I had my friend from college, Avro RJ 85 first officer with Mesaba, walked in a resume in middle of December 2000, and I got a call on 1/9/01. I was
scheduled for the interview on Wednesday 1/31/00. They sent me a packet
including all the paper work and the ticket to MSP about five days before
the interviewing date. I flew up to MSP on 1/30/01 stayed at the Americinn
($65 Mesaba fare and Applebee's next door) The Hotel picked me up at the
airport. NO APPS FEE ANY MORE!!! I was scheduled for a practice sim ride
with "Wings" The local FBO at the St. Paul Downtown airport (where the
interview will be held) on that day and the hotel gave me a ride to and from
the FBO. I recommend the practice sim if you don't have much simulator
time. The simulator is an AST 300, roll sensitive. I had close to 100
hours of Frasca experience so it was piece of cake. Next morning, Wings
picked up all the applicants who where staying at the hotels recommended by
Mesaba, and took us to the airport. We were greeted by Erin (HR person) who
showed us a video of Mesaba, and then gave us a 12min 50 Question IQ test.
(They look for the # of correct answers) You really can't study for this,
just be ready for little math and Vocab questions (example: Large: Grande a.
Similar words, b. opposites, c. Neither opposite nor similar. You have 27
yard of string, how many 3 feet pieces can you get?) Then 20min, 25
questions on IFR, COM and Multi, NO 121 or ATP stuff. Once you are done
with the two tests, Erin will give you your Sim and the two interview
schedules. Then Dan (retired Mesaba flight operation person) came in and
talks about the benefits and training details. Then came the sim ride for
me, I was the first one. It was the VOR 16 and ILS 34L at Seattle. I
flew some SID, then they game me vectors for the VOR, fly the missed
approach, hold, then vectors for the ILS and land. I also heard that they
use LaGuardia NY, or Phoenix. Wings will take you to a deli, or Erin will
order food for you if your sim or interview is during lunch (there is no
food, except snacks at the airport)

My interview with Dan came first.
- Why do you want to work for Mesaba?
- What is your goal?
- What would you do if you can't fly anymore?
- What are you flying now?
- Do you enjoy your current job?
- Did you ever fail any check rides?
- If you smell alcohol on the captains' breath what would you do?
- What are your hobbies?
- Who was your worst flight instructor?
- How soon are you available?
- If we give you a class date on 3/19/01 what would you do to prepare for
it?
- Will you be able to accept any domicile?
- Any questions?

Then interview with Erin,
- Why do you want to work for Mesaba
- What if your goal?
- What would you do if you can't fly anymore?
- What makes a good pilot?
- How do you rate your self as a pilot 1-10
- What was your worst flying experience?
- What is the biggest obstacle in your career?
- Did you ever fail any Check rides?
- What would you do if you arrive at the gate and your captain is Drunk?
- What would your boss say about you?
- Would you be able to accept any domicile?
- How soon are you available?
- Any questions?

This was my first interviewing experience ever, and I thought it wasn't bad.
Pretty much same questions, no technical questions. 15 - 20 min long
each. They told us we would hear from them in about 10 days. I got a call
two days later from Erin offering me a class date on 2/19/01.

First of all, I'm really appreciative for the great gouge I got from this web-site so it is my pleasure to update the site on Mesaba. I found that
the questions already posted are right-on so a lot of this gouge will
concentrate on small minutia that you might find helpful.

I interviewed in December 2000 after getting a call from Scott Lindsey two
weeks before. I submitted my resume at the Air Inc. job fair in Washington
D.C. the weekend prior to Scott calling.

Let me cover some logistics first: They will send you a standby pass on
Northwest and in the cover letter suggest three hotels to stay at. I found
the Best Western to be the cheapest at $62/night. It's clean and the
closest to the interview location. The Best Western will also be waiting
at the airport if you call them before getting on your flight. The manager
picked me up and was very nice. They also have a free hot continental
breakfast in the morning, this is important if you plan on eating that
day...I'll get to that.

You are also instructed to contact Wings, the FBO that does the sim, the
day before your interview so you can figure out when they will pick you up
from the hotel for the interview. The driver will stop at Country Inn
first then American Inn and finally Best Western. You should check out of
the hotel in the morning and bring your luggage to the interview, its
expected. At around 7:30 a.m. I was getting a little concerned about being
late so I asked the folks at Best Western to drive me to the interview and
they were delighted to do it - very friendly people. I'm glad that I asked
because by the time Wings picks people up at the Best Western, the van is
usually full.

The interviews are held on the 2nd floor of the terminal building at
St.Paul Downtown airfield. I think they hold them here to facilitate the
simulator ride. Anyway, my interview group consisted of 8 males and 1
female. We started promptly at 8:00 a.m. with a brief from an HR gal named
Erin. She was very friendly and made us all feel at ease. She then
administered a cognitive test that consisted of 50 questions. We were
given 12 minutes, so don't expect to finish. The questions were not tough
- if you finish 30-35 you are probably doing pretty good.

Erin then talked about the paperwork we were required to fill out prior to
the interview, and it was quite extensive. One note on the Carrier
background check: Fill one of these out even if your a flight instructor
at an FBO. It doesn't just cover Part 121 and 135 operations. Next came a
30 minute video on Mesaba. Erin then handed out a 150 questions psych
profile. She gives you the whole day to finish it - just be honest. Next
came a 25 question test on WX, FAR's, AIM. You are given 20 minutes to do
it so don't worry about time. Questions were really easy so don't sweat
it. Most people started filling out their psych profiles before the time
was up.

Then one of the Chief Pilots, Joe Restifo, came in and talked very frankly
about pay, benefits, reserve, etc. He was really honest about the goods of
the job as well as the things that suck about it. He also tells you to
relax in the interview and don't give canned answers. Somewhere in the
morning Erin gives you the interview schedule. You will do one with her,
one with Joe and then be scheduled for your sim eval. My schedule looked
like this: Joe at 11:20, Erin at 12:20 and sim eval at 3:10. So where
does lunch come in you ask? This is the one part of the day that wasn't
planned very well. Two options: Call a local deli who will make one
delivery (so make sure everyone gets a chance to put an order in) or the
girl from Wings will make a run into town at 12:00. It all depends on your
interview times.

Interview with Joe: Very relaxed, asked me what kind of twin I was
flying. What other companies I was speaking with. How I compared them to
Mesaba. Nothing technical for me although the others were asked about the
electrical systems on their aircraft. He then asked me if I had any
questions. Make sure you have some good ones that are not canned. We
talked about the impending buy-out by Northwest and the ramifications for
Mesaba.

Interview with Erin: Very pleasant. Want to know the questions? Look at
the list given on this web-site, they were verbatim! Lasts about 20-30
minutes. She looks you square in the eyes to see if you will look at her
back - do it.

Sim eval: First thing I can say, don't sweat this thing. This sim is done
in a AST 300. No tricks. Don't plan on memorizing plates at certain
airports because they use Phoenix, Dulles, La Guardia, Altanta, so it's
anyone's guess which one you will get that day. I was given a SID out of
Seattle/Tacoma (the ELMAA SIX Departure) after making the turn to the west
and tracking outbound on the 227 radial he vectored me for the VOR 34L/R to
the published missed (WX 300 OVC, 2 miles, winds calm). Entered the hold
with a teardrop, did one turn back to the NDB and was vectored for the ILS
16L after passing the NDB. You will break out at just above 200' so make
sure to fly all the way to DH. He will ask you to land it if possible, no
big deal if you can't.

NOTES ON SIM: The thing is old and very roll sensitive just like every
other AST 300 I've flown. Just make sure to baby sit your heading. The
altimeter sticks so watch your VSI, I had to tap on the altimeter a couple
of times to get it unstuck. You won't use more than two radio freqs
(Approach and tower), two VOR freqs (SEA VOR and ILS DME), two NDB's (PARKK
& DONDO). He won't switch freqs for you but its no big thing. Don't
forget to identify all NAVAIDS and leave the ADF selected during holding
and the approach. The rudder pedals are sensitive so he tells you to not
touch them after takeoff. He will give you power settings in inches of MP
so don't worry about that. You will use full RPM, mixtures full
rich, don't use flaps, cruise and holding speed of 140 KIAS and approach
speed of 120 KIAS. He will give you your choice of an HSI or regular
DG. I choose the HSI, its much easier in my opinion. A far as checklists
are concerned, use what you are used to in the A/C you fly.

After the sim someone from Wings will take you to the airport which is
about 15-20 minutes away. I made my 5:00 flight. Just waiting for a call
back, they advertise 10 days to 2 weeks but I've heard of people getting
called earlier. Hope this helps. Good luck and don't forget to post
updates of your experience on this site.

Hi everyone, I just interviewed with Mesaba this week, and hope this Info will help future interviewees.

First off, they start with the usual phone prescreen, solid breakdown of
hours, and experience. And set up the interview, it happened faster than I
thought, I had the interview 6 days after I talked to them, I didn't have
time to get all the paperwork they wanted (passport, birth certificate, radio
station license) but it wasn't a big deal. So don't stress about it.

I got there the day before the interview, got a hotel, and was ready for the
6:15 shuttle to take me to the interveiw..there were 5 of us that day.

The day started on an interesting note...the Human resources person was late,
but she started off with some jokes, very laid back good first impression.

Then about 1 hour of info about the company, a short video, and 2 test..one
of the aptitude tests (50 questions, 12 min...you won't finish) and a
standard knowledge test 20 questions on airspace, regs and such...

then 1 hour question answer with the chief pilot from Detroit, again, very
laid back. answered questions about benefits, seniority, and domiciles,

then a short break, and the first of 2 interviews, I started with the chief
pilot, but he was running late, so i didn't get any technical stuff, just the
usual, why do you want to work for Mesaba? Where do you see yourself in 5
years? the said they didn't want canned answers, and they seemed generally
happy with honesty, they have been doing this for a long time, and know all
the "right" answers...they really just want to see if they want to sit next
to you in a cockpit for 8 hours without wanting to kill you.

Then on to human resources...almost the same questions, but a little more
thoughtful....

Then we broke for lunch, and came back for the sim ride.....its in an AST
300. Really strait forward.

an instrument takeoff (the visual is broken) into a SID (ellmira 6 out of
Seattle), then vectors for a VOR/DME approach, into the published missed, 1
turn in holding, then vectors for an ILS full stop. no failures, no
emergencies, just simple flight looking for good basic instrument skills. ( I
was last that day, so it might be more work if the sim guy isn't so ready to
go home)

They tell you to be prepared for 2 days, but everyone I talked to said it
always finishes in 1 day.

good luck everyone, get the job

Received a call from Erin Shobe, Human Resources Rep, the day after I faxed my resume. She confirmed the information on my resume and asked how many
hours I had flown in the past 90 days, past 6 months, and past year. Have
those numbers prepared ahead of time for her. As well as the common
questions on prior accidents/incidents, DUIs, and moving violations. Be
honest, even with something as minor as a speeding ticket. They have their
ways of finding these things out. Do not try to cover something up.

We then set up an interview time for the next week and she said I would get a
packet mailed to me with more info and the application. The application
should be completed by the start of the interview. She goes over the
application during the first 10 minutes, but doesn't spend too much time on
this, so make sure it's completed ahead of time. There are a lot of papers
that need to be filled out with the application for background checks and the
sort. The driving record form needs to be notarized and then mailed out by
you. That's easy to overlook, so don't forget that.

They also say to have copies of your Driver's license, Airman certificates,
First Class medical, Passport, Social Security card, and FCC radio license.
Don't worry about the FCC license yet. They will give you a form (or you can
pick one up from the FSDO) to fill out later and you mail it to the FCC. You
just have to have this prior to starting on the line since both the Saab and
the Avro fly into Canada.

They flew us on Northwest standby the day before the interview since the
interview started at 7:00 AM. You choose your hotel and have to pay for
that. When you arrive at MSP, your hotel can pick you up with their shuttle.
Make sure you call Wings, the local FBO, the day before your interview so
they know which hotels they need to stop at the next morning. You will get
the numbers for the hotels and Wings in the packet of info they FedEx.

They say to be ready in the lobby of your hotel at 6:15. Don't worry if the
Wings van is not there by that time. They have 3 hotels to stop at. It only
takes about 15 minutes to get to the St. Paul airport for the interviews. Be
very polite to everyone you come in contact with. You better believe that
Mesaba has a good relationship with Wings and that they may talk to the
person driving the van that day or anyone else to see if you are someone they
want representing their company out in public.

We got to the airport about 20 minutes before 7:00 and sat in the conference
room. There were nine of us interviewing and we all got to know each other
at that time. It was very relaxing being able to talk with everyone else in
the group. Be friendly and help each other out because you are not all
fighting for one position, Mesaba has lots of slots opening up in the near
future.

You will be prepared if you read the other gouges for Mesaba at this site.
They are pretty accurate. Write down common HR quesions and practice your
answers outloud. I was prepared for every quesion they asked because I did
my research and thanks to the other pilots who offered information on this
wonderful site prior to my interview.

Same format as discussed earlier, Erin Shobe came in at 7:00 and went over
paperwork, discussed the company for awhile, and discussed benefits. She is
very nice and helpful. We then started off with the Wonderlick test, then
the pilot knowledge test, and then were given the personality test. You have
all day to do the personality test, but it goes quick. We then watched the
video. She leaves the room for this, but don't phase out and look
uninterested, like I saw one guy do. Make sure you want to be there. If
not, don't bother. If you have interviews with other companies at around the
same time, prepare an answer to this question...What will you do if Mesaba,
XYX, and ZYZ all call to offer you a job at the same time? Is Mesaba your
first choice? I know they nailed one guy on this one.

After the video, we met Mike Anderson, the Assistant Chief Pilot in Detroit.
He talked with us about how the bidding procedure works, reserve time, pay
scale, training schedule, and the upgrade time to captain. He is a very
pleasant guy. Also gave a short lecture that we should be very comfortable
with our instrument skills. If not, to get some time in a nearby simulator
before they call for you to start ground school. Mentioned how someone had
just failed out of ground school the week prior, after the company put about
$30,000 of training into that person...a bad situation for everyone. Take
notes while he is talking.

We then got the schedule for the day. There are plenty of spaces in the day
to prep for the next thing. During your free time go downstairs by the
vending room and relax with the other applicants. Only 3 people are busy at
any one time. Each interview takes about 20 minutes and the total sim
session take about 45 minutes. We all shared information on what questions
each was asked and what the sim profile was for that day, since it does
change daily. The "technical" interview with Mike wasn't very technical for
me. I know he asked some applicants about gross weight of the twin they had
the most time in or to explain its fuel system, for example.

I won't put the questions I was asked since they are the same as mentioned
earlier in this gouge. Try to have some letters of recommendation together.
They may not ask you for them, so make sure you mention them and offer them
to whoever interviews you last. Also, make sure to get lunch. Some people
are interviewing around 12:00 when the Wings van comes back to take everyone
to pick up food at a deli. If your interview is scheduled around lunchtime,
send money with someone else so you get food. It is a long day. Don't pass
out.

Our sim profile used Phoenix, Sky Harbor Int'l. I think it was called the
St. John's departure procedure off RW 8R, got vectored back to a southbound
radial to the 12 DME arc into the VOR/DME (8R?) approach. Did the published
missed and entered the hold. Right after the entry he vectored me back
around for the ILS (8R?) to a full stop. He spends plenty of time beforehand
explaining the simulator, where to find everything, and approximate power
settings and airspeeds.

