UPS interview
 

I have an interview next week with UPS and was looking for some last-minute advice. Already have all the gouge for the sim and HR portion, just curious if anyone has any other pertinent info. Thanks for your help!

No gouge, but curious on your quals, hours and what references you had? By the way, congrats!!

Thanks! 6000+ TT, 2000 PIC turbine, check airman, master's degree, 3 internal pilot recommendations.

Undcmsu -- I had my interview in early July and am now in the pool. The interview is very relaxed. I started with the 767 sim and it was fairly straight forward. All they want you to do is maintain altitude, airspeed, glideslope, and call for checklists, the instructor will do the rest. Tell the instructor to bug your headings, altitudes, and airspeeds -- that helped me a lot. The gouge profile was spot on. The instructor will take about 15 minutes at the beginning to familiarize you with the cockpit. My HR interview was one HR guy and a management pilot. It was very relaxed. That is good but be sure you answer the questions directly and don't ramble on too much. When you're explaining flying situations don't forget to "dumb it down" so the HR guy/gal has some idea of what you're talking about. They are looking for you to explain the situation, tell them how you handled it, then tell them what you learned from it. Also don't get so relaxed with the interviewers that you offer up too much information about any negative things in your past. I've heard those stories and it's usually not good. However, be truthful if you get asked about a specific negative situation. I had one negative thing they asked me about -- I answered it directly, told the truth, and I got hired, no big deal. Get to the training center about 20-30 minutes early and check in with the secretary. She'll hook you up from then on. Overall, try to stay relaxed, make eye contact, and keep your sense of humor. The rest will fall into place. Overall, it's a very relaxed and enjoyable process.

Best of luck.

Thanks UofL, I appreciate your insight and congratulations to you!

Congrats UofL on your hiring. Can you tell me how long it took before you were notified? A good buddy of mine interviewed last week and I am just curious.

Cheers and tell them you want to fly the bus. I promise to buy all the meals and drinks the first year.

Cheers,
A300 Capt.
17 years

Heavy,

I was notified 10 days after my interview by a letter in the mail. I've heard it can take as long as four weeks to get notified. Believe me, I'd love to fly the Bus (especially if you're buying)!! I'm hoping I can score an SDF domicile since I'm from L'ville. But with the Anchorage gig coming up I'm not counting on it. Anyway, I'm just happy to be in the pool so I'm not gonna get picky. I'll gladly take whatever they offer.

I wish your buddy luck on getting hired.

Were you notified about the pool before or after your medical?

Thanks.
Heavyjetpilot

I was notified that I was in the pool ten days after the interview. I haven't had the medical yet. I have heard thru the grapevine that when a person gets called for the medical that they will be in a class shortly thereafter (assuming they pass the medical, of course).

Wow, congradz man! Good luck to ya!

Be careful what you wish for! I had him buy for me a couple of times. He's nothing but trouble! <g>

That's because you are easy. Hope you and the family are well? Do keep in touch.

Cheers

LOL! Things are great. When we going to Calgary again?

Can't wait for the good Chinese food. Give the kid a hug for me.

cheers

Hope you and yours are doing great. By the way, check your email.

Were you awarded an interview before or after the new application database was set up at UPS? I was just wondering if UPS is calling exclusively from the new database yet?

IslandBoy...I initially entered my info into the system in June of this year. I resubmitted my info into the new database on August 6th and was called for the interview on August 17th. I have no idea if they were using the original info or the new stuff. Hope that helps...

Hey UofL, can you give me a run down on your background? Thanks so much. I am just trying to gauge my buddies qualifications.

Cheers

Heavy,

2700 TT, 1450 turboprop PIC, USAF cargo background, instructor/evaluator, L-382 type rating (which is a C-130). No prior airline time.

UofL

Thanks so much. My buddy has nearly 5000TT, with most of that jet time. I think he has nearly 2000 TT PIC jet. I hope all of my begging has helped.

