1750 TT, 1000 ME, 900 Turbine, ATP written, Current Part 121 FO.
Were you offered the job?
No
Pilot Interview Profile:
Compass bought me a ticket to MSP which was pretty nice. They also put me in the Holiday Inn right by the airport and next to their HQ building. There were 3 of us interviewing that day and we met each other in the lobby for the van ride to the Compass building. We were greeted by HR staff and they walked us to a small room where we would "hang out" for the day. Jami, the HR?lady sat down with us and gave us a brief overview of the company. She was very nice and friendly and told us she hoped we all got hired.
After the intro she took us over to the testing room to begin the tests. All three of us took the tests at the same time which are on computers. First we took the cognitive test. You can't really study for this, but it pretty much tests your multi-tasking and ability to react. If you just stay focused, just think of it as a game. It's actually pretty fun. If you've gone throught the Delta or Comair interviews, then this is exactly the same test.
Next is the personality test. You can't really study for this either. It's 240 questions, you just put STRONGLY AGREE, AGREE, NEUTRAL, DISAGREE, or STRONGLY DISAGREE. It's questions like, you're a positive person, or you're a talkitive person, etc.
Then was the job knowledge test. This was 50-60 (I can't remember) questions and you have 60 minutes to complete. This is one you can study for. There was some mental math questions such as you're going X speed, how far are you from the VOR? There were quite a few questions about turbine engines. Also calculate when you desend to cross a certain fix at X altitude and also calculate a VDP. If you know basic pilot skills you should be fine. There were also a few aerodynamic questions having to do with swept wing aircraft. I was hung up on a few questions but I feel I did pretty alright. Mental Math for Pilot's is a good book to prepare for this. Also a book about passing the airline technical interview will help as well. No need to read the whole thing in detail, but at least thumb through the basic subject areas. I should mention that Compass did send me a study guide when they offered me an interview.
After we all finished the test, Jami came back and said we all passed. They said if you pass the tests, the hard part is over, and all you have to do is pass the easy interview.
We had lunch after that, and then got ready for the interviews. Whomever finished their test first, went to interview first. I went second, so I waited over an hour. Before they call you in, they pour over your logbooks and paperwork, which takes some time. When it was finally my turn, I went in to meet a current Compass checkairman, a retired NWA captain and an HR rep. I probably should have prepared a little more for the HR part. I was so busy studying for the tests, that I got some hard questions asks. There were NO technical questions. They were all very nice though. I started off by telling them my history, how I got started in aviation, why, where I did my flight training and where else I have worked. They also asked about my extracurricular activities which they seemed pretty interested in. They also asked me about busted checkrides, which I explained. All other questions were situational questions, such as tell me time when...have you ever...etc. I'll try to remember a few:
Tell me a time when you had to make an unpopular disicion and how you convinced others to go along with you. You're a captain and after takeoff on a 35 minute flight and there is a loud bang from the back. FA calls up and describes the bang but sees nothing wrong nor anything else out of the ordinary. All cockpit indications are normal. Pax have a very worried look on their faces. What would you tell them? Would you continue? You see an FO with their hat hanging on their bag. What would you tell him/her? What is something you did, and would never do again while flying? What did you learn from it? Tell me a time when you had a Captain not following SOP's or about to make a mistake. How did you handle it? What did you say to him/her? Did you have to say anything again while back on the ground? Why or why not? Have you ever gone beyond the call of duty to get something done, even though you didn't really have to do it? How do you feel about customer service? How do you feel about calling in sick or being late? Have you ever or how many times have you done so? Have you ever made a decision that was unpopular with the passengers? (I said I called in fatigued for the last flight of the night) Have you ever called in fatigued?
Thats most of them. They ask different questions to different people so be ready for anything. HR interview lasted about 45 minutes and then they sent me out to wait. The great thing is that Compass will let you know right away. They sit and deliberate for about 20 minutes after you've gone to make a final dicesion. Then they come out and tell you yes or no. I walked out feeling pretty good, but unfortunately, another HR rep came and told me I had not been selected. :( Bummer. Not sure what they didn't like, but I'm guessing some of my answers weren't that great when I think about it. They stumped me on a few. They called me a cab and I headed back to the terminal.
If they do select you, you'll stay and fill out more paperwork, such as more job history forms, PRIIA paperwork, drug test forms. I also believe they send you across the street for fingerprinting and drug test. After that, they call you a cab and give you a voucher to get you back to the terminal.
It's a pretty long day. You should bring your lunch as there is no cafeteria or anything. Good luck to everyone. We need as many pilots off the street as possible!
There really isn't much more to say about the Compass interview process that hasn't been said already in previous gouges. The entire process is straightforward and very relaxed. Compass will positive space you to MSP. The Compass Hotel is the Hyatt Place, just south of MSP airport. Overall, a very nice hotel. Free WiFi, Free Breakfast, Free Shuttle service. Try and get a room away from the Interstate if you can. The training center is in Eagan, MN, about a 15-minute drive, depending on road and weather conditions.
Right now they are interviewing twice a week, three candidates in the morning, and three in the afternoon. New hire classes consist of 6 pilots and start every two weeks. Hiring is to staff for increased aircraft utilization going into 2010.
As far as the interview process, everyone will make you feel welcome. At the beginning they will collect your logbooks and all the paperwork. Jami is the HR Rep who will take great care of you throughout the day. Have your paperwork complete and organized; it makes their life easier as they have enough paperwork to deal with already. Jami will meet with everyone individually to go over paperwork, sign some more stuff, and take your picture for ID and do your fingerprints. She will also give you a brief presentation about the company. You will take a computerized, multiple-choice knowledge based test, consisting of 75 questions out of the ATP. There are no figures, graphs or calculation questions, but there are a few Pt. 135 questions in the mix (e.g. Pt. 135 Duty limits, carry-on baggage, emergency equipment). The big thing about the test is to take your time, read each question and answer carefully. You cannot go back and review your answer or change your answer once selected! They give you an hour to complete it, but everyone in my group finished in about 25 minutes. You will not know your score, and they will not tell you.
The panel interview is compromised of an HR Rep., Director of Training or Chief Pilot and a retired Northwest Airlines captain. It is a very casual and relaxed process. It will not feel like an interview, but more for a conversation. They seriously only want to get to know you, see if you are a good fit for the company and if they could endure a four-day trip with you. There are no technical questions; they know you can fly a plane, but they want to get to know your personality. Seems like everyone's questions were tailored to his or her individual background, work history and previous employer. I was asked a few questions about my previous airline and the training I received there. Any failed checkrides? How was your ATP checkride? What do you know and what are your personal thoughts on the Colgan Air crash? What do you tell a Captain who doesn't communicate? Ever had a "nightmare" flight crew? What are your pet peeves? What other interests/hobbies do you have? Everyone's panel interview lasted about 30 minutes at most. After you're done with the interview process, they will call a cab and send you to the drug testing clinic and then back to the airport for your flight home. Study for the written, have your paperwork completed, and be yourself. Good Luck!
Date Interviewed: November 2009
Summary of Qualifications:
ATP 12,000+TT, 10,000+Multi, 10,000+Turbine, 4000PIC, part 121, 135
Were you offered the job?
Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
I recently interviewed at Compass Airlines. The gouge from earlier postings is still mostly correct with a few differences - currently, there is no sim check.
They flew me to MSP the night before and put me up at the Hyatt Place Hotel. These were direct billed to the company. Take the shuttle from airport baggage claim. At check-in you need to arrange shuttle service to Pan Am Academy for the next morning. There is a scheduled van leaving at 7:30am getting you there in plenty of time for the interview. You will be responsible for meals however there is a free continental breakfast at the hotel. There are usually 3-4 applicants in a morning session and 3-4 in the afternoon. At the Pan Am Academy, wait in the lobby. Someone will come get you.
First, an HR person will collect your application that was emailed to you prior to coming to MSP. Have this filled out, even if you have already done so and sent it in. If not, you will be given time to fill one out. You will need names, dates, addresses and phone numbers for all employers for the past 10 years. They will also collect your logbooks.
Individually, you will be given a short introduction to the airlines background and plans for its future. Be aware that this is from an HR point of view. This differs from the point of view of Flight Ops. You will be given a summary of benefits. You will sign some documents authorizing background checks and be fingerprinted. You will also get your picture taken for your ID badge.
When it is your turn, you will take a computer based written test consisting of 75 questions from the ATP written. None of the questions require charts, graphs or any type of computation. The test is timed, but you will not have any problem finishing. There are some part 135 as well as 121 questions. You can not review your answers. Once an answer is chosen, you cannot back up, review or change your answer. Choose wisely.
My interview was conducted by the Chief Pilot, a retired Northwest Captain and a person from HR. The interview was relaxed and friendly. The questions were much of what was offered in other gouges: Why Compass? How would you handle an FO that did not follow procedures? How would you feel flying with a Captain that had less experience than you? Tell me about a "bad day of flying".
If you get a chance to fly on an E175, do it. Jumpseat if possible. They really liked the fact that I had spent some time in the cockpit and talked with one of their crews.
After the interview, a cab was called and I was sent to have a drug screening done. Mine was very quick - less than 15 minutes - but some people have reported having to wait an hour or so. I was then taken to the airport for my return flight home. Vouchers were provided for the cab rides. I was the last of the morning group to be interviewed and I was at the airport by 1:00 pm.
I was called the next day and offered the job.
Some things to note:
You get an ATP Rating(if necessary) and PIC Type on the E170/190.
You sign a 12 month contract for $12,000, pro-rated at $1000/mo. if you leave prior to the end of the contract. You are NOT responsible for the training contract if they furlough you. (see flow-back provision below)
There is a flow-up provision with Northwest/Delta. There are restrictions to this - a maximum of 20/month or 25% of Compass crews per rolling 12 month period. There is also a lesser touted flow-back provision. If Northwest/Delta surplus, they can move back to Compass and you may be on the street.
You can expect to upgrade at Compass within 24 months of the first flow-up to Northwest/Delta. Since Northwest/Delta are not taking any pilots at this time, you can expect to upgrade 2 yrs. from a future, unknown date.
The current hiring is to staff for increased aircraft utilization, not expansion. HR tells you that there are options for an additional 100 aircraft and their charter allows Compass to operate for carriers other than Northwest/Delta but Flight Ops says that no expansion and no additional aircraft are expected. Expect to be an FO for a long time.
As a new hire, you will be based in MSP. This means that you will be responsible for getting yourself to MSP for training and you must provide housing while there. If you fly in for training, you must buy a ticket to get yourself to MSP for the first day. After that, you should be in the CASS system and will be able to jumpseat or non-rev pass travel.
Initial training consists of a physical on the first day and basic indoc on day two. You are then sent home for 30 days to complete a self study course. When you return, you will go to class followed by SIM training. They advise that this can stretch to as much as 45 days. Again, you will be responsible for your own transportation, food and housing during this time. After training, you bid for your domicile.
Friendly people, great equipment. If you are just starting your airline career, Compass would be a great place to be.
Date Interviewed: October 2007
Summary of Qualifications:
COMM/Multi/CFII 135 and 121 background 3000hrs 1200ME
Were you offered the job?
No
Pilot Interview Profile:
It was pretty much as these others have posted. Everyone is friendly and nice. The 727 sim is heavy on the controls. If you have a chance you can see Linda at Anoka County airport sim flight Minnesota LLC [email protected]. If you fly in early enough or the day before you can get a sim session before you go. Its about $100.00 but well worth it. My interview had no technical questions, but someone else's that day had many technical questions. In trail spacing behind a 757? I found everyone to be in good spirits there and I hope I get the job. They said notifications can take as long as two weeks. Captain upgrade is about a year at this point in the hiring per compass interview staff. Seems like a great opportunity. If you are thinking of getting back into flying or leaving your current job this would be a great company. Your seniority # would be about 190 I was told. Also they said that if Northwest pilots flow back they have to flow back under Compass pilots so your seniority is pretty well protected.
I suggest sim sessions before you go, as many as possible. Study the ATP written (no figures, but study the whole test bank not just 121). You better be able to score around 80 or higher. Also have someone ask you interview questions over and over before you go so you are ready with your responses. If you are prepared it will be easier. Above all relax.
Date Interviewed: September 2007
Summary of Qualifications:
ATP, 5,000hrs, Part 121
Were you offered the job?
No
Pilot Interview Profile:
The interview went well. No surprises. I arrived at 1100 and went to the waiting room. First I went into the 727 simulator and did basic airwork. Climbs, descents, climbing and descending turns, one holding pattern. The motion was off.
Next I sat down for the company presentation followed by the written exam.
The questions were out of the ATP written test bank. As outlined before, no questions referring to charts or graphs and no questions requiring calculations. Some part 135 questions sprinkled in. Panel interview was next. Very laid back and professional. Questions were just as previously stated: Why do you want to work for us? What would you do if an FO did not perform the walk-around? Where else have you applied? What makes a good captain? What would you do if you lost your medical? What would you do if you suspected a passenger was drunk or not responsive? Describe your academic and work experience as outlined in the supplemental form sent to you prior to the interview. What do you think about the flow-through agreement? After all that I filled out the paperwork, got fingerprinted and went to the lab for the drug test. 3 weeks later, no word either way. At least one person I interviewed with was offered a position a week later, but his resume was walked in by a friend.
