Astraeus cadets - out of the closet!
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Astraeus cadets - out of the closet!
Well, we've all agreed it's time to stick our heads above the parapet - following on from our meeting at Astraeus yesterday, we're due to start type conversion either next week or the week after.. .. .We're going to be in here regularly and we thought we'd start a thread to answer any questions you may have about the selection from our side of things. Some of us will also be at the Pprune Wannabe seminars to answer your questions or just have a beer.. .. .To get the usual stuff out of the way - I'm Paul, 34 years of age, 320 hours CAA CPL/IR and MCC, flown with Cardiff Aero, Cardiff Wales, Britannia in Florida, Aeros in Glos and OATS Modular at Glos. I got the IR in December 2000 and since then have been concentrating on "quality" flying - multi/IR stuff, less hours but good practice.. .. .I have had other interviews, failed one sim ride and was going through the CTC/ATP scheme when I applied to Astraeus. . .. .I kept the answers on the application form short and punchy, and I have to say the interviews and sim ride were a lot of fun. Thanks to Danny, Hamrah, 10W, £6, IFR and the others who arranged the selection. I must say the people I met were great, not just the four others that got through, but everyone who was there for the selection.. .. .We aren't going to be able to answer any questions you may have on feedback, and we aren't here to gloat, part of the deal is that we give something back to the Pprune fund and to the wannabes here, so we're going to start the ball rolling. I'll be feeding back how the training is going from time to time and feel free to email me if you need to know anything specific, or just join in here, we hope to generate a discussion in this forum.. .. .Okay that's it from me, the other four will be here in time too, I'm gonna nurse my hangover for a bit, phew I'm one lucky bloke!!
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Another head pops from behind the parapet.... .. . Calypso, 34, 600 hrs, CPL IR ME MCC frzn ATPL. I have done banner towing, a long trip around the USA mostly doing IFR and a very useful MCC in an Airbus 300 sim. . .. .I am absolutely elated to be starting the type rating on Monday (4 days...) I think that all of us have kept out of the way mostly because we where waiting for a more solid start date, which we now have. I also found the other candidates in the selection process a really nice bunch and I would have been very pleased to work with any of them. It was very frustrating knowing that not all of us will make it. With that in mind, and knowing that many where gutted not having got through, it seemed insensitive to just come out with how happy I was that I got through. Enough of excuses, "never explain!, never apologize!" was the motto of an industry that I have now happily left behind.. .. .Looking back through the selection process one thing that did really help me was the Gatbash wannabes seminar that I attended last Xmas. Before the seminars my approach to job hunting could be described as a polite request for employment. At the seminars I clearly saw that, given the sheer number of applicants, this did not work. I entered the media driven 21st century and realized that job hunting is about advertising. You have ten seconds, grab them and don't pull any punches. Explain in the application, letter, interview... why you make a great pilot, a great employee. Do not just describe what you have done but sell your wares in a concise and focused manner. I strongly recommend the seminars to anybody; they are a good laugh, you meet some great people and can get some good feedback.. .. .We have all agreed to post our experiences through the next few months so I will let you all know how we get on trough the rating and specially: how does it feel sitting at the controls and hearing "Astraeus 2341 clear for T/O". .Set thrust...... .. .Can't wait. .. .Cal
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Paul dearest,. .. .Do give me a call. I miss your ramblings.....I suppose you will have to grow up now you are in a big jet!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .I think I may have just been saved from the chop as well today, so I am feeling chipper! Fancy a race into LGW or MAN sometime this summer!!!
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That's very good news Tailscrape.. .. .I'll call later, hmmm a race against a 757, think I've got a chance? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
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Nicely put PJ. Dont think I need add anything to that save to say I'm the oldest of the bunch at the ripe old age of 37. If I had one point to make it would be to say I'm just another wannabee with a frozen ATPL and just less then 300 hours total - which I hope proves that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE so long as you KEEP TRYING and dont let go of the dream! Remember why you set out to climb this particular mountain in the first place... That's it for now but always happy to answer questions and as PJ said we'll keep posting the useful stuff!
