BUSTED check ride(s)
 

I have an interview coming up with FedEx. I feel pretty good about myself except when it comes to check rides. I have flown 4 a/c at my current job and have busted three of the four checkrides/type rides. I have to admit I do not do well at subjective tests, but always do well on writtens. I have never busted the same check ride twice. I correct what needs to be done, and the re-test goes fine. Also, I have never had a problem with IOE, never busted a recurrent PC, never had a problem on a line check, never had an accident or incident, never been violated, and have never been pulled off line for any reason.

How do I mention the busted check rides without coming across as a moron?
Help.:confused:

My advice would be to try and spin the busted checkrides as learning experiences. "I learned this..." or "Looking back I would have done this differently..." Might be tough to do with 3 busts but at least its a jumping off point. I'm sure it would come up in an interview and at least it gives you way to lead off talking about it in a positive manner. Always emphasize the positive.

Have you had to disclose to them yet, on an application/phone interview/anything else that you have failed any checkrides?

If you have already admitted to failing checkride(s) and they still want to interview you then they probably are looking for a reasonable explanation.

If no, then unfortunately they may look at you as a training liability

Don't bring it up and if you're obliged to talk about it, don't blame anyone else and like the earlier poster notes, spin it into a learning experience.

Sounds as if you'll fit in real well at FedEx.

Thanks. All comments/suggestions are welcome. Unfortunately, when asked on the application I must answer honestly. As far as I know, most airlines interviewing inquire about checkrides. I wish there was an easy way to go about it.

Any info you can give about your M&G date and interview dates is appreciated.

Fish

If he becomes a flight manager.

Hey don't worry about it, Life happens just because you fail doesn't mean you can't fly. I failed 3 three rides, working for a National. During interview, if asked like the guy said earlier, accept responsibility.

To tell you the truth after the ones I've busted the Examiner would sit down with me and teach different techniques to make life easier in the cockpit in relation to the manuevers I've busted on vs. the ones I've passed straight were they say good job and here's your ticket.

Besides it shows you are trainable, didn't give up, and in the mean time if any rides do come up pass them get a good track record going again.

When I interviewed with American Eagle, They didn't like the 3 busts I had considering I failed a PC then passed one after then interviewed. The lady told me to get a consistent track record going again after a I gave a poor response as to why I failed 3.

On the Application put, for example, Failed Single Engine Private Pilot Checkride during the Soft Field Take Off, I did not extend 10 degrees of Flap IAW the Practical Test Standards. I Retrained and passed on the Second attempt.

Leave the learning experience for the interview.

Hope it helps

Contact Aaron Hagan at Emerald Coast Interview Consulting. He does an excellent job helping folks with things just like this! I used ECIC for my interview prep, and I thought it was worth the dough.

I second what JDriver says.

Aaron at Emerald coast is a good resource and a great way to brush up for an interview and to help polish any skeletons that you may have.

If I run into someone that wants a refresher, that is where I send them.

PH

Perhaps aviation is not your calling?

Since he's looking for advice about his aviation career, maybe this is a thread best left to those in the business?

Perhaps aviation is not your calling?
CallmeEd

Ed,
Maybe you should shut the ***k up and go find a forum with other rich doctors who wanna be airline pilots because we really don't like you here you pretentious pr!ck. Your previous posts and replies and given you no credibility here. Go play some golf at your country club and leave us all alone.
Sincerely,
Shakenbake

It also may be worth noting, Ed, that the training and checking we receive doesn't necessarily follow the 'ego-stroke and coddle' approach you get for your wheelbarrow of money at Flightsafety. I hope the next time a colleague observes an error of yours, they say, "Maybe medicine isn't your calling, Eddie!"

What a a**hole. I'm really starting to get tired of him. I mean can you find anybody more ignorant and so full of himself. :mad:

maybe mr ed is right?

UNDFLYBOY,
What year did you graduate?

I haven't graduated yet. This is my final year and will be graduating in May.

Flyboy,

I can! Remember this avatar?

Maybe our 'doctor' has a bad case of "Brown."

Dave

We need Ed dudes
 

Don't go scarin Ed off fellas. The entertainment factor is huge. Keep things light boyz. Me and Ed's Ex are still waiting for the old codger to send the romote for the big screen!

