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Trans States Airlines Pilot Interview Profiles

» Home » Pilot Interviews » National Airlines » Trans States Airlines
Date Interviewed: January 2007
Summary of Qualifications: ATP, 5,000 hrs, 3,700 ME (military) 7 Multi engine (civilian), 970 SE (military)
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
went through All ATP Interview Prep Day 1
Day 2
- Test (Basic Instrament FAR Questions)
- Interview (15 minutes)
-- Initial formalities
--- Current Passport
--- Licenses (Drivers, flying)
--- Certificates (medical, FCC radio operators)
-- Briefed an Approach Plate for JAX
--- What does MSA give you
--- Where is the high terrain
--- Don't forget to look at notes and missed approach procedures
-- Discussed holding entry
Date Interviewed: January 2006
Summary of Qualifications: CFII, 740TT 105 multi
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
Got to the training center in St. Louis a little after 8am for the 9am interview. Met Sarah Keith, who is a real nice lady and does a good job relieving a little stress. Talked with the 6 other candidates until we got started. The 50 question written was first. A lot of basic ATP questions and Jepp questions. If you study the gouges and the ATP written you should be fine. Don't know what I scored and they never told me either. After the written came the 3 on 1 interview. Here is what mine consisted of:
1. Why TSA?
2. What can you bring to TSA?
3. What base would you prefer? Is the other base a problem?
4. Tell me about (current twin I flew): Engines? fuel? heater?
5. VOR 4 into CMI- What is the final approach fix?
6. ILS 18 into MEM- How do you identify FAF with MM and glide slope out?
7. O'Hare Airport Diagram- How do you do a VOR check?
8. What is CRM?
9. What is CRM used for?
10. During a preflight, you notice a dent on the wing, what do you do?
11. The Captain comes in late and wants to jump in and push back without doing checklist, what would you do?
12. Why are you ready to fly the jet?

The interview lasted about 15 minutes. I got the letter 3 days later. I'm in the EMB 145 with a February 20 class date. It's quick, to the point, and painless. Be yourself, study, and relax and the job is yours. See you on the line!

Date Interviewed:
Summary of Qualifications: Commercial/IFR/ME, CFI/CFII/MEI, 1000TT 29ME, 4yr degree, No part 121 or 135 exp.
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:
Arrived at TSA HQ at about 8:30AM via hotel shuttle (Wingate Inn knew exactly where to take me. All I said was "I have an interview w/ Trans States". They knew the drill) About 6-7 other interviewees that day. Never found out how they did. We were given a 50 question written test consisting of questions which appeared to be taken directly from the ATP Gleim. Study the chapters on regs, and aerodynamics. Don't bother with the performance stuff. I only had 3 days to prepare for it (the interview was quite unexpected considering how low my ME time is), and apparently... I did fine. They gave us more than ample time (over an hour) to finish. I was finished in about 20-30 minutes (possibly even less) and had a long wait until the actual interview. The actual interview was rather quick, concise, and to the point. I'd say the whole thing was concluded in under 15 minutes (I've had interviews for "McJobs" while I was in school that lasted longer!). The interview panel consisted of 2 pilots (one was a training manager) and 2 interns (don't ask me what that was about) They pretty much asked the same questions as the other interview reports below. But here they are anyway:

Why do you want to work for TSA?

What would you bring to the company?

What are you currently flying? (I mentioned that I fly G1000 equipped airplanes exclusively, which seemed to impress them. They asked me a bunch of stuff about the G1000)

How did you end up working for Boeing? (my former employer... I was an analyst, which they seemed to find rather curious)

What base/domicille would you prefer?

Is the other a problem?

When could you be available to start?

(whips out a Jepp) Brief this approach. (he also asked me to identify a few symbols.)

(whips out a Jepp taxiway diagram) I was asked to indentify several symbols, etc.

Do you have any questions? (I asked several. Have at least 3 mentally prepared)


All in all... despite all the hype I have heard about airline interviews being so daunting, I really must say it was one of the easiest interviews I've ever done. It was not bad at all.
Date Interviewed: April 2005
Summary of Qualifications: enough; cfi/cfii, four year degree
Were you offered the job? Yes
Pilot Interview Profile:

The written test was 50 questions from the ATP. Quite a few on pitot/static problems and alternates.

The interview with Sanjay Patel was approximately 15 minutes or so. It was pretty fast paced as he asked quite a few questions without much pause between them.

So tell me about yourself, why do you want to work for TSA?
Did you apply before? Why not? Why didn't you have enough flight time then?
What would you bring to TSA?
What have you been doing lately?
Have you applied anywhere else?
If given a choice, which airline would you work for? Why? (between TSA and the other airline applied for)
Do you know anyone who works here?
Would they vouch for you?
Would you commute from your current home?
Which crew domicile would you rather be based?
If that was not available, would the other be ok?
Have you failed a checkride?
Can you tell me about (formerly received training in airplane's) systems?
How does a prop governor work?
Can you feather it in a single?
Do you have a passport & fcc permit?
Have you had any accidents/incidents?
Pulled out a Jepp DME arc chart and asked some questions:
How would you fly this?
What is this? (lead in radial) What would you do with this?
What category are you in?
How is that category determined?
How would you enter the hold on the missed?
Do you have any questions?
There were some more questions, but cannot remember what.
He said I'd find out by mail. Got a call three days later!
Date Interviewed: January 2005
Summary of Qualifications: MEI 3000hrs, Part 135 experience
Were you offered the job? No
Pilot Interview Profile:

I got into the Trans States HQ at 0830. We were well taken care by Sarah (the HR lady), Hi Sarah! We did the ATP written first. There were 50 questions and I suggest that you all should study the ATP written test prep. The questions were rephrased a litle bit but it's still comprehensive. After the written, we were brought back out in the lobby for the HR/Tech interview. It was shorter than I expected it to be but Sarah said that's how normally it is. It lasted for approx. 20 minutes. I was asked basic HR questions (if they ask you which base would you like, have an answer. Don't say you don't care), Jepp plates and systems on the current multi that I fly. And that was it. It sounds like a great company to work for. God Bless to all of you.
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