ExpressJet Interview 02/28/06
- Thread starter kailuaboy
- Start date
- Status
ERfly
Well-Known Member
Flows are what we do prior to each checklist. Checklists in the 121 world are not read and do like Cessnas and Pipers. They are challenge/response. Meaning that your switches, etc. are already set up prior to beginning the checklist. The checklist mearly confirms switch position, that the task was done or the item is set properly. Flows are normally done just prior to reading the checklist, with a couple of exceptions.
The Receiving Flow (big set-up checklist) is done upon entering the cockpit. It is the most involved one since you're basically bringing a mostly shut-down airplane back to life (there is another one for power-up, but that's just to safely apply power). This is where the majority of stuff is set up for flight and most of the systems are checked. In the beginning, it'll take you about 15 minutes to do a receiving flow. Once you have the hang of it, you can do in about 5 to 7, depending on how long it takes for everything to align and if its First Flight of the Day.
99% of our Captains brief "run the flows when you're ready." That means when you feel it's about time for the checklist, get the flow out of the way. A good example is the Before Take-Off flow. If there's only a couple of airplanes waiting to go, I'll run my flow on the way to the runway (flight controls, xponder/tcas, notify fa, etc). If it's busy, I'll wait until I'm about number 5. This varies from day to day. If it's busy and we still have an engine shut-down, the taxi check needs to be completed prior to doing the before take-off flow. You'll soon get the feel for things and know when stuff should be done.
That's flows in a nutshell.
By the way, Congrats and welcome aboard!! Don't get down on the 69 airplanes. Something's in the works. Definately don't sweat it during training. You picked a great airline. You'll like it here.
The Receiving Flow (big set-up checklist) is done upon entering the cockpit. It is the most involved one since you're basically bringing a mostly shut-down airplane back to life (there is another one for power-up, but that's just to safely apply power). This is where the majority of stuff is set up for flight and most of the systems are checked. In the beginning, it'll take you about 15 minutes to do a receiving flow. Once you have the hang of it, you can do in about 5 to 7, depending on how long it takes for everything to align and if its First Flight of the Day.
99% of our Captains brief "run the flows when you're ready." That means when you feel it's about time for the checklist, get the flow out of the way. A good example is the Before Take-Off flow. If there's only a couple of airplanes waiting to go, I'll run my flow on the way to the runway (flight controls, xponder/tcas, notify fa, etc). If it's busy, I'll wait until I'm about number 5. This varies from day to day. If it's busy and we still have an engine shut-down, the taxi check needs to be completed prior to doing the before take-off flow. You'll soon get the feel for things and know when stuff should be done.
That's flows in a nutshell.
By the way, Congrats and welcome aboard!! Don't get down on the 69 airplanes. Something's in the works. Definately don't sweat it during training. You picked a great airline. You'll like it here.
Captain_Bob
Well-Known Member
Ummm... Just to clarify:bwade210 said:
Colgan = Continental Connection
Commutair = Continental Connection
Gulfstream = Continental Connection
Cape Air = Continental Connection
ExpressJet = Continental Express
Bob
stultus
New Member
Captain_Bob said:
Personally, I'd hold off on buying the coat for a while. You'll be finishing training about the time when your short sleeved shirt will be to hot for IAH.
The leather jacket was too spendy for me right now so I bought the trench and it's mostly a hassle to haul around. There are times when it's nice to have, but for the most part the blazer does just fine.
As far as the studying goes, do what you've been told by HR and here. Study the flows--know them--sit in front of that poster and be able to do them all before you head to Houston.
Captain_Bob
Well-Known Member
Tim,
Mexico and IAH are not bad at all... Mexico is in fact some of the best flying and overnights that I've had since I started. All bases travel through each hub and all bases go to Mexico and Canada.
When you are on reserve then you are at the mercy of scheduleing... however once you have a line, then you can place your bid preferences into the scheduling program and bid around Mexico flying if you think it't really that bad. For example, I have my bid preferences set to look for DFW/DAL/PWM/GRR overnights for me. DFW/DAL so I can spend a night at home in the middle of a trip, PWM because I have lots of friends up there, and GRR because that where my parents live. But you can set your preferences however you want... to avoid things or to look for things.
