B6 Phase II Question

[Paul McCartney]

It is my understanding that P II is basically a background check. Since you are not officially offered the job at this point, do they contact your present employer before making the final offer? It would cause some heartburn at my current job if I was not offered the job at B6 and they then knew I was leaving. I would definately have to do some damage control. It could possibly cost me a promotion if I stayed. Thanks...

 

[J32driver]

Yes... your current employer will know that you are sniffing around B6 before you are officially offered the job. There were several pilots that made it to the end of Phase 2 and got shot down from the Nov 2,3 interviews. Hunt down the thread on this forum to follow the drama of 8 weeks of waiting.

 

[Paul McCartney]

I would not appreciate that very much. It kinda makes me reluctant to even go to the interview. I thought if you passed PI unless some issue came up, you were in? I followed the thread you referenced, and if I worked for a large company I would not care if they knew I was looking. However in my current situation it could have drastic consequences if I am not offered the job at B6.

 

[BlueBusDriver]

I would not appreciate that very much. It kinda makes me reluctant to even go to the interview. I thought if you passed PI unless some issue came up, you were in? I followed the thread you referenced, and if I worked for a large company I would not care if they knew I was looking. However in my current situation it could have drastic consequences if I am not offered the job at B6.

PaulMc,

I understand your concern, but how could jetBlue do a thorough background check on you if you don't want them to contact your former (and current) employers?
I could put down on an application that I work for NASA, but I'd bet that the company that I'm interviewing with would follow up on that to insure that I did indeed work for NASA. I'm really not trying to be sarcastic or mean spirited here....just looking at it in its true meaning (a background check).
If I were you, I'd get in touch with the HR folks at JBU and let them know your concerns. There might be a way for them to "tap dance" around this and still get the information that they need without putting your current job or future promotions at that job in jeppardy (jeparddy?).

Good luck to you. I hope things work out for the best.

BBD

 

[bluejuice787]

I would not appreciate that very much. It kinda makes me reluctant to even go to the interview. I thought if you passed PI unless some issue came up, you were in? I followed the thread you referenced, and if I worked for a large company I would not care if they knew I was looking. However in my current situation it could have drastic consequences if I am not offered the job at B6.

Sounds like you have a problem with your current employer. JB is simply doing due dilegence when following up with your interview. I don't think I would want to be employed by a company that takes "drastic" measures to supress you.

 

[Paul McCartney]

I don't have a problem with them contacting my refernces, previous employer, etc. And if I was offered the position I would be happy to let them speak to my current employer. I just think it would plant a seed that I am "looking" which is really not true. I am interested in B6, CAL and SWA, and that is it. Seriously. So it may affect how things are handled in the future with regard to promotions. I am concerend with the unusally high number of rejects there seem to have been latley for folks who have passed PI.


Thanks for the replys and advice.

 

[Plug]

From what I gathered at the DFW Air Inc. conference, B6 wants to hire you if they invite you to the interview. Phase I is simply "could I stand to spend 3 or 4 days with this person?" and if so Phase II is simply a background check. Now, as a side, it was a 1 hour wait in line for me to meet the B6 folks and my guess is that they are being quite selective. Getting the "thanks, but no thanks" after 10 weeks of waiting is a tough pill to swallow but they are bogged down. This is just how the game is played I'm afraid.

 

[tailhookah]

Work for CSV?????

Citation Shares?

 

[da90drivr]

Paul
If you were offered a chance to interview at JB and you are interested in CAL and SWA You are looking!! If you are happy where you are you would not be looking. You need to decide if you want to go all in or fold.
Airline hiring profiles are well published. If you don't want to play by their rules don't apply.
JB's process is well known.

I don't have a problem with them contacting my refernces, previous employer, etc. And if I was offered the position I would be happy to let them speak to my current employer. I just think it would plant a seed that I am "looking" which is really not true. I am interested in B6, CAL and SWA, and that is it. Seriously. So it may affect how things are handled in the future with regard to promotions. I am concerend with the unusally high number of rejects there seem to have been latley for folks who have passed PI.


Thanks for the replys and advice.

 

[Vingus]

Sometimes life is about taking risks.

Some of my biggest successes were from my biggest risks.

Don't play it safe....go for it!

 

[bluejuice787]

From what I gathered at the DFW Air Inc. conference, B6 wants to hire you if they invite you to the interview. Phase I is simply "could I stand to spend 3 or 4 days with this person?" and if so Phase II is simply a background check. Now, as a side, it was a 1 hour wait in line for me to meet the B6 folks and my guess is that they are being quite selective. Getting the "thanks, but no thanks" after 10 weeks of waiting is a tough pill to swallow but they are bogged down. This is just how the game is played I'm afraid.

