Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyinrob
Reading the prior posts, and seeing 2/8 or so get hired just makes me wonder a bit what the people who didn't get hired are doing behind closed doors.
I've recommended 4 people and all have been interviewed. Two have been hired, two were not. I thought all 4 were very good people and very good pilots. What I've learned from going through the process and my friends' experiences:
Assuming all other factors are equal, solid PIC time, educational requirements met, no DUI's or other history (in no particular order):
* Make a good presentation - well fitting interview suit with a nice tie. You want to appear as a pilot that would present well to passengers in the Delta uniform. No excessively trendy anything, no out of date clothes. You are applying for somewhere between 2.5 and 4.0 million career earnings - spend $500 to look sharp if these clothes are not already in your closet. Look healthy, clean, & fresh.
* Attendance - if you had a "bad year" last year with several or more absences, try to put the interview off until your last 12 months looks better.
* Always consider "safety, efficiency and customer service" in your answers and remember that "safety" is number one on the list. No wishy washy answers, if you think the safety, or reputation, of the airline are in jeopardy; be willing to act assertively while recognizing Captain's authority.
* Practice, practice, practice. Just like a check ride, the more prepared you are the easier you will move from one topic to another and the more confident you will be. Everyone second guesses themselves in these interviews, the more you have practiced the easier the interview will be. I went to Air Inc and also interviewed with friends who I told to hold back no punches, nail me. It helped & the DAL interview was easy in comparison.
* If you have an "interesting" event in your history, just be prepared to explain it with a positive resolution. An accidental incident is not a deal killer. Not learning from a mistake is. Lying about it, is. In my case Delta had lunch with my Chief Pilot the day of the interview. Subsidiaries' employment information may still be available across Delta's computer & my employee number easily pulled up the security info for my ID on DL's system. Assume Delta knows everything, often they do know everything.
* Have a few examples where you have served your community and served your customers. I told the "pushed an old lady in a wheelchair to her gate" story and was then asked, "what else?" Everyone has helped a passenger with a cell phone, or a wheelchair - think back to something
more you have done.
* Have a history of doing something extra in addition to line flying. Line Check Airman, Chief Pilot, work in Air Safety, or something similar to show your leadership and ability helps. ALPA is always looking for volunteers in Pro Standards & Safety, it is easy to make your resume stand out from the competition with a little bit of work.
I'm not saying these are requirements, but they are characteristics that help you get hired in a very comeptitive pool. The Delta interview is very objective and the more areas where you can maximize your standing, the better.
Out on the line, the Delta pilots are an incredibly professional and friendly group of people who maintain a good attitude regardless of the weather, maintenance, merger, or other IROP stuff that is a part of any airline job. I have to think Delta is carefully screening for these type of friendly and highly competent pilots.