Selection is done within 6 stages:
- Pre-screening
- Initial Interview
- DLR Test
- Sim assesment
- Final Interview
- Drugs Screening

Pre-screening
Basically, the pre-screening is done within the company and you will only see the result if they call you for an appointment for the initial interview. When they do call you, they will send an email with information about the steps that will follow and also the documents they require when you decide to show up for the interview.
One of the documents you should bring is a recognized diploma from the Luxembourg Ministry of Education. In the letter they give you about this recognition, there is some information which states that your diploma should come along whit an translation from a sworn-in translator. First, call the contact person at the Ministry of Education (Mr. Fumanti) and ask him if a translation is necessary. Most of the time, Dutch diplomas won't have to be translated. Saves you some € 200,-.

Initial Interview
Interview is done in Luxembourg at the Headquarters. 2 pilots will be there to have a conversation with you. The atmosphere is very formal, but they like you to be relaxed. They start by explaining a lot about the job and the contract you have to sign. Afterwards they will ask you if you have questions about it. Then the real interview starts by asking you different questions. Expect questions about the first flight of Luxair, how many airplanes they have, the different type of airplanes, the name of the CEO, etc. They will also ask a couple of technical questions. For example the working principle of a basic jet engine and the different T/O segments (so be prepared). Other questions that may come up: explain the principle of a turboprop engine, how does a wing create lift, the isa-deviation at something-thousand feet with minus-something degrees and the entries into a holding pattern. Afterwards they give you the opportunity to ask some questions. Result of the initial interview was in my case within 48 hours (november 2008), but they tell you they will inform you in 1 week.

DLR Test
This DLR Test is done in Hamburg. It is not in German, as many expect, but in English. It is slightly different then the LH version, also easier to do. Expect an English test, Spatial orientation, mathematical test, multiple tasking, etc. On different sites you can find information about the DLR test and you can even buy a programm to train yourself (usefull!!).
Luxair provides a hotel the night before the test. They also arrange transport from the hotel to the DLR centre. A car might be easier, but be familiar with the way you have to drive to the centre. Make sure you are well rested. It is not impossible to do. One week after the test Luxair will give you the results.

Sim Assessment
The grading is done on a 737-300 simulator at the RWL Flight Academy in Mönchengladbach (D). In advance you will receive some information from Luxair about the grading. Info is about pitch and thrust settings, and the profiles being used. Be familiar with the Luxembourg airport nav aids, etc. This saves a lot of extra brain capacity. They check basic IFR, your cockpit attitude and workload management (as far as I could notice). You will be sitting on the right side as PF and you will have a PNF, but be aware: radio is operated by you! Be preprared to have the Chief Pilot EMB145, Chief Flight Instructor and 1 psychologist in the simulator. They take their selection very serious!
Simride:
First an introduction by your PNF (CP EMB) about all the instruments and all other things you will need during the grading. Then a 10 minutes warm up (Departure and ILS).
Then you will fly a departure to a VOR and directly to a holding. From this holding a Full Procedure ILS rwy 24 resulting in a G/A. Fly the whole missed approach procedure. Then a NDB DME approach rwy 24 with a full stop landing. Expect also some interceptions, steep turns etc.

Final Interview
The Final Interview is with 2 pilots and 2 psychologists. You can expect questions in many directions at any time. Why do you wanted te become a pilot? What are positive and negative sides of your character? Why do you want to fly for Luxair? But expect also some role plays with the psychologist. You have to read out loud a piece of text. Expect questions about an English text. By the way... everything is in English.

Drugs Screening
They will let you do a drugs screening at the day you are signing your contract.

Good Luck!!

Extra information about the working conditions (november 2008):

First six months & 350 hrs (max 8 months): € 2.980,- before tax (taxes around 20%)
Thereafter: € 4.000,- before tax
Every year a raise of approx. € 100,- before tax
13th month paid.
Additional percentages as follows:
Sunday 70%
Holiday 100%
Night 20%
All tax free
Additional flight duty allowance: approx. € 350,- a month

Time to command between 5 and 10 years.
Legal pension.
Extra legal pension because basic is only € 5.000,- per month. Gap between 70% captains salary and € 5.000,- is filled by company. All paid in once after retiring.
Health insurance.
Work insurance.
Uniform and free airport parking.
License and medical fees paid for.
ID-tickets.
10 days off per month (1 block of 4 days), if working more than 85 hours every 4 hours of work is compensated for by 1 extra day off (plus the normal salary of course).
6 weeks vacation.