Citation Shares interview
 

Hello everyone,

Got the call from CS earlier this week :) I'm scheduled for an interview next week in Greenwich. I've been looking around on some different sites trying to get a good idea on what to expect. I was just wondering if anyone who has been through the interview process this year would care to share some experiences, tips... etc. This has been my dream job for as long as I've been flying. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity and I'm open to any information you guys may want to share. Thanks in advance!!! :)

rono -

Do you have your eye set on any certain aircraft? I wish I had some insight for you on the interview process, but I'm still a ways out myself from being in your shoes. I hope that you'll share the experience though after your interview; and CONGRATS!

USMCFLYR

Hey USMCFLYR,

I can't say that I care much about what equipment I fly, considering they all pay the same. From what I understand, some are busier types than others; but also where you're based plays a role in how much you fly. Thanks for the congrats, I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity, considering the way things are going right now and where they seem to be headed in the industry. If I don't make this happen, who knows where the next good opportunity will come. I'll be sure to share my experience regardless of the outcome. Take care!

Rononymous,

Congrats on your interview. I went through the process recently, and was offered a position. Use the search and review all posts in this site regarding Citation Shares, review CS homepage (history, management...etc), FAR 135 and 91K, JEPP PLATES!! (study the intro section, if you don't have it you can order it from Jepp), climb gradients (conversions, standard, non-standard), spend a little time reviewing ATP written questions, and always think customer service. Most of all relax (I know that's easier said then done) and know they wouldn't call you in if they weren't interested. I studied pretty hard over the material I mentioned and felt over prepared. Come in well prepared and show them you did your homework, and that CS is the place you want to be and you should be alright. GOOD LUCK!

Congrats on the interview. What are your times like? I've been trying to get on there for about a year, I think I'm still a little short(story of my life:rolleyes:) with 2400TT, 1700ME(turboprop and jet FO) and I just got an ATP.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Goodlivn - Congrats on the new job, I'm sure you're excited to be there. What base were you hired into? Thanks for the advice man, that's pretty much what I've been studying up to this point, plus some aircraft performance stuff which I saw they were asking about not so long ago. I'm not sure if they still do or not, but you can never be prepared enough right? I hear you 100% on the customer service end of things. That is what seperates Citation Shares from most fractionals. When you're relatively small like Shares, you have to stand out and they want to put the best people to represent the company out there, not just stick & rudder guys that want to close the door and never see a single customer. Hence the no sim ride for the interview. Just a couple of quick questions though, in what context were you asked about climb gradients? was it looking at a DP out of some mountainous airport? or was it a general, "tell me what you know about climb gradients" type question? Also, did you do more than one phone interview? did they ask you technical questions over the phone? Any curveballs thrown your way that you didn't anticipate? I'm sure I have a million questions, but I'll go easy on you for now :) Thanks again bud.

Josh - Thanks for the well-wishes, my times are right along the lines of your times: 2500TT and about 1600 multi with a fresh ATP. most of it as a 121 FO. I did have a couple of people pulling for me from the inside which obviously helped. I do know of a couple of people with an internal rec that got the phone call, but not the invite for an in-person interview. So you have to be on your game from the very beginning. As we all know, there are few, if any "gimme's" in this business. Good luck to you :)

Goodlivn,

Congrats on your job with CS. Just curious about aircraft types offered. I noticed you got the Bravo. Are they offering one type nowadays or do you get a choice? Which aircraft are more likely to be offered newhires - CJ3, XLS, Sovereign? I thought the Bravo fleet was shrinking... Also, how long is the seat-lock or expectation for upgrade?

How long did it take you from the first phone interview to get called back? Did you do two interviews prior to the face to face interview or just one? I have had the first phone interview and heard nothing back yet by phone or email, just wondering how the process went for you.

Sorry for delay, been a little busy.

Rono- Climb gradient questions were specific to DP's (i.e., do you need to comply?, how do you compute performance for your current aircraft, percent vs. ft/nm vs. feet/min, basic and straight forward, no curve balls. The CP was a really nice guy and puts you at ease. I had 2 phone interviews before being called in. Yes, they asked me technical questions in one of the phone interviews. Sounds like you've done your homework, I bet you'll do just fine!

