Southern Interview Process

[gear_yanker]

Is this company worth interviewing for??? Does anyone know what to expect at the interview? Any gouge or info would be greatly appreciated...

You should expect to travel to company headquarters (Norwalk, CT) at your own expense.

You will be required to sit there with a straight face as the chief pilot and d.o. tell you that the $24,000 training bond is a good thing for you. "Stability, co-workers that really want to work at Southern, blah, blah, blah".

You will be required to sit there with a straight face as the chief pilot and d.o. tell you that you could be away from home for a very long time. There are no "guaranteed" days off....the company has the contractual right to buy any/all of them if needed.

You'll be offered a job and sent for a drug test.

 

[2Green]

The interview

I interviewed recently with Southern so maybe I can help. I travelled to Miami at my expense for the interview. It was straightforward with nothing technical asked; basically a get to know you and your background type interview. Then the bomb was dropped regarding the bond. It was a new policy for the class for which I was interviewing. 24 months/24K pro rated monthly. I thought it was excessive considering you can get a pic type in the aircraft for less.

The sim was a basic evaluation in a 727. We flew around and tried not to crash.

I was aware of the work environment at Southern and the general unhappiness of the pilot group. You can get a good feel for it by reading this board. I really wanted to do the job and wanted to see the world but I couldn't commit two years to them. The bond was a red flag. In my opinion, if a company wants to retain talent, they should make it a more desireable place to work.

I was offered the job and turned it down. I don't regret it.

 

[GogglesPisano]

FWIW, the training bond at World is $48,000.

I got a certified letter in the mail before I was even off the property.

 

[dutch747]

FWIW, the training bond at World is $48,000.

I got a certified letter in the mail before I was even off the property.

Not defending World or the training bond. But comparatively speaking, World is first class compared to Southern.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Not defending World or the training bond. But comparatively speaking, World is first class compared to Southern.

The pilot group there is certainly first-class. And the pay/work rules are definitely head and shoulders above the other non-scheds.

The training contract is what it is. Fore-warned is fore-armed.

 

[landlover]

FWIW, the training bond at World is $48,000.

I got a certified letter in the mail before I was even off the property.

do you mean you recieved a certified letter before your last dy of work stating you're being sued cause you broke the contract?

 

[GogglesPisano]

do you mean you recieved a certified letter before your last dy of work stating you're being sued cause you broke the contract?

I wasn't sued. I was asked to comply with the contract and was given 30 days to pay the outstanding balance.

Believe me, I may be a little poorer now but I'm much happier.

 

[gear_yanker]

FWIW, the training bond at World is $48,000.

I'll bet World's training agreement isn't as nasty as Southern's! If Southern furloughs you, you find a new job and refuse a future recall......YOU OWE THEM MONEY!! Unbelievable. Here's a cut-and-paste directly from the agreement:

"If Candidate fails to accept such recall, the Candidate agrees to be responsible for payment of the Candidate’s training costs as if the Candidate had voluntarily resigned on the date the Candidate was first furloughed."

 

[GogglesPisano]

I'll bet World's training agreement isn't as nasty as Southern's! If Southern furloughs you, you find a new job and refuse a future recall......YOU OWE THEM MONEY!! Unbelievable. Here's a cut-and-paste directly from the agreement:

"If Candidate fails to accept such recall, the Candidate agrees to be responsible for payment of the Candidate’s training costs as if the Candidate had voluntarily resigned on the date the Candidate was first furloughed."

At World you have to be recalled within 60 days, then refuse to take the recall, in order to be on the hook for the money after a furlough.