WASINC, MAR 06 I contacted their chief pilot after having seen a letter he posted on my current company's MEC web board. He expressed sympathy for our plight and offered a chance at doing some contract work for JAL. A nice letter I thought, so I E-mailed him my resume. The next day he called me and told me all about the company: pay, benefits, etc. A few days later their personnel manager called me and we had a mini-telephone interview. "Why do you want to work for us?" He then set up the interview date. There are a few paper work hurdles to jump through - background investigations, FAA record requests, company contacts and such but no big deal. OK, now to the meat. Day 1 is free, positive space travel from your home to DEN. It'll be an early departure to arrive in DEN by 1PM so it'll be a long day. Check-in at the company paid Renaissance Denver Hotel. You'll get a package with a schedule of events for your group and the most important thing "the profile" for the sim eval. You'll have a much easier time if you can get your hands on this thing before hand from somebody who's interviewed already. It lists all the crazy call-outs (SPEED CHECK, FLAPS TWO ZERO, SPEED BUG ONE SIX ZERO, etc, etc, etc) that they what to hear during your check. STUDY IT from the first minute! There are 6 candidates per interview class. The other candidates in my group were all fairly young corporate or commuter types with tons of hours. I was the only old fart with a major airline. At 3:45 the testing began. Don't sweat these tests. I'd recommend getting the ASVAB test book to prepare. There were simple math problems (Bob bought 5 apples for a quarter), vocabulary (phlegmatic), science (who invented the steam engine, the telephone), spatial orientation (pick the object on the right that is the same as that on the left just rotated), Picture stories (arrange the pictures (3-6 of them) to tell a story), literature and the arts. All tests are timed and you probably won't finish any of them. The "cultural adaptability" test is the only written test and it's just common sense. I don't think it matters how well you do on these, it's just a hoop to jump through and to see how well rounded you are. After the timed tests we had a break and the company bought us all dinner- nice. After dinner we took the MMPI, the most ridiculous test ever conceived. Just remember that you are a good person, you loved both your mother and father but your mom a little more, and that all humans have some faults -- and you'll do fine. One guy had to take it twice but I think it was a cultural thing since he was French born. There is a rumor that a guy in the last group took it 3 times. We were finished by 8P.M. DAY 2 began at 6AM with the company paid breakfast buffet- again, nice- followed by the 7AM "this is WASInc" presentation given by the founder/CEO. On the surface it seems like a great story and you can almost buy into it, but you need to look at it as a professional. The REAL story is: QUESTION: "How do I run a really cheap contract operation?" ANS: You recruit a bunch of flight attendants from a poor foreign country, team them up with high time, experienced, but under-paid/under-employed (corporate/commuter) or down on their luck (furloughed) pilots and flight engineers, then pay them HALF of what they should be making but more than what they're getting now. SIMPLE. I don't mean this in a derogatory way at all; like they say in the GOD FATHER; it's not personal, it's business. But I digress. The 15 min (yes, you read it right) interviews follow after the presentation. Mine consisted of: "How did you get interested in flying". I gave them a 5 minute spiel on my life and then we just chatted about the state of the industry. That was it! No F'in human resource A-hole or the "if you were a vegetable what one would you be" or "tell me about a time when you F'ked up" crap. It was really very low key. I don't think this is the kind of interview where you should try to "SELL" yourself; one guy tried it that way and got sent home the next morning - just be likable. I think they're trying to find out if you're the kind of guy they could spend 10 hours in the cockpit with. After the interviews you will go over the SIM profile with one of the Asst. chief pilots. He'll explain it in detail. It is done in three parts and set at MSP 30L: 1. Short Taxi and T.O. Rwy Hdg to 3000', Left OR right turn direct NARCO, Climb to 4000'. At NARCO turn left or right to 090 or 150 (direction of turn is the same as the one at T.O.), Start Timing and descend to 3000' @ 1000'/Min. Just after level off, make a 180 (you do the math) to intercept the localizer and land. Be careful which way you turn inbound. 2. Start on the runway, take-off Rwy Hdg to 1200' turn left OR right on Radar vectors; climb to 4000'; Vectors to the ILS; on base turn descend to 3000' and intercept. At 1000' take over visually and land (they turn off the ILS). 