Take care and good luck

5000+ (mostly jet), 2800+ 121 JET PIC, Line Check Pilot, 4 types, 2 reccs and former employee...In the old system for about 8 mos, and new system on AUG 8.

No love yet

JerrySpringer...Just out of curiosity...do you have a Bachelor's degree and FE written within the last two years? I heard they are not budging at all on those two. Good luck!

Yes 4 years, but the FE was in '02, but I've been employed 121 the entire time, so the test is still valid...I guess I oughta take a new one??

Any gurus on this one?

Not a guru, but I'll offer food for thought. My FE was expired for a long time when I was hired (I think about 5 years). But like yourself, I was in continuous 121 employment so the results were still valid. And it was a second interview for me.

But the market is that much tighter now and things are that much more competitive. Might be worth your while to go bang out a new one in an afternoon at ATP (or someplace similar) and then shoot it off to UPS in a next-day envelope.

Never know...but if that ended up making the difference for you it'd be a pretty worthwhile investment, no?

Tipsy

That's what I did (minus sending anything). I went into the interview leaving no stone unturned. Why take a chance?

JerrySpringer...I know with the new app format on-line it asks for your FE written test date. Although it is still technically current if you've been 121 employed, their new app system will say you do not qualify to apply if you enter a date more than 2 years old. Also, when they called to schedule my interview, they made a point of asking me if the test really was within the past two years. Hope that helps!

Thanks to the replys. Looks like ATPs is going to get another 300 clams...

I agree. I took the dang thing 3 times.

Dude, why don't you just study for 2 days straight, save $300 and take the test. I got a 98%.

I've tried that method before with mixed results. It doesn't seem to work for me. I'd love to get a 98%. The one I have now is 100%. The other method seems to get me like an 80%ish. That could contribute to more raft time, if I get called and they like me. I also have a baby at the house. As anyone can tell you, 2 straight days of anything is next to impossible. I do appreciate your input, and hopefully, I can say hi when we are on the crew bus...:D

I've had my application in since Oct 05. When I went to re-apply with the new system, as of Aug 07, it took 12 bussiness days to let me in. This was after a buddy of mine called HR to see what was happening. This probably happened becaused they were gathering information from my former UPS eployment (part-time employment when I was in college). I finally finished my application, hopefully I'll get a call soon.
Paige was the one who sent me the e-mail letting me know I could go back to the website and finish my application. Is that a good sign? Any info on Paige out there?

Thanks,

Everything I've heard about UPS HR has been great. Paige and Larry, I guess the two main people dealing with pilot hiring, are by all accounts awesome. I would venture to guess if she took the time to e-mail you that's definitely a good sign.

That's awesome.
I wonder if replying to the e-mail is a good idea. Just to say "thanks"
What do you think?

I suppose it couldn't hurt, but probably keep it short. Don't want to come off as an a**kisser, if you know what I mean. Maybe just tell her you appreciated her time in letting you know it was up and running again and that your app is now up to date, something like that. Good luck!

Yes, it is proper etiquette to reply when someone sends an email. I would send a reply to Paige M.

I know them both personally, Larry more so than Paige and can say both are decent people. Heck I even know Phil Donahue and still my good buddy got turned down today. Who knows what they are looking for. Good thing I voted No for this T/A.

Cheers

What is your friend's background, if you don't mind me asking?

What happened to your friend?

Any additional information on what/what not to do?

BTW I send a short thank you e-mail. No A$$ kissing on my part.

Hopefully my phone will ring tomorrow. "ring, ring" (I couldn't figure out how to write a cell phone sound)

Cheers,

All I keep hearing is the interview is very non-confrontational and pretty laid back. It's with a pilot and either Paige or Larry from HR asking what you know about UPS and tailoring questions around your specific background and experiences. Supposedly they're not trying to trip you up or put you on the defensive, it's apparently more of a "get to know you" type of thing. Larry was nice and friendly on the phone with me when we scheduled the interview. It's this Friday, I'll post a note about it when I'm done.