Republic Airways - July 9th, 2007

[mtsu_av8er]

Well, on June 29th at about 0140, I submitted my application online at the Republic Airways website. It's a pretty lengthy application, and the only thing that I didn't have to submit was a DNA sample and fingerprint. When it's possible to do that online, I have no doubt that they'll require it . . .

At 0845 the following morning, I got the call from Stacey in the HR department. She told me that they had reviewed my resume and wanted to know if I would be interested in scheduling an interview. I told her yes, and we scheduled one for the next available date, Monday the 9th. Within a few hours of that phone call, I received an email from her with the information about the interview. The letter gave the address for the Corporate headquarters, the hotel, listed what to bring to the interview, etc.

The Friday before my interview, I received an email with my e-ticket to fly up to Indianapolis, although I had already decided to drive (it took about the same amount of time, and driving my own car was much more comfortable). I was ready to go!

I arrived in Indianapolis at about 1830, and got checked into the hotel. They give you a really good $39.99 rate at the Holiday Inn Select right around the corner from the interview location, and this is also the hotel that new-hires stay in. The hotel is really nice – indoor pool, hot tub, a place to eat on the property, and lots of beer e . . . extracurricular study locations within a block or so.

Anyway, the next morning, had some coffee and it was time to gussy up. Since I’d driven, I didn’t have to grab the shuttle. However, the hotel shuttle will run you over to the office at about 0740 or so.

I arrived and took the elevator up to the third floor. There, in the lobby, were the three other gentlemen that would interview that morning. All of us came from different backgrounds. One, I believe, was a CFI. One did air ambulance work in a Lear. One guy flew for Citation Shares (don’t ask me . . .), and then there was this dirty, nasty freight guy. I don’t know how he even made it to this point . . .

A bit before 0800, Linda came out to greet us, and we went back to the classroom. We immediately did a roll call and started testing. We first did the Wonderlic test. You can’t study for it, so don’t try. It’s a 50-question test that you have 12 minutes to complete. It’s very rare to complete all of the answers, so just answer as many of them as you can and move on.


Next, we took the technical test. It was pretty simple. Basic instrument stuff, no tricks. Be able to convert temperatures, know lapse rates, and ALL of the airport signs, markings, lighting, etc. In other words, be able to do what an instrument student should be able to do on checkride morning. There are no tricks to the test, and it’s even multiple choice.

After the tests are complete, we fill out PRIA paperwork – all of the 8060 forms. To be able to complete these, you would be wise to bring names and addresses for all of your previous aviation employers. Don’t try to figure out which ones . . . if it involved aviation, bring the address. In addition, you’ll answer the “have you refused, or failed drug testing . . . “ question. Also, you’ll complete a 5-year employment history, so make sure you have names, addresses and phone numbers, as well as dates of employment. Just makes it easier. Also, as a part of the paperwork, you’ll sign the NDR request form (you know what’s in yours, right?) and acknowledge that you WILL be drug tested. The paperwork is a pain in the rear, and takes a while to get done. Just knock it out, and move on.

Once everybody was finished with the paperwork, we had a pep talk about the company, the history, growth, bases, aircraft, culture, and we were then told about the training sequence. We were also told, point blank, that if we weren’t offered a class date, don’t ask why. Just re-apply if you want to, although there’s no guarantee that you’ll get interviewed.

Oh, and we watched the “By the Numbers” video, which I thought was pretty cool!

After this, we all went out to the break room. We were called one by one to fly the sim, and then interview. The sim was really an Elite PCATD. If you haven’t had any experience with one of these, go practice . . . it’s not like a real airplane. It’s VERY pitch sensitive.

The profile is as follows:

Depart the airport, direct to a VOR, hold for a few turns, proceed to the LOM, do a procedure turn and full ILS, go missed. In the climb, lose an engine . . . feather, secure, etc. That’s it.

The interview portion was 2-on-one. I wasn’t asked any technical questions at all. Quite a few HR questions, though.

-Why should we hire you?
-What is a common misconception about you?
-What are some strengths?
-Tell us about your aviation background?
-What pet peeves do you have when it comes to your employers?
-Have you ever failed any checkrides?
-Are we going to find anything in your criminal background check?


The pilot asked me a few other questions:

-You’ve been flying checks . . . Do you guys fly in bad weather often, with approaches right down to minimums? (My answer: Yes, sir! If it’s legal and safe, we go. He liked that answer . . . ).
-What makes you think you can transition to something much faster than a Baron?
-Do you think you’ll have any trouble with the automation, FMS, etc?

