PNCL Interview
 

First off, pro's and con's from employees only PLEASE about the company. I am currently flying for a part 135 air carrier and I am looking to get a better schedule and a more steady income. --DONT mess with my money! :mad:

What should I expect for the interview in terms of what to be prepared for and what to study in specific or general for this particular airline? Anyone and everyone who works, worked, interviewed, etc please chime in.

I am fully aware of the fact that there are issues that are coming to a very sharp head and that they will be resolved very soon or just never at all.

Also any captains that have been upgraded early or flat out told you have to wait for the company minimums? Is it ALPA minimums the 3500TT or company?

I am WELCOMING a bashing if you feel a bashing is deserved towards the company but you have to give specific reasons why you say that, because I am truely seeking pro's AND con's, not just "have a great life working there!" type comments.

Let the games begin!

For the interview, study up on your atp stuff, and do well on the written. Don't get 100% though...that's an automatic disqualifier.

When I interviewed about 5 months ago, they had stopped doing sim evaluations and switched to a "situational interview." Basically, they sat me in the left seat (of a desk), gave me a scenario, and made me act as a captain on a flight. There are some good gouges on aviationinterviews.com

As for the QOL and ups and downs with the company...I haven't been around very long, but what I can tell you is this. The pilots I've worked with are all pretty much in agreement that the people are great and the management is terrible. Extentions, junior manning, etc. are the way of life. The pay is aweful, but seniority accrues quickly because people are always leaving.

I've been on reserve at DTW for about two months, and haven't "sat resevre" except for 1 day. I usually have a trip 2-3 days before my 'reserve' time arrives.

I've enjoyed my time here so far, but I'm 100% behind the union and getting us a new contract. I laughed out loud at the letter the management sent out proposing new FO pay rates. They need to fix things for EVERYONE.

That's my rant...

Basicly ATP written items, HR, and situations (CA goes below mins kind of questions). If you know your ATP stuff, have a good personality, and have some previous flight experience you are good. Things are getting interesting around here but I think we will get out on the good side. Upgrade is 3500TT to just walk in to upgrade. You will go through training as an FO, get 100 hours on the line, and then can upgrade. Currently you will only hold CA in DTW and maybe MSP. MEM is senior. I have been here a little over a year and I am still a few spots (2-3 months away) from holding MEM CA. Just letting you know in case you were looking for MEM. The work is fun, pilot group is VERY solid, and things are getting heated over here. Just telling you how it is.

I got a 100% on the written and right now I'm finishing OE. :confused: Guess I mush have slipped through the cracks on that one. ;)

The interview isn't too bad. Just like what has been said before, study up on ATP. The SBI isn't too bad, I think they are more looking for your ability to use CRM effectively than come up with the "perfect solution." Some tech, some HR, some jepp. Don't know if the jepp is going away in the interview though since we are starting the transition to LIDO. Don't stress about it and you'll be fine.

Go to a company that treats their employees better. Pinnacle is a sh!t hole. Every person who says its a good place to work is a newb or just has no clue. Pinnacle is one of the worst airlines to work for.

Pinnacle is a sinking ship. Its just a matter of time until Phildo runs his second airline into the ground.

Friends don't let friends work at Pinnacle!

Hmm...I guess they're really REALLY hurting for pilots now!! ;)

The 100% thing is just something I heard on my way to my interview...that if you get 100% you memorized the material and didn't actually learn it. (which I know not to be true)

I actually missed a couple on purpose, probably just being paranoid, but PNCL was my #1 choice for personal reasons.

The recent gouge on aviationinterviews.com is spot-on. Practice the SBI - situational-based interview stuff. You take off, field goes below minimums. Passenger has a heart attack. T/O alternate then goes below mins. What do you do? Captain smells of alcohol. Captain goes below MDA. Captain refuses to use checklists. F/O reports smoke in the cabin. What do you do? You give an answer, and then they give you additional, complicating factors. Stay cool, emphasize use of CRM.

