ASA Interview 2/19 and 2/20th 08

Here is the quick and dirty.

The whole interview process at ASA is extremely pleasant. I had my resume walked into (e-mailed) the head of pilot hiring in the middle of January. Same day I completed the HR phone interview, and two days later was contacted and advised that the paper application would be sent to me for completion and return.

Real quickly, the paper application process is going away and all (present and future) applications are being completed through the online system that is available on the ASA website.

Nevertheless, the interview was broken up into two phases. Phase one begins on Day One at noon.

Phase included a good hour to hour and a half overview of the company as well as a CRJ Simulator profile briefing, what the glass instrumentation looks like, how to interpret certain data, etc.

After this 1.5 hours, we took a break and rejoined up to did the ATP like written and Tabular speed test (X and Y coordinates provided, what number exists at that coordinate, select the appropriate A through E option that holds the number that was at the X and Y coordinate). The ATP written is extremely simple, covers basic Instrument FARs, Weather, some decision making questions (wx goes below minimums prior to FAF, etc).

At the completion of this our written exams were graded, and everyone who met the standards was asked to stick around for the 1 on 1 interview with a member of the pilot recruiting team. As far as I know, all of the guys who performed the 1 on 1 were retired ASA Captains.

My 1 on 1 lasted about 1.5 hours and covered some basic aircraft system information about an aircraft that I essentially picked. He didn't go digging in my logbook to find some aircraft I hadn't flown in a year. He asked "What type of aircraft do you have the most time in recently?" I answered, and he then asked about a few systems (hydraulic, electrical, engine, fuel, gear).

From there we discussed some scenario based questions. What would you do if you had a tire blow out prior to V1? What about the gear won't retract after pulling the handle to the up position? Say you continued the takeoff after the tire had blown, would you attempt to retract the gear? On departure you had a crosswind from the left, your right main is the tire that blew, how would you best position the aircraft to return to land? He wanted to know you'd land with proper crosswind correction on the good tire, as well as land on the side of the runway that would provide even crosswind drift to the opposite side
of the runway as you decelerated. From there, we essentially ########ted and I provided a few bits of information about why I wanted to work for ASA, what got me into aviation, etc.

That concluded and that was the end of phase I. You'll call a phone number and listen for your last four of your social security number to see if you are invited back to Phase II.

I was, and showed up at FSI Atlanta at 7:30 this morning for an 8am sim briefing.

Sim briefing was just like the one yesterday. We started with six, four made it to day two. So we paired up, got our sim briefing, and by 9am the first couple were off to the simulator.

My sim partner and I hung around, discussed the profiles, what we would like each other to do, etc. Essentially getting some sort of CRM development so we could both succeed.

After about an hour we saw the two that had gone in first coming out, and we were told to go ahead and head on down to the sim.

I went first. Departure from 9R at ATL, climb to 5000ft at 250kts. Two turns, one to the left, one back to the right at 30 degrees of back. Climb to 8000ft at 250kts. Eventually a turn direct to the ATL VOR, tracking inbound. Approaching the VOR I was instructed to track outbound on a certain radial. Tracked the radial outbound, then was turned back to the VOR with a hold instruction. Transfer controls, figure out the hold, give the entry, fly the entry and then you're off again with radar vectors to the ILS 9R. Just remember to slow to holding speed for the appropriate altitude. Departed the hold to the SW of Atlanta for a right downwind pattern to the ILS 9R. Descent was at 230kts, flight idle, to 3500. A series of turns to put us on an intercept heading for the LOC and tracking it inbound, GS coming alive, intercept and fly the ILS to minimums.

Weather was set at OVC006 and 2SM. Stay inside the aircraft until short short short final (100ft call out).

Land the beast if you wish, if not, not graded.

Anyway, that was it to be honest. After that my partner jumped in the right seat and did his sim. As soon as he was complete we both left to head back over to ASA's building for drug testing, finger printing, and the good news that we were both offer positions and it was just a matter of what class date we wanted.

If anyone has any questions I'll try my best to answer them through PM, or just ask publicly.

For anyone wondering when my class date is, 25th February.

I hope this gouge helps. The ASA recruiting team were great hosts and made each of us feel extremely comfortable. We started Phase I with 6, and I think we finished the interview with 3, might be 4. I know for sure 3 of us were offer positions. . .one individual I'm not sure of.

Anyway - best of luck.

Congrats!!! Im glad to hear everything turned out well. :nana2:

Did they mention anything about future hiring plans?

Congrats!! Welcome aboard!

Yeah welcome aboard! I am finishing up week II of indoctrination, then I have two weeks off until systems class.

Hope to see you here.

Sweet job dude congrats! Also thanks for sharing the info!

What were your times?

Excellent news! Congrats! Glad to see that one of the good guys made it to a good regional.

My my surreal..

I guess this feels like having one of your kids go off to college..

I've watched you go from wee private pilot all the way to 121 demi-god..

Congrats man..

What were your times?

Yeah Josh!!!! Congrats on a job well done!

Congrats! :rawk:

Rock on bro!

See - karma!

:rawk:

Congrats!

Thanks!

HR is expected to hire 500 pilots in 2008.

Thanks!

Thanks, I'm sure I'll see you around.

You might have seen me earlier this morning. Black suit, blue shirt, yellow/blue prep tie. I have a couple friends who I think are in your present class. Zach and Robert to be specific, I'm a member of the Falcon mafia.

Anytime. It's about paying it forward right?

504/100 and 128 glass. Hate to sound cliche, but they really emphasis glass experience.

I try man. Thanks again. We need to have another get together, if only us local Newnan JC members.

I know right? Come a long way in the past few months. I'll provide a little time line when things calm down a bit. Thanks boss, much appreciate.

See above.

Thanks Paul! I appreciated all the texts and PMs. Thanks again buddy.

Thank You!

Excellent. Name the time and place. We need a few drinks to celebrate your new gig.

Nice write up Josh. I hope to be calling you in a few weeks for some interview perp.

Josh,

That's freaking awesome man, congrats. If you have some free time let me know. We can celebrate at Manchester Arms with some of the ATL crew, hopefully more than last time.

Maybe I'll be seeing you on the line in the next couple of years. Not ready to make the jump yet, but depending on the outcome of the possible merger, I might be flying sooner than I think. No mentions of layoffs or furloughs yet, but I think the rumors will definitely start up if a merger is announced.

Drop by the mothership sometime. Here's to your success thus far and a prosperous future.:nana2:

Take care,

Chris

Congrats, welcome aboard!

Thanks Marcus!

We should have another Newnan get-together. I just remembered that surreal told me that PCL lives across the street from me...

You in Summergrove?