Interview experience:
Real happy to be writing a gouge finally. These gouges are a great study tool, but don't rely on them completely. Use the gouges to prepare your day and for AREAS TO STUDY. That I could tell, myself and one other applicant had read these gouges thoroughly, we both had a better understanding of what was going to be asked and we definitely both got had a leg-up on the other guys. (both of us got hired too). OK, THE INTERVIEW. Woke up at 2:15am and arrived at KCLE at 3:45 for a 5:50 flight. I recommend trying to get your sleep schedule prepared for going to sleep early and waking up REAL early. Arrived in Houston at 8:25 CST. I was in the back of the plane, and by the time I got off and got to the limo exit, I just missed the shuttle to ExpressJet training. It would not be back for 15 minutes, so me and another applicant grabbed a cab. The driver didn't have a clue where ExpressJet Training was and ended up dropping us off at ExpressJet Maintenance, so try to make it to the shuttle, if not make sure your cab driver has a clue. We walked to the training center and made it through the door at 9:05 right as Angela was talking everyone to the room. One guy showed up 15 minutes late, and it didn't seem like a big deal. Angela is real nice and helpful, but she is part of the final decision, so act professional. She handed out the paperwork and talked about what had to be filled out. Don't jump right into it, pay attention to her and the instructions she gives. She also gave a power-point on the company. Do your research on the company and you might impress her by answering her questions. One guy got sent home in first 10 minutes. If you are reading these gouges, and your paperwork isn't correct, you probably don't deserve the position. Make sure you got your FIRST class medical in the last 6 MONTHS (1st class privileges). Read the instructions on the paperwork before you start writing, there is plenty of time. First room for me was technical with a captain and first officer."How are you doing? What have you been doing? Do you like it? Why ExpressJet? Does your engine have a critical engine? Factors making it critical? Had to explained P-Factor. Read a TAF. Any questions for us? I asked them about what they were doing and why they chose Express." Felt like I was in there for 3 minutes. Painless. Know your plane. Back to continue filling out paperwork. 2nd room: Slid me the Mazatlan VOR approach and he explained how things operate without radar. I already knew what he was telling me thanks to these gouges. He asked me to explain what we would do cleared for the approach, from the north at FL250. I asked if he wanted me to properly brief it, and he said no, just explain it. I told him we would maintain our altitude and fly direct to the VOR, enter the hold and descend to the minimum holding altitude 6,000'. Once at the altitude, out on the 225 and down to 5300' Procedure turn at 7dme, within 10dme. Once established inbound, stepdowns to MDA. I briefed the missed approach procedure and calculated the VDP(HAT/300) and the dme (add distance from threshold to VOR). He asked if we were outside the FAF and visibility dropped below necessary RVR, what do we do. I said according to FAR 91 we can continue but 121 we could NOT. "Ok then, we are inside the FAF and visibility drops below RVR when can we descend below MDA? I said we need to make a safe maneuver to land, land in touchdown zone according to 121, have the runway environment and the visibility. He said "how do you know you have the proper visibility?" I though about it for a second and said to use something on the field we know is proper distance to meet RVR. He agreed and said we could also use dme, VDP. Then he pulled out a HI-Enroute. Said he would point and for me to say what it was. He pointed to MEA, MEA reception gap, Grid MORA green and magenta, time change. He said "did you read the gouges?" I said "all of them several times". "Glad to see you are prepared". That was it. Again, felt like 3 minutes and painless if you studied the Jepps. Went back to the room and wrapped up paperwork. I was the 6th of 12 applicants to get called in to HR at 3:30. I was very nervous for this room. Angela, Greg (head of training), and another man named Bryan. Greg started by asking me about the people I had write me letters of rec. I had 2 FOs at Express that were my instructors write me letters, I think it really helped. He asked me about instructing and had me tell him about Vmc and factors. Then he asked for my logbook. Angela asked me why Express, what did I have to offer, any failed check rides, stage checks. I have failed a stage check early in my training. I explained what the stage check was and what I did. Then Bryan asked if I thought the failure was fair. I said yes, especially as a Check Instructor myself. I explained what I learned from it and that I stress it to my students. Although it was my only flaw in training, I made it a positive. Greg then asks how much I can instruct in one day. I told him 8hrs and he showed me a day I had logged 9. I explained that the date must have been incorrect because I always check on my hours. Lesson: check your logbook, I felt very stupid at this point. Angela asks if I have any questions. I thanked them for the opportunity and expressed how much I wanted to work for ExpressJet. Out to stand by the ERJ picture. A super nice captain named Karla from Ontario came up to me and started talking to me. I was so thankful because I was so nervous and tired, I may have collapsed. Greg came out a few minutes after I left and said "sorry for busting you on the logbook" I said it was my fault and I would correct it. He then told me I handled myself well and that "they want you". I started to smile uncontrollably. I thanked Karla and then Angela came out and confirmed it. I got the flows and poster. No binders. They dont have a date for training and hires are going to be pooled. Finger printing and whiz quiz. I got back to KCLE at 11pm. Long day, so prepare yourself for it. I only know that one other guy got hired and one didnt. I talked to one of the FOs I know, and he said that they are going to be cutting back on hiring and picking "the cream of the crop". I studied over 100 hours for this interview. That might have been more than necessary, but I really wanted this job. Know your stuff, be professional and friendly. Angela said the next class may not start until March or April. I cant wait to start. Best of luck.
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