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I would like to add my congratulations to those above.. .. .Its very heartening to see that the dream does actually come true if you work hard enough.. .. .Best of luck to you all.. .. .TBL
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Ok here we go….. .. .Matt, 34, 1400hrs, frozen ATPL FI/IRI/Night, MCC, FAA CPL ME/IR. I initially trained and flew in the USA building time on twins (PA34’s) and singles before studying in the UK. I leave Stapleford Flight Centre where I have been employed as a flying instructor for the last year to join Astraeus.. .. .If anything has helped along the way it is without doubt working as a Flying Instructor. Anyone out there thinking of the same, my advice is go for it! At SFC I was surrounded by the boundless enthusiasm and drive that is crucial in getting you through the real tough moments. I decided to become an instructor after a year and a half of job hunting.. .. .With regard to the selection process I guess I just tried to be myself and keep it simple. My approach to the application form and interview questions was to kind of put myself in their shoes and think, “What would I be looking for.” I kept the answers positive and tried to show a bit of understanding of the airlines vision. . .. .The sim. assessment couldn’t have been more fun even if it was a bit nerve racking! I’d be happy to offer any advice on how I prepared, needles to say a good scan goes a long way!. .. .Like the others I’d be glad to answer any questions along the way and share experiences.
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Congrats to all of the newhires! Quite an exciting opportunity - and very lucky in a time when so many pilots are newly unemployed with families to support.... .. .I have read some of the previous Astraeus threads, but I am still a little unclear about some of the startup details. Perhaps you guys can tell me what you know thusfar:. .. .1. How much time expected from start of training until actual line flying?. .. .2. Do you get a full 737 type rating?. .. .3. How many flight hours do you expect per month - do you know what the tentative schedules will look like in terms of days on/off per week?. .. .4. Do you have a choice of LGW or MAN or are you assigned a base?. .. .I look forward to reading about your training process. I have a brother who is currently training on the 737-800 for Delta in the States having flown the 757/767 and the 737-200 and he finds it to be somewhat challenging - he said the 757/767 was much easier (he has 6000 hours) to learn and fly.. .. .Cheers
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Well Lavdump, I hope I can answer some of your questions:. .. .1. How much time expected from start of training until actual line flying?. .. .a: Usual timescale - we train up at Craneback for 6 weeks or so and then onto base training. From yesterday's meeting it seems they want us on line fairly quickly.. .. .2. Do you get a full 737 type rating?. .. .Yes.. .. .3. How many flight hours do you expect per month - do you know what the tentative schedules will look like in terms of days on/off per week?. .. .CAP371. Dunno about monthly hours yet.. .. .4. Do you have a choice of LGW or MAN or are you assigned a base?. .. .We've been asked where we'd prefer. One is definately going to Manchester, some of the rest of us might go there for a week or so at a time.. .. .Cheers
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Brilliant stuff....Very well done indeed. If any of you lot are at Gatwick at anytime and fancy a night out in Brighton, just get in touch. . .Once again, Well done.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />
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HARRY GREYHOUND . .. .It does seem that way doesn't it.. .. .Good luck anyway lads all the best, it's a tough slog requiring many hours of study. But once your there It'll be all worth it.. .. .Well done and good luck! A unique oportunity for you.
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Well Done all of you. Welcome to the Boeing Club too! Type training and line training isn't gonna be a walk in the park, just bear that in mind and keep on the ball and you're set. But I can say the worst is over. All the best and we'll all look forward to hearing how you get on with the training and line flying.
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Thanks everyone,. .. .Well, we are not all over thirty and I am sure you can appreciate, judging from the range of experience we have, that it came down to personality and how we handled the sim. Like myself there may be others of you thinking that being over thirty is a liability. I hope this adds a little hope where that's concerned. Remember, not every airline has the same philosophy.. .. .Big Red 'L' ....thanks for the offer, definitely hold you to that!
Well done to everyone, as someone else said the worst is over!!! Get you heads in the books for that type rating though, and keep us informed of progress.. .. .Tailscrape, I think you will beat him into manch any time. 310Kts below 10,000ft is SOP now isnt it? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
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Many thanks for the feedback, congrats and good luck to you all for the future.. .. .You've given new hope to another over 30, and an insight into where I'm going wrong on the application front. Should have stuck more to the 'KISS' principle! (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />
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Featherman,. . well done in getting the job. I remember you well from the NG sim LHR when I was working there. Just got a 737 job myself with another carrier. Planning a little celebration tomorrow. Good luck and i'll see you around.