When did I find out this information? Just after I had successfully completed the RJO course with Flight Safety I was sitting in LaGuardia, waiting for my connection to Washington I saw this on the national news. I then got a phone call from HR notifying me of classes being canceled. It was a pretty crap day.

Fast forward to 3 weeks later. I walked my resume into Chuck Colgans office. The outcome seemed fairly grim. Colgan had raised its minimums to 1000/100. I dont even come close to those minimums. Chuck and Cathy and I talked anyway, and I left feeling like I wouldnt hear anything. A day later Chuck emailed me with an invite to LaGuardia to interview and sim test. Well that was yesterday, and again I left feeling like I had not done my best.

This morning I received a phone call from my sister who works in Colgan customer service. She asked me how my interview went, I told her it went so-so. She said that Karen and Cathy thought it went really well. I said “oh really? thats good.” My sister then told me that I was hired!! I didnt believe her at first, I thought it was my sister just playing around. Chuck and Cathy apparently thought it would be a good/funny idea for my sister to let me know, and to be honest I thought it was great. If it was not for my family’s support, I wouldnt be where I am today.

I start Saab class next Wednesday and Im thrilled. In these dark times of aviation, the chance to even interview somewhere is an amazing thing.

The first day my roommate and flying partner flew Vero beach - Titusville - Daytona Beach - St Augustine. We landed in St Augustine and reversed the route. I then flew the same route back. On the second day my partner again had the first leg and flew Vero Beach - Melbourne - Orlando - Tampa Bay. My partner flew the ILS at a much higher than normal approach speed to get the feeling of the speed that we will be flying the Embraer with Eagle. Normal approach speed for a Seminole is anywhere between 88 - 100 knots. He flew the approach at 165 knots. The best part was that we ended up racing a Continental 757 on approach. We won.

The last Seminole flight we went down to Miami and back. We are all glad to be done with the Seminole. We didnt apply with an airline to fly light general aviation aircraft.

We now have 3 days of ground school based on the navigation systems. Today was all about programming the FMS and how it works. We finally got to sit down in the full motion simulator and program the FMS. Its amazing how automated these aircraft are. We pretty much monitor the aircraft after take off.

Ill most likely update during the sim sessions. We all just want to get to American Eagle training in Dallas. While it is fun getting a tan in Florida, you then realize that your not being paid, it kind of sucks.

Yesterday my rommate and I (who is also my flying partner) sat by the pool for 3 or 4 hours, threw a football around, and then went to the Seminole frasca for 4 hours. We both shot 3 approches. 1 ILS, 1 Back course, and 1 VOR DME Arc. The first portion of the flight we acted as if it was a real flight with vectors and following victor airways. Our instructor said we did very well. We where both pretty pleased.

Today was pretty much the same thing. We sat out by the pool, threw around a football and then in 2 hours we are going to fly the frasca Seminole.  So far this hsa been fun. We will see what happens when we get into the ERJ Sim.

4 Hours later we arrived at Flight Safety. We where supposed to have 8 guys ride with us, but due to some confusion only 6 made it at the time. Once arriving we stepped out and a guy smoking outside asks if we are with Eagle. He then says that he justs finished the 3 week course and tells us all about it. He says that you basically have flows and crew management to study the first few days, then you hop into the seminole for 6 hours of pilot flying and 6 hour non-pilot flying. You then go over systems and flow for the Erj145 and then you get your Erj145 sim time. We where then greeted by Shane Johnson, the guy in charge of the RJO program. He had heard the other student explaining the program to us and said it was going to be different for us. Apparently Eagle called up Flight Safety and said “Hey, these are the current problems we are having with guys… so work on this stuff.” That new stuff is instrument skills, apparently new hires are having difficulty flying STARS, SIDS, and non-precision approaches. Shane then hands us our keys, and then shows us the class room which we will meet in the next day and then walks us into the dormitory. The dorm rooms are not bad. Its 2 persons to a room. The rooms include 2 desks, a TV with cable, microwave, fridge, toaster and restrooms in each room. Washer and dryer are free as well.

The next 2 days comprised of 16 hours of ground school. The instructors mentioned that they where just winging it because the program had changed at very short notice and that they weren’t sure what exactly to cover. They said this was supposed to be the new order of things: 2 days of Jepp Charts. 2 seminole frasca sessions 2 hours a piece. 6 hours of seminole time, 3 days long, 2 hour flights each. Then we have ground school for 3 days and talk about the navigational systems on the Erj145. Then we have an Erj 145 cockpit procedures lesson. Then 4 sim sessions, 4 hours each, 2 hours pilot flying and 2 hours non-pilot flying. We are actually scheduled to finish before the 3 weeks finish.

You can tell that the instructors are confused on how to throw us into an Embraer full motion sim without ever going over systems with us. Apparently the last classes where able to do V1 cuts, stalls, steep turns as well as instrument procedures. We will NOT be doing any of this, we will be strictly doing instrument procedures in the sim. Im a little disappointed as I really wanted to do a few V1 cuts before heading to Dallas, but oh well.

