Pinnacle airline test

[skychicken]

Sorry to beat this to death, but rumor had it Pinnacle changed its written test for the interview within the last two weeks, anybody know if its true??

 

[CJdude]

I was there just this past tuesday I must say this is a class act operation the interview was with all check airmen in uniform and these guy's were a great bunch of guys. Everyone there from admin people to the pilots all have smiles on there faces it was a very positive atmoshere.
The growth rate is outstanding they have 139 aircraft on line now and rumor has it that 20 more are on the way and the benefits are the best I have seen in this industry from insurance,travel to a very competive 401k.
As for the written I am not sure about anyone else but there was at the most three questions on my written that were posted on the gouge and Iwill say that it was the hardest written I have taken yet much harder than any ATP test.
What you need to do is read the questions twice and make sure you understand what they are asking then when you are finished with the test read them again.I recomend that you study the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual, any info you have on instrument flight, and the green ATP oral book chapters to include 121 regs, areodynamics, and instrument procedures with all this you should do fine, also know the Jepp plates front and back for the TECH/HR.
Sim is just like the gouge but dont use the trim it is very sensetive and you will be all over the place with the CDI and oh yes it is a nice frasca 142 but there is no HSI.
Don't worry all though they are selective want you to succeed.
All in all this is a great place to be with great bunch of people I got the call the folowing morning I leave in two weeks.
Good luck I hope I was able to help..

 

[Detroitpilot22]

im just getting down with systems class, and nothing has changed, however, they have been hinting at it, so just study.

 

[E170Guppykiller]

I was there just this past tuesday I must say this is a class act operation the interview was with all check airmen in uniform and these guy's were a great bunch of guys. Everyone there from admin people to the pilots all have smiles on there faces it was a very positive atmoshere.
The growth rate is outstanding they have 139 aircraft on line now and rumor has it that 20 more are on the way and the benefits are the best I have seen in this industry from insurance,travel to a very competive 401k.
As for the written I am not sure about anyone else but there was at the most three questions on my written that were posted on the gouge and Iwill say that it was the hardest written I have taken yet much harder than any ATP test.
What you need to do is read the questions twice and make sure you understand what they are asking then when you are finished with the test read them again.I recomend that you study the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual, any info you have on instrument flight, and the green ATP oral book chapters to include 121 regs, areodynamics, and instrument procedures with all this you should do fine, also know the Jepp plates front and back for the TECH/HR.
Sim is just like the gouge but dont use the trim it is very sensetive and you will be all over the place with the CDI and oh yes it is a nice frasca 142 but there is no HSI.
Don't worry all though they are selective want you to succeed.
All in all this is a great place to be with great bunch of people I got the call the folowing morning I leave in two weeks.
Good luck I hope I was able to help..

Just wait till you've been there a few months and then come back and tell us how great PCL is!!! What a fool.

 

[HMR]

Are there any questions regarding how to survive on $19K/yr?

 

[CJdude]

E170GuppyKiller,

I am giving an opinion as to what I saw and felt when I was there whether you choose to listen is solely up to you.
I also believe you do have a right to your own opinion which very well be a valid one.
However unless you personaly are working or have worked in the past for a company you really should not try to pass judgement from other peoples experiences or negitivity in the end it will just bring you down to there level and make you not a very likeable person.
Live every day with a positive attitude and be happy with what you have in front of you and miracles will happen in your life.

 

[dondk]

I was there just this past tuesday I must say this is a class act operation the interview was with all check airmen in uniform and these guy's were a great bunch of guys. Everyone there from admin people to the pilots all have smiles on there faces it was a very positive atmoshere.

Do you expect them to be unprofessional, negative and grumpy?

The growth rate is outstanding they have 139 aircraft on line now and rumor has it that 20 more are on the way and the benefits are the best I have seen in this industry from insurance,travel to a very competive 401k.

Been here 4 years, the 20 a/c rumor is about a year old. There is a core group who believes in 20 more. I tend to think that there is better than 50/50 chance of "some" more. 20 would be the most in my opinion.

Benefits... not the best by any stretch. 401K match is 25% of 5% or basically 1% of the 5% you put in. The top is 70% of 7% matched earnings. Air Wisconsin is still light years ahead of us.

Medical, dental and prescription are OKAY, depending on where you live it may be better for you.

Travel, in October it gets worse, when they hit you just to have the privallege to use the passes.

Finally, we have the best PR people in HR in the industry!!!! Would you take a job offer if you knew no more aircraft and you may not see a hard line for years?

They are offering pilots $500 per referral we bring in. We are also paying hotel and $200 per week. Something they have NEVER done for pilots.
Think about those statements before touting Pinnacle as being the best place ever.

I am not bitter, but a realist when it comes to my company. We have LONG way to go before I would consider this place good.

 

[Towelie]

Been here 4 years, the 20 a/c rumor is about a year old. There is a core group who believes in 20 more. I tend to think that there is better than 50/50 chance of "some" more. 20 would be the most in my opinion.

The next 20 have to go to Mesaba. Who knows how many more NWA will give out after that. I have a hard time believing Pinnacle will get any more based on the pilot negotiations and their recent operating history.

 

[NoPax]

Do you expect them to be unprofessional, negative and grumpy?

Yes in general, but not at an interview - I asked why it took them 9000', to get off the runway and was told by the tower controller it had to do with the winds (slight crosswind) and most had done this, tonight; one of the pilots got on and said 'maybe its because we're heavy and shoot the approach the same speed you cruise at'

Sorry about your pay guys, was just asking...you guys get paid by the minute, right?

 

[dondk]

The next 20 have to go to Mesaba. Who knows how many more NWA will give out after that. I have a hard time believing Pinnacle will get any more based on the pilot negotiations and their recent operating history.