Lumberg- I believe aircraft assignments have mostly to do with company need. I think the Bravo will be phased out, however it has been a common aircraft assignment recently. I was told upgrades could be 3-4 years, however that could change ( A lot can happen to a company in 3-4 years especially when it has only been around for 8 or so.)

dashes0f8- After the phone interview I was called back in 4 days for the 2nd phone interview. If it's been over a week since hearing from them, give em a call or e-mail. They might have a lot going on, people changing positions, and it won't hurt you to follow up and let em know you want it.

Sorry I don't have more answers, but I'm still a newbie and just feeling the ropes out. There's CS folks on here that could probably give you more thorough (or accurate :o) answers.

GL

Goodlivin -

"Rono- Climb gradient questions were specific to DP's (i.e., do you need to comply?, how do you compute performance for your current aircraft, percent vs. ft/nm vs. feet/min, basic and straight forward, no curve balls. The CP was a really nice guy and puts you at ease. I had 2 phone interviews before being called in. Yes, they asked me technical questions in one of the phone interviews. Sounds like you've done your homework, I bet you'll do just fine!"

You say that they were asking you technical questions about your current airframe's performance? that would at least be easier for me to answer >G<
btw - congrats on the job and good luck!

USMCFLYR

What is the one year training contract for $20,000 about? First year pay is $20,000 instead of what is listed on the APC website or is that what you have to pay back to them if you leave in the first year?

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...t=22300&page=3

Read the first couple posts on page 3.

9999, thanks for the help. I tried a search, but didn't come up with that.

You are welcome Coop. Hope everything works out for you.

thanks for all the good info guys. I've had my stuff in for a bit and am still hoping for the call. COngrats to those who got the nod recently!

ANyone know if the ATP is something set in stone? I meet the mins easily but dont have the ATP. I have a feeling with you saying "With a fresh ATP" That its non-negotiable.

Have to have the ATP. No exceptions

I just got the first phone interview, really wasn't expecting it, AT ALL. Pretty sure I blew it. If they do call, get a time to call back later and have the following info in your back pocket:

Their fleet(check the info page on apc, only thing different is the CJ1 is getting sold off)
schedule (7on7off)
why citation shares?
what is a fractional? How does it work?
How does CS work (ie fractional owners buying a share or the vector jet card)
Where do they fly? (canada, mex, bahamas, bermuda, us)
What are you looking for as far as pay? (he quoted me the pay exactly as it's listed on the airline info on apc-55,510)
Do you have any customer service experience?
What makes a good ____ (previous/current aircraft) pilot?
What do you think makes a good CS pilot?
Customer base
Who are they owned by? (Cessna, which is owned by textron (sp?))
On a scale of 1-10, rate your knowledge of FAR/AIM (this is where I think I dorked up entirely, as i'm not current and fresh out of the mil, I was honest and said 6, don't be like me)
What are you going to do if CS doesn't work out? Applied anywhere else?
(not sure what the right answer is on this, I just said I've applied everywhere and that my number one priority is to be actively flying again, hard to read if that was a good answer or not. the way things are going today and the way that whole little fiasco went, probably not.)

Told me they're hiring into a pool and specifically for their 6 target bases, which from looking at the website are
DEN, ATL, BWI & IAD, PHX, MCO, and HPN & EWR
gotta live w/in 120 min driving to one of those.

Guess that's it, answered some questions from me, and told me to email him when I get my currency back, but I'm pretty sure he was not too keen on me. I had looked at SOOOOOOO many companies, I didn't have the info straight in my head. Tell him you'll call him back, do some research, then call back and be on your A game. I was just completely and sorely and humiliatingly unprepared.

Best of luck!!!

PS-I'm pretty sure I blew it b/c he ended the phone interview w/, "best of luck to you." ugh, I'm pretty sure I'm not just freaking out and that it was a thanks, but no thanks.

Samy,
Thanks for the post...hope it went better than you're thinking. Do you know of anyone else getting called? I heard they were pretty much done hiring for the year. Curious what your times/experience are.

Thanks again for the post.

I'm sorry, I don't know of anyone else, but my scope is pretty limited right now, so take that w/a grain.

I'm prior mil with 2500tt, 1200me, 900se, i applied for the den fo, mostly b/c i live in the denver metro

I put in my res online a week and a half ago, which just kills me, b/c i know how long some guys are waiting these days, and i just screwed the proverbial pooch, i was just seriously not expecting a call.

best to you

Josher, pm me if you want more info

I was gonna apply last week, but on the online app it specifically said ONLY APPLY if you already live in one of the bases they are hiring into. However I am more than willing to move to one of those bases....anyone on the inside think I should apply or will they look upon that as not following directions and put me in their "dumbass" book?

well just looked at it again and now it says put your base choices in your cover letter...

