Interview experience:

The interview process has completely changed for Compass Airlines.  This is now a two day event, with the first day in ATL at the Delta HQ.  The first day (phase I) is mostly computer based testing. 

The day starts meeting with the chief pilot of Compass as well as an individual from HR.  They explain to you that compass is hiring because Delta is hiring, and due to the flow through, many of the pilots will be heading off to Delta.  No specific number was given about how many they are going to hire.  They also give the group you are with (about 8 individuals) the opportunity to ask questions.

You are now divided up into two groups, one group will begin the computerized testing which consits of a cognative evalutation and a "personality profile quiz".  Neither of these can really be studied for, but are not hard.  Just be certain you read the explanations for the cognative evaluation and take your time with the directions.  These are the same tests that Delta interviewees take.  The cognative just tests your brains ability to translate objects, remember numbers (there is a section where each number is given a symbol and you have to recall what number goes with what symbol), and multi task.  The test is very fair and builds you up before actually testing you...if you pay attention you will have no problem getting through this!

The technical evaluation is no longer based on the ATP!  If you understand the concepts of the ATP, you should be able to figure out the answers.  There are a lot of "rule of thumb" items used.  Some examples that I can remember:

1.  You need to lose 12,000 feet in 20 miles.  You are doing Mach .7, what should your vertical descent rate be?  A.  2300 ft/min, B.  3800 Ft/Min, C.  4200 ft.min, D.  4400 ft/min.  The gouge as I understand it is that ever 0.1 mach = 1 mile/minute, so in this question you are going approcimately 7 miles per minute.  You now can figure you are just under three minutes from the crossing, which 3 minutes would be 4,000 ft/min.  Just under three minutes would likely be around 4,200 ft/min.

2.  With a high angle of attack, what is the most (relatively) effective flight control: A.  Aileron, B.  Rudder, C. Elevator, or D. Flight spoilers.  I had no idea, so guessed.

3.  You are shown an airport sign indicating you are on taxiway T holding short of runway 18/36.  The question asks, if you were to turn right, which runway would you be on.

4.  You are on the 090 radial going to XYZ VOR, you are given instructions, upon crossing the XYZ VOR, to join the 060 degree radial and track it outbound.  Upon crossing the VOR, what heading would you take?  I dont remember the options for this answer and the question was really poorly worded.  I believe there was only one that stood out though; like 080 degree heading until intercepting the head of the needle points to 240 degrees...or something like that.

5.  You take off after setting normal EPR's, but the aircraft is not performing as it should.  The weather at the departure airport is below freezing and there is snow on the ground.  What should you check?  A.  Nothing, it is fine  B.  N1 Gauges for proper RPM, C. / D.  I don't remember what they are.

There were a total of 30 questions, but I don't remember the others.  This all seemed very similar to gouge given about Delta tests, and imagine that is where Compass got this from.

I have not yet done the phase II interview process, but wanted to let anyone interviewing with compass know about the severe changes to phase I from that previously published.

Best of luck...



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Compass Airlines Study Guide Questions:

1. Would I depart for an airport if they reported mu-25?
No, MU-25 means braking action is 'poor'. MU-.40 or greater good braking
2. Would you fly fatigued?
No way. I've done that during an ORE. Nodding off in formation is not cool.
No of course NOT
3. Describe the landing gear of the plane you are flying.
We have a tricycle gear set up, each main gear has four-wheel truck and the nose gear has two wheels. They are ABS/Anti-skid equipped, and the emergency braking system has hydraulic accumulators that provide up to 7 full applications of brake pressure. You have to be careful when applying the brakes to avoid getting into an oscillation between the braking action and your brake pedal pressure
4. What qualities make a good captain?
5. What does your resume not tell us about you?
I am really going to miss my friends from the Air Force, I really enjoy going around the world with them, I met a lot of good people there but now it's time to go.
6. Ever had an emergency?
yes, many over the years
yes
7. Why do you like Compass?
I like the new modern equipment and I like the fact that it's got flow through to/ is part of Northwest.
8. Did you ever have a problem with an F/O?
Yes
9. Have you ever gone out of the way for a passenger?
Absolutely, she wasn't a passenger, but one of my WSOs was feeling sick when we were getting ready for a flight back from Nellis in Las Vegas. The training mission we had planned wasn't vital, so we canceled the low-level profile and went straight back to Dyess from Nellis as fast as we could. I was totally prepared to get her to the Flight Doc if necessary or even cancel the flight if required.
10. What are holding speeds?
200 knots up to 6000 230 knots from 6000 to 14000, 265 above 14000 and 310 knots if your in a F-111 or if your at a Navy base

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