Interview experience:
Right now it seems that Delta is interviewing pilots who are about 28-34 years old who have between 5500 and 6000 total time. That was the case for the 12 people in my group who interviewed (with maybe the exception with the military guys and their total times). We were told that currently there is a need for 305 pilots to be hired and in training between August and October. 8 out of 12 were invited to the second day of the interview process. Unfortunately, I was one of the four who was not invited. Our group consisted of 10 RJ pilots (both FOs and Captains) and 2 military pilots. The entire process is not the most pleasant even though all the Delta people are nice to work with. Stress levels are high and there are many uncertainties of not knowing what to expect throughout the day.
I failed the panel interview. It typically lasts about an hour. There were three people on the panel to ask questions. Two were pilots (both former Air Force), one pilot was active Delta, the other was retired Delta, and the other guy was Delta HR. The bulk of the questions were about high school, college, my attendance at my current job, speeding tickets. More time was spent on what I did 15 years ago than on anything related to flying. They asked who paid for my college? Why I chose it? If my high school was private or public, etc.? If I was involved in any sports or activities in high school? Just a few tech questions. How would I handle a captain who does not want to use checklist right from the beginning of the flight? How would I handle it if this captain does not respond to my desire to insist on using checklist? How would I handle receiving an ACARS message from the company that there might be a bomb on board the aircraft while we were in cruise flight? What makes a good captain? What makes a bad captain? Examples of each?
The Cog test was a challenge and everyone seems to end it feeling like they did not do well on it regardless of how one actually does. I feel that it is rather difficult to study for it. Memorizing letters of the alphabet with their associated numbers would help with one of the sections. 1A, 2B, 3C,....21U, 22V, 23W, etc. Making flash cards with a guy holding a flag and having him face you or face away, inverted and up-right. Which hand is the flag in?
The psychology test was (I think) 250 questions. Not to worry easy questions so it is quick to answer all 250. Answer honestly and you will be fine. Example: Do you always read questions twice? Do you ever cheat when playing solitaire? Strongly Agree, Neutral, Strongly Disagree, etc.
The knowledge test was 60 questions in 60 minutes. I have been told that they take questions from a random 500 question bank. Tough test. Some questions have what seems as two right answers. Questions that come to mind: In a thrust limited airplane, when does thrust equal drag? 30 50 70 or 90 degrees of pitch, ATC Light gun signals. True airspeed with respect to ALT and temp change. Load Factor and effects on it. CG and handling with an aft loading. EPR measures pressure of what to pressure of what? Flammability and compressibility of a gas versus liquid? Runway lighting? Beacon lighting? Holding questions, entry, headings to fly, speed to hold? What is dihedral? What is angle of incidence? What do Fowler flaps do? What affect hydroplaning the most?
Panel interview is half of your day and the computer testing is the other half. The problem was you do not receive a schedule and when you are done with a portion, they just leave you in a lobby. Nobody knew when to eat, when to be ready for the next portion of the process, etc. So everyone just had to figure out the schedule on their own, ask someone, or just wait in the lobby. Could be ten minutes, could be three hours... Same thing happened when they informed us of the results of the day
If you fail the computer testing, you are eligible to reapply in 6 months. If you fail the panel interview, you can never interview at Delta again. In my opinion, getting hired by Delta is like is like winning the career lottery. Good luck!
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Delta Airlines Study Guide Questions:
1. How I got involved in flying?When i was 5 i visited kennedy space center and was just so excited and amazed that it got in my blood and stayed there. Once flight sim came out it sealed the deal on what i had to be.2. Tell me about a time I had a conflict with a passenger?
We had a handicapped person wanting to sit in the exit row and refused to move when the flight attendant asked so i went back and asked the person and they still refused so i kindly explained the reason why he couldn't sit in the exit row and warned him the aircraft would not move until he moved to a new seat3. Tell me about a time a member of your crew had a conflict with ground personnel.
4. What would you do if you had passengers and you were going to be late?
Advise them of our new ETA and advise of them of any authorized concessions or provisions made to remedy the situation5. What would you do if the CA was having a conflict with the FA?
diffuse the situation6. They decide to move the cargo more aft. What does this do?
change the cg7. You are on the 173 radial with a heading of 180 and you want to intercept the 138 course -- what heading should you fly?
0808. Have you ever had a DUI?
no9. What about your traffic tickets?
i have never had one10. What brought you here?
the desire to be treated well and fly with great crews
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