3. Frozen at 4000' on a dog leg to final. Just after the motion starts you get an engine failure. Run the memory items, then descend to 3000', level off, intercept the ILS and land. During all of these you'll be changing flap settings and making lots of required call outs! After the briefing you'll have a few hours to study and then go to the SIM. You'll be split into two groups of three, chosen from high flight time to low. High time guys go 1st. Each of you will fly the profile from the left seat and cycle through the right seat. The Right seat is just to work the automation and get familiar with the sim - no flying. It's probably best to go 2nd or 3rd if you can. There is no motion for this "Practice" session. You ARE being evaluated though! DAY 3 Depending on how you did on your interview and in the SIM, you'll get a call telling you what time your check ride is OR when to get your flight home! You'll fly the exact same profile for the JAL evaluators but this time the motion is ON. After everyone is finished you'll wait an eternity for the phone call to tell you how you did and then get your flight home. My luck for this interview was all bad. I was non-current from being off for a while and the SIM I booked to practice, broke. In hind sight I should have just tried to re-schedule the interview. Day one was a very long day as was Day 2. I was one of the last in the SIM and we didn't finish until after midnight. I didn't sleep well at all either night. My practice SIM was pretty ugly but I got a little better by the end. I actually ASKED to get sent home! I think they took pity on me and somehow they allowed me to go to the EVAL the next day. At some point during my second sleepless night, the light bulb went off in my head - IT'S A SIMULATOR! Get the airspeed you want, set the pitch and power, fine tune, and LET GO! You can't try to FLY this thing! My EVAL was late in the morning and I sucked up as much caffeine as I could to try to stay awake; I was literally shaking when I sat down in the sim. I flew part one damn near flawlessly and greased the landing. Unfortunately though, I think I had shot my load. I was exhausted! I was "punch drunk" for parts two and three and got a little sloppy. I even started joking around with the Japanese Captain, which probably wasn't too smart. Over all I'd have to say that it was a pleasant experience. The only negative part is the $45 membership fee to apply ( HACS and IASCO don't charge) but for a stress free interview session it's probably worth it. The fact that I didn't get an offer was of my own doing and certainly had nothing to do with any "company age agenda". I was selected as an "Alternate" which may be because they liked me and wanted to do me a favor - you see if you "Fail" this process you can't apply again and none of the other Japanese or contract companies will touch you. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK

Just finished interviewing with Wasinc/JALWays during the March 2005 interview session. I was in the last few groups to be interviewed. While talking to other candidates who were already in the process or finished Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3, a "disturbing trend" appears to be happening to many of the candidates. The "scuttlebucket" being told among candidates was that if you are in the 40s age group and above, your chances of passing the interview process (actually it is the last simulator check with the JALWays check airmen) was "slim to none" no matter how well you do. Accurate information also indicated that there were young candidates in the 30 age group, really messing up the final simulator check (you use the old UAL B-747 Classic simulator with the dual cue (cross hair) flight director) and still pass. Information has it that one young candidate actually flew the wrong way, violated a clearance, flew into "no-mans land" and got lost, another candidate was being instucted by the Japanese Check Airman how to fly the simulator, another never had a clue on flying the dual cue flight director all passed the simulator check with the Japanese (this information was affirmed, I found out later that one of the person stated prior is a person I know). The "older" 40+ candidates who flew and had the JALWays callouts memorized, failed no matter how well they flew (you really only have one night to memorize all the callouts, which is limited because the first day, you're being tested and day two you're already being evaluated by the Wasinc staff to be recommended to go on to the final check with the Japanese). Well I thought that it was perhaps a case of "sour grapes" so I went into the two simulator rides with a open mind. By the way, Day One testing is the TWA written examination, also if you have the Air Inc., written test book most of the answers are in there also. The Wasinc manager told us that if all the candidates pass entire interview process (testing, sim checks and physical), that all the candidates will be hired. After I returned home, I found out that this is NOT TRUE. Some candidates are on the "bubble" waiting for other candidates to fail the physical before they can be slotted in (however, again it looks like it's all the younger candidates and the information flowing down is that they took only the "top 20", yes supposedly the "top"). YOU ARE IN COMPETITION WITH THE OTHER CANDIDATES. Well