I actually didn't think the process was that bad, but I also have interviewed at some places that were run by total pricks, so I might be a bit shell-shocked to begin with.
I did have the (mis)fortune of encountering that lovely HR lady everyone talks about, and I know I did or said something she didn't like, although it's pretty hard to be friendly to someone who's that openly antagonistic, which I'm not sure was part of the test or just her normal demeanor.
The interviewing Captain was actually pretty cool, it was the two of them interviewing me at the same time, going back and forth, a bit disconcerting trying to figure out which one to answer, how much time to spend looking and talking to each one on the same answer, etc. It was a mind game, although to what end I have no idea.
Pretty needless all-in-all, and I knew I had blown it when we're walking out and the Captain says, "I thought you did well, but maybe next time." Don't know why I didn't get it, but the thanks, but no thanks letter came a week later.
In retrospect, it's the best thing that could have ever happened, as I had a stable job with a decent income during the post 9/11 era that I wouldn't have had if I'd have stayed there, plus it made me dig harder into my interviewing skills and I've had pretty good luck interviewing since then.
Needless to say, I'm not applying when the window opens. Don't need that kind of stress or aggravation in my life worrying about some silly mind game interview or scantron $40 app fee bullsh*t. I'm sure many people will go on to have good careers there, just not me.
Hopefully their HR process will have woken up and smelled the 21st century when they start back up again, including the abolishment of the EEOC crap and the stupid HR mind games and the foolishness of a sim check for a 7,000+ hour pilot, and just give someone a straightforward interview to see if they'd fit the corporate culture and they're someone you could fly a 3 or 4 day trip with.
That's all this job really is,,,