Phase II is not a simple background check. It is a lengthy (eight weeks-ish) process that involves more than PRIA. It is an extensive investigation to verify not only who you say you are but also who others say you are. This comes in many forms. For instance: You provide JB with three references and they in turn call these three and gather more references. They call your previous and current employers. Your name might be circulated among the current JB pilots that you may or may not know. They look at credit reports and in a sense credibility reports. Those are just some of the many things accomplished in the weeks to follow phase one.

 

[Paul McCartney]

First of all thanks for the replys. I am surprised this has not turned into a JB bashfest yet. Good, let's keep the civility.

I do not consider applying to 3 airlines "looking" or "in the hunt". I would be a fool, along with the other 15000 applicants, not to apply in hopes of getting a good job at one of these companies. I am not interested in some other majors/ LLCs that are hiring (i.e. FedEx, AirTran, et al) for my own private reasons. I am only interested in 3. To me that is simply keeping options open. I like where I work and have a great income/QOL/stability. It may in fact be a mistake in the long run for me to leave, but that is a chance I would be willing to take for said 3 companies, again for my own personal reasons. I just don't need to open a can of worms if I did in fact not make it past P II.

Thanks again,
Paul

 

[Falconjet]

Sounds to me like you need to narrow your list down to 2 then. I know for a fact that SW won't contact your current employer (if you ask them not to) before they are ready to offer you a class date. Don't know about CAL.

But you are looking, why so defensive about it? Nothing wrong with that.

Always want to keep some options open.

Good luck.

FJ

 

[Fins Up]

What some call "keeping my options open", others call "looking". My guess is that if your company gets a call from JB or anyone else to verify employment, your company will assume you're looking. I personally don't think they should jam you for it, but that's just me. Read some of the other threads. Some guys get told by their present employers to withdraw their JB app or turn in their resignation. You're the only one who can figure out how to handle this.

Curious: Where do you work now that has "great income/QOL/stability"? If JB doesn't work out for me, I'll have to keep looking.

 

[skiav8tor]

PaulMc,

Another approach would be to sit and have a conversation with your current employer. Open the conversation by stating your satisfaction with where you are, but as common to all pilots, exploring options. I did just that, and the employer thought that was a very professional approach to a difficult situation. It may even strengthen your relationship with your current employer. Not to mention that it shows you have the B6 values...at least integrity....my .02

Ski

 

[Paul McCartney]

Ski, thanks for the good advice. I honestly do not know what the reaction from my current employer would be, and that is a good idea. I am just assuming the worst for a couple of reasons, and I could be (and most likely am) way off base.

Falconjet, I AM NOT DEFENSIVE (just like I was not really shouting there), the internet is a tough place to detect emotions. I just don't constitute interest in 3 airlines as "looking" but whatever, no big deal.

Fins, if JB doesn't work out, let me know and I will see what I can do.

 

[dlredline]

. . I do not consider applying to 3 airlines "looking" or "in the hunt". I would be a fool, along with the other 15000 applicants, not to apply in hopes of getting a good job at one of these companies....To me that is simply keeping options open. . . .
Thanks again,
Paul

My $0.02 . . . These comments speak volumes, and herein lies your problem: Whether you apply to SWA, JetBlue, or any other major currently hiring, your statements leave the impression of "sticking your toe in the water and checking the temperature". It shows a lack of commitment to a course of action, and, trust me, the recruiter you interview with will see through this within the first 5 minutes.

My suggestion: Spend some more time researching the 2-3 companies you've narrowed you search to. There are multiple resources available for each. Speak personally to the pilots of each company with out relying on the innuindo and vagueness of web board fog. Involve your family in the process. Continue to educate yourself. When you realize the best course of action, commit to it with conviction. Anything less is a disservice to yourself and the company your bring your talents to.

Dale Carnegie said: "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get."

Best of luck!

Red

 

[AlbieF15]

Red--you know I love you man but I am going to disagree a bit with you on this.

The weather in the industry is stormy right now. Would you take off with your destination at 200 1/2 with no alternate? There are PLENTY of good guys and gals who have gotten rejected by JetBlue, SWA, and the rest... You KNOW that happens because later the same airlines hire some of these folks on the second or third try. Nobody wants their departure base (in this case their current employer) to go zero/zero two minutes after departure. What if you do have a problem? Wanting the option to RTB isn't "lack of motivation or vision"....its just prudent risk management. It is very easy from the "inside" to tell folks "outside" to play poker and bet it all. When the chips are yours, your hand is going to shake just a bit. I'm an interview coach, but if I had to go fly the FedEx sim eval tomorow my legs would probably shake just as much as the first time, and I'm sure my throat would get dry when asked some of those questions...