I studied the gouge and study guide before the interview but then they showed up with a completely different test! :eek:

Pinnacle occasionally tries out a new written exam. Supposedly, one test was so hard (lots of RNAV and other weird *******) that no one interviewing that day passed, so they gave everyone a mulligan and let them move on to the next phase of the interview.

The technical portion of the interview usually stays about the same -- airspace, holding speeds and altitudes, swept wing aerodynamics, brief an approach, and of course, the ever-popular Situational Based Interview.

[QUOTE=jfrabell;254347]For the interview, study up on your atp stuff, and do well on the written. Don't get 100% though...that's an automatic disqualifier.

There is no reason to purposely sabotage yourself by answering questions incorrectly. Scoring 100% on the written is by no means a disqualifier. The argument that scoring 100% proves that you memorized the ATP written answers and therefore disqualifies you is without merit. In my opinion, the ability to memorize a large amount of data would if anything be advantageous in the eyes of an interviewer as it would demonstrate that you will not have any problems committing the company/faa regulations, limitations and procedures to memory. Just make sure that you can also demonstrate good CRM and judgment.

As others have mentioned, I would suggest reviewing the ATP written book as well as the ATP and instrument oral exam guides. Another good book which you may or may not already be aware of is "Fly the Wing" by Jim Webb/Billy Walker Blackwell Publishing.

Best of luck with the interview.

Pro Pilot..I've been here a little over 2 years. I will tell you that I like my job. The management has a different philosophy that is verbally pilot friendly but backed up with anti-pilot action such as completely circumventing labor agreements if it is convienient to them. Realize if you come here, we are about to take a strike authorization vote and relationships b/t management and labor is getting increasingly hostile, so there is a gamble if you come. Specifically, you could be on probation during a strike. The pilot group will stand by you, but it would not be a position I would want to be in...basically, if you have a choice and can make an informed decision, would you really want to throw yourself into this fight? Especially when Mesaba has the same bases, is growing, and is the new favored son of NW...I think you would get a reasonably quick upgrade there as well with the new planes comming on and PNCL still scheduled to lose 15 a/c to Mesaba. Hope this helps. PM me with any questions.

This may be kind of a dumb question, but what are the risks of being a probationary FO during a strike?

Apparently the union refuses to settle on anything if we strike until every probationary striking FO gets their job back...at least that's what's being tossed around.

Probation means that the company may fire you without ALPA stepping in. IOW, members of ALPA are protected when they picket and take other legal work actions (ie. approved strike). When on probation, you do not necessarily have that protection. What we (ALPA) at PNCL will do is continue a strike until all fired during the strike are re-hired. But why put yourself in that situation? What if we lose flying during the strike? Still think they'll rehire? Why come to PNCL if you are looking for a job? Quick upgrade? Many comp.'s have that. We have the worst pay for fo's in the industry. While you are "Guaranteed" 10 days off a month, the company can extend you into days off and make a healthy practice of doing that-especially with junior captains- as well as junior manning-taking days off away for operational necessity. Comming to pncl was right for me b/c of the timing-Mesaba went bankrupt shortly after I came here and I really needed Mem as a base. It's all about timing and environment. If I'm looking for a job now I pick somewhere else because of where the company is at this time in terms of business decisions and the environment b/t management and workers is worse than I've seen it in my 2+ years here.

HireMe,

Good stuff to know. Thanks!

Oh no...
 

Not sure this follows the thread...moderate me if you must!!

HireMe...you've made me paranoid. I've been on line with PNCL for about six weeks. I've been thinking the only way to get a new contract is a strike. I'm all the way behind my fellow pilots on this, BUT...

It never occured to me that during probation I can be fired during a strike for no reason at all. I suppose I knew, but never thought about it.

Should I start sending out resume's again? Is a strike still 11 months away?

What to do...

Don't worry about it. There's not much you can do about it anyway. This was something that also concerned me when I was a probie so I feel your pain.

