My intreview in March went pretty much as others have described.

I have to add that the company seems very solid.

I am currently flying the line (June/2001), and have finished a very good and thorough training.

This company has plenty of guys that are here for the rest of their careers (that means this is a great place to be). The pay is good, the hotels they use for overnights are excellent, and so are the places in general (Hilton Head and Key West are favs).

The dash 8 is a great plane for this job, and the captains are very knowledgeable withoutloking down at you.

Current captain upgrades have been here for two years, but new hires should expect less time than that (1 1/2 yr.). This not like some of those places that push you into the left seat after 6 months, when you don't even know how to spell the name of the airline you work for.

Good pay, good planes, good routes, good company, good guys, good god who could want more?

Faxed a Resume in March 2000. Called for an Interview in July 2000. Not sure what the delay was but I got it and thats all that counts. Stayed at the Ramada in Salisbury, MD at a reduced rate (interview rate). Make your reservations as soon as you can. It actually gets full. Some other Interviewees called only a few nights before and were unable to get a room. They stayed at the comfort inn (not reduced). The next morning Bob Trout the HR Guy asked about your stay at the Ramada. When Interviewers said they stayed some where else he inquired why. Calling the night before to get a room probably is not a good way to impress them on your planning skills. Flew into Salisbury on a pass supplied by Piedmont. Prior to the interview I studied ATP written, AIM, FAR and Current Aircraft. The Van driver knows alot about the process. Be friendly to everyone you never know who's listening.

Van drives you over to the corporate center at 8:30am. The interview process consists of an hour and half lecture by Bob Trout about the company and benefits. Then you take a written test. Then do a 10 minute interview. Then a psych test if your lucky. Then your called back in if your pontential for hiring is good. At any time you don't pass a phase your dismissed. There was no simulator. The written test was 80 questions (I think) on basic stuff. Study your ATP, Aim and Regs to pass. Then your released to get some lunch while they grade them. If you fail (70% to pass) your dimissed (quite embarrassing to those who get to leave early). After lunch, you come back at sit for a while in the lounge. Not sure why it took so long before they did the first interview, maybe they were watching your interactions with the other pilots. My suggestion is to be friendly and partake in conversation. Don't just sit there a lump on a log. Look interesting. One guy was dismissed immediately after going in the office for the personal interview. I quess he failed the test. The interview was very relaxed and not technical in nature. Bob Trout and the Chief pilot conducted the interview. Just a few questions about your background and why you want to work for them. Bob has been doing pilot interviews for a long time. He feels he can decide if pilot can make it through there process in a short interview. If they like you, they will say so and ask you to take the psych test. It's not really a psychological test. It is a computer based short term memory test. A real pain in the ass too. No way to study for it really. I'll give a couple of hints to help though. Their a six tests (I think), 3 are number tests and 3 are color tests. The good news is you get to do a couple of practice rounds before each test. Don't be afraid to ask to do the practice rounds again if you need too. I did and it helped. The number test is a series of six numbers that are place in grid of 3 x 3 boxes ( 9 total boxes....3 rows and 3 columns). In the beginning of the test the computer will display a series of six numbers (for ex: 2,3,4,5,6,7). So you know off the bat what numbers you expect to see in the next phase. The numbers will be randomly displayed one at a time in the boxes. The objective is to place the numbers in the correct boxes as fast as you can. By the way, if I didn't mention it, all the tests are timed so speed is important as well as accuracy. This first test isn't too difficult except for the fact that because its done on a computer, the computer starts at the upper left box and goes from left to right and up to down. So the order in which memorized the numbers is not the order in which you can put them back into there boxes. Also, as soon as you finish putting the last number in it automatically goes to the next sequence of numbers and test. Be ready for this. There are no breaks in between each set. I found it best to say the numbers out loud as well as point to their locations when they were being diplayed. It helped reinforce the proper locations for recall. The second set was just faster. The next test was the most difficult. It was the same type of test except when the grid came up and numbers were being displayed. One number was missing. The first thing you have to do in this test is to identify which number was missing. This was crucial because if you don't get this part right first then the rest is automatically wrong. The lady that administers the test tells you this. Once you identify which number was missing then you put the numbers back in there respective boxes. In all these number tests the numbers were between 0 and 9. The second set of tests used the power of suggestion. The first 5 F keys on the computer represent a color (black, red, green, blue, and yellow if I'm correct). Next the names of colors displayed in different colors would be diplayed. Approximately 8 to 10 across and 8 to 10 down. Maybe a 64 to 100 of them. The objective is to strike the correct f key that matches the color of the print the word is diplayed in. For example: Blue you would hit the F key that corresponds to green NOT blue. Again this is timed. Accuracy and speed is important. At the end of this set it displays your errors and time. Then it asks if you had to do it again how many errors would you make and what time would you get. I made the assumption they working looking for a positive outlook and realistic as well. So I said faster but I would probably make an additional error. One guy said he put 0 errors and a faster time. He then timed it on his watch. He finished faster then he expected but didn't finsh the game until the exact time was up. I don't think the game was looking for this, but hey to each his own. My hint on this game is to memorize the colors in groups so you don't have to look up and down alot. It took me about 20 deep before I realized this on the first set. Looking up at the color and down at the correct F key to hit was time consuming. memorizing the colors in group of 5 or so made it much faster. I think these tests measure problem solving ability, speed, short term memory, and state of mind in my opinion. Do they determine if a pilots good or not....probably not but the company thinks so. The good news is if your asked to take the psych test your pretty much in. I here these tests are expensive to have analyzed. Therefore, they only allow those candidates that they show a real interest in to take them. There was a total of 6 of us at the interview. Only 2 of us were called back after the pysch test. Bob said that my interview here was very favorable and I'll be recommended for hire to the people who make the final decision once they get my test scores back. 2 weeks later I was called with a job offer. I ended up turning it down and staying where I'm at, but none-the-less, it was a good experience and practice.

