working out for Disney

[MinnieM123]

@Sans Souci , maybe this isn't the most comforting ending to all your efforts, but there is an expression about things happening for a reason. And, every experience in life teaches us something new. Perhaps the outcome you wanted, just wasn't meant to be for you. Perhaps United may be a better fit. But as Songbird76 suggested, it would be quite interesting to see what they rated you on.

(As for the phones unattended, that is unacceptable and I don't blame you for not leaving it there. If they in any way make a comment about that in their assessment of you, then good riddens to them, I'd say.

I am sorry that you didn't get the job, but my hunch is that doors will open for you elsewhere. Be proud of the work you put into all this, and I admire you for that.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Hello-

I just wanted to thank everyone for the good luck wishes, but unfortunately, I wasn't selected. My nerves got the better of me in the group interview. I was perfectly fine before that in the group activity. It was supposed to 5 people and 5 questions per group interview, but my group interview had 13 people and three questions, so it felt more like public speaking and less of a group interview. The first question was the "tell me about yourself and why you want to be an AA FA," which was a video interview question that I nailed. Well, my response was nowhere to be found. I cobbled something together but it wasn't as good as the little spiel that left my brain. I did fine on the other questions, but the die was cast at that point.

Plus, I wish people would realize "tell me about yourself" isn't a rundown of your resume, it's not an autobiographical question. It's the highlight reel of your career and why you think you and your skills will benefit the company. Some people were just going on and on for 3+ minutes, just zig zagging around with no cohesive, over-arching theme. Tell me about yourself is supposed to be no longer than 1 min.

I never got a one on one interview. I felt like I was at a hiring event, as there was about 75 people there. I was a number, not a person and the whole process felt sterile with a lot of contrived phoniness. They asked us to hand over our phones, but I refused upon discovering they were not going to be stored in a secure location--so another strike against me. I think they are looking for extraverted people who are unquestioningly compliant.

As the recruiter walked me out, he handed me a card with an email address to receive feedback on my performance. My husband thinks I should. I kind of don't care, because from what I saw there, i don't think I'll be reapplying in 6 months. I'll think about it over the weekend and make a call on Monday.

I was grateful for the access to the Centurion Lounge at DFW. I had a cocktail and some tasty Tex-Mex food as I waited (4 hours) for my flight home. There was little chance of me running into someone who got a job offer in there. I was trying so hard to keep it together, but tears came out anyway. (It was weird, I wasn't crying, but tears were coming out of my eyes anyway.) An employee saw me, even though I was trying desperately to be discreet. She asked me if I was OK and I said I was. But she came back with some water and some tissues for me.

So, I'm just licking my wounds today. I am still in the running for United. I read they don't make you do a group activity and there are 2 rounds of one on one interviews. Plus their process moves at a glacial pace, which works in my favor. Definitely going to Toastmasters Monday night and I am going to look into getting help for my anxiety. I feel like I have a lot to offer an employer, but my anxiety prevents me from demonstrating that in an interview.

But again, thanks for all of the well-wishes. They made me feel really positive.

I'm sorry this one didn't work out, but by the sound of things, this may be an omen. I couldn't imagine going through all of the paces prior to this step just to show up at something like this. I also think the phone part is a real problem. I'm sure there are people naive or desperate enough to willfully hand over their phones, but I'm an extremely extroverted person who's also highly suspicious and I certainly would have been a hard no on that as well. Sheesh, in my industry, I have some things I do where phones aren't permitted, but they (third party firms we use) always have complimentary lockers to ensure the safety of our belongings. A company that doesn't afford prospective employees that kind of courtesy/respect probably has employee satisfaction issues as well.

I also would give feedback. I'm not sure if that's the extrovert in me or my finding cathartic closure in such things. Still, they should know that their process not only fails to give prospects adequate security for their belongings but is severely lacking in any meaningful ways to really get to know and screen the candidate field for anything beyond superficial matters. The hot head in me might even go as far as wondering (in my response) if poor customer feedback (the online review results I've seen) are possibly a direct result of their poor system for screening candidates. OK, that's probably going a bit too far, but it does make you wonder.

