I was asked "So why Great Lakes?" at my interview with them, and I gave them an honest answer: "I want to challenge myself as a pilot by working in the environment that Lakes flies in and I want to fly a turboprop prior to a jet." Seems to have worked as an answer

 

If you get to minimums and don't see the runway and the Captain appears to continue the approach, put the gear up. I bet he goes around then.
Just kidding on that one ( but hey, I bet it would work). I've been asked that question at two interviews and my answer was that I didn't believe that they would have hired that type pilot.

 

Thanks for posting answers to questions for everyone. I think that really helps to get people thinking in the right direction.

My question with this response is doesn't this show the HR folks that you are willing to lie or cover up things for a fellow pilot? I know that the answer is don't let the flight leave but wouldn't they have an issue with your coverup?

I ask because I have never been on an interview and honestly don't know.
Thanks

 

HR knows that attempting to fly drunk is a career ender. Assuming this pilot is not a repeat offender, they would rather give this pilot a chance to seek professional help and return to fly another day then let a single lapse in judgment (although big) ruin a career.

Also, if you say the other pilot appears sick and not in a safe condition for flight, you are not lying. You are passing the buck to scheduling so they can determine how they want to handle the situation and you can continue to do your job.

 

I also got the "what if you're walking off the airplane on the last flight of the day and you see the Captain grabbing the miniature licqour bottles out of the galley?"

 

Make sure he knows what brand you like...

 

Grab some cans of soda (BTDT).

Interview answer: "'I'm leaving the aircraft now, but I'm going to trust that you'll do the right thing and put those back" Punches the integrity ticket but doesn't put you in the position of getting confrontational or being a snitch. Ultimately it's not your responsibility to secure the company's liquor.

 

..............................Absolut.

 

Original Question "Why us"-
I'd have done 5-minutes of wikipedia research prior to my interview and come up with 60-seconds worth of stuff that I genuinely liked about the target company...stroke their egos a little.

"Captain busts MDA without visual"-
We would have been communicating with each other all along, so we would have an expectation that when we reach MDA I'd call missed and configure per SOP. If ya wait to make that decision until you hit MDA...too late. Talk through the plan, and follow it.

"Captain smell like booze"-
I'd joke: "Dude, did ya spill a jug of whisky on yourself? Press is gonna have a field day with you." Watch his reaction to determin if he is intoxicated. If he appears to under the influence I'd say, "You really dont look well. Would you like to call in or would you prefer I call for you." If he still pushed.... I'd call. I wont let them put my life or those behind me at risk. Too much to go home to.

"Hand in the cookie jar"-
First, I'd probably joke that I was unaware that we were supposed to inventory the booze stores after the cabin crew has already done so. Then I'd less jokingly say something like: "Ya gotta be REAL careful there... surveillance cameras can be anywhere; many of which are not obvious. I know this guy who busted his a$$ to get a really cool job, spent years building a sweet career...then lost it over something real stupid. Then I'd move on.

Would I run to the phone and report it upstream? NO.

If they came to me and asked questions, I'd answer VERY honestly. I dont cover for ANYONE and I dont expect ANYONE to cover for me.

Do the right thing, and you have no worries.

 

At some places, that might be the best answer. It shows you are desperate, have no real expectations from the company, and are likely to do anything just to get out of whatever you are doing now. Give it a shot.

Or, you might look at the bases (would you like to live there), the aircraft (is it a type everyone is dumping), how stable are the mainline contracts (that one is tougher, but could prevent a later furlough), or the people who work there (are they happy... and I don't mean the recruiters).

Accepting a job offer is a lot like accepting a marriage proposal. Would you say yes just because someone asked?