As far as the rumors go... everythings a rumor until we see it happen on our bid packet.
Bob
Mexico and IAH are not bad at all... Mexico is in fact some of the best flying and overnights that I've had since I started. All bases travel through each hub and all bases go to Mexico and Canada.
When you are on reserve then you are at the mercy of scheduleing... however once you have a line, then you can place your bid preferences into the scheduling program and bid around Mexico flying if you think it't really that bad. For example, I have my bid preferences set to look for DFW/DAL/PWM/GRR overnights for me. DFW/DAL so I can spend a night at home in the middle of a trip, PWM because I have lots of friends up there, and GRR because that where my parents live. But you can set your preferences however you want... to avoid things or to look for things.
As far as the rumors go... everythings a rumor until we see it happen on our bid packet.
Bob
buffalopilot
Well-Known Member
All this takl about XJT makes me want to head in that direction. If you live where you are based, how often are you home?
Timbuff10
Well-Known Member
Sounds pretty good, I am always a bit uncomfortable leaving the country for some reason. I have heard some stories from one of your co-workers (Szanto) about some overnights down there. Kinda hard to go 18 hours without drinking water.
Do they tend to put you guys up in good hotels? Or are they more like the "ATP econo lodge" sort of places?
Do they tend to put you guys up in good hotels? Or are they more like the "ATP econo lodge" sort of places?
bwade210
New Member
DE727UPS said:
Yeah...Captain_Bob already coprrected me on that. I meant to say Express Jet...but if your implying that I want to work for Gulfstream because I stood up for students at that school or because I live in Ft. Lauderdale, then your wrong! Glad to see you are keeping tabs on my progress mom.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
"but if your implying that I want to work for Gulfstream because I stood up for students at that school"
Oh...well....you can understand my confusion, then. You're post was in response to me blasting Gulfstream at another site. Gulfstream doesn't get much positive press here. That's why I like it here so much...
Oh...well....you can understand my confusion, then. You're post was in response to me blasting Gulfstream at another site. Gulfstream doesn't get much positive press here. That's why I like it here so much...
Alchemy
Well-Known Member
The company provides you with as much bottled water from stateside as you care to carry. I think the bottles we get are 2 liters each, I carry one for a short overnight and two for a long one in Mexico. I use it to brush my teeth and drink. I'm sure I've accidentally swallowed some Mexico water from time to time in the shower and whatnot, and it's never really hurt me. I also make it a point to try out some of the local cuisine if I get a chance to. Never gotten sick yet (although some of the food has been pretty bad). As an IAH based pilot I spend about 3 nights a month in Mexico on average. I'd imagine it'd be one night a month or less for a CLE or EWR based pilot.
So far in my year and a half here, I've flown into Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Ciudad Del Carmen, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Leon-Guanajuato, Mazatlan, Mexico City, Monclova, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Puebla, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi, Tampico, Toluca, Torreon, and Villahermosa. I think there are still a dozen or so COEX destinations in Mexico I haven't been to; it's nice to have the variety of flying into a new city every so often. Later this month I'll get to go to Cabo San Lucas for the first time.
The non precision approaches down there tend to keep you pretty sharp as well, especially since they're often at night and almost always in the mountains. Add some bad wx into the mix and things really get interesting.
Captain_Bob
Well-Known Member
Tim,Timbuff10 said:
You have to relax a bit... Mexico is not that bad. Yes we do have guys who are super freaky about it and try to bath in bottled water... but those guys are... well... those guys. I've never bathed, brushed my teeth, washed my hands, etc... in bottled water. A lot of what you hear is pure paranoia from folks who may have had one bad experience or who have heard "stories" about it.
We also have guys who refuse to leave their hotel rooms on long overnights for fear of the unknown. Like I said... Mexico is probably some of the best overnights I've had... I've gotten to experience Culture, Markets, Pyramids, History, Beautiful Cathedrals, Fantastic Dining, and wonderful people... But you have to be willing to take a few steps outside your room.
Speaking of rooms... Mexico Hotels are typically nicer than a lot of the stateside hotels.
Bob
- Status
Similar threads