He also reviewed my logbook for a bit, and asked about the places I’ve flown at FLX.

That was it – I got absolutely NO feedback during or after the interview! I felt pretty good about it, but wasn’t sure where I stood. I got the call about and hour and a half after leaving for a July 25th ERJ class.

Seems like a solid company with good, grounded people. This’ll be fun!!!

For any other questions, feel free to ask!!

[n57flyguy]

Thanks for the write up! Congrats!

[Doug Taylor]

Thanks for the report!

[surreal1221]

Did you ask them any questions?

You know - after they tell you thanks for coming, do you have any questions for us?

[LoadMasterC141]

Congratulations and thanks for the write-up. Please keep it coming! RAH is in my top three to hopefully work for someday so I would love to hear your experiences if you have the time.

[Ian J]

Congrats Lloyd! Have fun with the new job!

[sigpilot]

Congrats! We would have been in the same class if I took the ERJ! Now youll have seniority over me...

[NJT916]

Congrats!!! Like LoadMaster, Republic is right near the top of my list.

Good luck, and keep us updated.

N

[ftyflyboy]

Thanks for the write up!

Did they give you a choice of bases?

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by ftyflyboy

Did they give you a choice of bases?

No choice of bases. I wanted the 145, though, and I want either STL or CVG.

[RABIRZA69]

Congratulations man, But you forgot the most important thing, Was Linda hot?

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by RABIRZA69

Congratulations man, But you forgot the most important thing, Was Linda hot?

Noooo . . . . the AC was blowing all morning.

[Douglas H]

Congrats on the new job!!

You will likely be assigned your base during Systems. STL is a likely base for newhires but your results may vary. Seniority is based on birthdate within your newhire class.

I am a ERJ FO based in CMH for CHQ.

Feel free to PM with any questions.

[inside0ut]

My friend was the air ambulance guy. CA in the Lear and he had to do the sim, I thought that was funny

[GreenDayPilot]

Thanks for the reports!!!!

I got the call this morning and set up a interview for the 23rd.... wish me luck!!!!

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by GreenDayPilot

Thanks for the reports!!!!

I got the call this morning and set up a interview for the 23rd.... wish me luck!!!!

Sweet - congrats!

[taseal]

Originally Posted by GreenDayPilot

Thanks for the reports!!!!

I got the call this morning and set up a interview for the 23rd.... wish me luck!!!!

good luck! let us know how it goes!

that interview sounds pretty thurow (no clue how you spell that lol). what kind of stuff did the personality test ask ya?

and i'm just curious, what was your answer to the misconceptions question?

and also the moving from a baron to a ERJ. how did you answer that? I guess I would say something like, 'if there is a will, there is a way, and I believe I can do it, that has to count for something!'

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by taseal

that interview sounds pretty thurow (no clue how you spell that lol).

Thorough.

what kind of stuff did the personality test ask ya?

It was less of a personality test, and more of an IQ test.

Number sequences, shapes, crap like that . . . click the link up there and there are actually a few sample questions.

. . . and i'm just curious, what was your answer to the misconceptions question?

I told that that many people mistake my extreme confidence for cockiness. I explained that most people are very, very insecure about one or many things. Therefore, when they encounter somebody with a LOT of experience in the world, that's intelligent, that's well spoken, and that stands up for himself or herself even when the world might disagree completely, they instantly label the person as cocky. And, as I explained, I lose no sleep over that. Whatever helps you make it through the day.

. . . and also the moving from a baron to a ERJ. how did you answer that?

II told them that in cruise, it really won't feel any different, things will just happen faster. But, I reminded them that I've NEVER heard a CHQ (or any ERJ) be told to reduce speed for the Baron ahead on final. Any CHQ 145 driver that's been behind a FLX -58 can say that!

The pilot thought it was cute!

[GreenDayPilot]

Where are the bases for the newbies? Is Denver an option or is that only for the 170?

[wildfreightess]

Congrats Lloyd!! Welcome aboard! I'll see you in STL!

[moxiepilot]

well, i guess were out on those cargo stories now....

oh well, congrats

[KLB]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

II told them that in cruise, it really won't feel any different, things will just happen faster. But, I reminded them that I've NEVER heard a CHQ (or any ERJ) be told to reduce speed for the Baron ahead on final. Any CHQ 145 driver that's been behind a FLX -58 can say that!

The pilot thought it was cute!

[alphaone]

Congrats...Is CVG hard to get for CHQ?