitt.