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Pinnacle Airlines Pilot Interview Profiles

Date Interviewed: November 2004
Summary of Qualifications: Comm/Multi, 400 hrs total time, 150 hrs multi turbinePart 121 time.
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:

This was a preferential interview through Gulfstream Training Academy. Prior to attending Gulfstream's F/O program I had just received all of my ratings in 11 weeks. Pinnacle has been hiring around 50 pilots from Gulfstream about every 4 months for the past 2 years with no end in sight. If you are a low time pilot or one who barely meets the mins for an interview and have not been picked up yet then I would highly recommend the F/O program at Gulfstream. You will be flying 250hrs in the BE1900 in part 121 operations, the experience does not get any better than this. The interview consisted of a 50 question test, partially from the ATP and partially from the IFR written. You must score above 70% to continue with the interview. Our group average was 96%. The interview itself consisted of about 5 H/R questions and 5 technical.
Have you ever failed a checkride?
Have you ever flown with a difficult Captain, what did you do?
Why should we hire you?
What are your strengths, what are your weaknesses?
Have you ever broken a rule, why?
What is VMC?
What is Critical Engine?
Describe Spiraling Slipstream.
What is the max speed @10,000ft.
What is V1, V2?
Finally, had to describe how I would fly the ILS 12, Santa Maria, Ca. Currently at 8000' 25 miles NE of the airport., cleared for the full approach. Gave me a scenario where the RVR went to 23 before the FAF, then lost comm's during the missed, then critical fuel in the hold. Entire interview from start to finish was about 20 minutes, they were so friendly at first I didn't even realize I was being interviewed.

Date Interviewed: September 2004
Summary of Qualifications: AMEL, ASEL, CFI, CFII, 1250hrs TT, 16hrs ME,
Were you offered the job? No
Pilot Interview Profile:

The Raddison. Nice people. The rooms are very well set up for your needs. Some guys had a problem with FedEx taking off but I just turned the A/C on and never heard them. The cost of food is high. More than my budget allowed for. Pack a lunch and dinner. There is not a fast-food place nearby.

The interview starts with the ATP questions. We had 11 show up for the interview. I believe that 3 people failed. When the test was over we went to interview with HR and a Captain. I was told at that time that I had been sent an invitation by mistake. My ME time is too low. However, they would continue the interview as if everything was just fine. I was told that I interviewed well and that I was recommended as soon as I get the 300hrs ME. Then I talked with Captain Franklin who made a note on my application that I do not need to interview within the year if I get the minimum ME time.

I have done some research into the company and talked with other pilots with Pinnacle and have concluded that this is a great company to have a career with. The interview process was as relaxing as any interview could probably be. Standard questions regarding worst experiences, ever taken the controls, etc. Know the Jepp plates! You should also know/understand the regs regarding 121. I have my dispatcher license and it helped tremendously.

Date Interviewed: August 2004
Summary of Qualifications: ATP 2000 hours
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:

Pinnacle is a great company. Nothing to add to the interview except that it may take a while to get your call because Kim Monroe is so busy. Training(8-10 wks) is good. You will be mailed your Memory Itmems/Limitations at the last minute(3 days prior to class) You will have an FOM(121 stuff) test around the first or second week. You will also find out your assigned base(MEM, DTW, MSP) after a week or two. Then you will have (3) Systems/Memory Items/Limitations test at the end of the course. Expect to be in class from 8-5 every day and you will do some Saturdays especially during SIMS. CPT(Cockpit Procecures) leave a little to be desired. Most students seemed overwhelmed with getting use to checklists/calls and goals were a little high for a Paper Tiger where alot of imagination is needed. SIMS kinda run 3 days on/3 off. After the SIM checkride, you get one more SIM fun ride which is Line Orientation. Then on to fly with a Captain on the line for about 25 hours. You will get 6 MOVE days to your assigned base. If you need a place to stay in Memphis, contact Marcia(Marci) at 1-901-680-9000. She has a 3 bedroom house for $350 a month/room and it has a mockup of the CRJ cockpit in the house along with W/D, cable. Just make sure you are ready for no-pay during training and low-pay when you hit the line.

Date Interviewed: July 2004
Summary of Qualifications: ATP PART 121 over 1500hrs
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:

Interview was great and very relaxed...jus know your approach plates and current aircraft...especially Vmc and it's components. The airline is in a special position...they don't pay for training...but they probably will as soon as the new contract is in place. Add to that an increase in pay and benefits...NOW is the time to get on before all that takes place. C'mon....brand new equiptment with a premier airline..AND they make money...a no brainer if you have some fore-sight. Good luck.....

Date Interviewed: July 2004
Summary of Qualifications: ATP 3000, 28 Turbine, 598 ME, 198 inst, 580 cfi/ii/mei
Were you offered the job? No
Pilot Interview Profile:

As advertised in the past few interviews submitted! The written test had changed up a bit. If you had just taken your ATP, you will do okay. Know how a HSI works. The people there are very nice or it was a great attempt at southern hospitality. The interview was with a good humored senior captain called Greg and a fat chick named Kim Monroe who was the HR rep. The captain was pretty thourough on his Jepp plate questions. The HR didn't really ask anything intelligent but did let me know that training is free but unpaid for two months in Memphis. I got the impression that thought they were doing me the favor of letting me learn their aircraft for free and making them money if I pass. Yes, they are growing fast but wonder what will happen to growth when the company does not want to play ball with the pilot union. If Air Wisc doesnt call me, I will probably hang out here until something better comes up. Good luck ya'll...

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