So, on to bigger and better things. It sounds like United's process is a bit better and you'll have time to prepare. Something to look forward to

 

[Sans Souci]

@Sans Souci , maybe this isn't the most comforting ending to all your efforts, but there is an expression about things happening for a reason. And, every experience in life teaches us something new. Perhaps the outcome you wanted, just wasn't meant to be for you. Perhaps United may be a better fit. But as Songbird76 suggested, it would be quite interesting to see what they rated you on.

(As for the phones unattended, that is unacceptable and I don't blame you for not leaving it there. If they in any way make a comment about that in their assessment of you, then good riddens to them, I'd say.

I am sorry that you didn't get the job, but my hunch is that doors will open for you elsewhere. Be proud of the work you put into all this, and I admire you for that.

Thank you for taking the time to write this. <3 I agree about United possibly being a better fit. I really wanted to be a part of AA. My grandfather started working there in 1941 as a mechanic and then trained as a pilot through their in house program. When he retired, he had the most seniority of any commercial pilot at the time. My father started working there out of high school and he loved airplanes. My parents were divorced and on the weekends my father would bring me to O'Hare to watch the planes take off. Sometimes we'd wait for my grandfather's flight to return and I'd get to go in a cockpit after the passengers were all off of the plane. I still love to watch planes take off and every time I see one lift off of the ground I am always in awe.

 

[Sans Souci]

I'm sorry this one didn't work out, but by the sound of things, this may be an omen. I couldn't imagine going through all of the paces prior to this step just to show up at something like this. I also think the phone part is a real problem. I'm sure there are people naive or desperate enough to willfully hand over their phones, but I'm an extremely extroverted person who's also highly suspicious and I certainly would have been a hard no on that as well. Sheesh, in my industry, I have some things I do where phones aren't permitted, but they (third party firms we use) always have complimentary lockers to ensure the safety of our belongings. A company that doesn't afford prospective employees that kind of courtesy/respect probably has employee satisfaction issues as well.

I also would give feedback. I'm not sure if that's the extrovert in me or my finding cathartic closure in such things. Still, they should know that their process not only fails to give prospects adequate security for their belongings but is severely lacking in any meaningful ways to really get to know and screen the candidate field for anything beyond superficial matters. The hot head in me might even go as far as wondering (in my response) if poor customer feedback (the online review results I've seen) are possibly a direct result of their poor system for screening candidates. OK, that's probably going a bit too far, but it does make you wonder.

So, on to bigger and better things. It sounds like United's process is a bit better and you'll have time to prepare. Something to look forward to

Thanks. It's not just about the phone getting stolen. My phone is old, it's the info on the phone that's more worrisome. I have had too many unauthorized purchases on my CCs in the past and I don't want my identity stolen. I'm sorry if my reticence to hand over my phone insulted the recruiters, but I don't know any of them. I also took my wallet into the interview room, too and they had a problem with that too. It is a bigger wallet, not something I could put in a pocket--not that I had any. LOL

 

[Sans Souci]

Today is the day I start transitioning back into workouts. I let myself sleep in a bit vs doing my normal morning routine since yesterday was a really early and busy day. We were up around 4am and at my younger one's school by 5:30am for their big trip to Austin. Chaperones can't ride the buses, so it was over 6 hours (back and forth) in my vehicle. I still got in nearly 14,000 steps yesterday and there were a lot of hills and stairs, so extra effort involved as well...not to mention the extra work lugging around a full backpack and running after kids. At least it was a gorgeous day...very early spring feeling...around 80. Austin also is far less humid than Houston and there was a nice breeze, so that made it even better.

Wow, I am surprised they didn't let chaperones ride the busses? You're volunteering your time and they couldn't give you a seat on the bus as a small token of appreciation? That's really rude, especially since that's not a short journey. But otherwise, it sounds like you had a great time.

