flyforit

Hi, I've really enjoyed reading the failed check ride posts in my research.

I understand the common theme of "be honest, be brief, and highlight what has been learned".
I've tried to do that below, I really appreciate advice for this case.

I failed a reactivation and differences training check ride as an FO on the B735 ,after a prolonged period off work due to medical, during which the company upgraded from B732 to B735. At the time I had 1000 hours line flying on the 732, and I'd never failed any training or proficiency previously- both on this and other types I'd flown P1 and P2, and needless to say, there were circumstances, from both sides, those I have I have addressed to the best of my ability.

Usually the situation would result in a retest, but the company held a review board, of which the result was a demotion to the previous held position as a Captain on a smaller aircraft the company operated.

Knowing it was unfair but unable to reverse the decision once made, the company (unofficially) encouraged me to take labour action - seriously - to the point my lawyer could not believe the feeling conveyed from their side at meetings we had. It was a process that had to be followed, and behind closed doors managers apologise profusely. For me, despite the realisation it may look bad at a later point (aka right now :-0), I had to follow this path.

At some point, the process taking so long, I decided to resign awaiting the decision of reactivation, and if the labour hearing found against my appeal, I was happy to be on my way rather than accept a demotion, regardless of my enjoyment working for the company - it was how I felt would work best for myself personally.

At the end of the day, I was awarded what I had asked for. I received my job back, to accept within a period of delay from the time of leave.

Due to family reasons, I had already accepted another job, and was hoping to get quickly back into something else, but this all happened in 2008 and jobs dried up. Although the offer from my previous employer is still open, I am looking further abroad - and now, 5 years later I have a few interviews looming with some majors.

I realise no company wants an employee who takes labour action, but in my defence, the stand point I took completely changed the company from a victimisation to a fair play training environment, and although it's not a great record, from what I hear, it did both clear my name and clear the training evaluation and review process for all following me, and I believe both fellow employees and the company appreciated what happened.

For me, I moved to a position teaching MCC, and learnt a lot there, made some friends and realised my mistakes, and I believe I've improved my cockpit procedures 10x at least. I'm considering both going back or going elsewhere, but, await the timing.

My question here is...if you could be bothered to read it all... how will this sound on an interview?

Thanks for your time, I hope some of you can be honest, and please be brutally honest. Fluff doesn't help anyone.

Above all and thanks for letting me get it off my chest.

JamesNoBrakes

If you explain it reasonably, reasonable.

rickair7777

Sounds reasonable.

Sometimes companies have to take the "hard line" most conservative legal approach in every case so that they preserve their right to do so if they ever really need to in the future, such as needing to get rid of truly bad pilot.

This sounds like one of those...they had to go through the hard line motions, but they actually wanted you to win and remain employed.

flyforit

I've been on review boards myself with the company - and they tend to degenerate into personal decisions sometimes-eg one person campaigns for something to happen and unless the others are strong it is carried through, I tended to call a spade a spade, and perhaps I'd rubbed someone the wrong way.

Yes, once the review board decision was made, the company had to stick to it and follow through. Although there is an appeal process, each manager felt unable to overturn his subordinates decision as it would look unsupportive, I know they wanted me to stay with the company, as this was always available. The labour hearing was quite funny, when every time they tried to challenge my statement, it became clearer and clearer to them they couldn't and they accepted my request.
There were a few cases prior to mine of unfair demotions, which pilots accepted as they were afraid of action, mainly since, as I am now, it "looks bad". Through keeping in contact with my colleagues I've believe it has not happened since.
I think we should really look at this type of thing like we look at incident/accident reports, that non-blame/non-punitive type thing, labour action is/can be a good thing for a good employer and a good employee, it's just a matter of finding out what is right.
Ah again sorry for the long post, it's kind of bugging me.

BillC

Many people have things they'd rather not talk about in an interview. Think of all the positives, like you've written, and try to focus the discussion in that direction. If someone was trying to explain a blemish on a criminal record from many years ago they may talk about how they helped others to not make the same mistake. It looks like you've gained a bunch from your experience... you should be able to sell that more than explain what exactly happened ad nauseam.

BillC

Also, If it is an airline interview, many of the pilots that conduct interviews like to think they are not management. They like to think of themselves as one of the guys who is deciding who gets to join the club. In that mode they are not management lackeys in their own eyes. They might be from training, standards or chief pilots but from what I have witnessed, they conduct these wearing pilot hats (not literally ) for the most part. As pilots, they know everyone, even those that have not busted a ride, has bad check rides from time to time and failures are part of the business. If you focus on the ride, the legal action or the examiner they might linger there and it could get uncomfortable. If they sense you have moved on and it is not obviously chewing at you they too might move the discussion the way you want it. The bigger of a deal it seems to you the more it will draw their attention.

my 2c.

good luck