I have an interview with SkyWest on Friday. I was planning on getting some Frasca time before the interview but now that has fallen through at the last minute. I was wondering what other prior 121 guys who have interviewed with SkyWest had in their interviews, and whether or not they still had to do the sim eval. I have heard both that prior 121 people don't have to do the eval. I am thinking about postponing the interview if there is a reasonable expectation that I will get the sim eval, and I can't get into one to practice. I have only ever flown a full-motion ERJ sim and the Microsoft game.

 

Yes, you'll do the sim eval.

And, like some guys have done from other part 121 carriers, you'll fail the sim without practice.

It's the number one killer at SkyWest... and they'll tell you that up front.

 

I was probably most worried about the sim going into the interview, mainly because I'd hadn't done any serious instrument flying in about a year, and most of that was in a 172. And it didn't help knowing that it is the number 1 killer.

That said, it really wasn't that hard. You take off, get some vectors, and fly an approach. No failures or anything tricky. They give you more than ample time to brief yourself on the approach, and they even have a card posted in the sim which has the appropriate speeds and profile for the aircraft (which is supposed to be a Navajo if you get the ATC).

So I'd say prepare, yes, but don't fret. I'm not sure you absolutely need practice in the Frasca, or any specific sim, but just be capable of doing some really basic instrument procedures at 160 kts. or so. They offered me the job, so it can't be that hard.

 

If you are a current ASA pilot, you will not do the sim. Otherwise you will.

There are people in SLC and at SNA who do SKW-specific sim prep. If you can't arrange for that, at the very least get on MS Flight sim and practice basic instrument flying (use an airplane with full-sixpack steam gauges).

If you're serious about SKW either call in sick so you can go to SLC a day early and get the prep, or maybe ask SKW to defer your interview...they are very realistic about that kind of thing. They would prefer you tell them you are unprepared and reschedule rather than showing up unprepared. (they understand that as a regional pilot you don't really control your schedule).

I got by with just MSFS cuz I also ran out of time, but I got the "good sim" (ATC) not the "bad sim" (frasca). I also had serious previous sim time in both ATC's and Frasca's so I felt somewhat confidant about that.

 

How is the overall interview process for people with prior 121 experience? Anything different? What about the Technical part?

 

Same interview, but be prepared for CRJ systems questions. If you show up prepared, they will hire a 121 person. You may even be allowed some slack on the sim, but don't bet on that.

 

call american aviation to get scheduled with sim prep. its expensive but they are literally across the parking lot fromt he candlewood in slc, youd have to come in a day prior and pay for an extra hotel night. worth it if you really want the job

 

I was prior-121 when I interviewed and I can tell you the Sim certainly kicked my butt. I was still hired.

 

So...you'd think this binder I found in the hangar that one of the interview coordinators left behind on accident, full of CRM scenarios, grading criteria sheets, technical interview questions, a couple approach plates would probably be worth something to somebody looking to get hired! lol

Just so I don't get looked at like a complete sleaze-ball, the binder has already been returned, and my lips are zipped (nothing in there that you wouldn't know already from reading the gouges), but man, I sure would have killed for something like this a couple months ago before my interview!

 

I'm a pretty medicore pilot, but I hand flew as much as I could for the few weeks before the interview and it was no prob (might not help much is your flying glass, though). I do think the biggest problem 121 guys have is not taking the interview seriously and not preparing adequetly. Don't think you'll be a shoe-in becuase your 121. You'll be a shoe-in if you know your stuff.