New Horizon Interview

[Herman]

Has anybody heard anything about how the new Horizon interview format will look like, and what the changes would be?



I know that apparently there will be no written ATP test anymore. This part is supposed to be replaced by a Tech interview. I am looking for someone who knows more specifics of how this part is supposed to look like.
I also heard that the SIM will be a bit different; I heard rumors about a LOFT instead of the approaches and holdings done in the past. Again, I would appreciate, if anyone knows more details of what to expect in upcoming interviews.

Thanks in advance for help.

 

[Hardknock]

Why? You wanna be an FO for 6 years? If so, them come on over bub.

Just don't get hammered.

 

[Southbound]

Dear Mr./Ms. Herman,

I don't know much about the interview. As line pilots we don't know when they will be conducting them without some investigation or a pal that may be in stack for an interview.

It seems to me.... in my experience with recommendations, now this is just my opinion, that if you have much significant time (in jets and turboprops as your profile would indicate) that it may be a bit harder to score an interview than say....a 600 hour UND flight instructor, fresh off of the 172 check pilot line. There are exceptions to this rule and in no way do I mean disrespect to UND or its fine grads.

You look like you have some real experience in turboprops and jets and if you really want to work for QX then you will need a pilot to help you. Maybe you already do. Do you have an interview scheduled and if so, when? We hear no hiring until the fall. Subject to change.
My only suggestion for the interview gouge is to either
A) Call Grand Forks ND and see what their recruiting office knows (though I think the UND onsite interviews are different)
B) Standby and when I get back from some days off I will attempt to bird dog the interview gouge from my "sources".
Best of luck
S

 

[KO King]

Dear Mr./Ms. Herman,

I don't know much about the interview. As line pilots we don't know when they will be conducting them without some investigation or a pal that may be in stack for an interview.

It seems to me.... in my experience with recommendations, now this is just my opinion, that if you have much significant time (in jets and turboprops as your profile would indicate) that it may be a bit harder to score an interview than say....a 600 hour UND flight instructor, fresh off of the 172 check pilot line. There are exceptions to this rule and in no way do I mean disrespect to UND or its fine grads.

Sorry Bud, UND does not have 172's!

 

[UNDINST]

Went through the new interview process the last time they were at UND and it has changed alot. The sim profile is a short loft scenario but I can't remember the specifics. At UND they did it in "Hyper-twin" mode (basically Cheyenne speeds) and everything happens very quick. Don't know if they use Hyper twin mode if interviewing in PDX though.

The written is gone and they now have a short technical interview. It actually is questions about the cross country scenario that you will be doing in the sim and involves 121 questions in it. Nothing too bad if you know ATP stuff.

After that, interview with HR person. Very straight forward. Mostly questions verifying work history, etc.

Then you interview with Chief pilot and two others. Very relaxed. Lamaar is very friendly and creates a very relaxed atmosphere. Mostly "tell me about a time...." type questions but I can't remember any specific questions any more. Sorry, I should have posted closer to my interview time because my memory is too short. They are basically looking for your personality on this one. Nothing tricky.

The sim ride is very challenging. I left the sim feeling like I got hit by a truck... and then run over by a bus! The rest of the process is pretty laid back and relaxed. They are an awesome company and Lamaar and the rest of the group are a great group of people. They are having an August 4th (Q200) class an August 24th class (don't know what type) and it sounds like another class in October. Best of luck to all. They would be an awesome company to work for!!! Hope that my first ever post helps.

 

[DashTrash400]

Southbound, while the company continues to hire UND grads with low time, that's certainly not the rule. It seems some classes are primarily UND, while others are mostly hired the old-fashioned way. In my class (Apr 04) I was the only UND grad, & with 2400 hrs/700 ME (Pt 135), I was pretty much in the middle of the pack so far as experience is concerned...I think the "low-timer" had 1300 hrs, of which 300 was in a CRJ-200.

Given the recent washout rate, I suspect they'll be looking at low-timers a lot harder, and that's probably what prompted the redesigned interview process as well.

