You’re assuming that the guy told him everything and didn’t omit anything.

The HR/pilots that interview are VERY savy in asking questions and letting a pilot go down the “choose your own adventure” path in an interview.

He could have been asked multiple questions and answered them poorly.

yep I agree

I don't know from the OPers statement whether the pilot was trying to hide the military service. I would hope not. Lying does get one fired.

My comment was rather that it was a very questionable behavior and possibly illegal if the pilot was not hired because he/she served in a protected military status.

Like others above stated .... good luck proving it.

Not condoning illegal activity by any HR department, but reality doesn't change because somebody passes a law against it. I forget which state legislature had a bill to change pi because 3.14159..., was such a difficult number to expect school kids to learn, but it wouldn't have worked even if they'd passed it... ;)

Did that really happen?

Again, assumption.

Maybe the candidate was simply being personality tested in the interview and handled the questions poorly.

Like I said, the HR/pilots can be very clever at getting people to talk, TOO MUCH

Clarifying why I took so much mil leave-
 

Thanks for all the feedback.

To clarify, I did not intend to be on mil leave for over a year. I took the regional job because flying at my reserve unit was scarce at the time for a copilot. However, immediately after I took the job, a number of things happened:
1. Selected for Aircraft Commander upgrade = 1.5 months of orders plus more opportunities to fly since scheduling can use an AC easier than a copilot
2. Active Duty needed help with their taskings and asked for help from the reserves - another 2 months of orders
3. multiple deployments that I volunteered for (total of 5 months of orders)

Finally, I talked to the chief pilot and tried to get consolidated before all of these back to back orders went into effect, but no luck. He said they couldn't give me a line to help with consolidation before the military orders began.

All that being said, I can easily see how DAL or anyone else won't want to hear my excuses (even though it's the truth).

What is consolidation?

Now would I lie about something like that? Of course not.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Pi_Bill

CFR › Title 14 › Chapter I › Subchapter G › Part 121 › Subpart O › Section 121.434
14 CFR 121.434 - Operating experience, operating cycles, and consolidation of knowledge and skills.
§ 121.434 Operating experience, operating cycles, and consolidation of knowledge and skills.
(a) No certificate holder may use a person nor may any person serve as a required crewmember of an airplane unless the person has satisfactorily completed, on that type airplane and in that crewmember position, the operating experience, operating cycles, and the line operating flight time for consolidation of knowledge and skills, required by this section, except as follows:

(1) Crewmembers other than pilots in command may serve as provided herein for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this section.

(2) Pilots who are meeting the pilot in command requirements may serve as second in command.

(3) Separate operating experience, operating cycles, and line operating flight time for consolidation of knowledge and skills are not required for variations within the same type airplane.

(4) Deviation based upon designation of related aircraft in accordance with § 121.418(b).

(i) The Administrator may authorize a deviation from the operating experience, operating cycles, and line operating flight time for consolidation of knowledge and skills required by this section based upon a designation of related aircraft in accordance with § 121.418(b) of this part and a determination that the certificate holder can demonstrate an equivalent level of safety.

(ii) A request for deviation from the operating experience, operating cycles, and line operating flight time for consolidation of knowledge and skills required by this section based upon a designation of related aircraft must be submitted to the Administrator. The request must include the following:

(A) Identification of aircraft operated by the certificate holder designated as related aircraft.

(B) Hours of operating experience and number of operating cycles necessary based on review of the related aircraft, the operation, and the duty position.

(C) Consolidation hours necessary based on review of the related aircraft, the operation, and the duty position.

......

Basically, a certain amount of actual experience after getting a new type rating.