ExpressJet was kind enough to arrange and pay for my travel and housing. Arriving in Houston the night before the interview, I checked into the comfortable Sheraton hotel near the ExpressJet Training Center, munched a sandwich, watched the Kansas City Royals win the World Series on TV, and tried with only limited success to sleep.
The next morning, after enjoying a fairly good cup of coffee, dressing in a black suit with crisp white shirt and conservative tie, I trundled to the lobby where I boarded the 0715 shuttle dedicated to moving people between that hotel and the training center.
Arriving at the Training Center at 0720 and finding the receptionist’s desk vacant, I settled in the comfortable lobby to wait. There were ultimately three of us interviewing for pilot positions that morning. We just shot the breeze, each of us trying not to look nervous, and each of us failing.
Promptly at 0800, two ExpressJet recruiting staff members entered the lobby, shared pleasant greetings and ushered us to us to presentation room bedecked with retro 50s-style diner tables and chairs in ExpressJet’s red & black team colors. Each table was set with corporate trinkets (tumbler, drink cozy, bumper sticker) and a small folio with basic introductory information. After handing over all of our logbooks, we were invited to enjoy the snacks provided and to find a seat. The next hour was given to a power-point presentation outlining ExpressJet’s structure, its solid standing in the airline market, the aircraft in the fleet, the pilot culture, the pay and benefit structure, and the airline’s initial training process. Based on the information, they place a high premium on treating their pilots well. In spite of the pressure we candidates might have been feeling, the staff were relaxed, pleasant, and very helpful.
Following a brief break, two of us were taken to a room with multiple computer stations (the other fellow was removed to fly a simulator checkout, something I was not required to do). Following a short briefing, we set to the task of taking a 45-question multiple-choice examination. Most of the questions came from the ATP written. We were given 45 minutes to complete the exam, and I finished in plenty of time.
After the written, I had a minute to stretch my legs before being invited into a small conference room. There, I met two ExpressJet line pilots. Both men were pleasant, relaxed, and open. We reviewed my logbooks, identification, and pilot credentials. After signing all of the application documents, they started asking technical questions. A couple were related to questions on the written I had taken an hour earlier, which led me to suspect that I had answered them incorrectly. I had a chance to discuss these items, rather than simply selecting from three multiple choices that are ridiculously similar. We discussed numerous matters: icing, thunderstorm development, various IFR procedures, and the function of a land-and-hold-short operation (LAHSO). After each answer, I heard “perfect,” “excellent,” or “awesome.” They asked me what aircraft I was doing most of my flying in, and which two systems in that plane were my favorite. I said, “Other than wings that generate lift? Probably the fuel and electrical systems.” They asked me to describe the aircraft’s fuel system. After that, they slid a Jeppesen approach plate across the table and asked me to brief the approach to Runway 34 at Ashville Regional.
They both got a fairly serious look on their faces when they slid an airport diagram for Newark across the table, and set up the scenario:
“Traffic is departing on Runway 4L with simultaneous landing on 4R. You are the First Officer on an ExpressJet flight – our call-sign is ‘Acey’ – that has just landed on 4R and has taxied off on high-speed taxiway Juliet. You are holding short of 4L when you hear ‘Acey FFFFSSST cleared to cross Runway 4L. Even though you don’t hear your specific flight number, the captain starts to taxi across the runway. What do you do?”
I said, “Key the mic and ask ground to confirm the clearance.”
One of the interviewers smiled and said, “FSSSSSTTTHH. Static.”
I went on, “Then I’m going to say to the captain, ‘Sir, I don’t think we have clearance. We should stop’.”
The other interviewer took it from there. “He says, ‘Nope. I’m sure we have clearance’ and he keeps taxiing. And now you see another aircraft on short final.”
I took a breath. “Then I don’t have any choice. I’m going to stand on the brakes. I’d rather be dressed down by a captain than named in an NTSB report. I’ll buy him an apology beer at the hotel.”
They both smiled, and said, “That’s the right answer.” They went on to explain that ExpressJet has a strong safety culture, and that all captains are expected to respect the input of first officers.
And that was it. They stood, shook my hand, and returned me to the room where the day started, telling me that they’d be right back. Throughout the entire 90 minutes, I found it to be much less like an interview than a comfortable conversation.
Less than two minutes later, one of the interviewers walked in. He asked me how I felt the day went. I told him that I enjoyed it very much and was impressed by the relaxed professionalism of the staff; however, I had hoped to do better on the written portion. He smiled and said, “Well, you passed. In fact . . . we want you to fly for ExpressJet. We are offering you a conditional offer of employment pending your background check and drug test.”
You could have knocked me down with a cotton ball, and I told him so. We talked a bit about what comes next. I asked if they would provide me with materials to study while I waited to report to training. “No,” he said. “Just go home and enjoy flight instructing. Don’t read any manuals or watch any YouTube videos. We want to you arrive as a clean slate.” That was certainly NOT what I expected. He ushered me to the Human Resources office, where I signed a couple more documents (including the acceptance of a conditional offer), was fingerprinted and submitted to a drug test. (I wasn’t a bit concerned about that portion of the interview process; the only drug they’d ever find in me is caffeine.)
Following the interview, I boarded a flight home, wearing a mile-wide smile and eager to begin training to become an ExpressJet first officer!
RECOMMENDATIONS:
> Review the ATP test materials for your written exam
> If you are not familiar with Jeppesen charts, study those carefully
> Make sure all of your credentials are in good order
> Know the various systems in the aircraft you fly most
> Wear a business suit
> Relax and be yourself. They are great people who care about their pilots! |
