Was called and given a prescreening and overview of the company operations, then was later called again and offered an interview date of my choosing. The following week information was emailed to me. I was responsible for getting myself to MKE, which turned out to be a real challenge. I stayed at the Clarion, clean hotel with free internet and a nice gym. ACC room rate was $39 and I was only a 5 minute drive to the interview site. Interview was held at the old Air Force base, checked in with HR and was taken to a room and given a 50 question, multiple choice, Instrument test. They allow an hour to complete, then CP, HR and someone from the training department came in and panel interview began with finger flying off of an NOS low enroute chart from a fix to the MKE airport. Some finger flying done off the NOS plate for an ILS to MKE and 10-9 used to explain taxi procedures to the ACC hangar. Then basic HR questions. From there, I was lead about 2 blocks down to the sim building. I was told to sit in the right seat and the guy from the training department sat in the left. Sim ride is set up as total CRM, except you don't worry with the throttles, he made all power settings. The simulator is actually the Shorts 360 FTD. Typical sim sensitivity, was told to take off from MKE and get comfy with sim by doing steep turns, then vectored for an ILS which terminated with a landing. Was lead back to the HR building and offered the job! Was then given all the 10year background paperwork to fill out and told to go take a urinalysis at a nearby Concentra.
Overall, I have a good feeling about this company. Had heard nothing about them and tried my best to call all my friends to get information. Found out through the grapevine that the people who have worked for them were pretty happy. It's hard work, especially since you load plane in out-station. Apparently, theres not that much flying, but comparatively, decent pay. They said they didn't really have a need for pilots just yet and didn't know where I would be based, but were just trying to prepare for next years demand. They said that they will reimburse my travel expenses and that I will be paid $45/day, with lodging provided, while in training. Once on line, base pay will be around $28k to start, $11k of which is non-taxable perdiem. First couple of weeks of training are in MKE, then you're sent to NYC for the sim. Expect at least a year for upgrade and pay goes up to $10k/yr. People were very nice and the planes look pretty interesting. Definitely retro and fun! If you're an aviation buff like me, make sure you have some sort of meal at the restaurant with the 152 mounted on the roof. I can't remember the name, Final Approach, or something, but it was a nice atmosphere and decent food. Its also only a few blocks from Clarion and Concentra. |