Now--two points. First--some coaching on how to answer the question about apps in at multiple places. When asked--tell the truth--but also explain that given multiple offers this place would be your first choice (for the following reasons). People say "how will they know I'm telling the truth..." The answer is if you are, and you look them in the eye, they will see it. I've never interviewed, but if a guy shows up and says "I only applied to you..." I tend to view them like the stalker girlfriend who keeps driving around your house after you break up. You are nice sweetheart, but there are some other nice guys out there too--and you are creeping me out!

Next--a war story. I had a client who flew GVs down in Florida get one of those "...so...jetblue called us about you. Rescind your app or you are fired..." conversations. Up a creek, he called and asked me for help. I contacted fuloughed gal, an attorney, who confirmed "yep....they can do that..." Next--I contacted (***), someone at Jetblue who knew a little about the hiring process. I explained the situation, without naming names or trying to turn the situation into a "pity party", and asked what could be done. Next, I contacted a JB pilot who was a board regular for a while named J-Dub who had a corporate background and asked for his advice and help. J-Dub found no less than 2 great operations who were willing to take on this pilot IF the JB phase II didn't work out--so this guy had some jobs waiting if required. JB decided they DID need this pilot, and he was near the front of the line when class dates went out. Could JB skip the background check? No--for all the reasons indicated. However, they did a lot to get his family squared away as quickly as possible, largely because of the work of some people who actually cared working inside the company.

That story, by the way, is just one of the reasons I enjoy being involved with some of the folks who get on at Jetblue. No company is perfect, but d@mn they have some very nice people scattered throughout the company.

 

[bluejuice787]

Red--you know I love you man but I am going to disagree a bit with you on this.

The weather in the industry is stormy right now. Would you take off with your destination at 200 1/2 with no alternate? There are PLENTY of good guys and gals who have gotten rejected by JetBlue, SWA, and the rest... You KNOW that happens because later the same airlines hire some of these folks on the second or third try. Nobody wants their departure base (in this case their current employer) to go zero/zero two minutes after departure. What if you do have a problem? Wanting the option to RTB isn't "lack of motivation or vision"....its just prudent risk management. It is very easy from the "inside" to tell folks "outside" to play poker and bet it all. When the chips are yours, your hand is going to shake just a bit. I'm an interview coach, but if I had to go fly the FedEx sim eval tomorow my legs would probably shake just as much as the first time, and I'm sure my throat would get dry when asked some of those questions...

Now--two points. First--some coaching on how to answer the question about apps in at multiple places. When asked--tell the truth--but also explain that given multiple offers this place would be your first choice (for the following reasons). People say "how will they know I'm telling the truth..." The answer is if you are, and you look them in the eye, they will see it. I've never interviewed, but if a guy shows up and says "I only applied to you..." I tend to view them like the stalker girlfriend who keeps driving around your house after you break up. You are nice sweetheart, but there are some other nice guys out there too--and you are creeping me out!

Next--a war story. I had a client who flew GVs down in Florida get one of those "...so...jetblue called us about you. Rescind your app or you are fired..." conversations. Up a creek, he called and asked me for help. I contacted fuloughed gal, an attorney, who confirmed "yep....they can do that..." Next--I contacted (***), someone at Jetblue who knew a little about the hiring process. I explained the situation, without naming names or trying to turn the situation into a "pity party", and asked what could be done. Next, I contacted a JB pilot who was a board regular for a while named J-Dub who had a corporate background and asked for his advice and help. J-Dub found no less than 2 great operations who were willing to take on this pilot IF the JB phase II didn't work out--so this guy had some jobs waiting if required. JB decided they DID need this pilot, and he was near the front of the line when class dates went out. Could JB skip the background check? No--for all the reasons indicated. However, they did a lot to get his family squared away as quickly as possible, largely because of the work of some people who actually cared working inside the company.

That story, by the way, is just one of the reasons I enjoy being involved with some of the folks who get on at Jetblue. No company is perfect, but d@mn they have some very nice people scattered throughout the company.

Albie- I don't know you but perhaps I could grow to love you. You have some very well thought out points that make a great deal of sense, however, I have to disagree with you and agree with the man you love.

I understand being conservative and the poker analogy but I think you brush over the idea of trepidation. Humans and other animals have a keen sense for fear and certainly sense trepidation. If you do all your homework and are honest and confident with the values present you will most likely get the job. The people that do not get it usually do not have a reason known or otherwise. I did not get the job the first time because of my lack of total commitment. When I re-focused I did not leave anything to chance. For some that may include having a parachute for their current job.

If you decide to interview with JB, commit totally and make it happen.