So, all this talk about conversion times and logbooks and AFORMS printouts makes me wonder...what is the impact of errors in your AFORMS printout during an interview?

In my situation, I have about a half dozen errors in the AFORMS record that, due to the way they record the time, can't be fixed because those entries have long since been flushed out of the system. For example...according to my AFORMS records I have apparently logged "actual instrument" time on a sim ride, as well as logging "SIC" time in an F-15E (which isn't possible, by the way). All of these are simply entry errors, but they can't be fixed short of an official Board of Correction to Military Records submittal.

Overall they don't add up to much time in error, but in my personal logbook I have the times logged correctly.

Is the guy at my interview who is reviewing my AFORMS product and my logbook going to throw a BS flag?

 

Hacker,
Nothining to worry about unless it adds up to a ton of hours. I went to a couple of interviews with 2.3 hours of F-105 time on my AFORMS summary (don't I wish) and nobody even noticed it. A couple of hours of slop aren't going to cause you any problems.

Z

 

From what I've heard, you'll be in much more trouble if they think you are trying to inflate your hours. Just use the formulas that the company prescribes and be conservative with your estimates.
As far as the entry errors go, just a simple explanation along with showing them how you caught and corrected the errors will probably go a long way showing your honesty and attention to detail (something an interview board may be looking for).

Dave

 

I'm in the same boat. Unfortunately, due to being young and not knowing any better, I have several mistakes in my logbook from 9 years ago. Bottom line is that I have to start from scratch. Good thing is that I got a great piece of advice from a guy very early in my career - keep a copy of every 781. ALL of them - even sims. That bit of advice has saved over 150 hours of "lost" time by the system. The only way I recovered that time was showing old 781s. I had to make hand written notes on my extracts to quickly explain why some missions were loaded two years late or whatever, but like Dave said - as long as you can explain it, you should be fine.

 

I like the idea of saving all your 781s...wish I'd thought about that 7 years ago! I may start doing it, though.

When I was doing my own AFORMS scrub against my own logbook (1200 sorties worth) I found about a half dozen missing sorties. Interestingly, there were about an equal number of missions that were logged twice. It seems that it all balances out in the end...

It bugs me that there are errors in my AFORMS and I sure wish I could fix 'em -- guess I'm just anal about it. I was very annoyed to learn that they only keep your information digitally for a year or two, and anything older than that is permanently etched in the printout in your AFORMS folder. Good to know that if I point out what the "etched in stone" errors are, and how they do/do not impact any of my times, that nobody will care that much in an airline interview.

Brings me to another question...I read on one of these forums about a question in an interview along the lines of "how accurate is your logbook?" People seemed to indicate that it was somewhat of a trick question, and if you answered that your logbook was "perfect" they knew you were full of crap.

What is up with that?

 

Do any of you know if AFORMS printouts and a handwritten log book are acceptable as proof of time. I saw on a thread in the cargo forum that a lot of guys are doing the computerized logbook instead of their handwritten logs. Basically, I'm wondering if my printed AFOrms product can count for that. I mainly plan to use my handwritten book to show my PIC time since the AF doesnt accurately track that time in AFORMS....

 

Interviewed last week with major airline and they did not even look at my log book/AFORMS printout! I think they forgot! Really though, I just think they want a general idea, validated on paper, be it a logbook or AFORMS product, of your flying experience. I highly doubt they are going to scour a military AFORMS product because it is pretty much a trusted record of proof. The airline I am at now did not ask one question about it when they reviewed it. My extract was so complicated that I included a paper on what I did to arrive at my times. Not one question.

 

Anyone have a good way to figure out PIC sorties since many companies ask and the Flying History Report from AFORMS/SARMS only lists a TOTAL Sortie count? Count line-by-line I guess??!!!

 

I had asked a question a while back based on an interview gouge(sp?) I read. Basically, the interviewer asked "How many hours did you fake?"

I think its a 'lets see how he reacts' type question. I would say 'None. However, I may have made a mistake. If you noticed something not right I'd be happy to review / correct if warranted.' Of course, sitting at home with a beer on the computer is a lot less stressful than being at an interview...

V/r,
LAFF

 

How did you figure your PIC hours? I suggest using a percentage since you upgraded to AC. Say 90% of hours/sorties since you upgraded; whatever you think is most accurate.