Compass Airlines Interview

I also was called for a Compass interview, but I am skeptical about going for an interview? I have my Dispatcher License, but I never dispatched a flight. I currently work for a company which provides Flight Plan Assistance for a major airline. Was there any dispatcher exam/questions they asked during the interview? Anyone please fill me in if it worth it or not to get my foot in the door with Compass?
 
Bob Wilson said:
I also was called for a Compass interview, but I am skeptical about going for an interview? I have my Dispatcher License, but I never dispatched a flight. I currently work for a company which provides Flight Plan Assistance for a major airline. Was there any dispatcher exam/questions they asked during the interview? Anyone please fill me in if it worth it or not to get my foot in the door with Compass?
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I met with a panel of 3 people. They asked me a lot of HR type questions, such as, "When did you experience a difficult time and how did you handle it", and "When were you uncomfortable with a situation at work and how did you handle it". Stuff like that..

Then they had me read METARS & TAFS, describe what a STAR is and how to read one, and about an ILS approach. They had me go over the approach plate, tell them minimums for a straight in approach with and without ALS. They then asked me if I could legally dispatch an aircraft to that airport to shoot that approach at a given time with ALS out. They wanted to see that I could not only read the TAF but decipher it as well and make a decision based off the domestic FAR's, including 3585. I was also asked some regulation questions and what an MEL & CDL are and how they differ. They asked what the different categories are for MEL's and how to find what those categories mean. That's about it in a nutshell.

An airline like Compass is where most people get their start after DX school so it would be a great place for you to start. The SOC is really nice. As were the people! Good luck! :-)
 
Being out of dispatch school for 1 year plus, it is going to be really tough to score/pass an interview like that. I could definitely use a recurrent training.
 
Bob Wilson said:
I also was called for a Compass interview, but I am skeptical about going for an interview? I have my Dispatcher License, but I never dispatched a flight. I currently work for a company which provides Flight Plan Assistance for a major airline. Was there any dispatcher exam/questions they asked during the interview? Anyone please fill me in if it worth it or not to get my foot in the door with Compass?
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If you can make an interview, go! Even if it's a job you have no interest in. It's a good learning experience and can help you when the "dream job" comes open. The only certain way to know you won't be offered a job is not to interview for it. We all had to go get that first job somewhere.

just_blaze said:
Being out of dispatch school for 1 year plus, it is going to be really tough to score/pass an interview like that. I could definitely use a recurrent training.
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Did you keep any study materials or notes from your dispatch school? I'm a bit of a hoarder with stuff like that and still have all the notes and handouts from my dispatch school. They have come in very helpful in preparing for interviews. The basics haven't changed, and for the most part everyone's opspecs are very similar in a lot of areas. Those giving the interviews are (or should be) looking for basic knowledge base (like the stuff WP73 mentioned, there should be some free online tutorials for such stuff if u need a brush up) and the character of the person. Again, the one sure way not to get hired is not to try.
 
McCrosky said:
Did you keep any study materials or notes from your dispatch school? I'm a bit of a hoarder with stuff like that and still have all the notes and handouts from my dispatch school. They have come in very helpful in preparing for interviews. The basics haven't changed, and for the most part everyone's opspecs are very similar in a lot of areas. Those giving the interviews are (or should be) looking for basic knowledge base (like the stuff WP73 mentioned, there should be some free online tutorials for such stuff if u need a brush up) and the character of the person. Again, the one sure way not to get hired is not to try.
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Still have all my books and notes as well. Did not want to come off like I'm complaining, just wish I got hired with 121 carrier right out of school so I could put my knowledge to use. I'm currently with a part 135 company, but not doing any 'real' dispatching.
 
just_blaze said:
Still have all my books and notes as well. Did not want to come off like I'm complaining, just wish I got hired with 121 carrier right out of school so I could put my knowledge to use. I'm currently with a part 135 company, but not doing any 'real' dispatching.
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I second what McCrosky said about doing the interview, even if it's somewhere you don't really want to work. The experience is invaluable! When I got hired at Ryan, my interview was really laid back because I'd already established relationships there for months prior. So I felt really nervous about going to Compass to have a "real" interview. I'm so glad I did because it gave me confidence!

I studied domestic FAR's before going, to brush up since I'd been dispatching int'l supplemental flights. I'm sure if you just study your materials from school in the areas I mentioned before, you'll do fine. What's the worst that can happen? You don't get offered the job. The best? You'll learn loads for your next interview! Definitely do it! ;-)
 
McCrosky said:
If you can make an interview, go! Even if it's a job you have no interest in. It's a good learning experience and can help you when the "dream job" comes open. The only certain way to know you won't be offered a job is not to interview for it. We all had to go get that first job somewhere.



Did you keep any study materials or notes from your dispatch school? I'm a bit of a hoarder with stuff like that and still have all the notes and handouts from my dispatch school. They have come in very helpful in preparing for interviews. The basics haven't changed, and for the most part everyone's opspecs are very similar in a lot of areas. Those giving the interviews are (or should be) looking for basic knowledge base (like the stuff WP73 mentioned, there should be some free online tutorials for such stuff if u need a brush up) and the character of the person. Again, the one sure way not to get hired is not to try.
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Thanks for the advice..
 
Being out of Dispatcher school for a while now I basically forgot some key things about dispatch, so now is why I am scared about the dispatcher interviews. When I first received my dispatcher license several years ago I remember I was not asked questions directly, but was asked questions via a test.
 
Bob Wilson said:
Being out of Dispatcher school for a while now I basically forgot some key things about dispatch, so now is why I am scared about the dispatcher interviews. When I first received my dispatcher license several years ago I remember I was not asked questions directly, but was asked questions via a test.
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You must have had an oral exam?
 
Bob Wilson said:
Yes I had my oral but it was almost 8 years ago...
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The only way to learn and gain confidence is to go do the interview. If you don't do well, at least you will have learned a lot for the next one. Good luck to you!
 
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