Hi,
Over the past two days, I've received some rather confusing information. I'd like to know the best way to confirm either 'case' so that I can plan accordingly. I wasn't able to find the information I'm looking for in the forum, but if I missed it , please send me in the right direction and feel free to lock/delete this thread.
First the backstory:
I applied for the Pilot trade (DEO entry plan) back in April, and had finished my medical, eye exam, CFAT, and interview by the end of the month. I then waited until mid September to be sent for aircrew selection (the long delay likely caused by the medical lab sending my results to the recruiting center 2 months late), where I "met the standard for Pilot", and passed the aircrew medical. So far so good. I submitted my expense claim back at the recruiting center and when I asked what was next, was told once they received the aircrew medical results, I would be merit listed and then would be in for a wait. I asked a few questions regarding the merit list, was satisfied and went on my way. So far so good.
Conflicting Information #1
I was back in the recruiting office Nov. 5th to deliver a money order (I had been given too much money for Air crew selection), and while I was there, I asked for an update on where I stood. I was told at this time that the medical results were in, and that I was now on the merit list. They reiterated that all pilot positions for the year had been filled and that the earliest I would see an offer (If selected) would be May of 2009. I was told my file would stay open, and that I would need to do an updated interview and medical in April (as the originals done in April of this year would expire). I left the office excited about being on the merit list, and went home to start playing the waiting game.
Conflicting Information #2
This part began with a phone call from the recruiting office on Monday, during which I was told I had not been selected for a pilot position this year. I was asked if I would like to change my application to another trade. I assumed this was just an 'official notice' of what I had been told back in November (regarding all spots being filled); I told the gentleman I was not interested in any other trades at this time, and I asked if what I had been told back in November (about waiting until the next fiscal year) still applied. He said yes, and asked me to confirm that I would like to keep my file open for consideration in the next year, reminding me that I would need to do an updated interview and medical sometime in April. I agreed that this was the course of action I wanted to follow (nothing had changed in terms of how the rest of the process would play out), I thanked him and the conversation was over.
I then received a second call a few hours later (missed it unfortunately), informing me that he had come across some more information regarding my file, and asking that I call back when I get a chance. I called back first thing Tuesday morning, and was told that under no circumstances would I considered for a pilot position, and again was offered an opportunity to change trades. To my understanding, my being on the merit list meant just the opposite (that I would be considered for a position), and would stay on the merit list until I withdrew my application, or was eventually selected for a position; I asked for some clarification on the matter and he agreed; although he informed me that I was at no time on the merit list, due to a low interview score (causing a low mp score). According to the Captain who interviewed me, there is nothing about myself I need to change (ie. education, experience, fitness, community service, and activities are all great), it's just that the interview could have been better. I was unable to get him to elaborate further
My Questions
I had one person in November telling me face to face, that I had been merit listed, and now have another telling me the opposite. I figure there is an equal chance both of them are mistaken, so:
1. What is the best way to go about confirming this one way or the other?
2. Is there an ideal third party to talk to in such a situation?
3. I have been warned by a former CF pilot that recruiting center's can be rather ruthless in steering applicants from Pilot, to other 'vacant' trades, is that possibly what is going on here?
4. If my interview score was too low, why would I have been passed along the line and sent for ACS? If there is nothing else I could do to offset the interview score, would they not have known I was ineligible back in April?
5. Any other suggestions in how to proceed?
In any case, it seems this will not really affect the time line of getting (or not getting) an offer; I have to redo the interview and medical in April either way, and am under the impression that ACS and CFAT results will still be valid when I reapply in April. The only difference seems to whether my file stays open (in case#1) or if my file is closed, requiring me to reapply (in case #2).
I am a little frustrated at the moment, but still 100% dedicated to becoming a CF Pilot. I'm sure the trouble/wait will be worth it in the end.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Over the past two days, I've received some rather confusing information. I'd like to know the best way to confirm either 'case' so that I can plan accordingly. I wasn't able to find the information I'm looking for in the forum, but if I missed it , please send me in the right direction and feel free to lock/delete this thread.
First the backstory:
I applied for the Pilot trade (DEO entry plan) back in April, and had finished my medical, eye exam, CFAT, and interview by the end of the month. I then waited until mid September to be sent for aircrew selection (the long delay likely caused by the medical lab sending my results to the recruiting center 2 months late), where I "met the standard for Pilot", and passed the aircrew medical. So far so good. I submitted my expense claim back at the recruiting center and when I asked what was next, was told once they received the aircrew medical results, I would be merit listed and then would be in for a wait. I asked a few questions regarding the merit list, was satisfied and went on my way. So far so good.
Conflicting Information #1
I was back in the recruiting office Nov. 5th to deliver a money order (I had been given too much money for Air crew selection), and while I was there, I asked for an update on where I stood. I was told at this time that the medical results were in, and that I was now on the merit list. They reiterated that all pilot positions for the year had been filled and that the earliest I would see an offer (If selected) would be May of 2009. I was told my file would stay open, and that I would need to do an updated interview and medical in April (as the originals done in April of this year would expire). I left the office excited about being on the merit list, and went home to start playing the waiting game.
Conflicting Information #2
This part began with a phone call from the recruiting office on Monday, during which I was told I had not been selected for a pilot position this year. I was asked if I would like to change my application to another trade. I assumed this was just an 'official notice' of what I had been told back in November (regarding all spots being filled); I told the gentleman I was not interested in any other trades at this time, and I asked if what I had been told back in November (about waiting until the next fiscal year) still applied. He said yes, and asked me to confirm that I would like to keep my file open for consideration in the next year, reminding me that I would need to do an updated interview and medical sometime in April. I agreed that this was the course of action I wanted to follow (nothing had changed in terms of how the rest of the process would play out), I thanked him and the conversation was over.
I then received a second call a few hours later (missed it unfortunately), informing me that he had come across some more information regarding my file, and asking that I call back when I get a chance. I called back first thing Tuesday morning, and was told that under no circumstances would I considered for a pilot position, and again was offered an opportunity to change trades. To my understanding, my being on the merit list meant just the opposite (that I would be considered for a position), and would stay on the merit list until I withdrew my application, or was eventually selected for a position; I asked for some clarification on the matter and he agreed; although he informed me that I was at no time on the merit list, due to a low interview score (causing a low mp score). According to the Captain who interviewed me, there is nothing about myself I need to change (ie. education, experience, fitness, community service, and activities are all great), it's just that the interview could have been better. I was unable to get him to elaborate further
My Questions
I had one person in November telling me face to face, that I had been merit listed, and now have another telling me the opposite. I figure there is an equal chance both of them are mistaken, so:
1. What is the best way to go about confirming this one way or the other?
2. Is there an ideal third party to talk to in such a situation?
3. I have been warned by a former CF pilot that recruiting center's can be rather ruthless in steering applicants from Pilot, to other 'vacant' trades, is that possibly what is going on here?
4. If my interview score was too low, why would I have been passed along the line and sent for ACS? If there is nothing else I could do to offset the interview score, would they not have known I was ineligible back in April?
5. Any other suggestions in how to proceed?
In any case, it seems this will not really affect the time line of getting (or not getting) an offer; I have to redo the interview and medical in April either way, and am under the impression that ACS and CFAT results will still be valid when I reapply in April. The only difference seems to whether my file stays open (in case#1) or if my file is closed, requiring me to reapply (in case #2).
I am a little frustrated at the moment, but still 100% dedicated to becoming a CF Pilot. I'm sure the trouble/wait will be worth it in the end.
Thanks in advance for your replies.