So far the instructors are awesome. We have been dealing with the older guys who don’t actually seem to fly for Fly Safety anymore. One guy mentioned not having a medical anymore, another guy is a retired 20 year captain with ASA and another guy flys a caravan for fedex feeder. He has been doing that for 15 years.

Anyway, I will update a little more after a few more days.

Welcome to the American Eagle / FlightSafety Academy RJO course. The course you will be enrolled in is three weeks long and will include the following:

- 40 hours of ground school

- 4 hours of Frasca 142 flying

- 6 hours of Piper Seminole Flying

- 2 hours of ERJ-145 Cockpit Procedures Training (CPT)

- 8 hours of ERJ-145 training.

Training will consist of all aspects of IFR flying to include ILS, VOR, Back course, DME Arc, and GPS approaches, as well as, performing holds and flying SIDs and STARs. During the first week and a half, you will be flying the Frasca 142 and Piper Seminole as a single-pilot operator. The purpose is to verify your IFR flying abilities. The second week and a half will be in the ERJ-145 level D simulator. The purpose of this training is to get you familiar with flying turbine powered aircraft.

In order to complete the course, you will need to be proficient in IFR flying. It is recommended to get as much IFR flying done as possible before coming down to Vero Beach. In addition, make sure you are familiar with the use of the HSI, RMI, Garmin 430 GPS and, if possible, the Piper Seminole.

American Eagle will cover the expense of training and lodging. Food is not provided and will be at your own expense. For those who are not driving, Eagle will provide transportation to Orlando International. FlightSafety will be providing a shuttle from Orlando to Vero Beach. Within a few days of your arrival, expect another email with shuttle information.

My class date is May 26th after completion of the Jet course. I cant wait!!!!

“Your file and application for a First Officer position at American Eagle Airlines was reviewed and given conditional approval by our Captain’s Review Board today. The board has recommended that you attend and successfully complete a Regional Jet Training Course. We have several programs in place that we provide to applicants, with the cost of the program and sleeping accommodations being covered by American Eagle Airlines. We will contact you upon clearance of your medical and finger prints to discuss the options available to you at that time. In the meantime, we will continue to process your background information and contact you if we have any questions. Congratulations!”

After this all I could do was wait for my info to pass. I was a little annoyed that they did not have any sort of time line. But to be approved was a good feeling.

I arrived in Dallas Fort Worth in the afternoon last Tuesday for my simulator interview the next day. After I arrived I called the hotel to find out where to meet to be picked up for transportation back to the hotel. 20 minutes later the Baymont Inn van arrived, 2 gentlemen where in the van already. I stepped in and heard one say “CRJ.” I instantly knew both guys where there for the same reason as I was, American Eagle interview. I asked both to confirm that they had just interviewed. They told me that they had, and that it was pretty easy and relaxing. They said that out of the 17 people interviewed, only 3 had been let go. I told them that I had already done the tech and HR interview, and they couldn’t believe that I was coming all the way to Dallas to fly on a simulator for 15 minutes. They tell me a little about the sim, and its tendency’s. “Pitch sensitive” is the common phrase when describing the simulator. A few minutes later we arrive at the American Eagle training center and the van fills up even more. The guys we had just picked up had done their simulator evaluation in the full motion Saab 340 sim. I was jealous. In a nut shell they said the sim was “awesome.” And that you really think your flying.

We arrived at the hotel, I check in. The guys who had just been picked up had been selected, and passed the interview process. All that was left for them was the medical test the next day. They checked in on American Eagles dime, and where clearly pleased.

The next day I wake up to catch the 630am bus to the American Eagle headquarters. I hop into the van along with other applicants. We are all silent, wearing suits, and nervous. I was glad that I had completed the other portions of the interview. My nerves where calm as I realized all I had to do was go out and do what I do every day, just fly. As we begin to talk in the van I let the other guys know that I had done the tech and HR and that they had nothing to worry about, and that the HR people are extremely nice and the whole thing is relaxed. I know that if I was in their shoes, this is what I would want to hear.

We drive past American headquarters 1 and pull into the Headquarters 2. The buildings look huge, I cant believe that there is this much that goes on with an airline. After working out of a hanger with Colgan, this is amazing. This is also NOT the location where training happens, that is a completely separate location.

