saab2000

Some of you might know that I used to work in Europe. I have recently been offered a kind of recall (no ALPA, not going right back in, but grateful for the opportunity nonetheless).

When I was hired overseas, the "Selection Process" involved not all that much flying-related interview material. There was a fairly basic sim check (we were 'ab-initio' and they wanted to see if we could read and understand instrument flying) and some technical questions, but the whole process was FAR more oriented towards personality profiling and some IQ-type testing.

I was just back in Europe for this recall 'assessment' and had to take some new tests in Switzerland. All the recalled pilots are experienced and former employees and this will be heavily weighed. But half the day was spent doing computer mind game tests - identifying shapes over and over, number games, etc. I knew what to expect and I know that every pilot at the company had to do these tests when two companies were merged to give the illusion of parity of ability.

Anyway, it seems as though in the US most of these types of tests have been done away with and now the focus is more on total time, maybe a technical test and the HR and pilot interview.

Both ways seem valid.

But I was wondering if any airlines in the US (majors in particular) still use these types of "intellegence" test for screening purposes? I think Delta used to.

My interview in the US 3 years ago lasted a couple of hours, tops, including everything - sim evaluation, ATP test and HR/Pilot board interview. My selection in Europe was a full two-day affair.

If I interview with my top choice airline in the US (United) sometime this year, what can I expect? Or any of the other US major airlines.

Any of our more experienced contributors here could undoubtedly tell me how they used to do it in the 70s and 80s in the US.

Thanks!