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Delta Air Lines Pilot Interview Profiles

» Home » Pilot Interviews » Major Airlines » Delta Air Lines
Date Interviewed: February 2008
Summary of Qualifications: 7000TT All Civilian
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
All the gouge is right on!!! The only thing I got asked was what I did to prepare for the interview. I was completely honest, but gave them a general answer, and they proceeded to ask if I did formal prep. I answered honestly and said yes Air Inc. God I'm glad I was honest, because I forgot that I the DVD video from my prep in my logbook sleeve. It said on it Delta Prep Air Inc!!!!!! DO NOT LIE!!!! THEY KNOW EVERYTHING!!!

BTW, they read WFFF, and know exactly what is posted on here. they haven't changed much of the interview questions because I believe they really what you to succeed. However, they don't want canned answers...they want the real you.

My strongest advice: honesty - I have plenty of speeding ticket, a suspension from a previous employer, and was arrested (no conviction). I was fallible, and let them know it and what I learned. That leads to my next item, humility!!! Don't ever blame anyone else for your mistakes. Take responsibility. And finally, be yourself.
Date Interviewed: February 2008
Summary of Qualifications: 1700+ TT, 1500 A-10.
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
8 were to interview on Feb 7, 7 showed (1 Mil heavy, 1 Mil fighter, 3xRJ Guys got the job. 1 Mil heavy trainer, 1xRJ did not). I can’t tell you why, Id fly/work with all of them.

My $.02:

Interview scheduled for Thursday, flew in Tuesday night and did interview prep at AIR, INC on Wednesday morning. Scott was right on the money. His prep was definitely tougher than the interview itself. Didn’t help the stress level, but gave me a lot of confidence walking in the door to Delta. I was now polished and put aside some concerns that I had. Folks at the Comfort Inn were very helpful and friendly.
I tested first, then interviewed, then went to lunch. My best advice is to listen to Mr. Kraby and Tony. They want everyone to get hired.
Knowledge Test: The best gouge is a couple posts below for what to expect. All of us had different Qs. Best advice is to study ATP Written. I knew about 70% with confidence, 20% I felt I was able to narrow down with some certainty and 10% I threw a dart at. Standard multiple choice test taking skills here. Some answers just didn’t make sense (e.g. Thunderstorms contain violence and turbulence. VS. Thunderstorms contain cloud to ground lightening.). 75 Qs in 75 min. I finished the test in about 25 min then went back to the beginning and retook it. I ended up correcting about three or four. I think it took a little time for the nerves to settle down and then make a better educated guess. Finished with about 30 min left on the timer. Took a break and chatted with Tony and Adrienne. NEO-PI: 240 Qs in I think 60 min. Read the Q and answer honestly. Don’t think too much or you’ll get into a PIO that’ll look bad. There is nothing wrong with you; you are a good human being, answer honestly. Brought a power bar which I was glad to have. They have plenty of water and Adrienne had a bowl of chocolate that was about gone by the end of the day. Cog: Oh boy. Listen to Tony. Listen to Tony. Listen to Tony. Do the practice, do the practice, do the practice. Your 9 year old kid will do better than you because she just does what the directions say to do. A buddy who did it a few weeks before me gave me the in's and outs on the tests, but it was up to ME to figure out a way for ME to do it well. Took it in about 20 min.
Interview: Had to wait about 20-30 min but I felt I was ready to go in and didn’t want to keep the panel waiting. Extremely great guys. The retired Captain I had joked with me when he came to get me. They immediately relaxed me and we joked most of the way through. Don’t lose your sense of humor but be professional. I laughed at myself when I stumbled on some words and they laughed, too. They made me act like I was making a PA announcement and I joked about being a fighter guy, but stumbled through it in the most professional, Hollywood announcer voice I could. I felt like I was meeting the girlfriends father for the first time (i.e. be confident, easygoing, respectful). For me, they set softballs on the tee and let me swing away. When they felt they needed more, they asked within the scenario. Only one Q went the full length to see if I would change my stance or back down. I was in there for about 25 min when they said, I think were through with you. We talked for another 5 before they made the effort to shake my hand. Nonstandard, but I didn’t have to answer questions on sick leave, missed trips, etc.
At about 2:30 Mr. Kraby came to get myself and the Mil Heavy guy to offer us a conditional job. The other guys went in by one or two but didn’t mean a thing. One guy wore brown shoes and a striped tie with no red, brought in his luggage, didn’t have a copy of his passport and his log book times were 20 hours off of what was on the app. He got the job.
Day 2 is as briefed. The psych eval with the Psychiatrist IS AN INTERVIEW! That’s where I got the hard questions (e.g. Whats the worst mistake you’ve made in an airplane? What’s a situation you had to confront your boss on something you didn’t agree with?) Do not let your guard down, don't ramble on but approach it like you did the interview (confident, easygoing, and respectful). Do the MMPI the same way as the NEO-PI. As I write this I’m still waiting to see if I’m crazy or going to die of a heart attack at 33.

