Ameriflight Pre-screening
- Thread starter bdhugh
- Start date
jdlilfan
Well-Known Member
Here is my interview experience.
I interviewed at CVG about two years back or so for an EMB slot. Everything was setup through HR in Burbank and via email. I could never get a hold of someone via phone. Would always have to leave a voicemail and then would get an email response.
Was told where to go, times, what to study (jepps, regs, etc), and what records to bring (logbook, copies of certs, resumes, passport, driving records). Everything had to be in a certain order and stapled a certain way. I spent the week before meticulously preparing and studying.
I got up and left at O'dark Thirty to drive from Louisville to Cincy. I wanted to make sure I got there in plenty of time and wouldn't get stuck in a traffic jam. I realized I would be about 45 minutes early so I pulled off into a truck stop and studied a bit more in the car. Arrived at the CVG base about 15 minutes before things were scheduled. Went into the building and got stuck in the front "airlock" security doors. Apparently the secretary who works those doors was not in? Knocked and tried to buzz through but no luck. Finally a guy walked by and let me in. He was the DO of the base. I introduced myself and we chatted a bit. Then he took me to a conference room and said someone will come back to interview me. Sat in there for about 10 minutes or so. The ACP comes in to do the interview. We talk about flying backgrounds and how I think CFI'ing is going. He asked about hobbies and other things not related to aviation. He kept having me repeat what I had said as my answer so he could write things down on some kind of HR questionnaire. The guy kept forgetting my name. The interviewer acted like he could care less, acted somewhat condescending about my flight times/ experience, and why HR selected me to be there. Then excused himself and left for 10 minutes. He came back in and told me there are no further questions and asked if I had any. I was taught in the college interview prep class to always ask follow-up questions and I wanted to know more about the company because I was (and still am) interested in freight dawging. So I asked a few about the company, the culture, the airplanes, etc. After an awkward period of non-answers, they hurried me out and said someone would call me that afternoon.
Other than the waiting while people came and went, the interview lasted 10 minutes maybe. I was positive, friendly, and out-going. I was dressed well in a suit and tie. The management there made it seem like I was an inconvenience to them and made a couple of grumbles about HR. I wonder if the interview was just some EEOC requirement and they had someone already picked for the job. I feel like I didn't really have a chance to prove myself for the job. They had their minds made up already.
On the way home I had a flat tire/blow out and my parents had to pick me up and take the tire to get fixed (I had no spare). Turned into a really bad/ expensive day.
I waited two days and no one called so I followed up with HR in Burbank. They sent me a "thanks but no thanks" email.
It was an interesting experience nonetheless.
I interviewed at CVG about two years back or so for an EMB slot. Everything was setup through HR in Burbank and via email. I could never get a hold of someone via phone. Would always have to leave a voicemail and then would get an email response.
Was told where to go, times, what to study (jepps, regs, etc), and what records to bring (logbook, copies of certs, resumes, passport, driving records). Everything had to be in a certain order and stapled a certain way. I spent the week before meticulously preparing and studying.
I got up and left at O'dark Thirty to drive from Louisville to Cincy. I wanted to make sure I got there in plenty of time and wouldn't get stuck in a traffic jam. I realized I would be about 45 minutes early so I pulled off into a truck stop and studied a bit more in the car. Arrived at the CVG base about 15 minutes before things were scheduled. Went into the building and got stuck in the front "airlock" security doors. Apparently the secretary who works those doors was not in? Knocked and tried to buzz through but no luck. Finally a guy walked by and let me in. He was the DO of the base. I introduced myself and we chatted a bit. Then he took me to a conference room and said someone will come back to interview me. Sat in there for about 10 minutes or so. The ACP comes in to do the interview. We talk about flying backgrounds and how I think CFI'ing is going. He asked about hobbies and other things not related to aviation. He kept having me repeat what I had said as my answer so he could write things down on some kind of HR questionnaire. The guy kept forgetting my name. The interviewer acted like he could care less, acted somewhat condescending about my flight times/ experience, and why HR selected me to be there. Then excused himself and left for 10 minutes. He came back in and told me there are no further questions and asked if I had any. I was taught in the college interview prep class to always ask follow-up questions and I wanted to know more about the company because I was (and still am) interested in freight dawging. So I asked a few about the company, the culture, the airplanes, etc. After an awkward period of non-answers, they hurried me out and said someone would call me that afternoon.
Other than the waiting while people came and went, the interview lasted 10 minutes maybe. I was positive, friendly, and out-going. I was dressed well in a suit and tie. The management there made it seem like I was an inconvenience to them and made a couple of grumbles about HR. I wonder if the interview was just some EEOC requirement and they had someone already picked for the job. I feel like I didn't really have a chance to prove myself for the job. They had their minds made up already.
On the way home I had a flat tire/blow out and my parents had to pick me up and take the tire to get fixed (I had no spare). Turned into a really bad/ expensive day.
I waited two days and no one called so I followed up with HR in Burbank. They sent me a "thanks but no thanks" email.
