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Skywest Airlines Pilot Interview Profiles

» Home » Pilot Interviews » National Airlines » Skywest Airlines
Date Interviewed: October 2019
Summary of Qualifications: Military pilot; ATP; B-707, G-V, LR-JET types; MIL Comp SE/ME Instrument CFI; 3,400 TT,
Were you offered the job? Don't Know
Pilot Interview Profile:
This was at a recruiting event in Houston with 2 SkyWest Captains (1 on ERJ but with CRJ FO time, other on CRJ) and 1 FO. No HR reps. I did not have a CRM-type scenario session.

Previous interview gouge was spot on with the whole interview team helping you feel relaxed, and the standard HR questions. They started on the briefing after collecting our logbooks, pilot certificates, passports, medicals and restricted radio operator documents. Good briefing on the company, some history, guiding principles, pay scale, etc.

HR:
Interviewed with only a line Captain. I had a couple questions after my introduction about what was my most challenging time in the AF, and what was a situation I was able to change.

TECHNICAL:
- Airport signage and runway and taxiway markings (ILS critical, hold short, vehicle movement area, movement area boundary)
- Type of airspace at Boise from a Jeppesen chart (Class C, but not concentric due to terrain, and having multiple sub sections of altitudes within the rest of the shelf.
-- Speed restrictions in the Class C airspace at various sections within it; above 10K
- Jepp AD, SID, Approach: taxi path from the B gates at Boise to 28R. There were no tricks to the seemingly too easy of a question. How to depart KBOI on the Gowen.Four SID if no details were included in the clearance (heading, routing are given in the text), point out the MEAs on the SID (route and grid)
- Lost comm for routing and altitude
- TAF and METARs with a RAB34E55 code for rain beginning/ending as the only challenging part; When is alternate required? How long are the TAF and METAR valid? How often / when are they issued? thunderstorm avoidance rules and what areas to avoid.
- Holding speed, hold direction, leg length, time to slow down, and does it help, or do you need to hold at the maximum holding speed for the altitude?
- Review and brief the ILS Z RWY 8 at KBUR coming in from MIEKI (No PT routing); where the FAP is (GS intercepts segment altitude before the FAF); can I continue the approach if I hear the weather is less than mins as I cross BUDDE (OM/FAF)? What are the weather mins on the approach and what are ceiling values based on? What type of approach lights? what is EMAS at the end of Rwy 8?
- 91.175 rules for descending below DA/MDA.
- Jet engine operation design and description – N1, N2, turbine, compressor. Thrust difference in High bypass engine? Where is bleed air pulled from on a turbine engine and what is it used for?
- Mach tuck and dutch roll were asked as expected, but I forgot that the wing that moves forward is then moved back due to the increased drag caused by the increased lift, and therefore the cycle doesn’t dampen out.
- Aircraft electrical systems covered in broad, basic terms of batteries, generators, invertors, transformers/rectifiers, AC and DC circuits/components. - What is a volt and an amp?

Overall it was very straightforward, and SkyWest seems to have a great culture. Good luck!
Date Interviewed: August 2019
Summary of Qualifications: CFI,CFII,MEI, 720TT RATP, Cadet
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
Denver Interview. Stayed at Quality Inn Express and walked to Flight Safety (10 min walk).


I interviewed with 2 military guys and another CFI. I by far had the least amount of experience with just over 700 hours at the time of interview. We only had 2 interviewers and they showed up right at 8:30, super nice guys. One was a FO and another was a captain on the 175. We started off by telling stories and introducing ourselves to the rest of the group. This maybe took like 30-45 minutes before we even started the official SkyWest presentation. That might have lasted another 45 minutes but it felt like a while until we actually got to the HR portion. (Maybe it was because we were a talkative group). It was all really such a relaxed atmosphere.

The HR part was super standard. I was asked to open my logbook and show where my checkride passes were. We then spent some time figuring out how many hours I still need for each category per the R-ATP. I was asked how I prepared, I told him I looked at gouges online. He then said “so, you know what questions I am going to ask?” to which I replied “I’ve got an idea.” He then asked me to start off with one question he was most likely to ask me. I talked about my best/worst student as a CFI, best/worst flight. Tell me a time when you were challenged in the cockpit. TMATW you had a conflict with a senior airman….when you disagreed with a rule. What do you do in your free time? Didn’t get asked any scenario based questions.

After lunch was the technical portion. I realized that they’re not expecting you to get every single answer right. They’re looking to see that you spent time studying and put good effort into preparing. They also are trying to see where your knowledge level is at before they send you to training. That being said, I found the technical section to be a little tricky. Definitely a good learning lesson though.


