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Which Airline did you interview with? Delta
How many days between invite, interview, and listed availability? 2 weeks
Did you receive a job offer? Yes
If you did not receive the CJO why do you think you weren’t chosen to continue in the process? N/A
What is your experience? 121 only
Total Flight Time 5,000-8,000
Total Turbine PIC Time < 1,000
General Overview of Experience Positive, professional folks at Delta. They really do want you to succeed. You can tell it is not enjoyable for Capt H. when he has to tell a candidate they didn’t succeed.
How long did you have your application in before you received an invite? 12 months +
Did you attend a job fair? Yes
Did you do anything special that triggered the interview invitation? Went to three job fairs in the past four years and attended the Delta open house last October. Had an internal rec 14 months ago, but still heard crickets. Hired Charles V. at checkedandset.net after seeing a friend use his service, and with less experience, get the invite. Had to wait 12 months for another review. This past July a friend wrote a recommendation to the pilot selection team and I think that triggered the invite.
How many internal recs did you have? 5+
How long was it from the time of your invite to the actual interview? 4 weeks
Did you have any issues with logbooks, application or paperwork? My paper logbook was stolen in more than 12 years ago. Since then I kept flight records with an electronic logbook (logbook pro). The interviewers wanted to know more, so after explaining what happened, I politely informed them that the last section in my logbook had copies of a memorandum for record, police report, notary public, FAA/Medical records, and a photo copy of the last logbook page I had before the theft took place (all this was per FAA’s guidance). No further questions.
Only issue with application was I had listed all jobs held from after high school to present (as advised by a professional application review service). While telling a story about mowing lawns and busing tables in high school to pay for my private pilot, HR rep asked why those jobs were not listed in my application. I explained airlineapps instructions state “must account for the last 10 years”. I provided more than 17 years of work history from h.s. graduation to present, and thought that was more than enough. The HR rep informed me that Delta wants EVERY place I ever worked in my life. I apologized for misunderstanding that section on the application and that it was an honest mistake. The HR rep gave me a sheet of paper and told me to list those jobs in h.s. on that sheet after the HR interview was done. This took place at the beginning of the interview and I was concerned I may have already belly flopped the interview. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. If something similar happens to you, just shake it off and keep your composure.
How did you prepare for the JKT/COG portion of the interview? Did the RST 15-day course and read everything on the website (ground school, flashcards, practice quizzes, etc.) and all documents in the file section of the RST FB website. Made sure I covered everything everyone in previous ride reports said they saw on their tests. I probably over-prepared as I spent 6-8 hours a day studying from the day I received the invite to the day of the interview (6 weeks). I over prepared, but I have been trying for this for a long time and was determined to not fail an objective portion of the interview that I had control over (or at least more control over than the HR portion). If I can offer any advice to anyone reading this who doesn’t have an interview yet: start studying now. I was told by a Delta pilot they plan on hiring 1,000 pilots a year for at least the next seven years, and they expect that trend to continue beyond that time frame. So, there’s a good chance you will get the call. Best to start studying a little now so when you get the call you’re already comfortable with many of the concepts and won’t have to study nearly as much. Like everyone else has said, the concepts are key. RST does a great job of outlining a plan to learn the concepts, but it wasn’t fun having to cram that much knowledge into a 6-week time frame.
Technical Test Questions Pencil and one sheet of paper provided. Same questions as the previous ride reports this week, with a few additional ones I remember:
– You set your altimeter to the local altimeter setting, what altitude is the altimeter reading? a) pressure altitude b) true altitude c) indicated altitude d) absolute altitude.
– You are operating a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. You depart Miami at 2300 local, the flight takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, you land in Los Angeles at 0730 zulu. What time did you leave Miami (zulu) and what time did you arrive in Los Angeles (local)? a) 0100 Z, 0230 L; b) 0300 Z, 0030 L; c) 0200 Z, 0130 L; d) 0000 Z, 0030 L
– You’re on an NDB approach for runway 09 and you have a headwind of 090/10. The NDB is located 5 miles from the runway, you are currently 3 miles from the runway and the tail of your ADF is pointing at 100 degrees. What do you do to regain the center line of the runway? a) maintain current heading; b) turn to a heading greater than 100 degrees; c) turn to a heading less than 090 degrees; d) don’t remember
– You’re on the 090 radial at 20 DME flying towards the VOR. You want to fly to a fix located on the 190 radial at 60 DME. What heading would you fly? a) 360; b) 190; c) 210; d) 010
– In a multiengine aircraft you have three fuel tanks. Two wing tanks have XX amount of fuel and 2 fuel pumps each, the center tank has XX amount of fuel and four fuel pumps. With all fuel pumps operating and all cross-feed valves open, what order do the fuel tanks empty? a) all at the same time; b) the tank with the most fuel followed by the other two tanks; c) the center tank followed by the wing tanks; d) the wing tanks followed by the center tank
– An integrated drive generator maintains constant what during operation? a) constant voltage; b) constant amperage; c) constant frequency; d) constant pressure
– APU current is measured in: a) volts; b) amps; c) watts; d) kilovolt amps
– Lead radial question
– Indicated, true, mach question (-ITM+ or +ITM-)
– HAT/MDA VDP question
– Noncompulsory/compulsory point (Jeppesen enroute map provided)
– Another enroute map question having to do with distance and direction (Jeppesen enroute map provided)
– What is the TCH on this approach? (approach plate provided)
– Question about illuminated runway status lights and crossing traffic down field. The answers provided were not the best choices as the “most correct” choice had something I didn’t agree with (sorry don’t remember) but the second part of the answer said to contact ATC immediately.
– Questions about compressor and turbine sections of the engine
– Question regarding the diffuser
– N1 is rotating along with EGT rise but N2 indicator is displaying zero, what could be the problem? (N2 indicator is inop)
– Which lights illuminate amber for the last 2,000 feet? a) centerline lights; b) runway edge lights; c) taxiway lead lights; d) don’t remember
In total, about 60% aerodynamics, 10% engine, 10% navigation, 10% engineer, 10% weather
What was the hardest technical question or content you experienced during the job knowledge test? I don’t remember the verbiage, nor do I remember what the concept entirely involved. I just remember this question was the very first question on the test and had to do with Mach, calibrated airspeed, true airspeed, and something to do with center of pressure/lift. There wasn’t anything I remember similar to this question covered in the RST training materials. My first thought was, “crap, this is the first question and I’ve got 59 more like this?! What if all of the other ones are this difficult?” (they are not). I spent too much time trying to figure it out and ended up skipping it. The biggest lesson I hope you take away from this is if you find yourself spending more than one minute on a question, skip it and go to the next one because you can always come back to it. There is a countdown timer from 60 minutes on the bottom right hand side of the screen. I must have spent five minutes fretting over the first question trying to use the concepts I knew to come to a conclusive answer. Another thing to consider: when skipping a difficult question to come back to later, the antiquated software program (think Windows 94) won’t let you select a question number you skipped and zip you right back to it. You have to click the “previous” button at the bottom of the screen and then wait for it to refresh. This takes a LONG time to get back to the page you’re looking for. By the time I got to the 60th question, I had to go back to the first question to answer it. This took about 90 seconds just to click through all the screens to get there. This burned up a lot of time I didn’t have because I wasted so much time mulling over the first question. If you can go through the test and answer the ones you know, you’ll have more time to go back and re-attack the ones you aren’t so sure about (I had four questions I needed to go back and solve). If I had used this approach instead of trying to solve every question on the first look, I would have had more time to relax and answer the four questions I had to skip. Instead, I was rushing the clock just to click back to the questions I needed to answer, plus the time it took to click forward to the last question so that I could submit the test. I heard of an applicant who forgot to submit the test at the end before the clock expired and he received a zero on the JKT. Don’t do that.
Cog Test Like everyone said, the real cog test was much slower than RST. With a few exceptions, I didn’t think it was easier, but instead a little more difficult as I had been using RST’s version and got used to going really fast. On the RST version of the number-letter sequence, I was usually getting to 18-R, 19-S, but because Delta’s version is considerably slower I was only able to get to the letter M. After seeing how the lag time was messing me up, and knowing I incorrectly selected a button because I was going faster than the computer, I had to tell myself to slow down and just go for accuracy. I was told this by previous test takers, but it is difficult as your adrenaline is flowing and you have to fight to tell yourself to slow down. Bottom line: accuracy and speed, in that order. Not speed then accuracy. The X-I-L-T-U-O test popped up one additional time after the first go, but you have to be ready at any time since I heard of some folks getting that test up to three additional times. I borrowed a technique from a friend: between each module after being shown the first X-I-L-T-U-O test, repeat the letters in your head as well as spell out the letter on the desk with your finger. Also, when you get to the part where you have to select right/left to keep the cursor (F16 on RST) centered, repeat the letters in your head. Ex: press the right key “XIL”, press the left key “TUO”, right “XIL”, left “TUO”, repeat. This repetition helped make the sequence stick in my mind.
Cog Math Questions Easier than RST, as previously briefed. If I had to guess, you get about 25-30 seconds for each question. I got wrapped up in one and it went to the next question without me selecting an answer. Because you don’t get a pencil and sheet of paper for this part, some things you’re used to solving with those resources need to be solved in your head as practice. I had a question that pertained to the tutorial video someone posted on the RST FB page on how to solve percentages into numbers. Ex: 60% of the voting population showed up to vote. If 223 people voted, how many people make up the population? I was trying to do the math in my head while using the technique that video taught. It would have helped to practice solving those kinds of question in my head leading up to the test, instead of using pencil and paper at home.
