Interview experience:
First of all, I would just like to say that the whole experience was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed the entire process. AND the other gouges are DEAD ON!! READ THEM!!
Now down to the process - I completed my airlineapps.com application and also sent my cover letter and resume in on a friday. I also made a couple calls to friends I had that already worked for Colgan to see if they could do anything for me. Two friends that I got a hold of on short notice said they would walk my resume in and also put a call into one of the regional chief pilots. I got from Chuck Colgan the very next day.
The phone call included a small phone interview where he asked me some questions about myself, like 3 or 4, and then asked if I had any questions for him - ASK HIM SOME QUESTIONS.
He told me they were very interested in interviewing me and said that I would be receiving an email with all the information about travel and accommodations and told me that the interview was going to be this upcoming weekend in LGA. Once I got the email a couple of days later, I really had to hustle to get everything done because there was A LOT of paperwork that had to be completed prior to coming to the interview. Make sure it is done perfectly or it could really slow things down or just make them skip over you.
I stayed at the Laguardia Airport Hotel - it was fine - I chose it becasue it was the cheapest, around 90 bucks with the discount they offer you.
I had very recently taken the ATP written, which was required before the interview, but was required before training started.
I left for the interview on saturday morning, early, and flew positive space into LGA. But on both legs up there they had given the option to upgrade to first class if there were enough seats. AWESOME, because I did both flights! They really didn't have to do this, but it was a really nice gesture, I thought.
Now onto the actual interview process. Got the in building at LGA where the interview was to be conducted and found 15-20 other candidates already there. In total, there were 27 people there the same weekend, so know you're stuff!
They gave a company presentation with a regional chief pilot, a senior check airman, and the director of training - each talked a little bit and then openned the room up for questions. I got the feel that everything was put together pretty short notice - mostly due to some additional codeshare flying, but everyone was really helpful and very honest.
The HR reps there, sara and tammy (who were great!), took all of our paperwork and logbooks to have reviewed and to make sure everything was in order.
It was a two day process, saturday and sunday, and we were given the option to take their written test on either day. It was very much ATP based with a couple of questions of their own. Just take the ATP written before hand and maybe just a little bit of review and you'll be fine.
I was actually the first person to interview, which I liked. I was very excited - mostly because of the potential opportunity and the fact that it was my first 121 interivew. There were two interview panels - I got Chuck and the regional chief pilot in EWR, Andrew.
Andrew asked almost all of the questions. Started out with some HR questions, like why Colgan? What do you have to contribute? Good qualities in a First Officer? JUST BE HONEST. I was relaxed and just answered honestly and I could tell that they really like that.
Then some technical questions, like METAR and TAF reading, runway incursion hot spots on a JEPP airport diagram, and briefing an approach, types of icing, some basic weather questions. The questions were pretty evenly distributed and they ended with some senario based questions. Ex. get to the gate and Captain tells you not to do a walk-around. You think you smell alcohol on a Captain for first flight.
The last types of questions were "tell me about..." The first questions I was asked was if I had ever been in an emergency. Have a story or two to talk about that puts you in good light with good decision making.
Like I said, I was the first one to interview so I had to wait around for someone else to finish up. They told us that we would go into the SIM 3 at a time. Because my sim partner and I were the first two done, we went right in. Sam (a senior check airman) was doing the evaluations and was really great.
We flew a Beech 1900D sim which was awesome! I did do some practice on FSX for an hour or two and I'm not sure if it helped, but I thought the sim was easy to fly. Others didn't say the same and couldn't keep positive control. As long as you have a good scan and know how to make small corrections AND use the trim correctly, then you'll be fine. But I will say, DO NOT BE AFFRAID TO MAKE THE SIM DO WHAT YOU WANT. Do NOT be timid to take control of the SIM. My sim partner was a little too timid at first, and it showed in his performance.
We were given the sim profile about 30 minutes prior to entering. They give you basic power settings and some basic call-outs. Look over this pretty good. Also there are some notes that really made a difference. LISTEN TO EVERYTHING THEY TELL YOU! I followed all of the notes (pitch, power and other helpful hints) and it was perfect.
They had us depart RWY 22 at LGA, no DP, but I did do about 5-7 minutes of BAI stuff. Climbs, turns, descents, just making sure you can actually fly and have a good scan. Next was the holding instructions. Don't be afraid to use the pilot monitoring and use good exchange of flight controls. I briefed the hold correctly and didn't have to fly it. Vectors for the ILS 22 at LGA, stay ahead of the airplane!! I flew the needles pegged and he actually gave us option to land, which wasn't graded. I did this the worst...but got it on the ground!! It was a lot of fun!
I was called with a formal offer on the following wednesday. Everyone was great and the whole experience was really relaxed and a lot of fun!
Some other notes of what not to do from people I saw there.
1. Come with questions to ask - make them SMART questions, not selfish ones. There will be plenty of time to find out about how much sick leave or flight benefits you will receive - unless it's a deal breaker.
2. Have a positive attitude!! The people are in no way stupid, if you bring even the slightest bit of negativity, they will be able to tell!
3. DO NOT BE COCKY OR ACT LIKE YOU'RE AN AVIATION GOD. You might be a great pilot and think you have a lot more experience and skill than everyone else there - and it might be true, but the guys that acted like that, didn't even make it to the sim ride.
Overall, just be yourself and you'll do fine!
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Colgan Air Study Guide Questions:
1. Why Colgan?2. What aircraft would you like?
3. How I got started flying?
4. What are the good qualities in a captain?
5. How Ive been getting my multi time since I'm not an MEI?
6. What are the factors for Vmc and which ones have a greater effect on it?
7. Did you apply with anyone else?
8. Did I ever disagree with a captain I've flown with?
while descending to flight level 150. Approach control gave us another decent to 6000' , Captain set the altitude to 2000' Then we confirmed with the controller that it was 6000'
Yes9. What would I do if the captain went below minimums?
Say "Go around"10. Why Colgan should hire me?
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