Explain 1-2-3 rule. (always need one unless…)
Fuel requirements for alternates
When would we need 2 alternates?
Airspeed in Bravo above 10,000
Wake turbulence avoidance (fly one dot high on the glideslope to be above)
91.175(c), listed all the things you need to see
What kind of appch light systems have the red terminating bars?
Holding speeds

Draw out and explain a high bypass jet engine system
What is N1 vs N2
What does the accessory gear box do? Where is it?
Bleed air, where it comes from what it does
Where does ignition get the spark from to light off the fuel/air?
How do we start an engine? What do we normally use (bleed air)
Talked about stages, what comprises a stage?
Compressor stall, what is it?
Continuous ignition
Venturi/jet pump


Draw out the electrical system for the most advanced airplane you’ve flown
How many amps/volts
What is run off the battery bus?
Does your system run off of DC/AC?
What converts DC to AC and vice versa
What kind of battery do you have? DC or AC?
Why do your systems run off of DC?
What is the purpose of a circuit breaker? What does the number mean on each one?

What is an embedded t-storm?
How far to avoid them by?
What is virga?
Read a metar/TAF
What is a holdover time?
What provides heat for anti-ice systems?


Brief a Jepp plate. He gave me a few minutes to look over the plate beforehand.
Got an approach with an arc. Why do we need a lead in radial?
Asked my some basic symbology on the chart. Look at the notes section.
What does the star next to the CTAF frequency mean

Debreif. I struggled with some of the concepts but he told me I did a good job and said I would hear back in a week. Got the call the next morning.


I was expecting there to be CRM scenario but I think we ran out of time. I was the first one done at 1:30

Overall, as everyone said, don't be nervous! As long as you study all of the stuff on the gouge you'll be perfectly fine. Love the company and can't wait to fly for them.
Date Interviewed: August 2019
Summary of Qualifications: CFI/CFII, Multi Engine, 141 Instructor 750TT
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
My interview was at MSP at a recruiting event. All the interviewers were current pilots with skywest, first officers and two captains. they went through a 45 minute presentation about the company, didn't really have to take any notes and then they opened it up for any questions. During this time the other interviewers take your documents and upload it into their system. After the 45 minute session they took us individually into a room to do the technical.
Technical is just like how the gouges say:
-Briefed a Jepp ILS, MEA along the arc? Highest obstacle? FAF? When can you continue when RVR goes below mins? What are visibility requirements? MAP? When can you descend past the DA/MDA?
-Explain how a turbine engine works
-Mach Tuck, Dutch Roll, coffins corner (very surface level)
-Swept wing aerodynamics. Pros, cons,
-Critical Mach Number
-Critical Engine (wasn't asked about PAST or COMBATS though)
-Vx vs Vy
-Airport Signage: What color is a Taxiway Position Sign? What is an ILS critical area. Nothing on runway lighting but be prepared.
-VFR loss comms
-When do you need an alternate? (nothing about departure alternate or the exemptions)

For the HR portion they switched interviewers. Really standard stuff:
-Have you ever failed a check ride
-Tell me about yourself
-Why Skywest? Who is the CEO?
-Scenario where captain is drinking within 8 hour window of flight.

Overall an awesome experience. I was ridiculously nervous before hand and then you meet everyone and they all really seem to enjoy their work and you start to relax. I studied close to 2-3 hours a night for about 2 weeks before hand and everything felt really smooth.
Got a call the next day that I got the job!
Date Interviewed: August 2019
Summary of Qualifications: Military (rotary), CFI/CFII ASEL
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
Thanks to all who have posted here before me, as has been said many times it's pretty much spot on. I was scheduled for an interview at a job fair away from HQ so I just stayed at the hotel where it was being held. Took the airport shuttle to the hotel, relaxed for the evening and interviewed the next morning at 0900.

First hour was an introduction to Skywest with a slideshow presentation. During the presentation they reviewed our logbooks,and other required documents. The presentation has some good info so pay attention. I didn't get asked any questions that directly related to the presentation but I have heard that it happens.

Since we were at a job fair we didn't have a group CRM scenario but I'm not sure if this is typical. I was asked numerous scenario based questions during the HR portion though. We were all split individually among the interviewers to do either the HR or technical portion with a short break in between.

HR

Standard questions about having failed a checkride etc.
1. Why Skywest?
2. What do you bring to the table?
3. Have you ever had a conflict with a senior aviator in the cockpit? How did you handle it?
4. Captain is 2 minutes late to the airport shuttle, what do you do?
5. Crew member is sitting at the hotel bar within 8 hour window
6. Crew member just got a new beer within 8 hour window
7. Passenger is making another passenger and a FA uncomfortable. What do you do?
8. Would you correct somebody if their uniform is messed up? Even a senior CA?

