American Eagle Invite Interview
 

Hello:

Any and all help in preperation for AA-Eagle interview.

Current time: 1210tt, 120MEL
comm amel, 24 age, with BA!

[email protected]

thanks

1) There's detailed gouge on the internet, willflyforfood, etc.
2) Study the ATP question bank.
3) Know your Jepp's, especially big-airport stuff like taxi charts, SIDS, DP's, and the terminal area diagrams that big cities have.
4) Practice some IFR on a SIM or PC, holds, intercept, ILS. If you're used to small airplanes, you will need to be more proactive with the power. I did the 707 sim, but they use a different one know.
5) There will likely be a employee plant in your interview group, and the clerk at the hotel may be a spy...from the time you leave home until you return home, assume that anything you say or do is recorded for the benefit of the captain's board.
6) Assume that you will not get hired if you have any kind of medical history at all...day 1 is interview & sim, day 2 is an astronaut physical. Some poor kid in my group got canxed because his BP was a little high, and I mean just a little high...it was low enough that it didn't raise a flag with his AME.
7) If you get hired, complete initial training and IOE, then immediately start applying to other regionals. I don't think anybody from my interview group stayed longer than 6 or 8 months. I got hired elsewhere before my eagle class date, so it wasn't an issue for me.

Got an invite, too... and aviationinterviews.com was a good source of info, as well.
I have 2500TT, 1300ME. But I will be busy for another month, so you'll be interviewed before me! Let me know how it goes!

Wow, Rick, why the quick jump? I heard (you know anytime a sentence starts with that....) that that was a career airline. Guess not! Why did YOU jump?

Where are there bases? Is there a training contract? Seat lock?
Thanks!

2500 & 1300 ??? You should be looking at Skywest or Horizon, or ASA on the east coast.

Eagle has fairly low pay, and a VERY long upgrade time because so many captains stay in hopes of flowing up to AA mainline. Actually right now eagle seniority has been impacted by furloghed AA guys flowing BACK into eagle and pushing everybody down.

The one good thing, for me at least, was west coast bases

I found their corporate atmosphere to be very wierd and bitter. And the mainline guys ABSOLUTELY DESPISE eagle. If you have no other option, do it but plan on moving along soon. You phone will ring off the hook once you complete 121 training and get a few turbine hours.

I didn't jump, I got a job offer elsewhere before I started at eagle.

My interview
 

Hello,

It is official I have a date with Eagle July 24, 2006. I'll be flying into DFW the day before! Now I must finish my studies for the MEI (Multi-Instructor Add on). Then it is off to interview preparations for Eagle. Not to mention getting all documents and logbooks in order. This is my first real 121 carrier interview, and yea I am excited and scared/nervous.

Thanks

I'm still trying to get a hold of them.. Why in July? was that the first available?

Interview openings
 

They asked if I could come in next week or mid July. I stated was going to be in Israel on a tour study program until July 10. So she said we can switch places always wanted to go. How does July 24 sound. That means you get month to have fun in Israel and prep for the interview while getting your documents all in order. They are running interviews through Oct. 06.

Stay in touch.

Guys, There are worst place to be at. AMR is at least very stable company right now.Yes Long upgrades,although we currently running 10-16 Ca.upgrades for the last several months or so,so things are slowly moving. My paycheck clears everytime.Remember the grass isnt always greener on the other side.Dont listen to people that havent even step foot on AMR property for christ sakes.
PM for any info.

For NOW. I can think of many scenarios where Eagle will be half or less the size that it is now. How about when the piece -o-sh!te contract expires? Granted that's a while off, but Eagle (IMHO) will be pieced apart and whipsawed like never seen before after that thing expires. How much more flying do you think will go to the connections or if AA takes back some of there flying? What will happen then? What if AMR gets the 170/190 and puts flowbacks into them. Those planes will take over "real" Eagle flying, but be staffed by APA folks leaving few jobs for “real” Eagle pilots. The crappy possibilities are endless. I ALWAYS heard that phrase, ".....at least a very stable company", but its funny how little I heard it when AA and Eagle furloughed and when the flowbacks came pouring in. You must be an Eagle captain (in which case you have been there at least 10+ years) or a flowback. Regardless, you don't have any perspective on how it will be for a new hire there.


So what's the most junior captain? What's the DOH of said captain?

That is THE lamest canned answer that always spewed out of the mouths of Eagle lifers. I know it’s possible to work for a place that goes under and leaves someone hanging out to dry for a paycheck, but TODAY that is HIGHLY unlikely at the regional carriers that most of the folks on this board are looking to go to get a job. That phrase must be in the Crusty Captain/Eagle Lifer handbook or something. I get sick just hearing that one.

True, but anything is greener compared to the dead grass in AMR/Eagles yard. That place is a career ender or at least a career obstacle to anyone starting out in the industry and WANTS TO MOVE ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.


