Originally Posted by V4LKYR1ExONE

I was just informed they are swamped with applications to the tune of several hundred in the last two weeks so don’t get discouraged even if it takes longer than a couple of days.

For the technical, we started off with what was essentially a pre-brief of how the event would go which I really appreciated. From the start I was warned that the next step was a review board and that I wouldn’t hear back for a couple of days again. No more job offers on the spot, at least not until the pool empties out again. The technical is a one on one interview with a PSA pilot where the objective is to allow the applicant to demonstrate their current level of aeronautical knowledge.

If you aren’t instrument proficient it’s gonna be a struggle and you should brush up now. Currency per the FAA regs is not enough. CFIIs should do fine, but anybody who doesn’t have their head in IMC ops on at least a weekly basis will suffer.

Reading METARs/TAFs and briefing approach plates/STARs is part of it, but IFR decision-making was also discussed. Alternate regulations and missed approach procedures were covered in detail. The meaning of various symbols depicted on jepp plates was occasionally asked. I’m not very familiar with Jepp but their stuff is Pilot friendly. Look up their chart support guides and browse the symbology in your spare time. I did that and wished I’d had more than 2 days to familiarize myself. Most stuff you can figure out but confidence in knowing the answer makes a difference when you’re in the hot seat.

If you have 121 experience, expect them to pick your brain to see what you recall on pretty much all topics you happen across.

I got questions about the plane I most recently flew, but since I have an ATP type, we talked about that jet too. These kinds of questions are really just a cherry-picking assessment, imho. Weight limits, service ceilings, speeds, a couple of systems in a nutshell, etc. We also talked about engine failure procedures and some other multi-engine specifics like VMC and critical engines. There was another couple of 121 questions related to V1.

There weren’t any gotcha questions but it’s obvious they are serious about finding quality applicants. The whole interview lasted about an hour but it wasn’t a grill session, just a thorough assessment of my knowledge. We talked about our respective experiences and backgrounds and he gave me the opportunity at the end to ask questions about current operations as well. I asked a few questions there which I can elaborate on if y’all really want to know about stuff like training footprint, and next available class dates, reserve and upgrade timelines, base activity, etc.