Took a short break

Technical

1. Advantages/disadvantages to swept wing
2. Describe mach tuck
3. Describe dutch roll
4. What does a yaw damper do? What if it fails?
5. Explain how a jet engine works
6. How do you convert AC to DC and vice versa?
7. What is the difference between voltage and amperage?
8. Which way is the TS moving? (shown an anvil)
9. Which way do you fly to avoid it? (opposite side of the anvil)
10. Identify the different fronts. What weather can you expect at the different frontal boundaries?
11. What kind of wx is associated with L and H pressure?
12. Read a METAR/TAF
13. Will you need an alternate? What are the alternate mins?
14. What do you need to go below MDA/DA on an approach? (name all of the items you can have sight of and the stipulation if using ALS)
15. Was shown a chart and asked about different airspeed limits in different places.
16. Talk through a STAR on a Jepp plate
17. Brief an approach off a Jepp plate

Debrief

How do you think you did?
What aircraft/base would you want?

Overall great experience. The interviewers were very professional and my desire to join this airline was only reaffirmed. Put in the time and study like you care. They aren't expecting perfection but they can definitely tell who goes in there thinking the pilot shortage will get them a job and who puts in the effort to show that they want to be there.
Date Interviewed: July 2019
Summary of Qualifications: CFI, Commercial Multi, instrument
879 TT
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
First off, all of the gouge is spot on! Flew into Denver the night before. Took the airport shuttle to Fairfield Inn and Suites. Interview started at 0830 the next day at Flight Safety (less than a 5 min walk from the hotel). I showed up at 0810, signed in at the front desk then sat down next to some of the other candidates. 3 current CFIs, 2 former helo pilots. The two interviewers came down right at 0830 to meet us, took us upstairs and we went into the briefing room. Immediately they asked for all of our documents, pilot certs, FCC, Passport, and logbooks. One interviewer took the docs while the other gave about a 1 hour presentation on the company.

Then the CRM scenario:

On the ILS 28R into ORD, at 2000’ got the wind shear warning. mandatory go around. Fuel in our scenario wasn’t a factor so we had plenty of time for a hold to figure out our plan. Re shot the ILS, got the same warning. Decided to go around again and then passenger starts choking in the back. Decided to divert to MDW 10 mins to the south. Time ended before we could make any more decisions. Had 7 mins for the scenario. I was the captain in the scenario. Debriefed the interviewer after the 7 mins was up. What went well? What didn’t go well? What could you have done better? Basic stuff. I got a good vibe from the interviewer so that was a plus but was never told how we did.

HR came next:
1. Why Skywest?
2. Who is the CEO?
3. Ever broken a regulation?
4. Best flight you’ve ever had?
5. Worst flight you’ve ever had?
6. Any emergencies?
7. TMAAT you went above and beyond for a customer?
8. What base would you choose? What airplane?
9. Where do see yourself in 5 and 10 years?
10. What Skywest principle means the most to you? These are covered in the initial hour brief! pay attention!
11. What does professionalism mean to you?
12. What sources did you use to prepare for this interview?
13. You come downstairs to find the captain drinking at the bar within the 8 hour window before a flight. How do you handle it?
14. Name one word that describes your work ethic.
15. What is your biggest strength / weakness.

After the HR portion we ate lunch with both interviewers. Very informal. Had a chance to ask a lot of questions. One of them showed us around the Skywest website. Lots of good info on seniority, upgrade times, etc.

Technical portion:
1. Read a meter / TAF. No curveballs, very straight forward.
2. Do we need an alternate? know the 1, 2, 3 rule.
3. According to the the Salt Lake 4 departure, if we did not receive any heading assignment on take off what heading do we initially fly? Not a trick question, just read the notes in the chart.
4. Lost comms stuff. Know AVEF and MEA for route and altitudes. Then asked what I would do for this departure if we lost comms. *Jepp puts a lost comm section, just read it*
5. Brief an approach plate. Mine was the ILS Z 8 into KBUR.
6. Where is the FAF on an ILS. What altitude is the FAF for this approach?
7. You only see the approach lighting system, what can you do? Wasn’t asked to list out 91.175(c) but other candidates were so be prepared.
8. Asked me about AC vs. DC. What does my current aircraft use? How to convert DC to AC and vice/versa. Pros and Cons of each.
9. Asked me about Vmc, critical engine, p-factor, gyroscopic precession.
10. Asked me to explain a jet engine and how a molecule of air would pass through. Super basic explanation. You don’t need to be able to build the thing. Just a basic knowledge.
11. Voltage and Amps stuff. (difference between the two)
12. Airport signage.
13. When do you need to hold short of the ILS critical area?

I was not asked to draw any systems however I could have if it made it easier for me to explain. While I was waiting for my interview you can hear some of the other questions being asked to some of the other candidates.

1. Explain dutch roll. What do we have on the plane to mitigate dutch roll.
2. Why do we have swept wings? pros/cons
3. Didn’t hear anyone get asked about mach tuck or coffin corner but was told to definitely be prepared for this question.

Overall, such a great experience. Was definitely nervous going in but they do a great job of keeping the whole thing casual. Super nice, super chill. Overall sounds like a great company to fly for. Was called the next morning with a CJO and a class date in February. They are filling up a lot of class dates so apply early and they expect you to continue to build your hours while you are waiting for your date.
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