Stayed at the Holiday Inn as recommended by Trans States the night before the interview. However, the Holiday Inn no longer provides free shuttle service to Flight Safety Inc. as mentioned and TSA has been notified of the recent changes.
Interview time: 0730
I arrived at Flight Safety Inc. at 0600 to help familiarize myself with the buildings and find that Sabreliner cockpit diagram as said in the previous interview gouge. 0600; however, is very early but it is recommended to arrive at least an hour before to catch any early TSA members who may arrive. With my luck, one member of the board, a line Captain, arrived to the facility at 0645 and we discussed about the airline amongst other things. Very relaxing.
Around 0715, the other applicant arrived along with the two other TSA members, head of human resources and another Captain. At 0730, the interview started with a questions and answers session for about an hour. The Q&A was merely a personality session and at no point did TSA make you feel uncomfortable. The session was very enjoyable and they're are there to give the best information they can about the company and or concerns. Be yourself and remain open!
Around 0900, I volunteered to take TSA's modified version of the ATP Written exam (50 questions). While I took the test, the other applicant was taken away for the simulator evaluation. To be fair, I do not necessarily want to explain each individual question on the test; however, review airport signage, pros and cons of sweptback wings, basic knowledge of weather theory (TS), weather data interpretation (METAR, TAF), airspeed restrictions, and IFR approach plates + symbology. After a quick 30 minutes, I managed to slip away with a 94%. If you have recently taken the ATP written exam, there is no need to prep in advance if you feel comfortable with general knowledge of the above subject areas.
Around 0945, I was pulled away for the simulator evaluation portion. Both Captains will be present in the cockpit with one acting as your First Officer and the other as an air traffic controller. Do not feel the need to be nervous as I was at this point because the acting FO will brief the basic operations of the aircraft such as the electronic trim, the attitude indicator, the horizontal situation indicator, and the EPR gauge + their settings (1.5 climb, 1.2 cruise).
*** Simulator tasks ***
a. "Climb and maintain 4,000, upon reaching 1,500, turn left heading 090, cleared for takeoff." (Maintain at or below 250kts and use 10 degrees nose pitch up)
b. While at 4,000, "Turn left direct to the Memphis VOR." While in the 180 degree turn, "Give me 30 degrees of bank." (Don't forget to add a touch of power in the turn to maintain speed)
c. While flying to the VOR, "What are you to do when you are approaching the VOR's EFC time?" Review holding speeds below 10,000ft.
d. "Hold North of the Memphis VOR on the 360 degree radial, standard turns." At my present location, I answered with a teardrop entry. Do not forget to tell the FO what they need to do when you cross the VOR (Heading, CDI change, and time).
e. Leaving the hold, I received vectors to intercept the localizer for an ILS approach. Maintain 150 knots once established on the glideslope. (Acting FO will take command of the gear and flaps)
d. Upon "breaking out" at 1,000ft AGL, continue following the glideslope for a visual landing.
During the simulator evaluation, the Captains are looking for basic scanning abilities and basic flying skills. Do your best and have fun!
After the simulator evaluation, the technical interview will begin. Fortunately enough, my interview consisted of a discussion of my airlineapps application and any other further concerns that I may have for the company. I did notice on the board that the other applicant was given a descent calculation from FL340 to FL220 with a 420knot GS and demanded a 2,000ft/m rate of descent. There was also a discussion of holding pattern entries as illustrated on the board. Around 1130, I was offered a position with the company and I couldn't be any happier.
TSA will provide transportation to their headquarters after the interview and if accepted, will commence fingerprinting.
Trans States Airlines as a company has astounded me in their quality of life for the pilots. As most regionals are in present time, it can be difficult starting out and the company recognizes it from the interview. With the benefits and other amenities that the company offers, I look forward to a training date in June. And the best part was... On the flight back home, I sat next to a TSA Captain with employment of six years of the company and although there was ups and downs with the GoJet incident, I heard nothing but positives from the Captain.
Go out there and be yourself! I hope this helps. |