 

[Sans Souci]

Good morning--

I jumped back in to my routine this AM. Today was weights and a bit of cardio. I did nothing Saturday and Sunday--couch potato city. I did sit outside on Saturday with a class of prosecco, since it was 75 and sunny. But other than that, I was just recharging. I felt like I really needed it. I was living on adrenaline last week and I felt like a crashed when I got home.

I am going to Toastmaster's tonight and I have reached out to someone who can help me with my anxiety. I also emailed AA for feedback on my performance. Once I get feedback from them, I fully intend to respond with some feedback for them, too--'cause I'm a generous soul.

Now that the shock has worn off, I am finding humor in my interview. It was honestly the most surreal interview experience I've ever had. There was a young woman in her 20s sitting next to me in the lobby. She told me she was a Mechanical Engineer and she had recently applied for an engineering position at AA, but was not selected. She told me getting a FA position was her back door way of getting into the engineering dept. I don't know, that seemed like a stupid plan to me. How are you keeping/improving your engineering skills as a FA? She was in my group interview and her responses were nothing specular until the end, when she mentioned her mom who is a gate agent for AA at JFK. She started getting verklempt talking about AA, like tearing up and choking out words. "I wrote a paper on AA in college and I even got to interview the lead manager at JFK." But you know what, she got the job. I'm not willing to lose my dignity over a job, but that's just me.

There was another woman at my table for the group activity. Out of nowhere, she said, "People tell me I look Julia Roberts all the time." OMG, no. She absolutely did not, not even if you crossed your eyes and squinted. I just said, "Cool story." She was low key insulting people at our table, too. She was in a different group for the group interview and when she came back and shouted, "I F'N NAILD IT!" But she said the f-word--who talks like that at a job interview? So inappropriate. Her hair looked like it had a passing acquaintance with a brush. I have no idea if she was hired or not. I hope not. I honestly wondered if she was a plant, because airlines do that in an interview to see how you react.

What was telling to me was after the group interview where my brain and mouth decided not to work together and I messed up the first question, was nobody who was in that room wanted to be seen with me. I tried talking to people on the way back to the holding room, but they ignored me and went in their own groups. It's like I was radioactive and they thought I would damage their chances if a recruiter saw them with me. I felt vindicated when one of the women who snubbed me was on the reject shuttle with me back to DFW. THEN she started talking to me, complaining about the whole process. I just acted like I was busy texting, which I was.

So, yeah, weirdest interview experience ever! It is honestly a learning experience for me in so many ways. I can reapply in 6 months once I get the official email, but it's highly doubtful. I don't like jumping through hoops and when I go to an interview. I am also looking to see if the employer is a fit for myself, too. I was disappointed with what I saw. I had questions about the airline itself and its expected growth when the market is about to tank again. I wanted to know why AA has no footprint in India and some African countries when their economies are robust. There was no opportunity to ask. They were only taking questions about the FA lifestyle.

Anyway, I'll stop now. I won't talk about it anymore. It's over and I can only move forward from here. But thanks for letting me vent.

 

[MinnieM123]

Thank you for taking the time to write this. <3 I agree about United possibly being a better fit. I really wanted to be a part of AA. My grandfather started working there in 1941 as a mechanic and then trained as a pilot through their in house program. When he retired, he had the most seniority of any commercial pilot at the time. My father started working there out of high school and he loved airplanes. My parents were divorced and on the weekends my father would bring me to O'Hare to watch the planes take off. Sometimes we'd wait for my grandfather's flight to return and I'd get to go in a cockpit after the passengers were all off of the plane. I still love to watch planes take off and every time I see one lift off of the ground I am always in awe.

That is so cool that you had a family background in the airlines. I recall one time when my father (not a pilot), took the family to Logan Airport (Boston) and we all went out on the outside observation deck (back in the day when security wasn't anything like it is now). We'd watch the airplanes take off and land. (I also remember getting dressed up, because my mother said that people dressed up to go to the airport!) She was right--back then, they all did!

Aside of that little trip down memory lane, I am sorry that you didn't get the job, as I understand you would have liked to continue on in the family tradition.