Using history as a guide with NWA is a waste of time, they will do what they want with whom they want for the price they want.

Our negiotations may be a factor, offer us nothing and we have little to lose. Offer something and I would bet some will vote the "NWA way". Use MESA as a guide, offer growth and the group folds and votes in favor.

Regardless, XJ will get the next batch, but with 160 still outstanding (that is including XJ's 15), NWA still has many cards to play. I would not completely count 9E out of the running. Why else would be hiring when we already have the last jet on the property? Our staffing is bad, but not that bad that we need to hire for the rest of the year.

 

[CJdude]

dondk,
Am I to understand that you are truly unhappy? You said that you have been there for four years if infact you are unhappy why don't you just leave and go work for another Airline?
I agree that you can't judge a book by it's cover but I am sure that someone would take your job in a second if given the chance.
It seems to me that with all the good information that this website has to offer to many people would rather moan and groan about the place they are at instead of useing it in a construtive manner that could only benefit them.
I don't have a crystal ball and I can't tell you what will be in the future but I can tell you that I am happy that after busting my a$$ and overcomming many set backs in my life that someone gave me a chance..
Attitude is everything.

 

[Lear70]

dondk,
Am I to understand that you are truly unhappy? You said that you have been there for four years if infact you are unhappy why don't you just leave and go work for another Airline?
I agree that you can't judge a book by it's cover but I am sure that someone would take your job in a second if given the chance.
It seems to me that with all the good information that this website has to offer to many people would rather moan and groan about the place they are at instead of useing it in a construtive manner that could only benefit them.
I don't have a crystal ball and I can't tell you what will be in the future but I can tell you that I am happy that after busting my a$$ and overcomming many set backs in my life that someone gave me a chance..
Attitude is everything.

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but Dondk is right on the money, especially with the part about the 401k. I know you're excited and congratulations on making it this far, but you might want to educate yourself before you make blanket statements like that.

This company has the WORST 401k in the industry. That's just plain fact.

This company DOES have decent medical benefits EXCEPT for baby care; I came from a company that had much better, so I was dissapointed, but your mileage may vary.

Just "leave and go to another airline"? Oh yeah, it's that easy; you see Northwest, Continental, and Delta pilots do it every day... are you sh*tting me? Don't know much about the airline industry, do ya'? Had an admin clerk tell me that the other day when I was discussing a BLATANT CONTRACT VIOLATION; if I wouldn't have gotten fired I'd have slapped the t-total sh*t out of her. It's the company that needs to change, NOT pilot attitudes.

Last fact for you to consider: this company has probably one of the most hostile management cultures next to Mesa / TSA. The top 10% of the pilots are happy with where they are, the next 30% fu*king hate this place but keep doing it because they can't match the paycheck and days off but are trying desperately to move on. Those are the Captains you'll be flying with; we try to keep it fun and have a good time but it's hard when the company keeps sh*tting on you.

Good luck, and again congrats on improving your lot in life, just back away from the company "happy juice" and realize the reality is probably somewhere in the middle... or you can read the thread on "smiling Paul" and maybe we can see YOUR smiling face on a website about your flying life someday...

 

[dondk]

dondk,
Am I to understand that you are truly unhappy? You said that you have been there for four years if infact you are unhappy why don't you just leave and go work for another Airline?
I agree that you can't judge a book by it's cover but I am sure that someone would take your job in a second if given the chance.
It seems to me that with all the good information that this website has to offer to many people would rather moan and groan about the place they are at instead of useing it in a construtive manner that could only benefit them.
I don't have a crystal ball and I can't tell you what will be in the future but I can tell you that I am happy that after busting my a$$ and overcomming many set backs in my life that someone gave me a chance..
Attitude is everything.

Read Lear 70's post a few times over and over.

No I am not completely unhappy, it could be worse (that is what I tell myself). It could be much better too. I came from 2 different regionals before pinnacle. Pinnacle is not the worst (mesa, my former employer is) but no where near the best either.

The problem is many people would take my job in a second, if not to get to the left seat it is to get a better schedule. That attitude is what is brining this industry down, someone else willing to do it for less.

I don't moan and groan, but tell it like it is. I'd rather NOT pi$$ peep's off by lying to them and telling them this is better than a lot of other choice they may have. I am personally trying to make a difference at 9E, I am active in the grievance committee and see first hand the crap that goes on. I am here to protect the interests of my fellow employee's that are getting bent over daily. Making a difference 1 pilot at a time, 1 contract violation at a time, 1 argument with DW at a time.

When you come on board, with your attitdue I would expect you to join that committee and make a difference. A positve attitude is great, you will need it...

Lear 70 and I don't need to embelish, WE have a job, WE have seniority, WE are in the left seat. Take it for what it is worth, we could always lie to you.

 

[CJdude]

Ok you win. However you still won't burst my bubble.....
Attitude is everything!

 

[TNPILOT]

CJdude, geesh! I don't know much about PCL but I think dondk was just telling you a realistic opinion of his experience at PCL. He also gave you some valuable info on the 401k and other benefits. I don't think he said he was unhappy as much as he said there was room for improvement. I realise you are new to this and just finished listening to the HR/PR pitch. You'll see in time that the Kool Aid doesn't taste so good after the first few glasses!

 

[skychicken]

Rsvm

hey, anybody know how many Xponders are required for rsvm. I have heard both one and two from different people and I haven't been able to find the info anywhere.

 

[405]

Sorry to jump in here. I'm not a pilot.

CJdude, I agree with you that attitude is everything but eventually that positive, happy attitude will give way to reality when you see what really happens here. I would bet that your resume will start flying out all over the place after a little while at 9E.

We don't get Kool Aid anymore in dispatch. We get Jungle Juice. That sh*t tastes awful.