As you've already heard, it is obscenely roll sensitive. Just get as much
time as you can in any simulator working on departure procedures, approaches,
and holds. They are just looking for basic skills. They know the sim has no
natural feel to it and everyone is at the same disadvantage, so just do your
best and your skills will show through.

I received a letter in the mail 3 days after the interview congratulating me
and telling me they would call to assign me a ground school date in the near
future. I couldn't be happier to work for such an awesome company!

I interviewed with Mesaba in 6/00. The interview was held at the terminal of St Paul Downtown airport. A person from Wings was supposed to pick me up
from the hotel at 7:30 a.m. but they called and said I'd have to find a
ride so the hotel ended up taking me to the airport. There were 3 hotels
listed in my information packet and I stayed at the Country Inn. Pretty
nice place and their shuttle picked me up from MSP when I arrived. The
hotel ran somewhere around $75 for the night.

There were eight of us interviewing that day. Erin Shobe from HR explained
what would happen during the day and
she took our $100 interview fee. After that we went through the paperwork
to make sure everyone completed it correctly. Once that was done we
started off by taking the Wonderlick test. It had 50 questions and they do
not expect you to finish the test. I answered about 40 out of the 50 and
was confident on 38 of them.

The next test was a multiple choice pilot knowledge test. It had
instrument and multi engine questions. For the most part it wasn't too
hard, but there were a few questions that no one knew. We were also given
the psyche test that needed to be completed by the end of the day.

We were then given a company overview and shown a video on the
company. Mike Anderson, the chief pilot for Detroit talked to us about
training and a typical day as a mesaba flight officer. When Mike was done
we got the times for our interviews and sim ride.

I interviewed with Mike first. It was somewhat of an awkward
interview. He told me to tell him, where I've been, where I'm at and where
I plan on going. I started talking and all he would do is look at my
paperwork. I don't think he looked up for the first 10 minutes. Once he
was done looking at the paper work, he started to ask a few other
questions. Have I ever been scared flying. Have I ever had a bad student,
what did I do about it. After several of those questions he gave me an
opportunity to ask him any questions I might have. Overall it was really
relaxed. There were no technical questions at all. He flipped through my
log book to see what I have been flying and that was about it. Mike had a
very good "poker face" I couldn't tell if I was doing good or bad. I
talked to the other applicants and they said the same thing.

Next I interviewed with Erin. It was pretty much a typical HR
interview. Why do you want to work for mesaba? What makes a good
pilot? What if you were in a critical phase of flight and your captain
told you to do something that would break company policy but would not
jeopardize the safety of the flight, what would you do? Where do you want
to be in 5 years. Ect.

After the interview with Erin I had my sim ride. I looked around on the
net before I went on the interview to get a heads up on the sim. The
approaches that I found listed are still the same ones in use today. You
will fly out of LGA on a sid. I think it's the runway 13 flushing climb or
something like that. Fly runway heading till 2.5 dme then left to 050 and
up to 5,000. They tell you to level off at 3,000 though. You then get
radar vectors for the VOR-E. The approach is pretty simple to fly. After
going missed on that approach (1.0 dme from the vor) you go to the
published hold which is straight ahead. Tear drop entry, one time around
the hold, then radar vectors for the ILS 22. You will fly this approach
all the way down and actually land the sim. They do not score you on the
take off or landing. Like everyone else said this sim is pretty roll
sensitive. I have about 30 hours in a frasca, but no time in an ast. I
did not think the sim was as hard as everyone had said. One tip I can give
you is do not touch the rudder pedals. Also if you can get the sim
perfectly level, it will stay there, but if you change attitude even 1
degree left or right it will want to start rolling in that direction. I
just kept it in the middle and kept it trimmed. After that it seemed to
fly the ILS on it's own. The sim is set up for something pretty simple, a
dutchess or seminole. Not really sure, but it wasn't too fast.