 

[DashTrash400]

Why? You wanna be an FO for 6 years? If so, them come on over bub.

Just don't get hammered.

Six years? The way things are going, it'll be seven by the end of the summer...

Those of you curious about the hammered comment, feel free to google "Horizon Air Industries vs. Frank Brune."

 

[Southbound]

DashTrash400,
I'm not sure what the breakdown of new hires from UND has been. It has been discussed at length and we don't want to beat the dead horse anymore. Don't take my comment personally. Though you went to UND, you had some real world flying when you came to Horizon and for that, you are better equipped to make decisions that are based on experience. My good buddy and probably the sharpest pilot in our class years ago was one of the 650 hour guys. He has never had a problem and has made a fine pilot. He is the exception. You going to a good aviation university along with flying some other flying before jumping to the regulated world of 121 flying makes you a more knowledgeable pilot and than I. I just believe there is worth in a variety of experience before joining the 121 ship.

Just visited a flight school last week where I did my sentence. All the guys/gals leave now for ASA, Pinnacle and ExpressJet with 600 hours so it is the industry norm. I wouldn't trade the hours I 'earned' between about 600TT and when I was hired at QX (at 1800TT or so) simply because it was so exciting and fun (and lots of work). Everyone should have that much fun before doing what we do now.

Speaking of Knowledge I had never read the entire Brune story. Should be required reading at the end of the probationary period at QX, don't you agree??

So where do you bid with an Apr 2004 hire date??

Salud

 

[Hardknock]

Speaking of Knowledge I had never read the entire Brune story. Should be required reading at the end of the probationary period at QX, don't you agree??

No, they should make people read it before coming here. Spike's a$$ should be fired for that $hit. You should read it sometime.

 

[Southbound]

Yes, I had never read it until this morning. Must say it is pretty much inline with all of my notions on Spikey-Poo. Can't you see him writing his memos quoted in the case.

 

[QCappy]

Lamaar and the rest of the group are a great group of people.

.....wow there, cowboy!!! You've been sippin' too much company cool-aid. Just wait until the first friendly call to "come into my office and discuss something. Nothing big, we just need to clear something up". That's when the hammer shows up.


I just realized you didn't get hired, or haven't started yet. No wonder you think LaMaar is so great!

 

[DashTrash400]

Don't take my comment personally. Though you went to UND, you had some real world flying when you came to Horizon and for that, you are better equipped to make decisions that are based on experience.

<snip>I just believe there is worth in a variety of experience before joining the 121 ship.

<snip>I wouldn't trade the hours I 'earned' between about 600TT and when I was hired at QX (at 1800TT or so) simply because it was so exciting and fun (and lots of work). Everyone should have that much fun before doing what we do now.

I didn't take it personally, I realize that most comments people make about UND grads are regarding the 800 hr folks hired on campus while instructing at UND. I definately agree with everything else you had to say. While Part 135 flying and some of the other stuff you can do between instructing and going to a regional is definately hard, challenging work, it can also be great fun & wonderful experience. I actually still fly part-time for Ameriflight in PDX, just for fun, a little extra money, & so I don't go crazy in that right seat.

Speaking of Knowledge I had never read the entire Brune story. Should be required reading at the end of the probationary period at QX, don't you agree??

So where do you bid with an Apr 2004 hire date??

The Brune case was quite a CF, eh? Of all the things to "hammer" a guy for, writing up squawks on items required for airworthiness is about the most idiotic. I'm not horribly anti-company, I know there are some good people in flight ops, but every newhire here should know what the company is capable of doing, and be suitably wary.

Hah. At this point I get a choice between Tu/We off reserve or We/Th off reserve. After the 5 newhires get off consolidation, I should hold weekends off reserve or maybe a coverage line. The good news is, 2 or possibly 3 Q400 FO's above me have quit in the past month. If you consider experienced pilots quitting due to slow movement "good news," that is.

