CAL/Majors Interview Dilemma?

[sat74]

Got fired a few years ago at a non-union dirtbag airline for refusing a trip and pissing off the DO for mentioning the "U" word (that's it, nothing more to the story...), but have since then been a widebody captain at another non-sked.

Anyways, I was told that my career is basically shot at a major and specifically CAL will never even interview anyone who has been terminated from a previous airline, depsite being well qualified and having several LORs.

I have a hard time believing this is the case as I know many pilots that have been let go at previous airlines from everything from failed checkrides to harrassing the wrong flight attendant!

Is this true and if so, any suggestions?

 

[coogebeachhotel]

Don't worry about it.

 

[sat74]

Don't worry about it.

I normally wouldnt even think about it but the comment that CAL would never interview someone terminated from a previous airline came from a member of the CAL hiring board who told my 'sponsor'.

 

[timetoquit]

Everyone at CAL has a spotless background of absolute perfection, so it makes sense they would say this! If this is true, then why would you want to work for a company like that anyways?

 

[CRACKHEAD]

In the past

Got fired a few years ago at a non-union dirtbag airline for refusing a trip and pissing off the DO for mentioning the "U" word (that's it, nothing more to the story...), but have since then been a widebody captain at another non-sked.

Anyways, I was told that my career is basically shot at a major and specifically CAL will never even interview anyone who has been terminated from a previous airline, depsite being well qualified and having several LORs.

I have a hard time believing this is the case as I know many pilots that have been let go at previous airlines from everything from failed checkrides to harrassing the wrong flight attendant!

Is this true and if so, any suggestions?

Don't worry about it sat74,

I'm in the same boat. I too have a "not so" spotless record from one of my former employers. I will cross that bridge when I get the chance to explain myself at the interview. If it never happens, oh well, it's their lose for not even hearing me out.

Some C.P.s just love to give it to you when it comes to filling out that PRIA form.

 

[Scrapdog]

Don't worry about it sat74,

I'm in the same boat. I too have a "not so" spotless record from one of my former employers. I will cross that bridge when I get the chance to explain myself at the interview. If it never happens, oh well, it's their lose for not even hearing me out.

Some C.P.s just love to give it to you when it comes to filling out that PRIA form.

If you get the interview, they'll probably just ask you why you got fired. If it's legitmate and you weren't in the wrong, you should have no problem. If you screwed up something or compromised safety, you probably won't get the job. I'm thinking it's probably simple common sense.

 

[sat74]

Thanks for the info everyone, but the problem I see is that this person said CAL would never even interview someone who was terminated from a previous airline, regardless of the reason. Therefore, one would never even get the chance to explain the situation (mine had nothing to do with safety or flying...). Seems rather ridiculous to me, but who knows these days.

So, is this the policy of CAL and other major airlines?

 

[CRACKHEAD]

Book

Thanks for the info everyone, but the problem I see is that this person said CAL would never even interview someone who was terminated from a previous airline, regardless of the reason. Therefore, one would never even get the chance to explain the situation (mine had nothing to do with safety or flying...). Seems rather ridiculous to me, but who knows these days.

So, is this the policy of CAL and other major airlines?

Don't say you were terminatedon on your app. Just say "resigned," get the interview, then explain the situation in person when asked......

Problem solved!

I personally hate the fact that people judge others before they know the full story. Like the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by it's cover."

YOU HEAR THAT CAL INTERVIEW BOARD!!!

CH

 

[lookin4better]

uh yeah.....great idea...( pause ) ...NOT!

 

[CRACKHEAD]

uh yeah.....great idea...( pause ) ...NOT!

Hey, it got you the interview as opposed to no interview at all and a chance to explain yourself in person your side of the situation.

You are coming clean about your situation in person, so that you are not being judged on paper.

Trust me, I used to be in charge of selecting interviewees at an airline and after a while all the resumes look the same and you start weeding them out before you ever put a face to the person.

I had people do this. They got the interview and once they were in front of me they came clean and we hired a few of those guys. One guy had three incidents on his record and he explained himself; we wouldn't of even brought him in if I had known this prior.

Cheers!imp:

 

[sat74]

Hey, it got you the interview as opposed to no interview at all and a chance to explain yourself in person your side of the situation.

You are coming clean about your situation in person, so that you are not being judged on paper.

Trust me, I used to be in charge of selecting interviewees at an airline and after a while all the resumes look the same and you start weeding them out before you ever put a face to the person.

I had people do this. They got the interview and once they were in front of me they came clean and we hired a few of those guys. One guy had three incidents on his record and he explained himself; we wouldn't of even brought him in if I had known this prior.

Cheers!imp:

I hear what you're saying, but CAL asks on their application "Have you ever been discharged for misconduct?"


So how do you answer "resigned" etc when CAL asks a Yes/No and if "No" provide an explanation, if necessary?

Also, what defines "misconduct"? The definition is "improper conduct; wrong behavior" or "an employee's deliberate or wanton disregard of an employer's interests or disregard or violation of the employer's standards or rules that is sufficient to justify a denial of unemployment compensation "

In short, I did not violate any company policy, but instead pissed off someone. Coincidentally, the State Dept. of Labor did not agree with their reason for termination and granted me unemployment benefits despite the company trying to deny it.

So how would you answer this and tackle this issue?

 

[CRACKHEAD]

Dilema resolved

"Discharged" = YES, BUT for.....

"Misconduct" = Was it misconduct? If YES well I guess you must put down YES. If NO then it's NO. EASY question.

It's an objective question. What you might consider as misconduct another might not.

I hope this helps a little.

P.S. The fact that the Department of Labor understood your side; Then there is support that an unbiased third party agreed with you, and therefore it was not considered "misconduct." I would take any supporting paper work from the DOL to the interview to support the case in case you are grilled about it. Can't hurt!

 

[Scrapdog]

I hear what you're saying, but CAL asks on their application "Have you ever been discharged for misconduct?"


So how do you answer "resigned" etc when CAL asks a Yes/No and if "No" provide an explanation, if necessary?

Also, what defines "misconduct"? The definition is "improper conduct; wrong behavior" or "an employee's deliberate or wanton disregard of an employer's interests or disregard or violation of the employer's standards or rules that is sufficient to justify a denial of unemployment compensation "

In short, I did not violate any company policy, but instead pissed off someone. Coincidentally, the State Dept. of Labor did not agree with their reason for termination and granted me unemployment benefits despite the company trying to deny it.

So how would you answer this and tackle this issue?

Sat - I think you're chasing your tail here. Honesty from the beginning is the best policy. You're obviously free to do as you please, but I would strongly advise you against crackhead's advice.

On the app, but exactly what happened in the "remarks" section. If you were terminated, put you were terminated. If you resigned, put resigned. Just be an honest person right away. Getting an interview is much more complex than just that one part of the puzzle. CAL (from my understanding), is looking at your jet PIC time, your app as a whole, and most importantly - your inside contacts who will go to the chief pilot and vouch for your flying capabilities. You have to have all of the pieces of the puzzle to get the interview in the first place.

Always practice honesty and humility up front.

 

[CRACKHEAD]

Spin Doctor

You're obviously free to do as you please, but I would strongly advise you against crackhead's advice.

Scrap,

From the information I've gathered regarding sat's situation. The above is what "I" would do. Like you said, "You're obviously free to do as you please," and I don't care either way, but he asked and gave 'em my .02.

I do believe in being honest, but if being honest is going to keep you from getting that interview, try spinning things up a little bit. What do you have to lose?? After all you are being honest to them once you meet them.

Sat, Good luck in whatever you do. I hope you get the interview and I hope they hire you.

Cheers!

'ol Cracky