Airnet Interview

I'm bored, so I think I'll write up my Airnet interview experience that happened a few weeks ago.



First off, the interview is split up into three parts. A written test, and Sim ride, and a "face to face". The written is a piece of cake if you've done any CFII'ing, the Sim ride is not bad, as long as you keep with it, and the face to face consists of the standard interview type questions.

After you fill out the online application, they will call you and conduct a phone interview. It will last 10 minutes and I don't think it's even possible to fail it. After that is done, they will schedule an interview in Columbus, OH. This is where I messed up. You have the option of either airline'ing yourself in and they pay you back for the plane ticket (up to 300 bucks), or you can fly in on their Learjets for free. Since I can't get a plane ticket from California for under 300 bucks, and I'm cheap, I decided to ride in on their Lears. The nearest Airnet base is Burbank, which is a 5 hour drive from where I live. I ended up taking a train because it was cheaper.

Anyways, I ended up leaving my house in Central California at about noon. My train left at 1PM, and I arrived in Burbank at around 8 PM. Once I found my way to the Ameriflight hangar (where Airnet operated their Lears from), it was about 9:30 or so. We left Burbank at 10PM.

I thought I'd get myself some sleep on the jets, but thats just about impossible. Those jets aren't exactly what you'd call cabin class. The jumpseat is super uncomfortable and the legs are no more than 2 hours (I think it took us three stops to get to Columbus), so don't count on getting any sleep.

I arrived in Columbus at 5 am. So from 12:00 PM the previous day, to 5 AM the next day, I spend traveling. I never had time to eat during this time, nor was I able to get any sleep. Looking back, I should have canceled my interview, but I didn't. I was aching, I was hungry, I had a headache, I was absolutely exhausted, not good for an interview.

They start the process out with a tour and a longish company presentation, which is kind of pointless for me, since I practically already know everything about Airnet anyways. Ever since I was a student pilot, I've been wanting to work there.

Anyways, after thats over, you do the written test which I got through in about 10 or 15 minutes. There were 60 questions, and I think I may have missed 1 or 2, even though by this time, sleep deprivation was definitely starting to set in. If you're an instructor, or someone with a lot of instrument experience, you shouldn't have any problems. The other guy doing the interview along with me had the exact same hours as me, but all of his time was VFR sightseeing, so he had more trouble with it.

After that, I went off to the sim, and the other guy went with the head hiring guy to do the face to face part. I was really nervous for the sim, mainly because I don't have a MEI, therefore haven't touched a twin in about a year. But, they aren't looking for perfection. I didn't crash and I stuck with it, so I don't think that did me in.

The face to face was next, and thats where I lost it. Once you get in there, he will ask to see your paperwork. They'll email you a bunch of papers you have to fill out and give them when you do the interview. I can't stress this enough, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THIS PAPERWORK DONE. THIS COMPANY HAS A HARD-ON FOR PAPERWORK. Due to work related matters and general procrastination, I didn't have a chance to sit down and get everything filled out correctly. My online application was done meticulously, but apparently that is only to get your foot in the door.

When he asked for my paperwork, I gave him what I had started on the train ride. He got really pissed off when he saw my crap paperwork. All day this guy was in a good mood, but when I gave him those papers, he really seemed bothered. At that time I think he made his mind up not to hire me, and the rest of the face to face he just did to get it done. He became cold and didn't seem to care about what my answer was.

As soon as I got back, I sent one of those thank-you letters for the interview, but that couldn't save me. It's been about a month, and still no calls. This sucks because I really REALLY wanted to work for Airnet. They are based in the area where I grew up and where my family all lives, they have good job security, etc. I never even really considered what I would do if I didn't get the job. I wish I could redo the interview oh well.

Give Bill White or who ever is running the pilot recruitment line a call. Lots of guys are working at airnet that didn't make it the first round. There isn't any specific time you have to wait for another interview. Just stay in contact and apply again. That said, at any interview if they send you paper work to do, get it done ahead of time!! Though Craig's seeming cold is probably just part of his bad cop routine he does. Good luck with whatever you choose.

What were your flight times when you interviewed?

I had about 970. I already signed a contract to work at another place, so unfortunately my Airnet boat has already sailed At least not for another 18 months.

I just interviewed there a week ago and got the job/invitation to training.

The interview was *exactly* as described on http://www.mypilotcareer.com/Airnet Express.htm All the questions in there were asked, no more no less.

I messed up pretty good in the sim, didn't do too good in the human resource with Craig (missing paperwork, didn't know some technical stuff, portrayed myself as unsocial, had nothing to talk about), but managed to smile and be a nice stand-up guy through the whole thing. Even had a brown stain on my shirt.

I exceed the 135 mins.