Jolly's out for knots

The more responses you give Ed the more he will post. He's just looking to ruffle some feathers.

As for the original post... I definitely agree that you should be able to get hired, but as an interviewer your situation would concern me. I don't want this to come across as rude, but I think that its important to take off the rose-colored glasses. Many people have failed checkrides, but it seems like you've got a trend going. Maybe on top of figuring out how to discuss your situation in the interview you could also look at finding a way to improve to practical test taking ability, and then also mention that in the interview.

The fact that you admit it is your problem and don't blame the Examiner says a lot about you already. Good Luck!

You can count on having to address this; the how do you do in a training environment question is pretty standard. If I were doing the interviewing I'd ask about your over all training record ie did you bust checkrides starting at the Private Pilot level, or if you're in the military did you just get by and get SPDBd at every stage. I'd be trying to identify if it is new equipment that causes the problems, instrument flying deficiencies, lack of initial preparation etc.
My antennae would be up, but I wouldn't pull the plug at your revelation, but how you answer these particular questions would be critical. Training liabilities are dreaded at the airlines and you've got to convince them you don't fall in that category.
They're looking for the total package so emphasize all things attitudinal. Namely even though you had discouraging results you didn't give up and that you'll hang in there until the last dog dies.
If there's a sim eval involved they can get their answers regarding your aeronautical abilities there.

Translation
 

May I translate? The brutal truth is that your checkride skills are substandard. Sometimes the truth is difficult to hear. If anybody takes issue with my assessment then I guess our friend here represents the norm. Didn't think so!

Oh Mr. Ed,

His checkride skills are "not up to par" is crap, were you there when he took the checkrides?? Were you there to see if he has "checkrideits", or how about if he had some anal examiners. I don't think so!!!!

Shove the money to flight standards and you'll never fail. Go take a ride from a real examiner and see how you do.

I have failed three myself however, I learned what to do and have established an excellent track record since. So what is my "diagnoses?"

You are in no shoes to determine "crap". By your "diagnoses" your medical abilities must "suck". Getting sued lately, must be if your curious about airline jobs even though you say you're retired. Well I think I stirred the sh$$ pot now, let the coments fly......LOL

Again, to the original question. Companies will ask you to explain the checkrides, as long as you can build up a good track record all should be good. Every company knows examiners can be tough at times, anyone can have a bad day.
With three of them you could say the answer I used was,

"I felt the training in relation to the checkride(s) to be pretty substandard, however I did not give up I took the checkride(s) did the best to my ability however the result was a dissaproval notice, retrained and passed on the second attempt. I learned that I had to be more aggresive on studying not only knowledge but profilies and manuevers. I've taken those measures since then I've been successful and have not failed since."

Again, explaining the situation but also accepting responsibility and being honest.

Thanks to all of those with constructive suggestions.

For all of those who did not, and I would never mention any names {CallmeEd, Orion}. I would have to offer a few suggestions of my own. The purpose of posts on sites like this one, is to put something of relevancy to the thread. That sounds pretty novice and straight forward. Hmmmm. :confused: And neither of you could do that. Wow! Though I may not have passed all of my checkrides, I can surely follow simple instructions.

Yes Ed, that does include you. Since you seem to have forgotten my initial question, you may want to have yourself examined for A.D.D., short term memory loss, or Alzheimer's. In addition to that, I guess you also forgot the title of this forum. I am sure you have a forum or two dedicated to your profession. And like this one, I am sure your antics would be just as unwelcomed there. Also, aren't doctors and airplanes a bad mix? Ah yes. The Bonanza I believe was known as the doctor killer. Just because you have money, do three bounces every 90 days, and get a check ride once a year by some high profile training center, that far from makes you a qualified pilot.

Though I may not have passed all of my checkrides, I have passed all of my PCs, OEs, fed rides, never had an incident/accident, never had problem with anyone I worked with, plus I run a very safe airplane. Yes, I did mention all of this in my first posting, but you probably forgot that also. And most important, never do I bring attitude or ego into the workplace/airplane. You should check out that program sometime. :)