 

[Gabe1]

Thank you for taking the time to write this. <3 I agree about United possibly being a better fit. I really wanted to be a part of AA. My grandfather started working there in 1941 as a mechanic and then trained as a pilot through their in house program. When he retired, he had the most seniority of any commercial pilot at the time. My father started working there out of high school and he loved airplanes. My parents were divorced and on the weekends my father would bring me to O'Hare to watch the planes take off. Sometimes we'd wait for my grandfather's flight to return and I'd get to go in a cockpit after the passengers were all off of the plane. I still love to watch planes take off and every time I see one lift off of the ground I am always in awe.

Good memories. I am old enough to remember the observation deck at Ohare, I grew up a few miles from there and ultimately worked for a Major Airline after college there. It is something about airplanes and them being in your blood, though not all that pleasant in the middle of the night as they rattle your home taking off and landing the cargo planes.

 

[Figgy1]

Good memories. I am old enough to remember the observation deck at Ohare, I grew up a few miles from there and ultimately worked for a Major Airline after college there. It is something about airplanes and them being in your blood, though not all that pleasant in the middle of the night as they rattle your home taking off and landing the cargo planes.

For me it was the tower at Newark EWR airport, nothing beat watching the planes go in and out from there

 

[Figgy1]

I'm still alive and as busy as ever. Sunday I did a short moving meditation and then went out shopping all day, I got everything on my list and then some except sandals Yesterday was the same except instead of shopping I cooked all day pics will be up on my IG later or currently over on the chit chat thread. @MinnieM123 was upset no meat was involved Today the same except I'm going to go out walking dressed like the tire guy. Keeping my fingers crossed for @Sans Souci

 

[Songbird76]

Thanks. It's not just about the phone getting stolen. My phone is old, it's the info on the phone that's more worrisome. I have had too many unauthorized purchases on my CCs in the past and I don't want my identity stolen. I'm sorry if my reticence to hand over my phone insulted the recruiters, but I don't know any of them. I also took my wallet into the interview room, too and they had a problem with that too. It is a bigger wallet, not something I could put in a pocket--not that I had any. LOL

Why would they have a problem with you taking your wallet in if they weren't going to steal anything? Sorry, but nope. If they won't protect your stuff, they can hardly be mad that you don't trust them!

 

[Sans Souci]

That is so cool that you had a family background in the airlines. I recall one time when my father (not a pilot), took the family to Logan Airport (Boston) and we all went out on the outside observation deck (back in the day when security wasn't anything like it is now). We'd watch the airplanes take off and land. (I also remember getting dressed up, because my mother said that people dressed up to go to the airport!) She was right--back then, they all did!

Aside of that little trip down memory lane, I am sorry that you didn't get the job, as I understand you would have liked to continue on in the family tradition.

That's a really cool family memory. I'm always amazed when I see photos of people on airplanes or boarding airplanes. Men wore suits and woman wore dresses and pillbox hats. I've been on overnight flights to the UK where I've seen people in flannel pajama bottoms. I understand wanting to be comfortable, but that can be accomplished without wearing jammies.

 

[Sans Souci]

Good memories. I am old enough to remember the observation deck at Ohare, I grew up a few miles from there and ultimately worked for a Major Airline after college there. It is something about airplanes and them being in your blood, though not all that pleasant in the middle of the night as they rattle your home taking off and landing the cargo planes.

It does get in your blood! My great-grandparents used to live in a neighborhood adjacent to MDW. There wasn't a lot of air traffic until Southwest came to town. By the mid-late 90's it became very busy. I can only imagine what it's like now.


I went to the Chicago suburbs to visit my mom and grandmother for Thanksgiving and I went through O'Hare. There's more diversity in terms of aircraft there than here in Philly. I got to see one of my beloved 747s at O'Hare. I think they are amazing. I wish they'd keep them in production, but I understand why they no longer do.