Good Luck

Jay

The interview process descriptions provided by others here is very accurate although the simulator ride and urine test were not included on the day that I interviewed.

Keep these points in mind while preparing for your interview: 1. Study for the written. Two very experienced pilots in our group of five failed the written, even though it was not an especially difficult or tricky test. Most questions have to do with IFR regulations and procedures and should not be a problem if you have reviewed the ATP or the IFR written test prep books. 2. The psych test on the computer is very hard. Just try to answer as many questions as you can and don't get frustrated or give up. Some of the tasks are impossible to do in the time allotted, I suspect that part of your score depends on perseverance, not on getting the answers exactly right. 3. Relax and be yourself during the interview, they are evaluating you as a person and a potential colleague. The questions asked by Bob Trout and Al Corden (director of Training) clearly showed that they had carefully reviewed my resume and were interested in learning more about me. What a refreshing change from the canned interview questions used by some of the other companies.

Piedmont is an excellent company, the pay and benefits are among the best available in the regional airline business. The company is small and friendly and I am looking forward to being a part of it. The phone call offering me a job came the morning after the interview, in case you were wondering!

10 of us with various backgrounds. Went up stairs listen to Mr. Trouts overview of the company and its direction. Then we were given the 50 question ATP style written. After that the personal interviews started.. 2 were sent home early due to low total time. Later in the day 5 completed the whole process. Myself and one other I know of was sent home due to not enough multi-engine/FAR 135 experience.

All in all.. they were all very friendly and laid back. Nothing aggressive or degrading.

After the personal interviews some were given the psych test.

Reccommen studying the ATP Test Prep and you will do fine.

My times are 1700 270ME which most is SIC in a turbojet.

No one did the drug test that I know of on 03-07-00

Piedmont Airlines interview ~ 11/17/99. It took about a month to get the call, after sending in the resume. Spoke to Bob Traut, & was sent space available passes to Salisbury, MD for the interview. Jumpseated in the Dash-8 (recommended), and got some advice from the crew. Arrived the night before, stayed at the Ramada at a discounted rate. Hotel van took us to the interview in the morning, which began at 8:30 am sharp. First, did some waiting, then met Bob Traut (a real nice guy) who gave us a thorough company overview. Next, was sent upstairs for a 50 question ATP style written test, then back downstairs to wait some more. One person was sent home for failing the written. When the interviews finally began, the first person was sent home for not doing well. My interview (very relaxed) was with Bob & the Asst. Chief Pilot. Questions were, "Why Piedmont" ~ "What do I like most/worst about my current job" ~ "If I could change a company policy, what would it be" ~ "Tell me about the bird strike" (oops). Next, they told me to go get some lunch & be back in 1/2 hour. Came back, waited some more, & did the phych. test (colors & #'s, no way to study). Waited some more & was sent for the drug test (rumor is that if you make it this far, you're in). Said goodbye to all, & went home. Got the job offer 3 weeks later (a very long 3 weeks). Overall, I was amazed at how pleasant & low stress my experience was. Everyone was extremely friendly & sincere, which is a direct reflection of the quality of the company. Piedmont is simply one of the best regionals to fly for, period.

Tips: 1) Dress to impress 2) Be very friendly/outgoing. That's what they are looking for! 3) Get Air Inc's test prep, STUDY!!! 4) Be as relaxed as possible 5) Rehearse your interview answers over & over 6) Keep smiling, they're watching!