It was an interesting experience nonetheless.
Nark
Macho Superpilot
I had a phone interview with Amflight in August.
The HR lady will ask you about all things HR. She'll also tell you about the company, which is quite a bit that isn't found on these forums.
It's not too hard. Just answer the questions she ask's.
"tell me about the time"
Why do you want to work here"
Etc...
The HR lady will ask you about all things HR. She'll also tell you about the company, which is quite a bit that isn't found on these forums.
It's not too hard. Just answer the questions she ask's.
"tell me about the time"
Why do you want to work here"
Etc...
KLB
Well-Known Member
Let me see if I can help straighten a few things out about this one.
First off. The security door that you were at is the airport security.
There is no secretary at CVG. Only dispatchers. You could have been there at a time where their werent any dispatchers available. CVG is a small operation. So most of the time the ACP (the guy who interviewed you) has to play secretary whenever the phone rings. So when he left for a bit, he could have been answering a phone call. He may have seemed to be a bit spaced out during the interview. Well at the time, the ACP was also actively flying the line. So, he may have just come off of a full night of sitting reserve flying.
You can see how they dislike doing interviews because it interferes with all the other duties they have. CVG is a night operation and the when they have to do interviews it means that they have to stay awake when they'd rather be in bed.
I doubt they had anyone else selected for the job. The company just doesn't operate that way. It was filled internally though. They may have interviewed you before bids closed and somone applied for it.
I can understand how it all seemed weird to you. The experience is a whole lot different when you fly out and interview in Burbank. I also interviewed at a base. My experience was a big different from yours, but it was nothing like what happens in Burbank.
One of the guys at BUR puts you in the runup area and tells you to depart. There is no screen on the sim, and I wasn't provided an airport diagrahm. So, if that happens to you, keep your cool. Don't expect answers from him on how he wants you to depart, he won't give you any.
How are you going to put someone in the runup area and ask them to depart with out a single visual cue as to where the runway is?!
How are you going to put someone in the runup area and ask them to depart with out a single visual cue as to where the runway is?!
How long have you been in contact with the company? I did the phone interview nearly 6 weeks ago. They said they were going to schedule for the sim interview and try to get me in ground school by the first week of November. I emailed them 2 weeks ago and they said that I should not worry and that they would get back to me as soon as someone here locally (DFW area) can do the interview. The current plan is ground school during the first week of January. I'm not really sure what's going on, maybe it's just the upcoming holidays that's causing delays?
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Haven't you ever departed from a taxiway or even the ramp? Seriously, I think they got their answer.
Douglas
Old School KSUX
I don't think there is an actual reason, it is just a long process. It was about nine months from application/e-mails/phone calls to finish for me. Good luck.
jhugz
Well-Known Member
You'll get Oakland or Portland to start off.
Douglas
Old School KSUX
Hey man, I am in the same boat. I am from Northeast Nebraska so I am trying to get an Omaha base too. From everybody I've talked to, Omaha is less than desirable for most of these pilots, which makes getting to Omaha a quicker bet than most places.
Though you won't actually be "living" in Omaha, just spending a few hours a night there before you head west again. Which puts you living closer to 5 or more hours away from Des Moines; just in case that changes your mind.
Going straight to Omaha isn't out of the realm of possibility, but it would be extremely unlikely.
jhugz
Well-Known Member
When I go back to work after this injury heals up I'll have me a Omaha base. I'll trade you for a PHX base.
SIUav8er
Narcosis
Its impossible unless you get hired into the 99. No PA31's im OMA as far as I know
Douglas
Old School KSUX
Yeah, 99s in Omaha. That "extremely unlikely" possibility was coming from the angle of going in PA31 then they needed an Omaha guy right away and you get thrown into 99 school.
When I go back to work after this injury heals up I'll have me a Omaha base. I'll trade you for a PHX base.
eh, can't give you Phoenix. How about Oakland? What does that do for you?
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
Just an aside in the Omaha discussion, you might look in to Suburban if you're from the OMA area. I used to work for them and they are a good operation. Good pay, nice people.
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
Keep after them. They're the sort of people (if my experience is any indication) who appreciate someone who very much wants to be there and will work their butt off to earn the better-than-average pay. If you're still in the OMA area, drop by and ask (nicely) if you can speak to Jay B. (CP). He's a good guy, and if you're not qualified for the position (theoretical) he'll tell you so and how to become so. It's a good family-type operation that doesn't "expect" you to leave for something else in a year or so, which is a very GOOD sign from the pilot's perspective.
Douglas
Old School KSUX
I appreciate it, but I ended up taking a different job out west. Yeah, I walked it in once but Mr. B was out. Now come to think of it, not going back in person was really half assed.
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
No worries. If you stay in cargo, they'll appreciate your experience. If you don't, whatever. Life is full of opportunities. Hope it all works out well. I was really just putting the plug in because they were very good to me, and I think the small companies sometimes get short shrift in these discussions.