Hello:

I got the phone call from Amy at CommutAir Airlines. Will be doing an interview with them in Platsberg, NY. Will need to fly out on the 10th Oct. from LAX(Los Angeles, CA) on continental mainline to CLE and then XJT (ExpressJet) too BOS and then onward to CommutAir. They will be paying for the hotel (Room and Tax). Have interviewed with 5 other regionals and no luck . My total time is 1270 TT and 125 MEL.

Any thoughts or ideas for everything involved!

[email protected]

 

Have you tried www.aviationinterviews.com ?

 

With five interviews and no success you really need to try to figure out what the problem is before you poison every well in the industry...

It would not be unusual for a typical pilot to fail 1 in 2 or maybe even 2 in 3 interviews...there many things that can go wrong and sometimes the stars just don't line up on any given day. But in your case, there is probably a specific problem that you can identify and maybe fix...the advantage you have is that after 5 interviews, you know what to expect and should have an idea of any weak spots...

1) Knowledge: Get the gouge from the internet about the specefic airline. Generally know your current aircraft and current operating regs, Jepps, and the 121 regs (often from the ATP test bank).

2) Sim Check: If there is a sim check, are you prepared? The best prep is to buy training in the EXACT sim model used by the airline from someone who knows what profiles and approaches they will use. Otherwise get some kind of sim practice. The worst prep is to have no recent IFR experience and no sim prep.

3) HR questions...are you stumbling through the non-technical questions? Get a list of common HR questions from the internet, and practice a good answer for each one. Mostly you want to be honest, but there are some questions where there is only one right answer...if you ever failed a checkride or got fired, you MUST:
1) Accept full responsibility, and explain why it was your fault.
2) Tell them what valuable lesson you learned.
In the rare situation where it really was NOT your fault, you must lie and accept the blame. At an interview, no one will ever believe that it wasn't your fault...

4) Interpersonal: Are you good with people? I mean really? If not, practice firm handshakes and looking folks in the eye when you talk to them. Stand/Sit up straight, and make sure you are wearing a NICE, NEW suit, white shirt, and red tie, and expensive leather shoes. Bring your stuff in a leather briefcase, not a gym bag or backpack. Project some confidence. If english is not your first language, make sure it is good enough to not raise doubts about your ability to talk to ATC. Make sure your hygiene and grooming is good...no facial hair and a SHORT (almost military) haircut.

5) Background: Do you have any criminal issues or arrests? You can't try to cover these up (they will find out), but you should apply the same theory as with firings...admit responsibility and tell them what you learned. If you have a serious criminal conviction, or pending charge, or a recent or multiple DUI's you odds are very poor in this industry.

6) Recency: Are you employed in aviation? If not, either rent a light plane a get some recent hours or get a flying job, maybe part-time CFI at the local field.

7) The night before: Arrive as early as possible the day before, check in th hotel and RELAX. Do some light review, go for a walk, get a good dinner and a beer (just one!) and get a great night's sleep. Get up early enough that you don't have to rush in the morning, and get coffee if you usually drink it. Iron the suit and shirt the night before.

Good Luck

 

Ever thought about writing a book rick?

 

Rick,
Forget the book, go for the video and advertise on late night informercials (at least the freight dogs will see the ads). Heck, I already feel like I owe you $29.95 plus shipping and handling.