Thanks Samy...I would like more info, but it wont let me PM you till you have 10 posts I think. I've been trying to get on there for a while now, so I'd be interested in anything you can fill me in on.

Thanks,
-Josh

Go ahead and apply now...

hmmm, I've been trying to think about it and see if there was anything else. But I took notes during, just so that I could be prepared in the future and what I put on here is pretty much my notes. He will just let you keep talking until you shut up, so don't get verbal diarrhea, like I did. That's about the only other thing. Have a list of questions you want to ask, too, he is expecting you to ask some.

I thought I'd post this here instead of starting a new thread... if someone could give some info/advice, I'd appreciate it.
I was up in the mountains with poor cell phone reception when I received the call for what I'm hoping was an invitation to interview or a phone interview. I called the number back later that day and got the voicemail for a pilot recruitment specialist (I won't post the name). He did not leave me a voicemail and then did not call back the following day.

I'm wondering if I should call him back through my caller ID?
Would that be considered too forward?
Or should I wait until they call again?

Thanks for any advice you might offer.

:):D sounds like you have my timing in aviation as well! if i had only gone hiking this afternoon like I said I would.....

Call him back and explain the situation. You need to be proactive in this economy!

Lumberg,
Yeah, I'm going to have to go ahead and do that, yeah....
I think you're spot on!
Thanks.

Perry Mason hat on:

If you want the job, call them back. You are going to be expected to pilot multimillion dollar airplanes and carry rich people in the back of them while doing so. They would probably think you were somewhat inept if you were unable to figure out it was CS that called and you did not call them back.

Perry Mason hat off

CloudSailor,

The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I missed the call - no message - no answer when I phoned the number back. I left a voice message stating that I was sorry I missed his call and I would like to speak with him etc... It took them a couple of weeks, but they did call back. I interviewed this week and start in August. Definitely worth calling them back! Good luck!

CD

citationD
 

Congrats. When in August? I interview later this month. What dom. are you in? Any tips for the interview especially on the tech side. I have done research but it appears the tech questions vary a bit.

Research some of the threads on this forum. They have some good info of what to expect. I also start in August and I'm scheduled for initial training starting monday the 14th. Anyone else out there going to Orlando.

Thanks!

All I know so far is a tentative indoc. date of Aug. 4th. I don't have any aircraft info yet - but the dom. is IAD. I didn't really get any tech questions on the phone or in person. They really just want to be sure you know what you are getting in to and they want to see that you are REALLY on board with the customer service aspect of the job. I think the interview will definitely vary depending on your background. I have 12 years in the 121 world, so I had to prove that I can do more than walk on board the a/c and close the cockpit door.

All in all, a great interview experience. Just prove to them that you know what real customer service is and that you really want the job and you will have no trouble. One last thing - the more you read and learn about CitationShares and the fractional industry in general, the better off you will be. Here is a good article I found on another forum:

www.aia-aerospace.org/pdf/smc_wp-fractionalaviation.pdf


It is a couple of years old, but it still raises some very valid issues that the fraction industry has to deal with. Compare the issues mentioned in this article with some of the programs CS has developed and you will have some good info. for discussion at the interview. Best of luck!

CD

citationD
 

Thanks for the info. I have been reviewing the CS web site and other areas to prep as much as possible for the interview. I will checkout the link.

I also have an Aug 4th indoc. I will be based in Denver and will fly the XLS. Did anyone else out there get their aircraft yet. See you in a couple weeks

Mike

tkdMike,

Congrats, I also interviewed on Wed, July 16th and was hired. I was one of the guys you met on your way into the building (F9). Did you get called for the class date on Friday? G. said he would call on Friday for the Aug. 4th class but did not. Maybe they filled it up already with you Denver peeps. See you there!!:D

Terry,

I called on Friday to ask G some questions that had come up. He told me that he would be getting back to me in a couple of hours. When he called back he said I was in the 8/4 class and the XLS (although i lobbied for the sovereign). I think the Aug class went from 24 to 16 new hires and there is a rush to fill up Denver? Anyway, great job at the interview and I will be looking for you down the road.

terryhflyer / tkdmike
Congrats on your great interview. I have one this week at CS. Anything you can add for interview prep? I have read these past threads but I am just trying to keep up to date with any new gouge info, HR and or Tech stuff. Thanks for any info you are abe to share.