Although it's painfully obvious that management is negotiating in bad faith and that things are probably going to turn down right hostile around here very soon, I think it will unfortunately be a while before we are allowed to strike. When the time comes, you will have built up a fair amount of 121 turbine time (if you didn't already have it before coming here) and will have proven that you can pass a 121 training program. You should be in a good position to get hired by another company if needed. Being terminated for taking part in a legal strike should not be of concern. No future employer that you would want to work for should hold this against you knowing the life long consequences associated with the only other option during a strike - being a scab.

Remember that the union has said that if any probationary pilots are taken hostage/terminated during a strike, the union will remain out on strike until those pilots are reinstated.

I know it's disconcerting to have all this going on while you are on probation but keep your nose clean, remain professional and try not to worry about it too much. Take care.

Has management at ANY company fired probie pilots in trying to get them to cross the lines... or perhaps the real question is.... if they did, have the unions always secured their re-employment after the fact.

Am I going to be considered a SCAB if I'm a new-hire? Just curious. I'm not looking to lose my current job so I can go here, and then lose this job because I didn't want to stand out. How long do you have to wait before you are eligible for union benefits anyways if it isn't right away?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. There is no requirement to take part in picketing or any other ALPA organized activity whilst on probation (or even after probation for that matter). In fact while you are on probation you are strongly discouraged from picketing although you could assist in a less conspicuous manner behind the scenes if you wish. Probation is your first 365 days from the first day you attended ground school. During your probationary period, there is very little ALPA can do to protect you should the company decide to terminate your employment. However as I mentioned in my earlier post, the union has indicated that if the company wrongly terminates probationary pilots during a strike, we will remain on strike until their employment is reinstated.

If you are asking about crossing a picket line to provide your services to the company during a strike then the unequivocal answer is yes, that makes you a scab. Probationary pilot or not, going to work while your fellow pilots are on strike would make you a scab. As other posters have mentioned, the RLA makes it very difficult for pilots to strike. Undermining the efforts of your fellow pilots to achieve a fair contract would not be looked upon kindly.

If you are harboring any doubts at all as to what choice you would make if confronted by a strike while still on probation, please do not even consider coming to 9E until this matter is resolved.

What the heck is 9E?

So if I got wrongly terminated and ALPA got me back in, would I be entitled to repay for the time i was unemployed? It's not so much a loyalty thing as it is my credit history!! LoL I run on thin ice every month and I'm making a HUGE sacrifice financially to get with Pinnacle which will make it even worse until I upgrade which hopefully happens REALLY soon. I wouldn't have any problems helping out any way I can but I can't live without money (even as small as it may be!). Thoughts?

9E = Pinnacle Airlines

LoL I'm sorry I guess I don't get the correlation between the two... is 9E some sort of coding thing or what? I'm so oblivious to this kind of stuff (go ahead, slay me, I'm a "corporate" guy). I apologize in advance :)

No need to apologize, I should have been more clear. All the airlines have two letter codes (Pinnacle=9E, Mesaba=XJ etc.)



I empathize with you. Living without money is one of the big reasons we are fighting so hard for a fair contract. As for your concerns about the uncertainty at Pinnacle I think HIREME said it very well:

Thanks for your help... what should I do about my interview? Go through the hoops, and then decline? Or what should I do that could prevent this from being an issue? Is there any light on the horizon to this contract being agreed upon, or will it go another 900 days? Thanks everyone for your help.. I'll check back in tomorrow.

