Kalitta Air Interviewing

[jafo20]

Well, I don't know if you want to take my advice. I was the turboprop guy who was flying overseas, and you can do much better than anything I suggest. That said, I remember seeing lots of brand new Canadairs flying around Africa with American pilots, all making well into the 6 figure range on two month on, one month off contracts. Also, with your SD3 types, you can get into the "weird" world of contracting pretty easily. There are jobs regularly posted for people with A320 and 737 types to go overseas with directpersonnel and other contractors.

I'm not saying you should take these gigs, but I am saying that you're far from being screwed.

My sim ride went well, and I was told so. Still, I knew I didn't stand a snowball's chance when I saw that I had, like, half the time of everyone else in the room. Disappointment is natural. We all experience it. There's no reason for despair, though. You're in a great position, and you're far from being down and out.

 

[Guam360]

Thanks, I am far from down about this, just interested in a job there, but thanks anyway, so I am assuming you were not called either?

 

[jafo20]

Nah. It was kinda funny. They were all happy with me after the sim, then I watched their faces slowly turn from smiles to frowns as I talked to them in the interview.

I draw a parallel between interviewing and meeting girls. When they like you, they like you regardless of how silly you behave. When they don't like you, there is no action or demeanor that will change their opinion. As long as you fall into the range of social norms, (wear clothes, bathe, etc.) some things are just dumb luck.

Again, with your type ratings and Airbus time, you have nothing to worry about. If you're willing to do some rotations abroad, you can even get rich. No worries, man.

 

[On Your Six]

well, the JetBlue guy didn't get the call(that's me)............I was totally into it.

oh well.
maybe flying the damn stick messed me up in the sim.

Perhaps they felt you weren't serious about leaving JetBlue. They probably get Kalitta pilots leaving for JetBlue and rarely the opposite. Personally, the Kalitta type of flying would be more appealing to me if I could just deal with the schedule.

Well, it probably wouldn't hurt to try again (maybe in 6 months?). That would certainly show them you are interested. Perhaps you could get some 747 sim time before the next interview as well if you think that would help.

Good luck!

 

[Guam360]

great suggestion dude, i appreciate it.

 

[Jonahproject]

Ya, Sim portion of the interview is definitely where it's at. You've obviously got the experince to work here. It's a shame things didn't go better for you. Best of luck with your search. BTW what's so bad about the JB gig? We have had a number of guys leave here for JB.

 

[Guam360]

Nothing is "so bad" about it, just the same 4 days on 3 days off, etc. Commute 4 times, and worrying about getting on the plane, it all adds up really.

Would rather be gone for a chunk of days, with more time off at once, I would prefer that schedlue.

Ofcourse I have never flown like that. for me more interesting to do what you do.

 

[Jonahproject]

Bitter sweet really. I've been off for the last 21 days. Can't think of too many jobs where that is possible. Flip side is, you might be gone for up to 34 days. Done that a time or two. It's a good way to get bitten by your own dog when you finally darken the doorway to your dusty house.

 

[PFTEXPJET]

Sim

I know 2 new hires at Connie that crashed the sim during the interview.

 

[CRJ Pilot]

Are you saying they got hired even after crashing the sim in the interview?

 

[csmacread]

I didn't crash the sim during the interview, but I would guess it's still possible to get hired if you flew a solid hop but crashed on landing. Below 300' does not count.....

 

[Jonahproject]

I know 2 new hires at Connie that crashed the sim during the interview.

Not graded below 300 ft. A lot of guys have balled it up on the landing and were still hired because the rest of the session went well.

 

[Guam360]

my apologies for being a bonehead. I actually just landed in LAS and had a message from Betty offering me a June 4 class!

I was completely thinking there was no more calls, that's what I get for assumimg anything.

I guess I didn't screw up the sim that bad then. or anything for that matter.

cool, I did it, I am leaving Jetblue!! my friends are going to freak out!!

One friend said he wanted to go into the Chief Pilots office with me when I tell I am leaving for Kalitta, awesome!

No offense to anyone of these comments....

believe me, I am stoked.

Thanks guys. see you guys in class, sweet!

Guam

 

[lear24]

my apologies for being a bonehead. I actually just landed in LAS and had a message from Betty offering me a June 4 class!

Congratulations, glad you got a job you really want!

 

[Jonahproject]

Congrats Guam, I hope it's the right choice for you. There are several aspects of this job that are really unique and fun, and several that make this place a real craphole. Hopefully the good outweighs the bad and the negatives are not issues that really bother you. Welcome aboard. Lookin forward to seeing you out there.

 

[Flyer74]

Good luck to you Guam, I hope so to that Kalitta is right choice for you.
(I left Kalitta for jetBlue after 2 years, best move I ever did.)
fly safe

 

[johnsonrod]

my apologies for being a bonehead. I actually just landed in LAS and had a message from Betty offering me a June 4 class!

I was completely thinking there was no more calls, that's what I get for assumimg anything.

I guess I didn't screw up the sim that bad then. or anything for that matter.

cool, I did it, I am leaving Jetblue!! my friends are going to freak out!!

One friend said he wanted to go into the Chief Pilots office with me when I tell I am leaving for Kalitta, awesome!

No offense to anyone of these comments....

believe me, I am stoked.

Thanks guys. see you guys in class, sweet!

Guam

Great job! Enjoy flying the whale - it should be a great experience. Plus, you don't have to leave the EFIS you have grown to love on the 320 - you will have some EFIS tubes on the 747 to guide you along. Not too bad! Other 747 Classic operators offer nothing but dials and switches and knobs (oh my!). Gotta have some glass.

Have fun seeing the world!

BTW, does Kalitta offer home basing or do you need to live near YIP?

 

[Jonahproject]

It's pretty much home basing. Only have to commute twice a month. Once to and once leaving work. They pretty much always buy you a ticket. For a guy who likes long stretches off and hates commuting it's not a bad deal.

 

[PFTEXPJET]

Are you saying they got hired even after crashing the sim in the interview?

Yes, and one was not on the landing.

 

[Guam360]

thanks Flyer74
funny how that is. Cheers