I was traveled down the day prior the interview and found my own hotel for A decent rate with a shuttle to the airport. We were expected to arrive at the US Airways training center by 0930, so I took the shuttle to the airport, then followed the instructions in the e-mails sent to find the shuttle to the training center.
Upon arrival myself and the other interviewees (6 of us, all prior 121 experience) signed in and were escorted back to a cafeteria where we waited. At 0930 the interview panel came and gathered our group and escorted us up to a conference room where the spoke about the interview process, their time at PSA, anticipated jr bases (TYS and DAY by the sounds of it) and potential time on reserve, all subject to change of course. Very relaxed group, they cracked a couple jokes and made the atmosphere noticeably more relaxed. They also know the odds are the interviewees checked out the gouges out there prior to the interview. Paperwork was collected and the written test was administered. Just like previous gouges, it was straight forward and none too tough. Take the time to read each question thoroughly but don't stick on one too long. Basic instrument knowledge, general weather theory, aerodynamics, reading approach plates and weather were on there but nothing you shouldn't know, particularly if you hold an ATP or commercial certificate.
We were escorted back to the cafeteria to wait the results of the written, and a short time later they came down to let us know that we all passed. A sheet was given to us with the order in which we would proceed through the HR/Tech portion. They seemed to move through each in 15-20min, and the atmosphere was very professional but relaxed. They made a couple jokes and while the questions came some what rapid fire they were strait forward. The usual HR questions, plus briefing an approach and reading a METAR/TAF, asked about the electrical system on my current aircraft, what I do for fun, etc. again they were a great group who genuinely want to hire you, in fact you're told from the get go, the answer is yes unless you change it.
After the panel interview it is on to the desktop sim With the MD-80 configuration. You're given a study sheet, describing what is expected and the profile you'll fly. No call-outs, and nothing too specific to worry about, the guy running the sim takes care of your config changes, call outs, and gives you general power settings. Take off, 20 degrees pitch to 1000' ago, lower to 10 degrees and climb onto 6k and 250kts. A 30 degree banked turn of 180 degrees and a 45 degree banked turn of 270 degrees, descend at a constant rate to a level off, asked where I was in relation to a VOR and given a hold and a post-it pad to doodle on if needed. Mentioned the entry and was set up to intercept the ILS to one of the 36s at CLT. Just intercept and fly the approach, call out your corrections, you're given a Vref speed to fly, the configuration changes are made for you and the sim will be stopped for you.
Sent Off in time for an early flight home, and left with a good taste about PSA. They were professional, and relaxed during the whole process, the job is yours to lose. You're ranked and put into a pool, when a class is needed they'll pull the top few candidates from the pool to fill the class so the better you score in your interview the better your chances are together the call. I received an email just a few days later informing me that I was placed into the hiring pool, now to wait and hope for a class. Good luck to all! |