8-1-99 Sent a resume in, took about a month to get called back. Interview was scheduled for about three weeks later in September. Arrived the night before, I drove since I am a local, most people flew in on standby with Piedmont/US Airways. Stayed ten minutes away in the Ramada Inn, reduced rate for interview, very nice I thought. Arrived in lobby about 8:20AM, interviews started at 8:30AM sharp. Took our paperwork, pictures, and told us to hang tight. Fifteen minutes later Mr. Trout and asst. Chief Pilot came out and led us through a maze to a room and gave the standard info on the company, pay, benefits, Union, working conditions. Then came the written test, 80 or so questions from the FAR's, AIM, and Weather. Suggest getting the prep from Air Inc., member or not it nailed almost every question on the test. After the test you will fill out some paperwork on FAA record requests and driving records. This all took about an hour. Go back to lobby to wait. 2/5 were sent home, guess they did not do so well on the written. Next for me came the Psych test, colors and numbers test, blew my brain away, told they are trying to see if you will survive in training or wash out, apparently it is a pretty good indication if you can handle the firehose of info in training. Took about 40 minutes, then told to go to lobby and wait. 15 minutes or so longer I was told to come in for the personal interview, not stressful, ten or fifteen minutes with one HR guy and asst. Chief Pilot, Past jobs, hours, why Piedmont, where will you be in 5 yrs, where will you like to be based? Sent to lobby to wait. 20 minutes or so later told all three of us left to go to lunch. The other two up to this point had only done the written and personal interview. I was feeling good about the interview at this point. Came back from lunch and sat in lobby for about 40 minutes or so, one guy was taken to the sim, came back and was sent home. Got me a little nervous. Finally after an hour after lunch I was taken to the sim by the asst. chief pilot. Felt almost like an instrument lesson, very casual and well briefed before hand. Basic, climbs, turns, steep turns, orientation with RMI, hold(if you tell them the correct entry you will prob not do the hold), full ILS at Salisbury, go around. As soon I pushed the throttles to the firewall and pitched up it was over. Sent to lobby to wait. 10 minutes after sim I was taken to HR office and sent to the pee test. Said good-bye to all, did my drug test and drove home. Over all, a very relaxing day. I think or have been told that they check to see how you interacted with hotel personal, watched you to see how you interact with the other interviewers, secretaries, company personal. I think they drag the day along a little bit to see if you are itching to go home. From start to finish it was about six hours. AOPA published a great article on the interview also. If you fail any part of the segments you go home, blunt and to the point, but a great measure of how you are doing. I just suggest that you relax, be yourself, and really, really show that you want to work at Piedmont, but hey, what do I know I only got the job offer a week later.

Company gives you space available travel on US Airways to Salsbury MD. Advise going early, not the easiest trip and you can get bumped. Arrived the night befor the interview and had to pay for the hotel, approx $40 with a company discount. Interview started at 8am the next day, shuttle takes you over to the HQ which is at the airport, approx 10 min's away. We sat in the lobby until we were called about 45 min's later. Think we were being observed. Secret source said we would be checked up on by the company to see how we interacted with others. They even check hotel personel! We were then taken up stairs to a conference room where we sat for approx 10-15min's before an HR rep came in to give us the spheil about the company and the benefits. Probably the highest paid commuter in the country, Downside- upgrade 4-6 yrs!:( Great company to work for first year FO' s average $2000 per month plus! We were then given a multiple choice test on regs and basic instrument stuff, Jeps plates and the like. Nothing to complex, Part 91, 135, 121 stuff! Durring this time we were called out individually for a 2 on 1 interview with the HR Rep and CP. Nothing very strenuous, nothing tricky! Just be yourself!! Interview lasted approx 10-15 mins if that. Questions on your background, flying times, equipment etc. Afterwards we finished the test if necessary and went back downstairs after filling out background check request forms. The tests were graded and if you failed or were rejected in the interview, you were called into the office and given your walking papers for the next flight home. If you passed you were take to the sim, think it was an ATC810? Basic TO, climb and turn's, intercept a radial from a vor, steep turns, track the radial inbound, hold, ILS to mins, nothing tricky. Act as the FP utilizing crew coordination, Sim inst will set power if you tell him and do anything you tell him to do. Dont forget to pick up the atis and to brief the approach. If you pass, you continue, if not it is the door! Next we went a computer for a Psychological exam, no way to study, takes about 45 mins, colors and numbers type of test! After this we were wisked off for a drug test which is about 10 mins away! Came back to the HQ and said good bye to all and wait to see if I get hired. Overall, the interview wasn't too complex or stressful. The people were wonderful and very helpful. The company is great except for the upgrade. Domociles in good places too!