Interview overview:
I Applied on a Wednesday and Received a phone call Thursday less than 24 hours later. I had a 5 minute phone conversation with Deja about my application, and a time I was available for an interview. I chose a date 3 weeks out for personal reasons (house for sale, etc) and to prepare. Was flown out on Alaska/ Horizon, and put in a hotel overnight. Interview time frame was 8am - 230 pm including pre-hire badge photo, drug test, and new hire meeting. Enjoyed free time between interviews with other applicants in a professional and relaxed environment. Was offered Job same day.
Pre-Interview/ Travel:
I was instructed to select a flight out positive space (paid for by Horizon) to Portland. Flew to SEA via Alaska, then a Horizon Q400 to PDX. I took opportunities to introduce myself to crew members when appropriate not just to look good in case they are in touch with QX (doesn’t hurt…) but for any last minute info before interview. Consistently told to “be yourself, smile and tell them that and why Horizon/Northwest etc.” Everyone was very supportive and excited for me. I took shuttle to a paid for hotel (Country Inn)
I reviewed AIM, King Schools Jepp overview program, general IFR information, and everything I could find on the Q400 and Horizon. I also used Checklist for Success by Cheryl Cage, a priceless guide to airline interviews. If you do not own, purchase is mandatory in my opinion.
Show up:
I waited in the Lobby for the 7:15 Shuttle, met two other applicants with whom I introduced myself. We arrived at Headquarters shortly before 7:30, where 8 out of 9 applicants got a tour of headquarters. The 9th applicant arrived after our tour, and we met him in a conference room that was our “holding pen” for the day. We were each pulled out one by one for each of the three interviews, and eventually our drug test/ background test/ photo for company ID badge. I believe all (I was) were told we were hired before ID session.
Chief Pilot:
Chief Pilot, Allison (Goes by Ali) and her HR support was very friendly and informal. Look through Logbook (less than a minute) Questions included why aviation, why horizon, difficult decision, where I see myself in 5-10 years, etc. We talked company future, upgrade times, and hiring path to Alaska (Ali told me there IS a flow through program to Alaska Airlines.) I made it clear I wanted to move to the Northwest, work for Horizon, and really wanted to fly/stay with the Q400 if possible for ~5 years (true). Very briefly discussed one check ride failure, was made clear this was not an issue. Honesty seemed more important in these answers than giving her the “right” answers.
HR:
Typical HR questions, Tell me about a time, discussed customer service background (I have a career history in management/customer service,) and discussed check ride failure in a little more detail. As previously stated, had more to do with what I learned and experiences, and again Honesty was more important than canned answers.
Technical:
This was my personal weak area, still did well. Same scenarios previously stated by previous gouges. Each applicant had a different scenario (from what I could tell.) 20 minute flight, what does metar say, interpret Notams, what does asterisk next to tower mean, which approach (none were legal to fly in scenario), when can you descend below MEA, what does 5600T mean, hold scenario, when alternate, where, which runway would I depart, how would I join airway, etc. Flew under part 91 rules for me (that’s my current background) asked about 50 different questions about scenario. I probably would have graded myself a 85%, but honest when unsure, and still did “just fine” by exam giver. Not sure if he was a pilot but obviously knew correct answers. I forget his name, but got the impression he is heavily involved in training process.
Acceptance:
After all three interviews and lunch provided, We were taken out of class by Deja, told individually if accepted (or not) taken for prescreening, then discuss offer letter, class dates, etc. At the end we were given a 15 minute conference all together on what to expect at training classes etc. 4-week paid ground school (one week before ATP-CTP paid for training by another company for those who need it,) Ground is in Portland with double occupancy room and transport paid for by Horizon. Followed by 2 weeks for a Sim session in Seattle Single occupancy hotel. Then IOE and on reserve and issued base TBD. I heard good things about potential change to pay structure (I.E. more pay,) was greeted by a half dozen current employees who were excited to see us and wished us all well.
6 out of 9 of us were offered jobs, one was a ATP school interview for a tuition reimbursement (which he got) one didn’t do well in first Chief Pilot interview (don’t know why) and the other guy was the only one who wasn’t wearing a black suit and dark colored tie and white undershirt, innapropriate language filter... They really want to hire you and see you succeed. Assuming you come prepared and are excited to be there, should be easy and straight forward interview process. |