We walk into the doors and query the security as to where we go. He points us toward the lobby/waiting room. We all sit down. The seats slowly fill up. I count just under 20 applicants. Ashley and Rainne, the HR / Tech people show up and hand out temporary badges to all the applicants. Rainne tells us to follow him. We all stand up and follow him through a door in the corner. As we walk through we realize we are in a huge office. There must be at least 40 cubicles. People are running around, doing whatever it is that they do. Rainne lets us know that we are in the back corner, and that these people are working hard, although he doesnt know exactly what it is that they all do, we shouldnt bother them. He then leads us back to the corner of the huge office space, and then brings us into the conference room. We sit down and he begins his speech. It was much of the same information given during the job fair in LaGuardia. He then pops a tape into the television hanging from the wall, presses play, and leaves the room. After the video ends Rainne enters again and says that because we where such a large group, half of the class would be sent to the Saab 340 sim for their simulator interview at about 2pm, and the rest of us would have to do our simulator portion in the Baron Frasca. I really wanted the Saab. He then called a few names, none to include my own, and announced that those where the people who would be going to the Saab 340 sim. I was jealous again. Rainne said that he was going to brief the guys staying in the headquarters on what would be asked of them on the sim ride. The Saab guys where told to go grab a coffee. Rainne then took 30 minutes and walked us through the sim ride. They give you every single piece of information needed. The only time you are expected to think on your own during the whole ride is when given the hold. After the brief the other guys came back in, along with Ashley the HR lady. Ashley then told us that the interviews would start and that everyone would begin to fill out background paperwork. Ashley left, and every 15 minutes a random person from American eagle would stick their head into the room and call a name. I sat studying my sim profile, I felt very luck that this was the only thing I had to worry about. About an hour later Ashley sticks her head in and calls my name. She hands me 5 forms, and a piece of paper with the name of the previous employees from the past 5 years listed which I had given on my application. She explained how to fill out the paperwork and sent me on my way. I personally dont like talking on cell phones in a quiet room. I decided to find a quiet hall away from American office workers and began calling old employers, looking for phone numbers and fax numbers. About 30 minutes later I had all the information I was able to get. I walked back into the conference room, which seemed to be less occupied compared to when I had left. A short while later Bill sticks his head into the conference room and calls my name, its time for my simulator interview. He walks me back toward the room with the sim. He asks questions along the way about how much simulator time I had. I explained that at ATP we did about 45 hours of simulator in the exact same FTD. He opened the door leading to the Simulator and I was relieved to see that it was in fact the exact same type I had previously flown in. He puts me into the sim and talks me over the same things which Rainne had gone over. Im not going to go into detail about the sim ride, but it was pretty relaxing and not stressful. The part that most people worry about is the hold, all I can say is, take your time. Bill will freeze the sim, give you a clipboard with a blank sheet and then give you the hold instructions. You have a good minute to figure out the hold. Dont stress, just remember what you have been taught. After the simulator interview Bill gave me a $5 coupon for the American Airlines cafeteria. Again I was impressed with how big the cafeteria was. I bought a hamburger and sat down in the huge lunch room.

20 minutes later I head back to the conference room, I walk in and grab my paperwork and bring it back to Ashley. She looks it over and takes it away. I was pleased to finish it quickly. Dorothy then walks over to me and asks if I am Robert Stogsdill, I say yes and she tells me that its my turn for the fingerprinting.

We walk into the office and begin fingerprinting. I found this to be the hardest part of the interview process. I even joked with her about it. My fingers would just not scan right! I fingerprinted my pinky almost 30 times and every time it came back as unreadable. She decided to send them to the FBI that way anyway as it was hopeless. She then sent me back to the conference room.

As I walked into the conference room I couldnt help but notice how bare it was. Only about 9 people where still waiting. Rainne sticks his head into the room and calls a name. The person stands up and Rainne tells the person that he needs to bring his bags with him. The applicant looks scared. He walks out the door and shuts it behind him. We all wonder what that means. Are they going home? Did they pass? 20 Minutes later the same thing happens, Rainne sticks his head into the door and calls a new, the applicant stands up and is then told to bring his bags. This time however the applicant doesnt close the door and all we hear is Rainne say “At this time we are not going to continue the interview process.” The room stays fairly silent. We are all nervous at this point for anyones name to be called along with “bring your bags with you.” 2pm rolls around and the Saab guys are not told anything. 3pm rolls around and Ashley walks into the room. She announces that all of us in the room where all successful and would be kept for the medical the next day. Becuase there where so few applicants left, the Saab guys would no longer fly on the Saab, but would be flying the Frasca just like I had. This was kind of strange as 4 of the 7 of the applicants still left over still had not completed their Sim interview. This leads me to believe that the HR and Tech is make or break during the process, and the simulator portion is just to make sure you really can fly an aircraft.

The 3 of us who had completed our sim interview go back to the hotel. We are all excited that we had made it.

The next day seems like deja vu, only now I am in business casual and the guys wearing suits are just like we where the day before. Nervous, scared and anxious. We arrive at the headquarters for our medical test. We find out that we are an hour early, but who cares, this is the easy part. We are brought into the medical office, which is a full size clinic, complete with dentist office and just about everything except an emergency room it seems. We fill out the paperwork, I finish first. I then complete my urine test and then my audiogram. The nurse then hands me a letter of conditional offer. You couldnt slap the smile off of my face if you wanted to. I then walk back to Ashleys desk and hand in my temporary badge and they explain to me that a Captains board meets on Friday and that Ill have to get the thumbs up from them before anything else, but that I had complete the interview process.

Tiffany, another HR lady hands me a piece of paper with my flight info. I then head back Dallas Fort Worth for my flight home….