Given two weeks notice for interview and my pick of times for a Friday. Chose last slot. Went to Advanced Simulator at the Centennial airport for all sim prep. There I was told to expect ILS 26 at Cheyenne and arc. I was told to expect the sim set as Baron 58. Great Lakes emailed info about the interview which also stated Baron 58. The interview was to be held at the Aims Community College in Greely. All ten year background info was to be completed prior to interview, along with a host of other paper work. Advanced Sim told me to get Reporting Clear and Checklist For Success by Cheryl Cage. I did, were excellent for preparing for HR. Additionally, I got Airline Pilot Technical Interviews by Ronald McElroy and Everything Explained (FAR's)by Richie Lengel. Excellent books for technical portion.
Had to cram because instrument proficiency lapsed, although still current per the FAR's. Three days before the interview was informed by Lakes employee to expect ILS 26 at Cheyenne with arc and failed engine! I thought he was crazy, but I practiced it. Interview day and running around like crazy tieing up loose ends. Two hours before the interview Lakes called to see if I could come in early. I told them I'd try, but that the notice came a little too late. Additionally, there was a mistake made on the directions which had to be cleared up. I didn't arrive until ten minutes prior to the interview time. Was a nervous wreck, couldn't stop shaking. Turned in paperwork, which wasn't entirely complete, and had picture taken. Sat down and reviewed the approach plate, training agreement and sim information. Was so nervous, eyes started filling with tears. The sim was to be set up as a Seminole.
15 minutes later HR reps approached me, two females who never smiled even though I did. After the pleasantries they started on my NDR, I'd had several speeding tickets in the last 5 years and 2 suspensions due to not getting the tickets paid timely. I hadn't reviewed the report and couldn't really explain specific instances. I just admitted wrong doing and told them I was really trying to do better. They related it to adhering to FAR's. A few HR questions later they started with the technical questions. Didn't know if they were pilots since got HR and tech quest from both. Just used plain english with limited acros and stillted lang. Radiation fog, lost comm in VFR and IFR, what you need to descend below MDA, difficult capt scenario, explain symbols on enroute chart, finger fly Sheridan ILS approach, IFR/VFR fuel mins, did I ever break FAR or have EMG. There were a few I couldn't remember answers to. Toward the end they rushed me and I thought I busted. They asked if I had questions and I said no because I thought I was going to be given the boot and they were just going through formality. Figured it was useless asking questions even though I had some. They were surprised and confirmed. I said no questions. Then I thanked them and expected the boot, but they sent me to the sim! Later I realized I should have asked questions, because if I busted they wouldn't have sent me to the sim.
Couldn't remember directions to sim. Got lost and wandered, was very nervous and couldn't think clearly. Nobody around to ask. Finally I came to intersection and stood, sim interviewer saw me and flagged me down. He presented me with the ATIS info sheet. Got in sim and confirmed the setting for all radios, navs etc. Pre-take off checklist, climb check, go direct to CYS VOR, then outbound on 070 radial and fly 13 DME arc. Cleared for the approach and contact twr at the OM. Briefed the approach while waiting for the 13 DME fix, interviewer was on cell phone! Lead turn 1.2 nm had some trouble holding the arc despite constantly turning in to correct. Got to 13.9 when about to get the lead in radial. Turned in nailed the final approach course. Sweaty palms and trembling, hard to keep altitude. Sim very sensitive had to concentrate on breathing. No DME for approach, but used RMI to identify proximity to OM. Hit OM, 5 t's, cleared to land. Then interviewer told me 2 miles off course say intentions! Froze, couldn't think, couldn't understand. Didn't respond right, just babbled. Missed, forgot to report. Flew the published, but couldn't make standard rate turns or else the sim would knife edge, could only do 1/2 standard. This screwed up the entry into the hold. So nervous, entered TD instead of easier PL. Reported hold to twr, 5 t's, had to reintercept, took awhile. Interviewer asked if I was going direct or intercepting, told him I was intercepting. Just as course coming in started to turn in. Sim stopped just prior to getting on course. Was told prior to sim that you couldn't ask how you did or anything.
Aftewards talked to two other candidates. They failed the engine on one of them! Day two afterwards one was hired. Day three for me and other guy that had engine failed, no word. Good luck, hope this helped!!!!
|
