BigCity

Hey,
Anybody know exactly what people like to see in an interview in terms of checking logbooks?
I currently use Logbook Pro, but I performed a one time transfer of from my paper log, that includes about 3500 hours of flying in this transfer. I have kept a paper log as well as the digital stuff. The Logbook Pro has all the data, but in the event that they may want to see the entire logbook, all the data is not there, just the one time transfer plus all flying since then. My paper log has everything, but I didn't know if it looked to "old school" and less impressive.

Just curious if anybody's had anyone scrutinize their book or say they preferred it any particular way. The interview's with Southwest if that matters.

Thanks

captjns

As long as the numbers add up you should be in good shape. Neatness is a must. Don't be surprised if they exclude flight instructing time from your total time. Flight instructing time beyond a pre-deterimined limit along with cruise flight officer time is excluded for the purposes of their total flight time caluclations.

But remember neatness counts.

Good luck and happy flying.

A320fumes

Doesn't seem like you have the same problem as me, but I've been on 4 interviews. On my last, one of the panel member's sole duty was to go through my logbook until the other two completed their questions. About half my time, the half they care about (PIC Turbine) is military and part 121 with documentation to substantiate. I lost the other logbook to an aircraft fire...... different post. I took my logbooks to the FAA to have them validated after my ATP check-ride. I'm always asked about the duplicate logbook, but FAA certification always quells those questions. I don't recommend walking into a FSDO blindly and doing this. I would get some intel on down to earth examiners, and approach them personally on this matter before turning over my logbook. I Don't know where you are in your career, but they should easily validate everything up your last check-ride FAA form 8710. If your logbook passes a sanity check, you shouldn't have problems.

Scout

BigCity,

I interviewed with my Logbook Pro logbook that had everything transferred like you did. I think that it makes a good impression since everything is practically perfect, and it is easy to inspect. So on my interview I had my nice, leather bound, high dollar, monogrammed logbook tabbed with everything that SWA wanted, and it looked great! I also had my military flight records closeout, and that is all the interviewer/logbook reviewer wanted to see. He asked if there was anything in my civilian logbook that wasn't in my military records, and I said; "No, it is just a back-up of my military records." After that he never even cracked the front cover. You will see all types of logbooks, some are held together with rubber bands and tape and several guys had five or six logs. Some guys were obviously a little self conscious about the appearance of their logbooks, but really I think the airline understands that not everyone was thinking "airline job" way back when they first started making entries. However, I think your logbook will make it easy on the interviewer and will be a cinch to tab per SWA instructions. I actually got quite a few compliments on my logbook from other guys interviewing since we all had to lay them out on the table together.
I only interviewed with the one airline and am currently in their hiring pool, so for me everything worked out great. Best of Luck!

328dude

I kind of have the same story. I've used Logbook Pro for the last 6 years and transfered everything from day one into it when I got it. Luckily, I didn't have to much time and only took a few weeks. Have used it ever since. I had NC Software, the manufacturer of Logbook Pro print it out for me, and put it into a nice binder. They currently didn't have such a service, but they helped me out and did it as a trial in case they wanted to add it for other pilot's with upcoming interviews to try. It wasen't cheap, but the outcome was more than I could have hoped for and was really impressed with the turnaround time. (1 week)

I took this to the interview, along with my old logbooks that I was using prior to the transfer which also had all the paper signatures. In the interview, the women doing my review commented on how neat and organized it was and never even looked at my old paper logbooks. She didn't even have to wipp out the calculator since everything was in front of her including a breakdown of hours in each aircraft I have flown. She made the comment that she likes the electronic flightlog since it makes verifying your times much easier.

Since the interview, NC Software now offers this service, and as I said, it's not cheap, but the outcome is wonderful. Southwest seemed to like it and I'm currently awaiting a class date in Nov.

WannaB

Another thread on this topic:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/showthread.php?t=6163

Hacker15e

Speaking of electronic logbooks, could somebody please post a scan of the format they used to print out their e-logbook? I.E., what categories/columns were there, what information was present.

I've read some other posts that said they used the same format as the Jeppesen Professional Pilot logbook, but I don't have one of those to know what that looks like.

I have an Excel-based logbook that I've adapted for my military flying, and it tracks all sorts of useless-to-the-airlines stuff like NVG time and combat sorties, so I'm interested in possibly re-arranging it to match what the civilian guys are using.

Thanks!

BigCity

Thanks, folks. Hopefully I can make this look as neat as possible. I'm just glad I kept up with this stuff through the years.

328Dude and Scout,

What airline did you guys come from? Congrats on the job offer! I hope I pull this off. Any tips?

BigCity

Scout

15e,

You can go to the Logbook Pro website and use it as a trial for free. It is easy to use and has various formats for your entries. I also have several usless types of entries such as NVG, combat, ,imminent danger, ect that don't mean anything to anyone except the military. When your ready to print the pages you can deselect the columns that you don't need. As long as your NVG time is also logged as Night the times will add up correct when you print using one of the formats. I'm not positive, but your Excel may migrate into Logbook Pro. They are good people and will answer any questions you have. I changed everything I had over in 2001, it took me about 6 months to enter each entry (18 years worth) but it has paid off nicely now. I understand now that Logbook Pro can even import your airline schedule into your logbook....I'm looking forward to that day!

Scout

No airline experience, straight from Active duty in the Army. Someone else said it first, but....."The harder you work, the luckier you get."