Day 2 required us to be there even earlier than on day 1. Because I wasn't sure how long I would be at the campus for, I had to pack up my stuff and check out of my room before I left the hotel that day. I left my suitcase with the hotel lobby staff and planned to pick it up later on my way to the airport.
We started with a huge physiology test (over 600 questions but I can't remember the exact amount). The answers to this test needed to match the answers from the shorter test we took on day 1, which is why it was imperative to answer each questions truthfully- if you find yourself taking this test, make sure you don't answer 'how I think they want me to answer.' You've got to just be yourself!
After the test we were again divided into two groups- one group met with a psychologist first, and the other group did the administrative stuff first. I was in the latter group. It didn't take me too long to get my drug test, fingerprints, and photo ID completed. There might have been a few more things we had to take care of at this point, but I can't remember all the specifics. After that came my meeting with the psychologist. I know a lot of guys were pretty nervous for this portion because it has happened where pilots have gotten the job offer on day 1, but then not on day 2. I wasn't too nervous, though. I was truthful on all my test answers from Day 1 and Day 2, so I knew I wasn't going to have to remember some lie I had put down on my test.
The psychologist was a very nice guy. He asked me about myself, where I was from, challenges I experienced as a child, how I was raised, things I have done to improve myself and become a better person and pilot, etc. The interview was about 45 minutes and went by quickly. After I was done with that I was told that I'd get the official and final job offer in a few hours after the psychologist evaluated everything, and that I was free to go.
My flight back home wasn't for over 5 hours, so I walked back to the hotel, got my suitcase, and changed out of my interview clothes. I was going to check back into my room, but it had already been cleaned. What was I going to do for the next 5 hours? Maybe there was an earlier fight? I decided to check, and there was! I immediately got a ride to the airport and asked if I could be put on the standby list for that earlier flight. The gate agent found my scheduled later flight and my reservation, and added me to the list for the flight. I lucked out because there was a few seats left and I was able to get on that earlier flight home.
I was so glad I had T-Mobile and an hour of free wifi on that flight. I was anxious to find out how my day 2 testing had gone, and I needed to see that email with the official job offer. I refreshed my email every 5 minutes for that entire hour- no joke. When my hour was almost up, the email finally came through...
Day 2 Testing Successful. I had officially done it! I was going to be a major airline pilot. This was something I'd dreamed about for over 10 years; something I had worked my butt off for. I had done the most challenging thing ever- interviewed with my dream company- and had gotten the job offer. I felt on top of the world. I cannot wait for you all to experience the same feeling. It's the feeling you get when passing a check ride, but x10.
If getting to a regional or major airline is your dream, please don't give up on it. It takes time, boy does it take time, but it is worth it. You will experience setback after setback, but that's just all part of the experience. Do you want to spend your entire life doing something you don't really love because it was easier? Or do you want to spend your life doing something you absolutely love even though it might be a challenge to get there?
This is the end of my series of how I got hired at the major airline of my dreams. If you have any questions that I didn't answer in these last few blog posts, please email me at trendypilots@gmail.com. I check that email each week day (as long as I'm not flying all day), so you won't have to wait too long for an answer.
Also, I have compiled all of my notes and documents I used while studying for both of my airline interviews into a nice, quick, easy-to-read book. You can purchase that HERE.
Until next time, and Happy Flying!