to continue, Day 2 practice/Wasinc evaluation went very well (3 MSP ILS 30L approaches), one 3 engine approach) and I was recommended to move on to the final simulator check. Two of my simulator groupings partners were not recommended (one was female). The Wasinc instructors were very good for this portion. So comes the final simulator check with the Japanese on Day 3, a Wasinc person is running the simulator. After the initial "how do you do", the First Officer who is the Senior Check Airman/Chief Pilot? asks me "How old are you"? Strange I thought, they have a copy of my passport, medical and licenses, they should know my age..? Told them my age (I'm in my 40s) and after setting up, proceeded with the simulator check. Everything went really smooth and well, I did 100% better than the previous day, on altitude, air speed, heading and command calls with the JALWays callouts (I did not miss a call....Speed Check, Flaps Two-Zero, Speed Bug One Six Zero, yes, it's different but at this point, it's the way they want it, so give it to them the way they want to hear it). I have used the Dual Cue Flight Director in my past arcraft I've flown so it was not a problem. The simulator is old and quirky and the throttles could use a good lubing (it squeeks). Came out of the simluator fully confident that I passed (there was absolutley nothing during my ride that could have constituted as a bust), the Japanese Check Airman made no instuctional comments, no control inputs and was pleasant after the simulator check. My demeanor before, during and after the check was professional, confident as a PIC should be, yet humble and respectful to the Japanese cultural way (the respectful cultural bowing of the head, saying thank you on many occasions). I had no doubt that I passed this final simulator check...so I thought. After returning to the hotel and waiting several hours, I received a telephone call from the Wasinc staff that "sorry, but you didn't fly to JALWays standards and cannot offer this position to you, we'll arrange for travel home". That's was it, no explanation, I asked, but the Wasinc kid, said that he was not given any type of information. If you are eliminated, Wasinc's attitude is don't waste our time. I was totally shocked. After I returned home, I made a call to Wasinc but have yet to hear receive a call back. I was able to get contact information about several other 40+ candidates and all the stories seems to be true. I was really glad that I did not throw away $500 per hour for practice in the B-747 simulators like some candidates, fly well and only be told that we didn't fly to JALWays standards. So if they are having another interview session later in the year, I would really think twice if you're an older candidate.

Wasted my days off for the 3 day interview and preparing for the interview process. Word out on the streets regarding the age "agenda" at WASINC appears to be true and correct. Two sets of standards for pilots during the final evaluation with the checkers from Japan. Three day process for the interview, nothing changed from the earlier gouge (first day mental testing (no brainer, lot's of gouges out in cyberland), second day interview with Wasinc CEO and HR person from Japan (just an informational session, no questions, lots of propaganda) then practice in the B-747 to be given the "yes or no" to proceed on to the final check on the third day. Three approaches. Before entering the simulator on day three, met with my day two simulator partner (very young CRJ pilot) who had the checkride earlier, he appeared rather shaken/upset and informed me that he "tanked" the check (went well below the orange ref bug, difficulties holding altitude and missed several mandatory JAL calls). My checkride fortunately went very smooth without any difficulties errors. I purchased a couple of hours in the B-747 simulators in Florida since I am only flying the glass cockpit and had to readjust to the steam gauges again. The Flight Director on the B-747 is terrible. The Asian checkers were very cordial after the checkride and I felt that without a doubt I passed the final check and I was on my way to the Mayo Clinic. Waited several hours at the hotel and got a call from Wasinc that I did not pass. No reasoning or explanations. Coincidently saw the other pilot who "tanked" the simulator in the lobby of the hotel and was told that he passed! He said, he had no idea how he could of passed. Since I had emails of other pilots interviewing or had interviewed, there's most defintely a "age trend" in the hiring process. Lot's of cheerleading and propaganda with the Wasinc staff about how great this place is to work but I'm also hearing now from current HACS and Wasinc pilots who can't wait to bail out of this contract. Appears all is not paradise at Wasinc or this contract with JAL. If I would have known this, I would not have purchased B-747 time and just took my chances, though I got better things to do on my days off than be "screwed" around with, just so Wasinc could justify to the government that they are a Equal Opportunity Employer by interviewing a broad spectrum of pilots. What a joke!