 

[DashTrash400]

.....wow there, cowboy!!! You've been sippin' too much company cool-aid. Just wait until the first friendly call to "come into my office and discuss something. Nothing big, we just need to clear something up". That's when the hammer shows up.


I just realized you didn't get hired, or haven't started yet. No wonder you think LaMaar is so great!

Hehe...his koolaid-colored comment reminded me of the euphoric post interview gouge at aviationinterviews.com. That's what you ALWAYS see, whether the guy got the job or not: "What a great group of people!" Of COURSE you'll see everyone's good face during an interview. You're certainly showing them yours. And in the interview setting, LaMaar IS a nice guy. He's a nice guy to run into at church or chat to in the supermarket. What a newhire needs to know is that you'll be talking to a completely different person if he (or other persons in flight ops) think you screwed up. For that matter, given the choice to do the right thing or save the company money, they'll save the company money. But these are things that newhires need to learn for themselves, and they will.

 

[Southbound]

So DashTrash400,
Have you ever considered jumping ship after sitting over a year on reserve with weekdays off? Seems like you could improve your situation unless you are in Portland for good. What do you fly for Ameriflight? I took a leave a few years ago to re-visit my former KingAir flying. It was fun and the sad part was I made more $$. The flying public would just love to know their "airline pilots" are taking those "freight pilot" jobs to pay the bills.

LaMaar is a very nice guy and very political. I think he is a good person. I like him. If you see him in the terminal or just out and about he is wonderful. Just know where his loyalties lie.

Spike, on the other hand is a jacka$$, has no tact and is not very intelligent. Just look at his comments in the Brune case. He should be treated with the respect of a used snake oil salesman. Maybe less because you as a professional have much more to lose than he ever hopes to sell. Any company that retains the likes of him as a figurehead is nowhere I want to attach my good name. For this reason I WILL work elsewhere as do most others with a choice.

 

[DashTrash400]

So DashTrash400,
Have you ever considered jumping ship after sitting over a year on reserve with weekdays off? Seems like you could improve your situation unless you are in Portland for good. What do you fly for Ameriflight? I took a leave a few years ago to re-visit my former KingAir flying. It was fun and the sad part was I made more $$. The flying public would just love to know their "airline pilots" are taking those "freight pilot" jobs to pay the bills.

I've considered it but I've seen people get burned after trying to play the numbers game. It's always gone in cycles, and I'm sure upgrade time will come down at some point. One of my good friends is leaving for Skywest right now. I wish him luck, but it's a choice I'd be pretty hesitant to make when their only customers is a bankrupt airline and one on the cusp. Another reason to stick around Horizon: I love the Northwest and am not a big fan of commuting.

I fly the Chieftain for AMF, so it's not like I'm getting PIC turbine. I'd be able to get a Be99 slot if I was full time based out of BIL. If things continue to be slow round here, I just might take a LOA to go do that for a year.

Did you have any problem getting them to sign off on the LOA? I know that the contract treats a personal LOA to go fly for someone else a somewhat special situation.

 

[Buschpilot]

Looks like Spike turns 60 in the next year. Wonder if he'll retire.

I took a 6mo LOA last year to fly somewhere else, and it was a snap. LaMar usually sets aside so many slots per summer for people to take off and do something else. He knows that people have other interests, and it doesn't cost the company anything. The trick is to be the first in line

 

[Herman]

Thanks for all the replies everybody. I have an interview beginning of next month (actually it is more middle of next month).

UNDINST do you remember more specific questions from the technical part, or the scenario that was presented to you? Also, the sim that you flown; remember the cities and aproaches, or did it stay the same like people on aviationinterviews.com have been posting over the last months?

Southbound, did you find out anything by any chance?
...and thanks again to all of you who can provide info

 

[whatsitdoingnow]

Mind if I ask what your experience is and how long it took to get the interview for Horizon?

Thanks!

 

[Herman]

I flew 135 charter for a while in a CE-550, and 135 freight in a PA31, plus endless hours of instuction before that.
I have been trying to go to Horizon for over a year now, and been told to get a chance at an interviewed for a couple of months. Well, here we are, hopefully the waiting pays off.

