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fortress, airline interview preparation

 
Old 6th Apr 2002, 01:25
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Question fortress, airline interview preparation

Does anyone know if the" Fortress airline interview preparation " company is still in operation. If so could you please provide details.
Many thanks to any replies.
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Old 6th Apr 2002, 23:15
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Yes they were advertising in last Fridays Australian from memory.
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Old 7th Apr 2002, 13:40
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Fortress Aviation Consultants 08 94186987/0408902771

Good course, gives you a few things to think about!!
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Old 8th Apr 2002, 02:20
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Wink

Thanks for the intel guys.
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Old 8th Apr 2002, 02:50
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Be Real Careful,

I did the course a few years ago ,and found it a complete waste of time ,money.The presenter claimed to have chaired interview boards for a "major asian airline" but when asked who exactly he worked for he became aggressive and refused to answer.For some $450 you get a lousy homeprinted manual of
dubious content, and also very poor presentation.The presenter
controls the group with locker room humour,foul-mouthed jokes,
and abuse whenever he is challenged/questioned.He is quite a
good salesman though and will give you a patter something
like "not only will the interview panel put the rope around your neck ,they will also kick out the chair from under you blah, blah ,blah" in his best spiffy captains voice.

He didn't get my money but it does annoy me to see conmen ripping off pilots.My advice for interview prep is this site,
technical bookshops,and interview prep from HR pros like
Chandler & Macleod etc etc.

So Terry which Major Asian airline did you actually work for?
I'm just dying to know????
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Old 8th Apr 2002, 06:21
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Question

Exmouth2001

He may have run off at the mouth a bit but actually having to answer the question to someone is excellent preparation. Reading a book is one thing but actually having to string a reply about personal topics is easier said than done.

Agree with most of what you said about the presenter. He got my money and the substance he has to offer is most certainly food for thought.

I believe it can make the difference between you and the next guy especially if you are new to the interview game. Gives you a skeleton of answers to go and put some flesh on.

Just my two cents worth.
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Old 11th Apr 2002, 03:00
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I believe these people attempt to teach "common sense" points that you can pick up on this site and with a bit of research around the web, bookshops,other candidates etc also.

Having spoken to a recent candidate that attended a seminar I tend to agree with other contributors to this site.

I'd be saving my money personally and concentrate on being well spoken,well presented and doing abit of research about the respective company's history and recruitment process.
Forewarned is forearmed but then again these guys aren't doing the actual test for you (particularly the psych test) - you have to satisfy the relevant airline's criteria yourself.

The fact that the individual that conducts the seminar when asked if he has any HR/recruitment background, supposedly becomes evasive and states he has "airline experience" to me amounts to the fact that they may have done anything from toilet janitor to mechanic.


To me personally, if I were to spend some $400 dollars or thereabouts I'd be wanting an individual with direct HR/Personnel experience with combined with actual recruitment hands-on time.

If I were to pay $400 I dont want a salesman that very unprofessionally tells supposed foul-mouth locker room jokes but would want an individual that can make a really meaningfully contribution towards a successful outcome.

Last edited by Dambuster; 11th Apr 2002 at 03:04.
 
Old 11th Apr 2002, 07:03
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For $450 you will get better value from a professional recruiting company such as the ones mentioned. They don't have to be familiar with the qwerks of the aviation industry to be helpful. In fact it is better they know nothing at all about the industry. You then get a completely unbiased approach.

The interviewers at airlines such as Cathay and Qantas are very familiar with the stock standard answers that this guy teaches you and on one occasion I know of, actually went against the person. Failed the interview, went and saw a recruiting professional, came back 12 months later and got through with the comment from the interviewers of "you have done a lot of preparation since we last saw you".

This course will not help you in an interview nor will any other that teaches you to answer questions with standard replies, but if you want to present a professional image to your future employers, don't insult them, spend your money wisely and see a professional employment consultant.
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Old 11th Apr 2002, 11:24
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need help too

Actually, does anyone have any info re books, web sites with psych test stuff? How about sample target selection type questions.

Maybe we could compile our own list of favourite questions we've been asked in interviews???
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Old 11th Apr 2002, 22:15
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Rang this company yesterday to make a few inquiries as I am involved in the recruiting process of pilots to a certain degree.

After firstly introducing myself to the gentleman that conducts the courses I was told bluntly and sharply " I dont want to buy any" and after a brief shallow apology was given a run-down on the course.

When asked about relevant experience and qualifications of the course facilitator (to whom I was apparently speaking) I got what I describe as 'the run-around" and evasive answers which amounted to no real conclusion.

Then again I haven't actually attended a course or perused their notes so I can't give a definitive answer as to the total worth of their course which could actually be quite worthwhile.

As an interviewer first impressions are vitally important.

My first impression here (albeit over the phone) left alot to be desired in the professionalism department.

Last edited by Scooter; 11th Apr 2002 at 22:18.
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Old 13th Apr 2002, 07:01
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Thumbs down

Agree with Exmouth, a complete ripoff.Got all this BS when people gave sample answers to particular questions - TB would
say "this is the one,the one and only answer you can give to this
question".If you disagreed or tried to initiate any sort of discussion regarding alternate answers you were told to shutup.However when you asked TB who he actually worked for
,and who he actually actually chaired "final airline interview panels for" - all you got was silence.
In my view he should be banned from placing adds in the Australian ,as the whole game he runs is based on TB claiming
a background/expertise that exists only in his own mind.
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Old 13th Apr 2002, 07:59
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Talking

Hi all,

Whilst exploring options you may find this web-site and product helpful.

