ATA Sim Prep at Purdue

[Pags]

ATA new hires,

Looking for a point of contact for the 727 sim prep at Purdue U.
Appreciate a name and contact info.

Also, from whom are you receiving your interview invitations, Sasha Comer? Just wondering who the POC is in the CP office for app status and interview info.

Thanks,

 

[1800 RVR]

Interview prep

If you get an interview, DEFINITELY do the sim prep. I don't have the name or phone number in front of me, but go to www.aviationinterviews.com, go under the ATA gouge, and in two of the gouges, there are the names of the two guys who do the prep at Purdue. One guy is Dick Vanjoy(I did mine with him), and he is very nice and gives you a good idea of what to expect. In fact, mine was probably about 95% accurate. WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT!

As for a contact in the ATA office - DO NOT CALL ASKING ABOUT YOUR APP!!! That is a definite kiss of death. They will not tell you anything anyway, but your app will probably find the "circular file" before you even hang up the phone. If you had someone recommend you, they can find out for you. We have an email system set up just for that purpose. No, I will not give out that email address, if anyone was thinking that. If you are lucky to get an interview, almost anyone will call from the CP office, and they will give you all the needed info.

You are already 50% along the process by having an app, so have faith in your essay answers, keep your fingers crossed, look at the caller ID when the phone rings, and GOOD LUCK!! This is a great place to be. I can't believe that I'm here.

GOOD LUCK and keep the faith!

 

[sayagain?]

Pags-


One contact at Purdue is John Young. He's number should be 765-494-9969.


sayagain?

Good Luck!

 

[Pags]

1800RVR & say again?,

Thanks for the quick responses and great gouge. I'll be layin' low and keeping my fingers crossed.

If I'm lucky enough to get a call from an Indy area code, I'll be PM'ing you both for more insight!!

Hope to be joining you guys soon,

Cheers,

 

[mach zero]

FYI...it was about 2 weeks from the time my completed application was overnighted to ATA to when I received the phone call from Sharon in the CP's office. Look for American Trans Air in the caller ID. My wife saw it first and practically screamed since she knows how badly I want this.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

738, 757, or L-1011 F/O soon (hopefully)

 

[32drvr]

ATA Interview!

Hi All:

Got the call for the interview- haven't scheduled it yet. Can you help me out with a couple of questions?

1. How much lead time do they usually give for the interview?

2. How long between job offer and class date?

3. What aircraft are new hires getting?

4. What base are new hires getting?

Thanks so much guys. I'm pretty psyched aboutthis!

32

 

[sayagain?]

32drvr-

Most of your questions have already been answered. Just do a search and you should get plenty of information.

That being said, I'll tell you what I know.

Seems that you will usually have 2-3 weeks from invite to actual interview. Interviews are Monday thru Thursday and if you are one of the first called, then it's your choice of days.

If offered the position, you are then placed into a pool where classes are filled. The pool tends to be small and is basically drained after each new-hire class.Lately, I believe that poolies wait less than a month to start training.

Lately, it seems that 90% of the new-hires have been assigned the 757 in MDW. With our latest bid, this may change just a little with additional pilots going into the 737 in MDW.

I'm sure recent newhires will correct me if I'm off on any of the above. Good Luck.

sayagain?

 

[texanpilot]

With the upgrades in Oct and Nov, I think that positions have been left open in all 3 airplanes. Primarily 737, 15 or so 757, 5-6 L10.

 

[HarleyGuy]

727 Sim

Just got back from my interview, and wanted to pass on a tidbit about the sim. I thought it flew very much like the 737 sim, so if you recently got your 73 type, you're probably well prepared. Just my 2 cents.

 

[32drvr]

Hey Harley!

Dude...how'd it go? Did you hear? My interview is 8/11, so if you have anything new to add to the gouge that's already out there, it would sure be appreciated.

'32

 

[HarleyGuy]

Haven't heard yet- they said we would all get letters by the end of next week. The waiting is brutal!! The previous gouge is right on, except for a couple small differences: our day started at 8, not 1130, and I did get asked one question not in the gouge. It was what I liked to emphasize during my pre-mission/flight briefing. I gave a pretty good answer, I think, but later realized the single best answer is probably 'Safety!' Gonna be kicking myself for that one for a while.. The whole thing was really enjoyable, even the sim (boy will that sound bad if I don't get hired!). They gave us no indicaton of equipment or base to expect, or when to expect classes. They did say that they think they'll be training 8-12 every 3 weeks for the rest of the year.

Good luck on your interview!

HG

 

[32drvr]

thanks

HG...

Thanks for the info. I'm scheduled to start early too. When did you finish? did they get you home that night?

I haven't received my e-mail from Sharon yet with the "details." How long should I wait before I call her?

Thanks much. Hope to see you there.

'32

 

[eagleatr]

When's your interview? Sharon called me last week to set one up, and I'm still waiting on the travel details also.


EagleATR

 

[32drvr]

Interview

Hey...my interview is Monday, August 11th in the morning. When should I start calling Sharon about my travel arrangements?

Also, with this morning interview, are folks getting back home that same night, or are they still staying in Lafayette?

Cheers, and good luck to all!

'32

 

[CREOBED17]

32drvr-
just out of curiosity...how long did you have your application in before you got called for an interview?
thanks

 

[eagleatr]

Mine's on Aug.12, in the morning also. From what Sharon said, travel info would be emailed out this week. I think it is an all day process and we will not be leaving until the second day. Good luck.


EagleATR

 

[32drvr]

Timeline

Howdy...

Applied 5/15.

ATA cashed my check 5/28.

LOR put on file: 7/16

Got the call: 7/17

Interview: 8/11 (this was the first available date offered)

I was wondering if they are finishing the interviews earlier since they seem to be starting earlier. No big deal, tho. I'm so psyched I can't stand it! I've been wanting to get on with ATA for a long, long time.

Good luck to all!

'32

 

[njcapt]

Heard from my ol' Vanguard Chief Pilot who interviewed last week. They started earlier in the day and made it out of the sim in the early evening. This allows the time tested ATA interview technique of observing interviewees after the consumption of several adult beverages at dinner. I believe the ability to behave properly under those conditions is important to a pilot's success at ATA. (sarcasm alert)

You still spend the night at the Lafayette Radisson, though. Word of advice. DO NOT drive your own car up to LAF and miss the opportunity to get to know the van driver / sim operator / flight department interview person. The sim flys pretty much like a 737-200, but if possible get some prep. Most interviewees do these days so if you don't, it really stands out.

 

[trainerjet]

This allows the time tested ATA interview technique of observing interviewees after the consumption of several adult beverages at dinner. I believe the ability to behave properly under those conditions is important to a pilot's success at ATA. (sarcasm alert)

Simple solution here is to avoid the "adult beverages at dinner". Although for some (most) pilots I know, this is next to impossible, but really now.............

 

[Pickle]

Dinner/drinks

The point of the dinner and beer (or MAYBE two, no more than that!!!!!! Everyone in my interview group had one beer.) is to see how you will be on a layover, and to see how you interact with others, ie the waitstaff at the restaurant.