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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:00   #1
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Default Colgan 8/1/07

Interview was at Flight Safety in Houston. Flew positive space on Continental from Phoenix, and it was a great experience. Continental has some amazing people working for them. Anyways I arrived the day before so I could get rested prior to the interview. I arrived at 9:45AM for a 10:00AM interview, was greeted by a member of Flight Safety staff and escorted to a classroom. 1 other applicant was present and I was greeted by Velma Balentine. She is very nice and helpful with the process and I was put at ease right away. I signed a couple more pieces of paperwork and was given a 50 question Written test. The written test consisted of mostly weather related topics. Some aeromedical, visual illusions, etc. There are also some questions on Jepp approach plates, and Low enroute charts. You need a 70% to pass and there is a 45 minute time limit. If you do not pass this written you should seriously evaluate your commitment and study habits. The ATP Gleim and some study of Jepps will more than get you through it.

Next was the SIM ride with Scott Moberly. Scott I believe is a training Captain, but I did not catch his actual title. I was a bit nervous about the SIM simply because I have zero experience with SIMs. I paired up with the other applicant and we shared duties acting as Capt/FO. The SIM was a C90 King Air full motion. We were given the approach plate for 26L at IAH and escorted to the sim. I asked about the profile for the aircraft but was told not to worry that we will just go fly and have fun. I started as FO and handled the basic Gear, Flaps, and Radio duties. I also called out altitudes, set up NAV radios, set bugs and Altitude Alert etc. Its fairly simple once you get into the SIM and start flying. Both my partner and I had only single pilot experience and we made it through just fine. Next was my turn in the left seat. Sim was started on Runway 26L at IAH, was told to takeoff and climb to 2000 runway heading. Then told to hold altitude at 160 kts. Next was climb to 3000 and a turn was thrown in as well. RV around a bit, then direct to Humble VOR and hold. The hold instructions will differ each time, I was about 8 DME out when given the instructions. You have time to think it out just don't rush. It was a Direct entry, the FO thought maybe a Teardrop, turns out it was either one. I elected to do the direct entry. Crossed, turned outbound and started time. Turned inbound, and was told to descend to 2000 heading XXX, at 500fpm and 160 kts. This is a good exercise and can be a bit tricky in the SIM. Next was vectored to the ILS 26L IAH, ceiling was set at 300MSL and 1 mile VIS. Broke out just a bit left of the runway and landed. Not a pretty landing but we got down.

Tips for the SIM. It is heavy and pitch sensitive. Use the trim and make very small trim adjustments. Be deliberate with your movements and think about what you are doing. Use your partner as best you can also, if you have opportunity to coordinate before hand this is even better. Also have fun, once you hop in the seat it feels pretty natural believe it or not.

Next was the HR/Tech, this was really more like a conversation than an interview. I was completely at ease, and didn't have any trouble answering the questions. Know yourself, and be yourself. That is the real key to this portion. HR questions were: Why Colgan? Best and Worst days in aviation? Who is your mentor and why? Why do you want to fly turboprops? If you don't get the base you want, what will you do? What if you do not like your instructor? Descibe Electrical system on the Twin Comanche? Describe the Landing Gear system on the Twin Comanche? Tell me about your Part 135 experience? You get the idea. I then asked a few questions of them. After that we did fingerprints and sent for the whiz quiz.

Overall it was a 6 hour day that seemed to go by quickly. I never felt uneasy during the experience and if Velma and Scott are an example of what kind of people work for Colgan, I will feel right at home.

Got the call today and was offered the SAAB, I accepted and class is in early September.
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:01   #2
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Oh and 657/71 to answer the next question.
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:19   #3
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

You da man!

Congrats!!

http://forums.jetcareers.com/changin...ker-pilot.html A year and a half... Not too shabby DD!

Bob
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:21   #4
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Desertdog,

Congratulations and good luck.
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 20:35   #5
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Welcome to Colgan!

CON-FRIGGIN-GRATULATIONS!!!!!!
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Old August 3rd, 2007, 21:16   #6
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congrats Desertdog
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Old August 4th, 2007, 01:39   #7
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Van, you are my hero, seriously. My sincere congrats!

p.s., how'd you do with the planned weight loss?
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Old August 4th, 2007, 02:00   #8
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Glad it all worked out for you.

"I started as FO and handled the basic Gear, Flaps, and Radio duties. I also called out altitudes, set up NAV radios, set bugs and Altitude Alert etc."

Wow....I can't imagine how you figured out how to do that without a CRM class.
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Old August 4th, 2007, 04:51   #9
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

do you think he was lucky?
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Old August 4th, 2007, 05:12   #10
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Quote:
Originally Posted by amorris311 View Post
do you think he was lucky?

Luck = When preparation meets Opportunity!


In that sense, you bet he was.
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Old August 4th, 2007, 13:37   #11
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congratulations and welcome to Colgan! Always great to see a new guy's hard work pay off.
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Old August 4th, 2007, 16:17   #12
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congrats!! Happy for you and the fam...
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Old August 5th, 2007, 02:58   #13
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

WTF? I don't get a phone call? Anywho, congrats! I'm gonna be out in at GCN sometime soon so hopefully you'll still be around. cheers.
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Old August 5th, 2007, 14:01   #14
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congratulations and welcome aboard!

Let me know if you have any Colgan/ Saab questions that I might be able to answer.
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Old August 5th, 2007, 19:38   #15
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Quote:
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WTF? I don't get a phone call? Anywho, congrats! I'm gonna be out in at GCN sometime soon so hopefully you'll still be around. cheers.

WTF!!! I did call you Jack. You did not answer, and you know I hate voice mail.
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Old August 7th, 2007, 00:37   #16
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

congrats!


.. kinda bummed I didn't get a call though!
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Old August 7th, 2007, 00:38   #17
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Quote:
Originally Posted by frog_flyer View Post
congrats!


.. kinda bummed I didn't get a call though!
You were being evicted or something....
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Old August 7th, 2007, 01:26   #18
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

My friend Chris B. Just got hired there a few months ago! He seems to dig it. Congratulations!
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Old August 7th, 2007, 10:02   #19
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congrats welcome aboard
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Old August 7th, 2007, 13:16   #20
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congratulations my friend. You have indeed worked very hard to get where you are and I think that is wonderful!
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Old August 7th, 2007, 17:08   #21
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Default Re: Colgan 8/1/07

Congratulations, I hope to be interviewing with Colgan within the next 6 months.

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