I applied with Wasinc online in Feb of 02. recieved the initial call to interview in April of this year and turned them down to keep my new job of Asst Mgr with Wally World. They called me again in the last week of July to see if I might be interested again. They set up a phone interview in the middle of August, which was an informational interview and to gauge your willingness to go to Tokyo for 7 months of training on the 747. The phone interview went well and I was invited to the Interview/Sim/Physical, which took place the week of Oct 20-24. The interview started with a cultural adaptability test which took appx 30-45 min for my group of 4 to complete. The next phase was a timed intelligence test with 7-10 sections and 7 min to complete each section. after a dinner break we all took the MMPI (567 questions). After that test your are told whether or not your are invited to the practice sim nad the interview the next day. the interview was with Steve Turner the Owner and Founder of WASINCand a Japanese national named Mr. Tokata. Again, very laid back and more informational in nature with the standard "how did you get into avaition" and "why are you interested in WASINC" "why should we offer you a job" type questions? Again after this stage you will be told that you need to show for the practice sim. Inbetween you will get a briefing and paper work as to what is expected in the sim with WASINC reps running the sim. The profile consisted of an intrument approach and landing (ILS 30 at MSP) with FLT DR. Second is a takeoff and trip around the radar pattern minus the FLT DR and the last you will be put on 15 mil final for and engine out approach and landing. You will then be invited back to perform the same profile in front of JAL's chief pilot and chief flight engineer who will make the final decision as to whether or not to send you to the physical. While I was interviewing the sim pass rate seemd to be around 60-75% pass rate. I will take the physical on 3, 4, and 5 Nov and will take appx three weeks to find out the results as to whether or not I get the job offer

All of the below explinations of the process are correct and accurate. But what are they really looking for? Well I have a little bit of experience in this area. I helped during some of the interviews and I can tell you they look for the samethings as any airline looks for. They are interested in getting as well qualified, dedicated people as they can find - its that simple. To succeed here requires the same preparation and execution required at any major airline - maybe more. The reason why is because this is a world class major airline. They need to know you are a dedicated, knowledgable, and hard working individual that has the ability to command a 747 filled with 500 of thier relatives across the largest body of water on earth with an F/O that may have simply gotten lucky on his sim ride at the interview. Your upgrade can be in as short as two years from when you line check. If you are well spoken, polite, well dressed, pass the tests, fly well in the sim, pass the medical, make it past the seven month ground/flight school, pass you ojt then your route check you will then be an F/O who has no knowledge of the culture and cannot speak the language and most likely has a minimal experience in regard to the JCAB methods of flying an airplane. This isnt ment to be an insult it just the way it is because most of us who apply are not Japanese. This interview is simple - be on time (early), be properly dressed, be polite (hummble), and be prepared (because anything less is an insult). You are all Pros so you know what being prepared is. As for me I had been out of a plane for awhile so I rented a sim for 4 - yes four hours. You need to fly at ATP standards or better and you have to make it look like you are using 80% of yourself to do so. The writtens are like other airlines (TWA's test are very close). The CEO interview is a listening exercise. But your ability to sit quitetly and listen well will be noticed. There will probably be a Japanese man there that says nothing - that is because he is spending all his time looking and listening - to you. My advice, be honest and brief in you answers if asked anything. Every phase of the process is impotant. but the most important part of this, in my opinion, is the second sim ride with the Japanese. Be polite, open and professional. The WASINC guys that interview you and prep you for sim are there on there time off and are tring like hell to get you hired. They will give you the best advice they have but in the end it is the Japanese that call the shots. Good Luck!