satchip

Hi all, I just got a CitationShares interview email. I will go in December and would like to hear from recent interviewees about their experience.

Bill Lumberg

Check this out:

http://www.citationshares.com/about/video.aspx

Of course you need to take it with a grain of salt - it was created by PR and marketing people... Also check out this if you haven't already:

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/fractional.html

You can compare the various fractionals including CS and Netjets. I presume CS's compensation package will increase if Netjets' TA is passed in November because CS doesn't want to lose out on attracting the "best" pilots out there. Personally, I think Netjets offers a better package than CS (the new TA will be outstanding for newhires with higher pay and 100 domiciles) and a better/more diverse fleet. Looks like the Gulfstream operation will be rolled into the regular Netjets operation over the next few years too.

Good luck with CS.

9999

Would you mind telling me the process you went through up to the e-mail inviting you to interview? Specifically, did you have several phone interviews before the invite to come out? Thanks

PearlPilot

awesome video. sounds like a very customer centered place...CS also sounds like an Iron-Clad company since Cessna owns 75%. Good luck for those who are applying.

Bill Lumberg

I think CS is a solid operation. I have spoken with a few CS pilots on the CJ3 (really nice airplane) and the Sovereign and they are pretty happy.

I think people who consider fractional flying have to be a bit open minded - this is not like a scheduled airline. It's adhoc flying and you need to be flexible. With that said, I think fractional flying would be far more interesting than 121 flying and interacting with interesting passengers would make the experience more enjoyable in my opinion. I know a lot of former regional pilots who had considerable 121 experience are now happy in the fractional industry (they like the differences).

I know all the fractionals are growing and adding pilots. So, I would look at them all and apply to each if this type of flying appeals to you. Netjets will lead the industry in terms of pay and domicile selection while Flexjet and Avantair (and possibly CS) offer pretty fast upgrades (less than 2 years).

UCLAbruins

I'm one of them. No desire to go back to airline flying.

Chris99

Satchip, what day in Dec is your interview? I had heard a rumor that we weren't interviewing anymore for the rest of the year. CS is a good company, but if you compare benefits with NJ (especially if the TA passes), there isn't much of a comparison. Like Bill said, CS will probably do some sort of salary match in order to keep pilots, but that remains to be seen. Hopefully we'll know by early December. We are also expecting a pretty big increase in health care premiums next year.

With all that being said, at the interview they ask about climb gradients, brief an approach/departure, tell me about a time you went the extra mile for the customer, TMAAT your customer was upset and how you handled/resolved the situation, takeoff minimums, Jeppessen airport diagram information, etc.

satchip

I watched the corp video before the phone interview and have read the standard free gouge out there. Sounds like a pretty enjoyable interview process if that is possible.

9999, I had filled out the app months ago and was wondering why i never got a call or email. I figured I was pretty well qualified (20 years AF IP). I ran into a couple of CS pilots at KAFW and asked what it took to get an interview and he gave me the phone number to the head recruiter. I called him and found out my app was never sent. You have to push the button... Well he pulled it up and said he would call back Friday afternoon.

One conversation with him for about an hour and he invited me to the interview. He said the next day of interviews is Dec 13 for Jan Indoc classes.

I think normally it takes a couple of conversations. Maybe I just said the right things.

Chris99

It was an enjoyable interview. Half of the time was spent talking about the company (CS) and my past military experience. Everyone is really nice and puts you at ease. You will have no problem at all getting hired if you have a positive attitude and are humble.

9999

Thanks for the information satchip. Best of luck to you.