 

[skeeter666]

I just got a call for a Horizon interview, can anyone share the latest gouge? -Thanks

 

[DashTrash400]

Anyone considering Horizon, realize that you'd upgrade at Skywest before you're off reserve as a Horizon FO. If you just don't care, c'mon over... good luck on the interview.

 

[skeeter666]

I was told that the sim portion would be conducted at Hillsboro avaition. Does Hillsboro offer a sim prep for the interview? -skeeter

 

[QXbuzzard]

Your best bet for sim prep is probably Aviation Training Center @ Boeing Field. They will probably over prepare you, and they know the profile (unless it is changing). I think there are a couple of people at HIO that might know the profile. Horizon used the sim over there last fall to for some interviews. Good luck.

 

[Herman]

Yeeeaaaahhhh....
Got the job!!! Q400 next month.

Sim is in Hillsboro, and the profile has changed. It is a short X-county (I had Walla-Walla to Pendleton, I think). Departure...get ATIS...pick approach…was told: “unable”… picked different approach…NDB to missed…hold NDB…vectors to ILS…done. SIM does not stop…you need to get things done (single pilot) without help, no matter how, while trying to maintain ATP standards.

The technical interview: We were given exactly the same short X-country with weather, NOTAMs, plates, and charts. How are you going to do it. Check out aviationinterviews.com, I will post the whole thing there. The main thing is, that it seemed like they were looking for someone who has real flying experience, can make decisions by themselves and get the job done one way or another.

Oh…I think they must have turned the AC off during the SIM, because it was ridiculous hot in there, but maybe I was just given myself a good workout jerking that SIM around (the others thought it was really hot too though)
Anyways thanks everybody for the efforts in trying to find out what’s new. I am looking forward to start and am exited everything worked out.

 

[DashTrash400]

Herman the German? I think I know you.

EDIT: Erm, maybe not. Mistaken identity?

 

[Sioux115]

So whats the news with upcoming classes, I just saw one 200 class in August nothing about a 400 class. Any Rj classes?

 

[turbodriver]

Yeeeaaaahhhh....
Got the job!!! Q400 next month.

Sim is in Hillsboro, and the profile has changed. It is a short X-county (I had Walla-Walla to Pendleton, I think). Departure...get ATIS...pick approach…was told: “unable”… picked different approach…NDB to missed…hold NDB…vectors to ILS…done. SIM does not stop…you need to get things done (single pilot) without help, no matter how, while trying to maintain ATP standards.

The technical interview: We were given exactly the same short X-country with weather, NOTAMs, plates, and charts. How are you going to do it. Check out aviationinterviews.com, I will post the whole thing there. The main thing is, that it seemed like they were looking for someone who has real flying experience, can make decisions by themselves and get the job done one way or another.

Oh…I think they must have turned the AC off during the SIM, because it was ridiculous hot in there, but maybe I was just given myself a good workout jerking that SIM around (the others thought it was really hot too though)
Anyways thanks everybody for the efforts in trying to find out what’s new. I am looking forward to start and am exited everything worked out.

Are you sure you got the 400 instead if the 200? There aren't any classes scheduled for the 400 right now....

 

[mmase7]

400 class begins Aug 24th

 

[DashTrash400]

The training plan hasn't been updated but it appears that there will be either one Q200 class and one Q400 class in August, or possibly 2x Q200 and 1x Q400. Wow, like twenty people in one month...who do we think we are, Skywest!?!?! Heh heh heh...

 

[Herman]

The last couple of interview classes were hiring into all aircraft. The new hire class on August 4th only had 200 slots available when I interviewed, but the class on the 24th is for all aircraft, I believe. At least I know of one guy who will be in the RJ and I am pretty sure that I will be in the 400, 'cause that is what Terry told me I would be in.

DashTrash400: took you long enough to figure it out who "Herman the German is"....so how do you like your new place, former neighbor?