There are some things you need to realize here folks... This applies to any probationary member- not just PNCL/9E. When there is a legal work action "strike" flying will not be going on. Look at our seniority list- there are many people who have not crossed the 1yr mark but how many CA's? You will be protected during a legal work action. The company is short on pilots and cannot afford to just get rid of you because of a strike and WONT. The main part of the probationary period is to be able to evaluate guys/gals and see if they will keep them around. People occasionally do get fired, but its normally for poor attitude, appearance, performance, or stupidity. If you go to work, do your job, and carry a good attitude you will be fine. The company may "try" to take "hostages" (probys) but that won't last and I don't think there has ever been a documented case where probys were fired during a strike UNLESS they walked the line. The MEC will not let you walk the line so don't worry. If the company does try to term a proby while on strike NOBODY goes back to work until the pilot is reinstated. Nobody gets paid while on a strike but PNCL does have a strike fund and since the majority of the pilot group makes less than $75K a yr we are all entitled to money before a long wait period. I was hearing something that its roughly the same amount as first yr FO guar pay for FO's and about 60% guar for CA's- not much but it will help. Scheduling may call a reserve proby FO and have them report but with no CA or connecting pax nothing will happen as far as flying. Keep in mind that many airlines are coming into contract negotiations within the next year and this is nothing new. Look at PNCL not for the possibility of a strike, but the big picture. Contract negotiations are rough right now and probrably will remain unchanged until the beginning of the year- we have the holidays and a good percentage of the pilot group timing out this year (which only screws mgmt:D). After the company gets crunched through the holidays I think they will come to the table. The bleeding of FO's and CA's continues. Upgrades are still quick and there is plenty of flying to be had. This is a risk- no doubt- but I don't see this company folding and once there is a contract the bleeding will slow. A strike here would only last a few days before NWA comes down on us since we do roughly 40% of their domestic flying. I will say that if I was looking for a regional job I would look elsewhere UNLESS you have the time to upgrade quick, live in base, or are willing to take some risk. I have my resume up to date and already know where I am sending my stuff IF crap hits the fan. My next move will not be a regional. Good luck with whatever decision you make- keep in mind you need to be offered the job to turn it down. Study hard, worst case you go to the interview for the practice!

wolf and higney hit it right on the head. If you come to work, do your job, have a good time and attitude, and then head to the house, you will be just fine. I am coming up on my 2 year mark in january. i enjoy working here. i have a great schedule, a good number of days off (17 this month including the entire week of thanksgiving), and i only do 2 day trips which means i am sleeping out of my bed a max of 7 times this month. does everyone here have that schedule?? no. new hires get 10 days off, and are on reserve till they can hold a line. when i look back almost 2 years ago it is nice to see how things have changed in my life. i almost have 3000tt, 1500 of that is in the rj, i went from 10 days off reserve, to being able to hold the holidays off, and pretty much get what i ask for on prefbid. seniority changes everything. once you start to get a few people behind you life really improves. ofcourse when i upgrade its back to the bottom of the pile, but with time that will improve too.

When I look back, I'm happy that I made the decision I made to come here because it worked and was best AT THE TIME. Looking foward, if I were in your shoes, I don't think I would come here simply b/c of the unknowns...ie:
-When will a contract come and what will it be
-Strike?
-Loss of 15 a/c-more to follow? Does this lead to quick upgrade halting?
-How long can I live life as a reserve capt. at pncl?

There is also possibility for good things:
-A top 3 contract out of negotiations
-no strike
-Recieve more Delta flying down the line and with the new contract, new hires are easy to find meaning quick seniority for me

Sitting where you are, I don't believe I would take the risk IF I had other options (with the exception of Mesa, gojets, etc). Like I said before, Mesaba pays better, has a quick upgrade, better contract, same bases, recieving more a/c etc. I only mention Mesaba in case you're looking for Mem, MSP, or DTW as a base. Hope this helps and good luck in the interview. Make sure you know your stuff going in so that you are the one making the decision and it's not made for you.

The remaining 109 CRJs for NW I believe are pretty much locked in under the 10-year service agreement, and it would be difficult for NWA to remove them. The 15 going to Mesaba were covered under a specific portion of the agreement that allowed NWA to move them if a pilots' contract wasn't reached by March 31, 2007, which it wasn't.

The service agreement frees PCL to do the Delta flying, and for any other carrier as well. Although what will happen there is anybody's guess.

You're right...forgot about the asa

I'm not sure how/if the ASA is amendable when we strike...

10 days before we lose planes is in my head.... but I would have to look at the ASA- I may do that later but I'm going to the golf course while the wx is good.;)