Overall the interview was very relaxed and they were great people. They
make you try to feel at home which helped me out a lot. It takes 7-10 days
to hear back from them so I'm waiting right now. 3-22-00

Flight experience consisted of 1170TT, 235 ME- instructor background, ERAU grad. Got a call from Scott Lindsey at HR, almost two months after mailing a cover letter
and resume. Scheduled an "evaluation" a week later. He gives you the brief on what happens, where you're gonna stay, how much, standby passes, etc.... he will FedEx
a packet thingie to you ASAP containing all of the lengthy paperwork that needs to be filled out. The usual 10 year background check.... about 25 pages. The evaluation
is now $100.
Standby trip passes to and from Minneapolis. The motel that most stay in is the AmericInn. It ran me about $60. The packet that Scott sends you includes a sheet
that lists several places to lodge, with numbers.

An FBO called Wings will pick you up, early, to take you to the St. Paul airport where the interview takes place. Your day begins at 8am. Amy King comes into the
conference room and begins to brief you on the entire day. First written test is the Wonderlic IQ test. 50 questions, 12 minutes, questions become harder as it
progresses... not expected to finish. We were told to skip around and answer as many as possible. don't stress about it.

Amy will show a video on the company which lasts about 25 minutes. It's the "visual" version of the company history found at www.mesaba.com. Gets you all pumped
up. Take notes. Incorporate some highlights into the interview.

Second written test is a 25 question pilot knowledge test. Covers part 61, 91, AIM, IFR procedures, multiengine aerodynamics. 3 answer multiple guess, very easy.

Fran Anderson, chief pilot, comes in to talk about pilot training, pay, seniority, ect.... funny guy! Talks for about 20 minutes. Good time to ask questions.

Third written is a PDI personality test. Basic psych test. As posted in the past, be honest and consistent. You will find many questions ask the same question,
just worded differently. You're expected to finish it by the end of the day, preferably by your last interview.

Amy hands out a schedule of the sim ride and two interviews: one with Amy and the other with Fran.

I flew the sim first. It's an AST 300 and the rudder pedals worked! All you ERAU-Prescott grads, it's just like back in the ol FA 304 days. The sim ride is administered
by Joe. No tricks or emergencies. All single pilot IFR except Joe tunes in frequencies. Joe plays the role of ATC. There is a basic checklist that includes V-speeds.
Take your time to review the IFR plates and checklist. Then let him know when you're ready. The sim profile for me was:
La Guardia Eight Depature (Vector)
Depart runway 22
Vectors for VOR DME-H
missed approach to hold, explain hold entry and you won't have to do it.
Vectors for ILS 22, full stop

If you don't have HSI experience, get some. If you don't have RMI practice, get some! The sim holds pitch/altitude very well once trimmed. Roll axis is sensitive, but if
you have AST 300 time, you know the routine. Advice is get ahold of the La Guardia approach plates beforehand. Also, they have been reported to use the
Phoenix SkyHarbor airport. Get those plates too! Remember to use the checklist and brief the approaches. Keep talking as if it's a two pilot crew even though Joe
is ATC. He spent his time going back and forth between breathing over my neck and the computer that monitors your flight.

After lunch, I met with Fran. Very casual, friendly interview. lasted about 25 minutes. First off, no technical. We talked about my flying experience, how I got into
aviation, current job, goals in life, likes/dislikes. For all you Californians, listen up. He asked me, while smiling and smirking "So why do you want to leave sunny, warm
California to come work out here? Look outside, it's overcast and cold!" It really puts you on the spot.

Next I met with Amy. For the most part, I found that she asked the same questions as Fran did. So whatever you told Fran, tell Amy word for word..... Biggest obstacle
to overcome, worst aviation experience, how would you rate your overal pilot skills, instrument skills, what would your boss say about you, what's your availability. She
writes down your answer.

I found that arriving with a positive attitude about flying and pretty much life, being confident in yourself, and turning negatives into positives is the theme of the interview. I
got a call two days later to start Saab class on April 10th.