You can listen to me. Granted I'm a bit bitter (as if you couldn't tell) about the place and have a slightly subjective view, but it is one perspective that many ex-eagle folks share. I wasted my time at Eagle for 6 1/2 years before I decided to throw in the towel. Being passed up for upgrades three times and baby-sitting flowbacks just got old so I gave “The Beagle” the finger. The place disgusted me so much and affected my personal life so much that I got out of the industry all together.

Do the new folks on this board a favor and save the Eagle propaganda for the Job Fairs.

Yeah, don't even bother going.

However, if you decide to throw your career away here is some info:
[Disclaimer: It's been over 7 years since I interviewed there, but this is what I can remember]

Kiss the interview captain's butt. Most Eagle Captains are ego maniacs (especially the guys in the training/hiring dept). So the more you stroke his/her ego, the better off you are.

Make them think you want to make Eagle a career airline. They want people like that. I think they believe if you want to be there for a while, they can abuse you more without fear of you leaving or something

They check out the log book and military records (if ex-military). They scrutinize it pretty thoroughly.

Study Jepp charts, App plates, and arrival/dept procedures. They might ask you some pretty obscure questions from those.

Know your IFR rules such as alt requirements, fuel requirements, lost comm. Procedures, when to continue an approach below mins, etc...

The sim was actually the easiest part. When I did the sim, it was a no motion 707. Just fly the profile that they brief before the sim session and ask the non flying pilot for EVERYTHING. He/she is there to help you. I think all I did was do some turns to familiarize then fly an ILS to a miss and hold for one turn. Straight forward and easy.

The physical (like many have stated) is like a frig'n astronaut physical. KY and everything. I have 20/20, but they still questioned my eyesight. They had me read from the view finder thing and were not quite sure so they took me to the ole poster with the letters thing on the wall. Passed it and the rest was wasted history. Oh yeah, they used to do this psych test on the computer. I don't know if they still do that though.

Good luck and remember that I warned you.

Actually, it wouldn't be a bad practice interview. I'd probably do it just for that reason if you've never done a 121 interview before.

My Interview
 

I think I'll go for the interview with American Eagle on July 24th. Am in the finishing stages of my MEI (Multi-Instructor add-on). Eagle is my first 121 type of an interview. Would you say places like Colgan or Mesa (Where I have connections) would be better. Eagle for a part is stable. Can agree that like eagle most places are all about egos.

They have a written 50 ATP style exam, tech and HR then full motion sim now. That is on Day one if you do well stay over night and day 2 is company medical. Where you at?

True. Interview experience is priceless. I was really being sarcastic by saying to not even go, but I would not recomend taking the job.

So much hate toward AE but still hover around to see whats up..
Just let go my friend.Let go.

I'm going to my interview in a few weeks. what do you have to loose? may be the hotel & meal money? I frankly want to fly and i'm not looking for the creme of the crop. Let's be honest all companies have good and bad things but that's life. If Eagle is so bad, which one is the best? Ok I'm ready let me have it...:D

Date?
 

Hello,

What is your date? Mine is scheduled for July 24th as you may already know.
Do you know if we must stay at the Baymont Inn? My cell 818-309-9347 and younglsm2000 on yahoo if you wish to help one another in preperations for the THE BIG DAY? I'll be away in Israel June 28-July 10.

Was told to call back on June 27 to confirm and set travel arrangements.

take care

I wouldn't call it hovering and I'm not here to "see what's up" with Eagle. I do, however, like to see whats going on in the industry and get perspectives of other pilots and ex-pilots that visit this board.

When I see a post regarding Eagle, I check it out so I can give an unsuspecting newbie one perspective of that dark hole I call Eagle.

If Eagle works for you, great. All I'll say is no matter how long you've been there, I wouldn't get too comfortable.

Ignore directbears. Anybody with such a negative attitude would find something wrong with almost anything. Eagle might not be the best. It definately is not the worst. If you worry about all the what if scenarios you would probably want to leave the entire industry...which he did. I am now working for my 5th airline. There are good and bad in all companies. Weigh the good with the bad and make the decision which is right for you.

directbears is partially correct. Progression at Eagle is practically non-existant and will be that way for a couple of years. Current captain is 7 years (just awarded today, LAX Saab 7/99 hire). Unfortunately there is zero growth, zero AA recalls for the next 18 mos (my opinion/guess only) that would create movement, and a very real possibility of losing airframes from the current fleet.

That said, you should interview if only for the experience. If you have no other offers, take the job and get the 121 time.

directbears, where are you now? Was it really a good move for you now that you'd be on deck for the Captain seat?

That is good advice and I probably should have posted that first, but I wouldn't agree with taking the Eagle job just for 121 time (well unless you have 300 hours or something).

I have a non-flying job now. I just got burnt out on the airline biz. I gave it a good 8+ years (6+ with Eagle) and didn't make much headway. Eagle was the straw that broke my back (specifically the onslaught of flowbacks). Granted I made some decisions along my Av career that in hindsight were not great (Eagle being one), and I regret that. However my personal life (family, friends, health, and attitude) have fared the better for getting out. I'll admit that I miss flying, but I don't think I will give it another shot.

