Day 1 Walked in early, everyone’s times are staggered but since we all showed early, they started as you came. Were given an incident scenario you had to fill out a report for, basic, had to know Zulu time for the interview day. They supposedly do this because they found out half of their captains do it wrong, but if you’re not trained on it, you’re just guessing on it anyway… Got taken for sim, they let you review a booklet ahead of time, you don’t have to memorize it or anything, just gives you the basics for the sim so you know what you’re flying, speeds, etc. One guy runs it, the other is your FO, so you can use him as a tool, they put your gear/flaps down, tune and ID, etc. Basic computer screen, round dials, supposed to be DC-9, it’s way pitch sensitive. No rudder, tracks straight on the runway for takeoff. You take off, climb to 5000’ out of KLAS, level out, two 180 degree steep turns on a cardinal heading. Was then vectored on the South side of the localizer. Given direct BLD VOR, have RMI to start, then intercept a radial to, about 23 miles out, and a hold. Had my FO fly so I could figure out entry, took it again prior to entry. Was direct entry, did one turn in holding and once I started the outbound turn again, was given radar vectors to the ILS. Flew ILS to landing, broke out about 300’ AGL, landed. Meet and greet with CP, casual, “state of the airline,” plans for it. Then let us know they want us to have a good experience, they didn’t bring us there to weed us out, they need people. Questions for him.? Panel interview, two 717 captains, dispatcher, head of FA’s. Face to face, you facing them: Do you visit HI often, what a/c would you pick, what if you got the 717 – how would that change your plans? Tell us how you got your start in flying, if we don’t hire you, where do you see yourself in five years, are you applying anywhere else, have you applied before, why not, what is the most difficult crew you’ve had to deal with, any chance of upgrading at your company, what do you look forward to most about being a captain, failed checkrides, accidents/incidents, letters, why should we hire you instead of the other 2000 applicants, why HA, any international or trans-pacific flying… Day 2 All 30-some applicants were gradually escorted into a room with tables/chairs facing front. Written, timed tests with psychologist attending. Verbal (word matching, complete a sentence), simpler math problems. Verbal test, then a really hard math test with fractions, train leaves a station, etc, not enough time to finish for anyone! Last was an un-timed personality evaluation with 250 questions /statements you had to strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, or strongly disagree with. “I enjoy rides such as roller coasters, I often get stressed out and can’t handle it, people usually like me when I first meet them,” etc. Were given a break, broken into several groups with even numbers, alphabetical order, U shape with chairs facing table with three people, one or two HR, and one retired captain. Turn to your neighbor for five minutes, get to know each other, then introduce them to the group and tell them a bit about that person. They had a Harry Potter style hat with statements you had to pick and answer like, “What does customer service mean to you, what constitutes team work, what is the most difficult change you’ve had to adjust to in your life, what is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken in your life…” Went over mission statement, what stands out to you, went over HA’s values, encouraged to speak up about what things meant.
They are notoriously slow about getting back to you about whether or not they want you back for day 3, when they do a last psychological test, which unless you bomb you have the job, so I don’t know yet. Agonizing!
Date Interviewed: July 2010
Summary of Qualifications:
current employee of Hawaiian
Were you offered the job?
Don't Know
Pilot Interview Profile:
I was hired in 2001. Reading the previous interviews they were correct. As of today, Human Remains has got there hand on the strings now. So, if you get an interview please find a friend of a friend, as see if they know anyone who has interview in the last 6-8 months. My advise for the current process if limited. Hawaiian is a good company to work for. It has its ups and down but overall it's good.
Date Interviewed: June 2010
Summary of Qualifications:
6000Hrs, Multiple types, several internal Recs
Were you offered the job?
Don't Know
Pilot Interview Profile:
I originally interviewed with Hawaiian 2009. Very exciting to get the interview as it has been my number one choice for years. 3 weeks after my original application I received a call from HR for an interview. Take note that I was notified of this interview with 2 days prior notice. At no point was it indicated that I would be positive spaced to HNL from my home on the mainland or reimbursed for any hotel expenses for the interview process.
I took this as a test of my desire to be part of HA as a pilot....
Day 1.