HR Questions Had two Delta pilots (one active, one retired) and a HR rep. Throughout the process everyone was professional. I was a little surprised to see both the pilots all smiles and the HR rep playing the more serious role, or maybe the HR rep wasn’t playing? Was asked to give intro in 3 minutes or less. I had only practiced the 5-minute approach leading up to the interview. So, I made a quick mental decision to stick with that, and if anyone looks annoyed because I’ve been talking more than 3 minutes, then I’ll wrap it up. They seemed interested the entire time so I continued with my 5-minute speech I had practiced and no one interrupted. Then the application questions began. They scrutinize the application line by line, so make sure your application is absolutely accurate (i.e. jobs, dates, gpa, etc.) and make sure it accurately reflects your life. My application was accurate, I just have a “less than normal” path to becoming an airline pilot, and I was heavily questioned on the details of that. Whatever is in your past, be prepared to talk about it with confidence. They are going to ask about things in your life that may be uncomfortable to talk about. You need to get comfortable talking about those things. In addition to those questions on my application, was asked the following:
Why did you choose the college you attended? Tell us about your first solo. Tell us about an emotional/stressful period in your life and how you handled that. You’ve had an impressive career outside the airlines, why didn’t you stay in that line of work? Did you try to get a pilot slot when you served as an officer in the military? What is it about a flying career that you like better than an office job? (That was a softball question and felt like a grand slam after answering). Then the WWYD round began:
– You run into a friend from new-hire training in the crew parking lot. You’re headed to your car and he’s headed into work. You’re sure you smell alcohol on his breath, WWYD? (Whatever you say you’ll do, they always take the story down the most difficult path. Tell what you would do on each step. Then as the scenario comes near the end and you’re only left with two crummy options, verbalize the two options out loud, pick one, and explain why you chose that option.) They’re looking to see how your thought process works. 1. Confirm the facts/details, 2. Explore your options as you see them, 3. Get advice when applicable/expand the circle (phone a friend, ALPA alcohol hotline, etc.), 4. Make a decision. After all options were exhausted and the pilot consistently told me to get out of his way as he walked to the gate, I chose to seek assistance from the chief pilot. I almost said I would talk to the captain of the airplane, but stopped myself as that could’ve opened a can of worms. After I said I would immediately seek assistance from a chief pilot, the scenario was over.
– WWYD if you’re giving a preflight briefing to crew and two flight attendants aren’t paying attention/playing on their phone? (Safety issue, corrected it on the spot.)
– You’ve corrected the issue on the spot, yet a few minutes later the two FA’s aren’t paying attention again, WWYD? (Praise in public, criticize in private. Obviously my previous correction had no effect. Took them both into the jet bridge for stronger, yet respectful, correction. Challenged FA’s to be the professionals I know they are to operate a safe flight, but if they are not willing to do that, I will go to their supervisor and find two other FA’s who are. Put some of the burden on their shoulders with consequences if not willing to follow). No further questions on that scenario.
– You’re the captain of the airplane, waiting in line to take off. Delta’s policy is not to fly XX miles within a thunderstorm. There is a thunderstorm at the end of the departure runway within that limitation. All the other planes are taking off, WWYD? (1. Explore other options – different runway, different SID, heading on departure, check with dispatch, ask FO if he/she has anything? No options. 2. Since safety is first, pull over and wait it out, no more than 15-20 minute delay. 3. Call FA’s and let them know what’s going on. 4. Make PA to passengers and explain the situation while emphasizing safety. I then did a mock PA of what I would say. Ending on a positive by telling the customers we’ll try to make the time up enroute and thanked them for their patience.)
– Then a few more WWYD scenarios after these I can’t remember. The key is to go through the steps previously briefed while keeping in mind the following:
1. Safety first, always
2. Passenger comfort
3. Protect the Delta brand/save money
How long prior to the interview did you prepare for the HR portion of the interview? Prepped three years ago with Emerald Coast before interviewing at my current LCC. Used these same techniques leading up to Delta’s interview, then used their “top off” a week before to make sure I was good to go.
Which HR Prep service did you use and did it help? Emerald Coast. I was assigned a “top off” with a current Delta employee. His advice was gold and worth more than the price of admission I paid three years ago for my current airline’s interview. Although the Delta interview team says you don’t need coaching if you just be yourself, it doesn’t hurt to seek professional advice to fine tune yourself. We as line pilots do not interview people every day like they do, so we’re not proficient at it. It’s similar to a line pilot asking a retired pilot who now makes a living doing interviews every day, “Go out there and fly the line for a day and just be yourself, after all, you are a pilot.” Retired pilot, “Yes, but I haven’t flown in quite some time and my performance might be a little rusty.” Exactly. I highly recommend getting lessons on how to interview effectively.
Any additional information you would like to add. Thank you for your product RST. I don’t know how previous pilots did it, hats off to them as that was the most difficult interview process I’ve ever experienced.
Is their anything you wish you could have done different to prepare you for this process? Wish I had started using RST’s services earlier to get the concepts down. That would have made this process a lot less stressful. If I had never received an invite to interview, I would at least be a more knowledgeable pilot at my current airline.
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