If you get the interview invite, you’ve got the job. Go prove you deserve it.
Date Interviewed: January 2008
Summary of Qualifications: Military
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
The day began with Mr. Kraby (a retired Delta man with gray hair) giving a pep-talk to everyone, remiding all that regardless of the days outcome, we were all still good pilots and good people. The ten of us were split apart with some interviewing first and some testing. Those testing were given an explanation of the tests by Tony (a portly black fella who is a good man that wants all to succeed and do well). As you know, the technical test has changed and there are many new questions. I finished the test with 17 minutes left and used the remainder to double check my answers. I didn't read any of the recommended books, only the gouge I found. There are very few math problems, but the ones given, were not difficult. Sample Questions: What is N1? What color are the lights in the last 2000' of the runway? What color are the lights exiting the runway leading to a taxiway? What is the hydroplane airspeed with a tire pressure of 144psi? What is used to convert AC power to DC power? What actions could cause a hydraulic cavitation? What is the sequence for engine start? I would try to provide more, but my mind was fried after the whole process. The interview, Cog & personality test is standard.

For the Cog test, know U=1, X=2, L=3, Upside Down T=4, -=5, & O=6. This is used multiple times during the test.

The eye test at Concentra sucks; out of four circles, you must tell them which of the four circles looks like a "C" vice an "O."
Date Interviewed: January 2008
Summary of Qualifications: Part 121 Regional CA
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
Day starts promptly at 8AM. Capt Arnie Kraby takes you back to a conference room to welcome everyone and go over the day. On the board are the interview times, was done alphabetically by last name. This intro/welcome time takes about 30 mins. After this, you get right in to things. Most go start the testing process, while 2 will do the early interviews.

The computer testing portion consists of three parts: psych, knowledge, cog.

Psych
A question comes up with 5 possible answers. Strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree. The test proctor (Tony) will give you some advise on this test. It is pretty straight forward, and I have never heard of anyone busting this test. Answer honestly is my best advise.

Knowledge
This changed at the start of interviews this year. Still good advise to study the old gouge. Many of the concepts still apply. Don't over study any particular subject. Try to have a good firm grasp of the basics from several different subjects. Heavy emphasis on aerodynamics and performance. Mental math, descent planning, holding, general systems, and general flying stuff (runway/taxiway signage) are the key areas. The study guide they send you can be overwhelming. For studying, I would try to target general books. For instance, fly the wing, turbine pilots manual, and even the books designed specifically for technical interview prep are good.

Cog test
This is going to test your short term memory, reflexes, and multitasking skills. To prepare for this test, do whatever you can to practice and hone the skills I just mentioned. There are some websites that can help you, lumosity.com is one of several. Even playing video games can help. Remember the game simon, where you tried to remember the light/sound pattern as long as you can. Do stuff like that... anything you can find to help exercise your brain.

HR interview
3 on one, questions have been covered quite extensively. I found it to be non-confrontational, friendly, and relaxed. Like others have said, I think they want to see if you are a rational person, have a good thought process, and work well with others. They will go through your application pretty thoroughly and I think they already have several questions on your application ready before you even enter. You will be asked about attendance and driving violations. Make sure you are honest. My advise is to have key concepts/ideas for the questions ready. Not rehearsed answers, just ideas for each answer. That will help you mold your response. Be yourself, be friendly, and be professional. This really applies for the entire day.

Day 2 (3 of 8 made it on my day)

Medical
Thorough. Vision, hearing, urine test, blood pressure, EKG, joints, draw blook, etc. You will be required to fast past midnight, not a big deal. The vision test is tough... it is the one with the missing part of the circle (top, left, right, or bottom). Some FAA doctors use this one. For the hearing you are in a booth and have to click a button when you hear the beep in your headset. EKG and blood pressure is done by nurse, then dr comes in and does your basic ten minute physical. They do blood work on you and you should get the results of that in the mail.

MMPI
About 570 true/false questions. Don't over think it. You will take this at the DAL pilot selection office, and should take about an hour. Once again, DO NOT over think it.

PSY office
You will bring your MMPI to the shrinks office and then talk about 30 minutes with one of the doctors there. I found it to be friendly and non-confrontational. They will ask about your childhood and growing up, then some flying/leadership stories. Be honest and friendly. Be ready to talk about your leadership styles including examples.


After the shrink you will take a shuttle back to the airport or DAL campus and your day is over. Classes are coming quickly right now to staff for the summer flying. Good luck!
Date Interviewed: January 2008
Summary of Qualifications: 2900 total, 1100 PIC. H-60, T-34, C-130
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
I have only a few things to add to the great gouge already here.

First, the new test: it's not a math test, as the old gouge had led me to believe. It's general aviation knowledge, and Delta hooks you up by sending you a letter telling you exactly which knowledge areas will be on it. Short of giving you the answers, they couldn't make it any easier.

Second, I signed up for Lumosity's (http://www.lumosity.com/) free trial, and the two weeks' worth of exercises keyed up my brain for the kinds of challenges presented by the cog test.

Third, the interview: remember, you are a serious aviator, or you wouldn't have been invited. Be yourself, answer honestly, and be proud. If you're not selected, it's because Delta isn't the right fit for you, not because you did anything wrong.

Fourth and finally, the psych interview: again, just be your self. They're not there to "get" you.

And that's pretty much it. Have some fun, make some friends, and land the job. See you on the line.
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