Question about the VA interview process
 

Has anyone taken the psych test in the past? If so, how long did it take to get a response, either good or bad?

Skipper

If you didn't pass you will get the "Thanks but we are going to be pursuing other applicants" page after you submit it. Other then that I got the email to set up an interview a couple weeks after I took the test.

Thanks,

How was your interview? Good outcome?

Skipper

Yes. I got offered the position 2 weeks after the interview. The key to the interview is personality. We are definitely looking for people that like to have fun at work and fit into the culture here. So smile a lot and interact with all the people in the interview. Its a great place to work. Good luck!

because that's what it takes to be a competant pilot...fun at work. it wouldn't be quite as funny as it would if it was for a FA position.

my family will never fly on that flea bag outfit.

wow...

LOL...well stooge. That's why we have minimum requirements. It's highly unlikely that if you have 8000+ hours, numerous type ratings, and years of 121 experience that you aren't a competent pilot. So if you meet our requirements then we want to make sure that you will fit in. Its pretty obvious you failed the psych eval! :p

I have to ask...why would a "competent pilot" with "8000+ hours, numerous type ratings, and years of 121 experience" be willing to work for an uncompetitive wage in one of the most expensive areas in the US?

Right or wrong, I think the presence of a "competence gap" at VA is the perception of many pilots, who can't understand why folks would work for those wages. My family will never fly on VA, either.

You can add Spaceman to that list!!

VA is no better than Skybus and hopefully its fate will be the same.

And where would it be better? UAL? NWA? USAIR? AMR? CAL? Going to work for these guys now would be GREAT if you want to free up your schedule for the next 5 years once the furloughs start to get handed out. Right Spaceman? :rolleyes:

Meatball. Aren't you over at Eagle? Maybe you should stay on the regional thread. :p

This statement is totally inaccurate.

Skybus at least had a midwest base where the pi$$ poor pay could at least rent you a one bedroom apartment.;)

Add me to the list of those that would never let my family fly VA.

Well we'll just try to make our way without you, your family, and of course your well wishes.:)

I'm not a VA guy, but why would you want the company to fail and lay off all its workers? Wouldn't it be better if they succeed, unionize, and drive wages up?

I guess I'm missing something.

I know a decent number of pilots over at VA, and I'd sure hate to see them on the street.

Possibly so...all of us are taking a gamble in this industry. Guess the guys at VA are no different than anywhere else...just paid less.

And I don't think anyone can guarantee VA will escape the current bloodbath...

So.... Back to the original point.....
 

Has anyone who took the on-line evaluation the week of the 14th heard anything back from VA?

Skipper

Wow, this thread is descending fast. Long time listener, first time caller.

I can understand why you feel this way. Looking at VA on just one sheet a paper, I think it would be easy to come to that conclusion. So this is my case for VA:

If all you cared about was money, let's look at 1st year pay, the first 5 years, and then beyond.

1st year pay is $44/hour and benefits start at 30 days. The only legacy carrier that's better is Delta, and it far exceeds Continental's 30/hour and I have to pay my own cobra for 6 months. I couldn't even do it.

The first 5 years. When considering your pay, you have to figure in that upgrade should be within the first year. No guarantee of course, but the investors are bent on VA growing. In which case, you will make more money your first 5 years at VA BY FAR then anywhere else except a UPS/FDX type place. I will make $120,000 more during those 5 years then the many of my co-workers that jumped over to Alaska.

5 years +. The scale tops out at 6 years for obvious reasons. As that time nears, further increases will be evaluated. VA highly values the happiness of its employees. Just as long as the profits are reasonable, those rates should rise. Southwest didn't have industry leading wages their first year and I certainly don't expect VA to.

The rapid growth in seniority also highly benefits my ability to bid well quickly which will pay dividends in the time I will be able to spend with my family. As far a location is concerned, I can only speak for myself that I love the SFO domicile. My locality has 32 flights a day to the bay area (SJC and OAK are connected by public transport). And being a lifetime west coast guy, some of the domiciles I'd end up at working elsewhere are nauseous.

