OverheadBin

I'm writing to share my American Eagle interview experience...
Being a low time pilot, this was my first airline interview and didn't go as I expected. I'm totally new to this, but this was my day...

The day before, I go to the airport and I'm told in an email I'm standby. I understand what that means. I go to the counter to list and the woman with very broken english says "Here's your ticket there and here's your ticket home." I was thankful I had two tickets - so I thought.

Had a good flight out and a good stay at the hotel. The next morning, I'm excited, I'm ready to go - I'm finally going to be an airline pilot! There were 11 of us to start. As the day went by, candidates were sent home left and right. It came down to five of us at the end of the day. We all thought we made it and we had reason to believe so. Our paperwork was good, we made it through HR, Tech, and Sim. We were excited!

A man comes in and says "You two, come with me." They left. Now myself and the two other candidates, they split us up. Obviously, we didn't get it. His words were "I've got some bad news..." Story of my life. Keeping in mind I had a ticket to get home in the evening, he tells me I can try for two earlier flights. No harm in trying.

I take the walk of shame to the bus stop with the other candidates close behind and we're all pondering what happened. Get back to the airport to list for the earlier flight. The woman was nice and she said it's oversold by 13 people but she'd make me priority. I told her no worries if it doesn't work out, I have a ticket. She looks at it and says it's not a ticket. I told her the woman at my departure airport said it was. Again, she said no. Long story short - I waited standby for three flights that day all to no avail. 9:00pm came around and I was stuck. I needed to get back home for my other job. I asked if they'd put me up or please give me a discounted rate and how will I get home?? The woman told me the flights for the next day are all oversold and not looking good. She basically shrugged her shoulders. The airline did give me a discounted room about 45 minutes later. I'm grateful for that. I wake up the next morning and all the flights that day are oversold. I call AAA and ask if they can help get me a cheap one way flight back home on the next day. Cheapest they could do was ironically on AA and it was $530!! The most expensive was on US with one connection and it was $970.

This was def. an experience that I will never forget. Seems like all the hard work I put in this was in vein. I studied, read the gouges, prepared. I obviously did something right to make it through all three rounds. Same for the other two candidates. I'm not mad or trying to vent, I just wanted to share my experience. I find it weird their is so much miscommunication and misunderstanding within the that company regarding policies and procedures. One says I have a ticket home and the other doesn't and they provide no way to get home... Thanks for reading.

Flywife

Take it in stride and apply elsewhere. You'll get something. The non-rev travel ordeal was insult to injury, but unfortunately that's the way it goes. I got stuck in Atlanta once, lost my cell phone and couldn't get a flight anywhere.

Wingtips

heads up to everyone else, including op, since it has been posted on here before.

WHEN TRAVELING POSITIVE SPACE ON AA/AE, CHECK IN 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE!!

IF YOUR GOING TO INTERVIEW, check in 24 hours in advance with the PNR in the email at AA.com, it will give you a coach seat. Same thing GOING HOME.


KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

What

You had a ticket home, but unfortunantly for you the priorities of the company come first. Even us who work for AMR, if we go to Dallas for training on our return home we are behind paying passengers but ahead of non revs. This might be the situation you were in. Are you expecting the airline to bump a passenger off the flight to get you in, if you think the answer is yes I am sorry to tell you but this is how the airline industry works (specially AMR). Like you said you did something correct since you made it to the interview, and you have to be proud of that, there are other opportunities in the horizon but this is a competitive industry. I'm sorry that it didn't work out, I'm sure you are disappointed, but keep your head up and continue to improve your self as well as your pilot skills. I have personally flown with Pilots who work in the recruitment department and these are pilots who do this job because they enjoy it, they are pilots like you who are looking for a future in aviation, they do this job on a volunteer basis.

Now one thing to take forward is don't assume anything, Just because "Our paperwork was good, we made it through HR, Tech, and Sim." doesn't mean you were what they were looking for. This could be a blessing in your life, maybe Eagle wouldn't have been what you were looking for in the long run. Only time will tell and when you walk away from this business is when you could really answer if this is the story of your life. If you feel strong about Eagle, they should have told you when is the earliest time you could apply again and I encourage you to do so if you see fit. Have a good day and again keep your head up?

3stripes

So before you even went to the interview you're thinking 'This is it I'm finally going to be an airline pilot'? Maybe that was part of the problem? I'm honestly sorry you didn't make it, but no one owes you a job, it's up to you to convince the hiring airline to take you. Eagle is a tough gig to get into, even if you know the gouge inside out. Maybe your face will fit much better somewhere else? Don't get down about not making it, but also don't expect to just walk into a job.

May I ask what your total time etc is? Unfortunately all too many times on these forums it is made to sound all too easy to get that first airline gig. It is not owed to anyone and it isn't necessarily a natural progression.

Better luck next time. I'm sure there will be a next time. Put your stuff in with as many companies as possible and you never know what may happen. Some may even say that not getting into Eagle was a lucky escape.

As for the non-rev issue...welcome to the world of jump-seating and non-revving, it's an every day reality for most pilots. Again, sorry it didn't work out. We're entitled to nothing until we have truly earned it. Better luck next time.

Al Czervik

Don't look for encouragement here. Keep the faith. Things will pan out.

featheredprop

to hear of your experience . Look at it as a valuable experience .I have a friend who interviewed at great Lakes paid full fare ticket prices and hotel had a 7 hour sit in Kden and didnt get the job now he is at Xjet.Keep in mind that the situation you experienced will be nothing new when you get on somewhere and commute .

Keep chipping away good things will come your way Best wshes! FP

Phuz

sounds like a new revenue generAAting program!

own nav

For some it was, ie 2007 hires. If you're in this career 30+ years, you're going to see plenty of ups and downs, the point is to not get frustrated at the things you can't control, but be ready when opportunities come.

Flyby1206

Just imagine if you did get hired...!

Its a tough love situation being involved with AMR/AE.