 

[Sans Souci]

I'm still alive and as busy as ever. Sunday I did a short moving meditation and then went out shopping all day, I got everything on my list and then some except sandals Yesterday was the same except instead of shopping I cooked all day pics will be up on my IG later or currently over on the chit chat thread. @MinnieM123 was upset no meat was involved Today the same except I'm going to go out walking dressed like the tire guy. Keeping my fingers crossed for @Sans Souci

Thanks! What is your IG? I'm not on IG, but I'd be curious to see your meals.

 

[Sans Souci]

Why would they have a problem with you taking your wallet in if they weren't going to steal anything? Sorry, but nope. If they won't protect your stuff, they can hardly be mad that you don't trust them!

They are worried about people taping their process. I tried bringing my purse in, but that was a no-no. So I pulled out my wallet and brought it, with my phone. I showed them so many times it was off. I think they are looking for people incapable of independent thought. LOL

They are so worried about their interview "special sauce" being out there on the interview. There's a website called "Glassdoor" where people discuss salary, interviews, and company culture. People have posted the entire interview process in detail on Glassdoor, including yours truly. No cell phone required.

 

[Sans Souci]

Hello-

Yesterday was yoga and today was a bit of cardio and weights. It's going to be 66 here today, so I'll definitely be getting out in that.

I did reach out to American Airlines for feedback, only to be told they don't do that. One hand doesn't know what the other is doing. I swear on my son's life, this recruiter gave me a business card and told me to contact them if I wanted feedback. He also told me if I did that and decided to reapply, I could skip the stupid personality test and go straight to the video interview.

Also, I meant to forward the email to my husband with a snarky comment ("Wow. So helpful.") and I think I accidentally replied to them and didn't forward to him. Zero bothers given.

I went to a Toastmasters meeting Monday night. It seemed ok. I'm going to return next week with my dues.

When my husband picked me up, I sat down in the passenger's seat and he had a put a whoopee cushion down. OMG, he was laughing so hard, he started crying. He said, "It was well worth the $1 I spent on it at Target." I told him to watch his back.

 

[Figgy1]

@Sans Souci I sent a PM

 

[Figgy1]

This morning was meditation and cleaning and I'm hoping to get in a LONG walk or 2 shorter ones depending on how much it warms up

 

[Songbird76]

Hello-

Yesterday was yoga and today was a bit of cardio and weights. It's going to be 66 here today, so I'll definitely be getting out in that.

I did reach out to American Airlines for feedback, only to be told they don't do that. One hand doesn't know what the other is doing. I swear on my son's life, this recruiter gave me a business card and told me to contact them if I wanted feedback. He also told me if I did that and decided to reapply, I could skip the stupid personality test and go straight to the video interview.

Also, I meant to forward the email to my husband with a snarky comment ("Wow. So helpful.") and I think I accidentally replied to them and didn't forward to him. Zero bothers given.

I went to a Toastmasters meeting Monday night. It seemed ok. I'm going to return next week with my dues.

When my husband picked me up, I sat down in the passenger's seat and he had a put a whoopee cushion down. OMG, he was laughing so hard, he started crying. He said, "It was well worth the $1 I spent on it at Target." I told him to watch his back.

I don't even know how to respond to that...I understand it's a huge company, and communication doesn't always seem to work well in large companies, but there should at least be a sort of protocol within departments. I would look into maybe seeing if you can somehow contact the HR department and let them know your concerns about them not providing a safe place for personal belongings during the interview, despite them asking you to leave those belongings outside, and about the communication. Do you remember names of the people? The one who asked you to leave belongings, the one who handed you the card for feedback, the one who told you they don't do that? If you let HR know, hopefully some changes can be made.

The whoopie cushion sounds lit something my husband would do. Sometimes he's got the maturity of an 8 year old boy.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Wow, I am surprised they didn't let chaperones ride the busses? You're volunteering your time and they couldn't give you a seat on the bus as a small token of appreciation? That's really rude, especially since that's not a short journey. But otherwise, it sounds like you had a great time.

I'm not sure if it's something in TX law, but chaperones have been required to provide their own transportation for every single field trip my kids have had over the years. I believe we are going on the bus for the Dallas trip later this month, but I understand it's because it's considered an overnight trip.