My intent here is not to dissuade folks from getting into the industry, but I just try to give a perspective (some call negative because it goes against the "pilot" mantra of how great and cool it is to be a pilot) and let these folks know that being an "airline" pilot is not what the brochure advertises. I also try to give my perspective on Eagle because I really feel like that place was a career killer for me, and I would advise people that (again) are looking for BIGGER AND BETTER career avenues not to go to Eagle. Plus I just didn't like the culture there (and I stuck around for 6 years - boy do I like abuse. Chasing the dangling carrot I guess).

And one last note about Eagle: saying Eagle is a stable company (someone else posted that so it’s not pointed at you) that is just not true. Eagle is just like any other “contract” feeder. There is always the potential to lose the AA feed (as ole Pete B likes to point out CONSTANTLY). Look at the connection feeders…..its already happened and probably will happen again with Executive (IF, but more likely WHEN) they sell it off.

I think so. Again, my personal life is much more pleasant now, and that is obviously a sacrifice that people getting into the biz need to consider. I might be a Captain if I had stayed, but I’d be very junior with a crap lifestyle on reserve with 7+ years in. Not worth it to me.

Just my perspective. Take it or leave it. Doesn’t hurt to share, right?

At the moment Eagle is the first to invite me. I'll go for the expirence and being it at this point no other ofers or invites. I have had my documents walked in at places like ASA, Mesa. Currently after joing airline apps 2 weeks ago (Eagle called first). Am curious to see what it is like to interview for a regional. If I have an offer from eagle and non others of elsewhere then I'll need to think. If I can get to a place like MESA, Colgan, Commut Air or others with about 2 or less years to upgrade even in a Turbo - prop may be adventageous to me!

Currently I have 1210 TT
120 MEL

And working on becoming an MEI

Right on....I would seek professional help if AE made my life very miserable..:cool:

Spoken like a true Lifer or Flushback...

Oh I looked into it, and it looks like I shouldn't give you the dishoner of accusing you as being a Flushback.;)

Looks like you might be coming up on upgrade, hope you don't get bumped and enjoy being a juinor reserve saab captain IF you get the upgrade (if you haven't already) Hey, at least you will be getting that PIC. If you do are you planning on leaving that hell hole? Or are you a true lifer?


Good luck!

www.eaglelounge.com up to date info of whats going on in the company.Let go my friend...Let go:rolleyes:

Mesa will call.

Sure directbears, he definitely needs to hear both sides of the story. I came to Eagle as a means to an end, which has happened, so now I am trying to figure out what next. I too am considering exiting the industry vs. staying at Eagle as a long term FO, because perpetual reserve here is bad for the psyche. I geniunely feel some embarassment at being in this position with so much experience and potential that I seem to be squandering. But....the fact is that nothing else has yet been offered that meets my very picky criteria, so for now I try to make it week to week without beating my head against the wall.

take the job and jump ship after a few months,
once they realize how many people there losing theyll have to increase wages to make it more appealing

I thought they pay a little more than the others... Like Mesa and so on...

they increased their first year pay a few lousy bucks because they needed to attract more people because most people realize that the upgrade is so long that noone will go there. in the long run their all about the same within a few bucks here and there of each other

sadly it will probably work

Let me ask you a question. I ran into a guy the other day. Maybe 40yrs old weighs 298, honestly in not that great of shape, a CFi, and already knows he will be in ERJ, said he starts training in fall. What do you make of that? I was under the impression you don't know what your flying until first day of class. Second, as someone already mentioned the physical is like a NASA physical. Not that I have any problems with people overweight, but I had a friend get bounced on the physical for blood pressure being too high. Not even considered high by norm med standards. I also believe someone else posted about having too high of pressure and getting bounced on the med. Just thought it was interesting and wanted to know what some others thought. I am bit sceptical if he is telling the truth.

yes, he is lying. you go around the room on your first day of ground school and choose available aircraft and bases, starting with the oldest person.

Thats what I thought......

Maybe a FlowbAAck...:o

Damn. . . that's gotta suck for the 24 yr old.

(since someone asked me to explain. . .)

Considering they allow the oldest person in the room to select aircraft and base, it would suck to get the bottom pickings. . . but that's life, and no big deal.

Thats true, it is oldest = most senior in training. However, if you look at it like this it isnt so bad. If the oldest guy is 30 and he gets his pick (that you wanted when you are 24 and the youngest) oh well. When you are 30 you will already have 6 years seniority and probably would have had the chance to transfer there. In this game, it's all about who is most senior.

Exactly, that's just the name of the game. . . and I, like many, am willing to accept it. I just think the individual that messaged me to go more indepth about it may have misunderstood what I wrote. It is hard to pass sarcasm through a broadband connection.

The ATR in San Juan seems to be the most junior pick in each class, so chances are if you are under 25 and going to SJU it could be a hell of a wild time!