Airline selection/training

Pilot121

Pilot121

Well-Known Member
Hello,
I have some questions about the airline hiring process. I read that when you apply at an airline, you must first go through some type of test to "weed out" certain applicants. In general, what type of things does the test ask - personality, ability to do mental math, etc.? Can most people pass these tests? Also, when it comes to actual airline training/getting a type rating, how difficult is this? If one is able to be successful in getting all of their flight ratings up to commercial/ATP, is it safe to assume that they will not have any issues with airline training?

Thanks,
Pilot121
 
When I got to TSA all I did was apply online. No test to take. Interview was basic simple questions. Only math I've ever used was crossing a fix at a certain altitude.
 
Well, considering most of the regionals have told me they took out sim tests and written tests in their interview process and the fact that it was down to HR and technical...I'd say just get your ratings and hours, be safe and don't do anything stupid en-route on your record, and prep for the interview and you'll land the job just fine.

Regionals keep buying me lunch to give me a pitch at my company and my old college on why I should fly for their airline. Considering the way it's trending, you'll have the option rather than them. One week I got free lunch every day from a different airline.

Of course, this could all change in 2-3 years when you have your hours if you're just starting. I wouldn't stress over airline interviews if that's the case. Stress about passing your checkrides. Focus on your flying now, don't keep chasing and never stop to enjoy the moments.
 
There is a lot of difference in airline interview practices. If you take the time to prepare for them they aren't too hard. I've done technical interviews, HR interviews, had written knowledge tests, personality tests, and sim rides at some of the various interviews I've been to. Just study what's required for the interview you have coming up, when you get one. I will say I've left some technical interviews kicking my self for all the stupid answers I gave. We all do that that. All the interviews I've been to all the applicants tend to sit around and compare notes, and there are a lot of "why the hell did I say that" stories going around.

Actual training can be intense, especially when you don't know what to expect. They are going to throw a LOT of information at you and if it is your first 121 you are going to be overwhelmed trying to figure out what is important to remember and what you an brain dumb for a later time.

For me, I usually studied an hour or two a night, and bit more nearing a test or oral. Try to group study as often as you can.
 
At the regionals, the current requirement is the ability to fog a partially fogged mirror.

One hired me, so clearly they're running out of applicants :)
 
Last edited:
Pilot121 said:
Hello,
I have some questions about the airline hiring process. I read that when you apply at an airline, you must first go through some type of test to "weed out" certain applicants. In general, what type of things does the test ask - personality, ability to do mental math, etc.? Can most people pass these tests? Also, when it comes to actual airline training/getting a type rating, how difficult is this? If one is able to be successful in getting all of their flight ratings up to commercial/ATP, is it safe to assume that they will not have any issues with airline training?

Thanks,
Pilot121
Click to expand...

At VX there is an online assessment as part of the application process that everyone takes. It's a math/crit thinking type questions and personality questionnaire. There are ways to study for the math type portion. For the personality you just have to be yourself and be consistent in your answers. It's usually not an issue as long as one is honest and consistent in their honesty. IMO, I'd say most can pass this assessment provided they do a little bit of studying before hand.

Airline training is like drinking from a fire hose. Lots of information to take in with a condensed schedule. Sometimes 1.5 months from 0 to type rating. Study every day and learn the material. Most likely they'll give you a study guide of all things expected on an oral exam. Or they'll drop hints and say hey, here's something you should memorize. You have to know cold your limitations and memory items. If you can get through commercial and ATP, your first airline training will seem overwhelming at first but it's still doable. And I cringe before giving this advice, but it may not be a bad idea to get AvSoft material yourself beforehand to study. I did this for the CRJ at my regional and the A320 at my current company. I never memorized actual numbers per say but things like systems, how things work, schematic to understand what's happening, etc. etc. it really helped me a lot. I also got the current limitations and memory items before class started so I had those down cold day 1 of class. Just the usual caveat to be careful studying the wrong numbers before hand so make sure your info is legit and up to date.
 
Pilot121 said:
Hello,
I have some questions about the airline hiring process. I read that when you apply at an airline, you must first go through some type of test to "weed out" certain applicants. In general, what type of things does the test ask - personality, ability to do mental math, etc.? Can most people pass these tests? Also, when it comes to actual airline training/getting a type rating, how difficult is this? If one is able to be successful in getting all of their flight ratings up to commercial/ATP, is it safe to assume that they will not have any issues with airline training?

Thanks,
Pilot121
Click to expand...


It varies wildly from one airline to another; from regional to major; from U.S. based airlines to foreign based airlines. Sometimes it can be just a few hours; sometimes the whole day; sometimes three days; and one I know of that was five days. That can happen all at once or it can happen in phases.

The best thing you can do is to prepare by doing what you are doing, which is asking questions and then researching the specific carrier you will be interviewing with. There are companies that specialize in interview preparation for airline pilots; resume services; application review services; seminars; etc.

Training varies as well. I would not call it easy. You need to study, study, and then study some more. You need to practice flows and bounce questions off of your classmates. The FAA requires that a systems oral be a minimum of two hours. Lots of airlines have gone to a different method than the old oral for systems knowledge though, so that has made it easier. Back in the day you had to be able to draw the entire electrical system and hydraulic system of the aircraft from memory. Orals could easily last 4 hours on some turboprops with you having to explain the intricacies of the various propeller systems and their protections. Memory items for emergency procedures could be very lengthy. Again, that has all changed at most U.S. airlines and is quite a bit easier than it used to be but you still need to study a lot.



Typhoonpilot
 
Last edited:
There can be several layers in the interview process, including telephone and in person interviews for competitive candidates. All candidates are asked a series of questions that enable recruiters and hiring managers to drill down to a person's motivations, attitude toward others, their work ethic and their ability to be a part of a team. Successful candidates should embrace teamwork, demonstrate altruism, possess a self- deprecating demeanor, take their work — but not themselves — seriously, and do what is necessary to help the company reach its goals.
 
Airline interviews vary by the airline and its culture. At the regional level, it's pretty much a pulse and the ability to fly an airplane. Major airlines hire differently; where you have Delta that has cognitive, psychological, and technical tests versus an airline like Hawaiian Airlines, where there is zero technical testing and their only quest is to get to know you personally to see if you are a good fit. Airline training is well.....airline training. By the time you're interviewing at major airlines, you already have a grasp of what to study for and how to handle ground school when it comes. It's the same at every airlines. Company policies, procedures, and the do's and don'ts. After that, you branch off to your respective airplane for simulator training and maneuvers validation.
 
My current regional airline hired me over the course of a 5 minute phone call... so there's that. I mean you are breathing right? I think at some point during the conversation the HR person on the other end realized that I was breathing and in turn had a pulse, and that's exactly what they (and every other regional) were looking for!
 
Last edited:
A80TRACON said:
I've heard cake doesn't hurt as well.
Click to expand...
It's all in the presentation

3425547797_7e8f853ca2.jpg
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
He can't possibly have one, because there is no such rule
Click to expand...


Interesting because the last two type rating orals I did the examiners were very specific about the two hour minimum. Two different examiners and both said the same thing. I did not think to ask for a source. Based on what you guys are saying maybe it is part of the training center approvals (and this is one of the largest and best training centers in the world). The Feds routinely monitor this requirement so I assumed it came from them. I will check, however, and see what I can dig up in writing.


TP
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top