Originally tailored for pilots who had been thru the USA layoff system and thought merely having experience would offset any short performance in Selection Procedures.

www.cageconsulting.com

Cheryl Cage

Recommend the book CHECKLIST TO SUCCESS & CD ROM PAIRING.

Suggest if nothing else you have another pilot stage a mock interview and VIDEO the proceedings. It is quite educational.

Safe flying

All the very best

cheers

" The harder I work, the luckier I get"

Last edited by Career Command; 13th Apr 2002 at 08:02.
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Old 13th Apr 2002, 13:41
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Exclamation

Perhaps this course presenter, says he worked for a " major asian airline " but which one is the $450 question he himself can not answer. Why ? was that bad a airline, if you are not prepared to admit to this or perhaps he was shown the exit door with gladness. I guess anyone can be a interviewer there are no special skills in asking specific questions. The main reason is to know about your personality is capable of spending up to 15 hours or more now is a secure cockpit.

Perhaps good old TB has a hidden past if he cant answer his own backgound then dont get " shafted " .

Why would you stop working for a major airline and do what he is doing now, i mean you have to advertise for business and if you have no luck then no money, if he says he worked for a major airline he would have had a month pay cheque.

Now what is better a pay cheque every month or doing the talk show circuit every month ?
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Old 14th Apr 2002, 09:02
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Questions and answers are straight out of Handling the Big Jets by D.P Davies..........

Guy is abnoxious - spoke for ten minutes on the phone - booked myself in and then thought STUFF THIS RUDE PRICK he's not taking my money.

Only my opinion some people have found the course helpfull.

VINCE
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Old 15th Apr 2002, 01:44
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Okay, the steelcaps are on and the boots are flyin!

I agree with most the comments on here, but it can still be quite helpful. If you go to a course looking for all the answers to q's you're doomed. But i do feel that this course helps you structure a decent answer.

I didn't agree with a lot of his answers and certainly wont be using them. I think he's over the top with getting stuck into your answers but i found this quite useful. "If i can get through a day with this prick i can get through anything" is how i felt when i left.

I still think it was worthwhile but the proof is in the pudding, i haven't had an interview yet !!
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Old 15th Apr 2002, 02:44
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Thank you Wingnutt

Yes he is all you guys say he is but it does help. Course is considerably more expensive than when I did it but I have had success in Two regional Airline interviews and a Domestic Airline. Yes, proof is in the pudding. You don't walk out and repeat word for word what he says. You have something to work with.

The suggestion about videoing yourself being interviewed is a great idea. TB also suggests doing this because it gives you an insight into how you look like and handle yourself under close scrutiny.

The guys lacks some serious personal skills but it is not him doing the interview. Ever heard the saying "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach!"
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Old 16th Apr 2002, 00:51
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Did the course about 6 years ago for about $150, got quite a bit out of it.

The guy's a first rate prick, he will humilate you, attack your family and so forth but made me realise that I was not prepared for an airline interveiw.

Went away, re-invented myself and got the big one.

For $450, well I dont know.

Way back then i was living with 2 other pilots all with Major Airline interveiws, we use to set up a mock interveiw in the lounge room, video tape it and ask all the hard questions.

Beleive me its hard to do in front of your friends and invaluable training, all of us were successful.

Id be doing that before parting with $450.

HUSTLER
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Old 16th Apr 2002, 02:59
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I did this course about 8 years ago, so I don't know how much things have changed. A lot of the comments made above are true, however I think all of us (10) learnt a little, if not a lot, of good ideas and method(s) for handling situations.
Sometimes the 'only answer ' technique seemed a little extreme, but we were not compelled to use it, just to be aware of his opinion.
The family personal abuse was an obvious joke and technique to get us thinking and to be aware of traps or open-ended questions.
Besides, haven't you slept with your mother? Think about that before your knee jerks you in the face.
I had heard some people in interviews had given the stock answers and had then been given the opportunity to have a cuppa and come back with their own response.
You may not have liked the guy, but he had an effective way of cutting through any crap or pretentiousness.
Some of his jibes may have stung a little and triggered a bit of soul searching afterwards, hopefully with productive results.
A bit of humour during the day kept the blood flowing and the interest/energy up. From an instructional technique point of view, he did very well.
I reckon it was money well spent, but that is obviously my opinion... Thank goodness we are all individuals.
Cheers all and good luck with the preparation and interviews
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Old 16th Apr 2002, 11:02
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Propjet,
Do you know if aladdin still offer courses - or can you supply contact info please.
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Old 16th Apr 2002, 13:38
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Experience dictates that in aviation 'Sharks ' abound and prey on the inexperienced and ignorant (or desperate).

If some guy is going to take $450 of my hard-earned cash I would be requiring a background check on this individual.

If he worked for an airline I would like to know exactly who,what position he occupied and what exactly he had in terms of relevant experience with direct pilot recruitment.

Testimonials from ex attendees would also help (those that werent paid to say nice things would be a start).

If the answer is/was zero or the answer is vague - take a walk fellas!
Save you dollars and go to an HR organisation with some sort of accreditation and relevant experience in this area.
Otherwise do as the man said - video yourselves and ask a mate to interview you and give an honest appraisal as to your performance.

Keep the answers short,sharp and to the point.
Dont waffle etc etc etc.

Good luck guys.........hey! - I just saved you $450 plus an air fare!!
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