Interview Info.
Quite a few people have asked me for the info, so I thought I would just post what I have here for all to see. Good luck to all those who have an interview or sim check coming up.
I had my interview with Nick Hayter and a woman called Sue (I think) from HR. Nick started by telling me about the roster and duty schedule, he didn't really ask any questions so I just chipped in and asked a couple just to keep the conversation going - simple stuff like basing options, typical working week, routes flown etc. General common sense stuff.
Sue from HR then asked a load of HR stuff: Tell us about your flying career to date, why Jet2, tells us about a time when; you exercised good judgement, helped someone, worked as a team etc. They also asked me what I would do if a Captain made a mistake (how would you tell them etc) think CRM and MCC. What do you think of SOP's was another good one.
That was basically it, it was very relaxed and more of a conversation. I didn't get any technical questions, but it doesn't hurt to do some prep on Jet chariteritics: advantages of underslung engines, swept wings, handling issues (dutch roll etc).
I forgot to say as well that they started me off with some phsycometric tests : verbal and mathematical and a personality tests. Don't worry about the personality one, HR just use it as a reference (always good to ask in the interview how it came out. To prep yourself for the test, go dowm to WH Smiths and get some practice books, well worth it as it gives you some confidence and increases your speed.
The interview was pretty basic and when you get to the sim, you will find it is pretty basic as well. I did mine on the 737-400 at GE in Gatwick, but I also heard they use the fixed base sim at CTC. It probably depends on which aircraft you are interviewing for 737 or 757. The thing that I got worng and really regret is that I didn't get a practice session in before I went, without this confidence boost I was a victim of nerves as well as crap flying. The thing about the 737 (and others like it) is the pitch power couple i.e. the nose pitches up dramatically when you add power (this really screwed me up). So get some practice in a sim that has the same handling characteristics as the 737. This is expensive, but I believe it is the difference between getting the job and not.
That said, you will be given the profile on the day and you will get a brief on pwr settings and ptich attitudes - follow these religiously and you will sail through it and you will have plenty of time to navigate. The trip itself is fairly basic, take off and track direct to an NDB, turn overhead and track inbound to another NBD, hold at this NDB and then got outbound to pass an approach fix and then intercept a ILS to land. The instructor then demos an EFATO and single engine climb out, this is straight forward and easily coped with. And that's the end of it.
Some hints and tips: practice your scan, treat the aircraft like a big seneca and you only need to scan the basic six instruments (presented a little differnetly on the glass), but just remember Power and Attitude = Performance. Sounds basic, but it's all you need. Don't spend too much time trying to get the exact power setting first time out otherwise your scan will break down. Have a rough stab, check everything and then fine tune the %.
The next big thing is use the examiner as your PNF, get him to tune the radios, run through checklists etc. This is a big thing they are looking for on the CRM front. Don't forget the basic checks - gear up call, after takeoff, top of climb, approach brief (you give to him and then get him to read the missed app - if you have multi-crew experience stick with what you know. They don't expect you to know thier SOP's) also pre-descent and then prelanding. He will read and do the check, but he will wait for you to respond to the correct action, a simple check will surfice
I think that is just about all I can think of right now, I did my sim in the summer of '05 so it may have changed a little and I think the airport they used was Shannon.
Also, no group exercises or presentations, so you should'nt have to worry about that.
I hope this helps and again good luck.
Mark.