Thread: Great Lakes
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Old 09-17-2012 | 08:55 AM
  #376  
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Bscalis
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From: EMB-120 Right Seat (Trainee)
Default Great Lakes Interview

Thanks for all the responses. The interview went well. I arrived about 45 minutes early the 9:30 interviewee was a no show. They were appreciative of my timing. There were two individuals from the company. One was an administrative and only went through my application and relevant paperwork and gave me the 20 question test.

The assistant chief pilot was the only person at the interview. He reviewed my logbooks while I was taking the test. During the interview it was very relaxed and professional. We discussed my work history and why and how I go into the flying industry with my Masters Degree and Business background and Army work history. All of my hours except for my turbine time have been in my own plane even my recent twin hours are in my 1966 Piper PA30 Twin Comanche. I am current in everything; (Single, Multi, Instrument, Night, Turbine) I hope that doesn't hurt me since Ive never become an instructor or anything. I decided after I my enlistment with the army was up in April that I wanted to continue my career flying professionally.

We then went over A Jeppessen Enroute chart with basic questions like what do they numbers mean in this quadrant. Minimum Enroute Altitude. What do the numbers mean at this airport. Rwy length.
Next was a ILS DME ARC Jeppessen Approach. More detailed with the approach asked how I would do the approach the quickest with no GPS and can not ask for radar vectors. Asked for DME intercept on specific radial. How to know when to go missed on VOR and ILS approach. Lots more questions on the approach. I think the oral questioning went well.

Next asked what questions I had and talked about which aircraft I preferred and the bases. Said with my hours at 1021 Total 235 Multi I would be eligible for upgrade to Captain in about 6 months. SO suggested that the Beech 1900 would be a quicker upgrade path since there are more aircraft.

Also said the company is hiring for the rest of the year and the training class the are interviewing for is October 1st. After all the mixed reviews I am very impressed with the company and their facilities at Denver. I understand that this is a small airline and the pay is very low for 1st year First Officer. But we all also know especially with the new law to be a First Officer need ATP and 1500 hours that all of us pilots that are stuck around 1000 hours that used to be enough to get a good job now desperately need the hours and their is no better or quicker way to get the time than gaining valuable twin turbine time. I would much rather work for low pay and bad hours than go spend another 7k on flight training for all my CFI ratings then go instruct for no money in a single engine plane instructing. Just my view.

I am anxiously awaiting the phone call. They said a no would get an email and a yes would get a personal phone call from him. Hope to be starting class on Oct 1 and look forward to the opportunity to work for Great Lakes or any other professional organization.

Hope this answers everyone's questions. There were a total of 5 interviews and one didn't show up. I only talked to one other pilot and he had around the same time as I did just not as much twin and no turbine time.
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