Met in the lobby of their HR department. I noticed some other applicants waiting for their turn to interview. I was given a small inventory to read which required me to fill out a mock discrepancy report. Certainly something my 4th grade child could have successfully completed. After some small talk with a couple of other applicants an HR lady posing as a secretary came up to me and told me good job for interacting with the other applicants as I was being tested and watched without my knowledge.
Date Interviewed: May 2001
Summary of Qualifications:
NA
Were you offered the job?
Don't Know
Pilot Interview Profile:
Sim check conducted on an Elite 4 PCATD configured as a DC-9. There is
a sim operator, copilot and observer. All are HAL pilots. ILS 8L @
Honolulu. Take off and climb to 1000 feet at 15 degrees pitch. At 1000
ft, decrease pitch to 10 degrees and turn to 180 heading. Accelerate to
250 KIAS and level off at 5000 feet. Take a few moments to get
comfortable with sim, than to 180 degree steep turns in both
directions. Sim is frozen and you are asked to identify your position
in reference to ALANA intersection. Unfreeze, fly to ALANA and enter
holding at 5000 feet and 220 KIAS (note: 200 KIAS FAR limit - ask ATC
for deviation). After entry turn, told to decend to 3000 feet while in
the inbound turn to ALANA and cleared for the ILS 8L approach.
Intercept 14 DME arc (note: approach has arc at 3100 feet, point out
this to instructor). After you have shown that you can arc, sim is
frozen and you are asked to brief the apporach. Aircraft is
repositoned
on the arc at the lead-in radial. Intercept and fly ILS to minimums and
landing. HAL instructor acts as copilot and is very helpful. Make
whatever standard calls you use at your current airline. Mention all
radio calls. Sim operator will set heading bug, speed bug, altitude
alerts. OBS and navaids. Very straight forward and all the HAL pilots
want you to succeed. Clipper Aviation at HNL has an Elite 4 PCATD and
knows the profile cold. Extremely helpful sim prep and made the HAL
check easy. Call Clipper at (808) 479-3893.
Interview was with the Chief Pilot and 2 line Captains. Very little
technical.
- Questions on your flying background, education etc.
- Why Hawaiian?
- Why should Hawaiian hire you?
- What would your current DO/CP say about you?
- Captain wants to take off into reported microburst.........
- Would you relocate to Hawaii?
- As an FO, how have you handled past conflicts with Captains?
- What are the engine fire memory items for you curren
t aircraft?
- Log book review, questions on any inflight emerencies you've had, etc.- Explain VMC and how CG changes effect.- When do you need an alternate, second alternate, takeoff alternate?
- If hired as a DC-10 FE and than offered B717/DC-9 FO 1 month out of FE
training, would you take it? What about 10 month check ride for
probation review, how would this effect your decision? What about fact
you can nopt be fired after probation for initial bust on FO upgrade,
but can during probation - how would this effect your decision?
Date Interviewed: October 1999
Summary of Qualifications:
NA
Were you offered the job?
Don't Know
Pilot Interview Profile:
I was hired by Hawaiian Airlines February 1999 in a class of 8.
Hawaiian started hiring again in September of 1998 and has hired between
8 and 12 a month ever since with projected hiring to continue with 65
more (at least!) in 2000.
When I was interviewed last October the interview process was very
brief since HAL was interviewing current employees, politically
connected pilots and relatives of HAL pilots. Now the interview process
and hiring minimums have gone increased, but it is still fairly brief
and relaxed. Selected applicants now are tested on a PCATD simulator
and then interviewed by a couple line pilots. Once past the interview,
applicants are called in for testing which consists of three IQ exams
(two math and one english) two long, written psychological tests and a
brief physical exam. As far as I can tell, if you are called back for
testing you will be hired unless you really screw up the psych and IQ
tests.
Hawaiian is an ALPA carrier, so if you have crossed an air carrier
picket line in the past, do not bother applying. Just my personal
opinion.
Hawaiian is a great company to work for with wonderful employees and
a unique corporate culture. We have been flying inter island for 70
years and internationally for 16 without a single fatality (knock on
wood!). Although our present pay is 50% below the industry average, our
pilot contract expires February 2000, the company is finally making a
profit again and we are pushing for parity. We have just ordered 13
Boeing 717s to replace our DC-9 fleet with delivery starting in early
2001. Our present fleet of 11 DC-10-10s and -30s is projected to grow
to between 15 to 17.
