TheProfessionalPilot

First off, pro's and con's from employees only PLEASE about the company. I am currently flying for a part 135 air carrier and I am looking to get a better schedule and a more steady income. --DONT mess with my money!

What should I expect for the interview in terms of what to be prepared for and what to study in specific or general for this particular airline? Anyone and everyone who works, worked, interviewed, etc please chime in.

I am fully aware of the fact that there are issues that are coming to a very sharp head and that they will be resolved very soon or just never at all.

Also any captains that have been upgraded early or flat out told you have to wait for the company minimums? Is it ALPA minimums the 3500TT or company?

I am WELCOMING a bashing if you feel a bashing is deserved towards the company but you have to give specific reasons why you say that, because I am truely seeking pro's AND con's, not just "have a great life working there!" type comments.

Let the games begin!

jfrabell

For the interview, study up on your atp stuff, and do well on the written. Don't get 100% though...that's an automatic disqualifier.

When I interviewed about 5 months ago, they had stopped doing sim evaluations and switched to a "situational interview." Basically, they sat me in the left seat (of a desk), gave me a scenario, and made me act as a captain on a flight. There are some good gouges on aviationinterviews.com

As for the QOL and ups and downs with the company...I haven't been around very long, but what I can tell you is this. The pilots I've worked with are all pretty much in agreement that the people are great and the management is terrible. Extentions, junior manning, etc. are the way of life. The pay is aweful, but seniority accrues quickly because people are always leaving.

I've been on reserve at DTW for about two months, and haven't "sat resevre" except for 1 day. I usually have a trip 2-3 days before my 'reserve' time arrives.

I've enjoyed my time here so far, but I'm 100% behind the union and getting us a new contract. I laughed out loud at the letter the management sent out proposing new FO pay rates. They need to fix things for EVERYONE.

That's my rant...

higney85

Basicly ATP written items, HR, and situations (CA goes below mins kind of questions). If you know your ATP stuff, have a good personality, and have some previous flight experience you are good. Things are getting interesting around here but I think we will get out on the good side. Upgrade is 3500TT to just walk in to upgrade. You will go through training as an FO, get 100 hours on the line, and then can upgrade. Currently you will only hold CA in DTW and maybe MSP. MEM is senior. I have been here a little over a year and I am still a few spots (2-3 months away) from holding MEM CA. Just letting you know in case you were looking for MEM. The work is fun, pilot group is VERY solid, and things are getting heated over here. Just telling you how it is.

coldpilot

I got a 100% on the written and right now I'm finishing OE. Guess I mush have slipped through the cracks on that one.

The interview isn't too bad. Just like what has been said before, study up on ATP. The SBI isn't too bad, I think they are more looking for your ability to use CRM effectively than come up with the "perfect solution." Some tech, some HR, some jepp. Don't know if the jepp is going away in the interview though since we are starting the transition to LIDO. Don't stress about it and you'll be fine.

machaf

Go to a company that treats their employees better. Pinnacle is a sh!t hole. Every person who says its a good place to work is a newb or just has no clue. Pinnacle is one of the worst airlines to work for.

Pinnacle is a sinking ship. Its just a matter of time until Phildo runs his second airline into the ground.

Friends don't let friends work at Pinnacle!

jfrabell

Hmm...I guess they're really REALLY hurting for pilots now!!

The 100% thing is just something I heard on my way to my interview...that if you get 100% you memorized the material and didn't actually learn it. (which I know not to be true)

I actually missed a couple on purpose, probably just being paranoid, but PNCL was my #1 choice for personal reasons.

norskman2

The recent gouge on aviationinterviews.com is spot-on. Practice the SBI - situational-based interview stuff. You take off, field goes below minimums. Passenger has a heart attack. T/O alternate then goes below mins. What do you do? Captain smells of alcohol. Captain goes below MDA. Captain refuses to use checklists. F/O reports smoke in the cabin. What do you do? You give an answer, and then they give you additional, complicating factors. Stay cool, emphasize use of CRM.

coldpilot

I studied the gouge and study guide before the interview but then they showed up with a completely different test!

norskman2

Pinnacle occasionally tries out a new written exam. Supposedly, one test was so hard (lots of RNAV and other weird *******) that no one interviewing that day passed, so they gave everyone a mulligan and let them move on to the next phase of the interview.

The technical portion of the interview usually stays about the same -- airspace, holding speeds and altitudes, swept wing aerodynamics, brief an approach, and of course, the ever-popular Situational Based Interview.

wolf

[QUOTE=jfrabell;254347]For the interview, study up on your atp stuff, and do well on the written. Don't get 100% though...that's an automatic disqualifier.

There is no reason to purposely sabotage yourself by answering questions incorrectly. Scoring 100% on the written is by no means a disqualifier. The argument that scoring 100% proves that you memorized the ATP written answers and therefore disqualifies you is without merit. In my opinion, the ability to memorize a large amount of data would if anything be advantageous in the eyes of an interviewer as it would demonstrate that you will not have any problems committing the company/faa regulations, limitations and procedures to memory. Just make sure that you can also demonstrate good CRM and judgment.

As others have mentioned, I would suggest reviewing the ATP written book as well as the ATP and instrument oral exam guides. Another good book which you may or may not already be aware of is "Fly the Wing" by Jim Webb/Billy Walker Blackwell Publishing.

Best of luck with the interview.