And with the current environment being what it is, there's a lot to be said about working for a "happy place."

VA is right for me and right for my family. I'm glad I didn't get on elsewhere. VA has the highest minimums in the country. There's a reason why.

Oh, and I don't agree with IFlyEm that it is ALL personality. You will get your fair share of tell me about a time questions. They want to make sure you will fit in, but they are still very much interested in your decision making processes.

And to the last poster, I got an email the hour after I finished my psych test. There may be more demand now then before though with everyone else stopping hiring and furloughs.

I'm glad you're happy there, esp if you live in the pacific northwest, but your post strikes me as a bunch of company talking points.

Substantial growth at $120/bbl? One year upgrades? Salaries that "should" rise? Pay comparisons to Alaska (which is a great company, but not by any means setting the standard on pay)? My man, take a look at the economy!

I'm sorry, but I'm just not buying. You could substitute any airline for "VA" in your statements, and its management bleats the same thing. More power to you if you get everything you're banking on. History would urge you to be skeptical until you see something in writing (starting with higher pay, please).

Perhaps. VA isn't for everyone. There is a higher risk involved there than many I suppose, though I don't think going anywhere is without risk with the exception of a couple cargo carriers. I could have sat around and wait for something that's totally secure and guaranteed to be a success, but then I wouldn't end up going anywhere.

Even if VA totally flopped, everyone there has A LOT of total time and plenty of PIC and add a A320 type right out of training... I'd be more marketable than had a just stuck around.

VA has a awesome product. I believe it's potential is incredible and they have a lot of great people. Don't fly em if you like, but your kidding yourself if you think the people there are some less quality than elsewhere.

once your family gets onto VA they would not want to leave just like millions of other passengers who were blessed to fly on the best airline in U.S.:)and our our wages and Q.O.L are fine definitely a whole lot better than the airlines that have merged,or on the verge of merger for the sake of survival or the ones that keep goin in and out of bankruptcy:Dso dont be so negative bring yourself and your family on board on one of our flights,you will be glad you did it and dont worry the fares are pretty affordable,specially for what we have to offer.

WOW. You must have drank your Koolaid big gulp size!

Just because a guy is willing to take a risk, doesn't mean he (or she) deserves to be treated the way you jerks are treating him. I guess if you want a sure job that will never go out of business, become an undertaker. Otherwise, keep your pin head comments to yourself. I for one am will to risk flying for a company like VA. Upside is you can move up the seniority list quickly. Downside is you can lose your job. Been there, done that.
Never criticize someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

VA is a good place to be for a few years and then apply to Airlines overseas.

I see they have 34 aircraft on order, with 18 on property.
Does that not mean that anyone hired now is an FO, indefinitely?
Year 6 FO pay there is about 73/hour.

How do you expect to live in the SFO area for 5-6 years on less than 70 grand? In a van down by the bay?

They sent me a request to re-apply this week. Those numbers are hard to ignore. I'd need to see more aircraft on way, so I could plan on upgrading.
Otherwise, like you say, you are going there on faith alone.
I'd love a fun, positive environment, too, but a pilot has to eat, and maybe raise a family....

What are you talking about? See more aircraft on the way? Plan on upgrading? Are you smoking? Upgrades are 9 months - 1 year. Anywhere else better then that other then a couple regionals? We are going to have 33 airplanes by the 1st of the year. We need 50+ airplanes to see profitability. The plan is around 150 domestic planes.

What price per barrel does that model assume?

When oil is skyrocketing, the "plan" for 150 planes is probably not something you'd want to bet on.

upgrades are happening as long as you receive aircraft, then stop. If you have over half of your ordered aircraft on property now, any new-hires from this point on will be on the BOTTOM half of your list, which makes them FO's.

somebody correct me if i'm wrong. you can't deny reality, unless you are Hillary....if hired today, you will be a Virgin gear bit** for years, until they order AND RECEIVE more aircraft...

And any airline, legacy carriers included, that won't park airplanes and furlough pilots in the future.