The
airline interview process varies greatly from airline to airline.
Most interviews usually consist of a:
•
Technical
Interview
The technical interview typically consists of one or
more airline pilots from the company that is a part
of the interview committee. They will ask questions
to determine your aeronautical knowledge, commitment,
leadership abilities, decision-making skills, flight
experiences, etc. They are judging you to determine
if they would like to fly with you on a trip, how you
get along with others, and if you’ll pass initial
training.
•
Human
Resource Interview
The human resource interview usually consists of one
or more human resource administrators that is a part
of the interview committee. They will review your application
and ask you questions to determine your commitment,
leadership abilities, decision making skills, how you
get along with others, etc. Sometime the questions they
ask are very similar to the same questions asked during
the technical interview.
Note: Some companies combine the
Technical and Human Resource Interview into one interview.
•
Simulator
(Sim) Evaluation
Most airlines require applicants to take a sim evaluation
in a simple flight training device (ie. Frasca Sim)
or full motion simulator. The purpose of the sim evaluation
is to judge your flying skills and procedures, and to
observe how you work together with others in the flight
deck. A sim evaluation typically consists of flying
a few instrument approaches, departure and arrival procedures,
missed approach, holding pattern, and landing.
•
Medical
Evaluation
Some airlines make applicants take a medical evaluation.
This typically occurs after they have been offered a
conditional job offer. The medical evaluation is similar
to a FAA 1st Class Medical Certificate.
A drug test, blood samples, and/or psychological test
are also taken, which is dependent on the airline. Before
the airline invests a lot of money and time into your
training, they want to make sure you’re mentally
and physically fit to act as a pilot (crewmember) for
their airline.
Preparing for the Interview
There are various sources of information (i.e. books, web
sites, fellow pilots, etc.) to help you prepare for an airline
interview. Provided below are a few tips to help you prepare:
•
Read
the “Gouge”
The “Gouge” is information documented about
an individual’s interview experience with a particular
airline or company. The gouge describes the interview
process from beginning to end, which usually includes
interview questions, flight scenarios asked by the interviewers,
simulator evaluations and profiles flown, etc. There
are several websites that allow visitors to post information
about their interview experiences. You should visit
these websites and print the gouge, when you have an
interview scheduled.
Word of Caution:
Airlines change their interview process; so don’t
use the information you find on the Internet as your
only source of preparing for an interview.
•
Research
the Airline
Before you interview with an airline, you should reach
the company to learn about their past, present, and
future trends by visiting their website. Their web site
should provide some company history, vacant job positions,
employee benefits, hiring requirements, pilot bases,
route structure (where they fly), type of aircraft flown,
and more. You should also read their press releases
to learn about the company’s new partnerships,
stock price, etc.
•
Interview
Books
There are several airline interview books that can help
you prepare for your airline interview. There are general
interviewing books available at the local library and
bookstores. Provided below are several airline interview
books you can order:
