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American Airline Interview > American Airline Questions > Flashcards

American Airline Questions Flashcards

1
Q

Why do you want to work for AA?

A

Even before my GC I was applying

Job security
200 million passengers annually.
Largest airline in world by fleet size.
I’ve seen AA Planes all over the world.

Team support. - “you are why we fly” / recruit, develop, retain - Doug Parker

QOL + Schedule. Plant some roots be close to family and friends. Driving distance to PHL,DC,NY Domiciles.

Outside of the cockpit opportunities.

Roller coaster of a few years due to covid and relocating my family back to the US. AA is a big family and would be a dream to call it home.

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2
Q

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Tell us about your career to date?

A

So excited to be here. Been applying since I was even granted my green card here.

Name:
Location:
Type Rating:
8000 hours, 4600 A320, 2700 A320 PIC, 3,600 ME PIC.
Education:
A/C Type: 
Company Name:
Location: 
Years worked:
Operation:
2-3 Highlights:

Wrights Air
- Safe under time constraints.

Ausjet
- Cabin management and customer service.

Network / Link
- Team player - helping other departments.

JQ
- Conflict resolution.

JPA

  • Delays and flight cancelations.
  • Management pax and cabin (multiple languages)

JSA

  • International flying.
  • Knowledge of both FAA / ICAO procedures.

GV
- Adapt to last minute changes.

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3
Q

Best and worst qualities?

A

Worst:

  1. Perfectionist
  2. Talk too fast
  3. Hard on myself

Best:

  1. Resilient
  2. Fun and approachable
  3. Support others
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4
Q

What can you bring to AA?

If AA hired you tomorrow, what would you bring to the company?

Why should we hire you?

A
  1. Safe under time constraints.
  2. Customer service.
  3. Team player.
  4. Overseas cabin Management/ multiple languages.
  5. Both knowledge of ICAO & FAA
  6. Adapt to last minute change.
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5
Q

Tell them about time my integrity was questioned by a superior?

A

S. Non- labelled box in cargo during a walk around.
A. Not on fright manifest.
R. Offloaded the box.
R. Chief pilot called the next day.

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6
Q

Tell me a time you were task saturated?

A

S. Progress check upgrade to captain.
S. Duel HYD, weather and distractions in the sim.
A. Have a failure management model for all situations.
A. Helps me priorities tasks.
R. Passed.

Every day in Part 135

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7
Q

Where do you see aviation in the Future?

A

Short Term

  • Recovery of international travel.
  • Fleet efficiency.
  • Replacing B767/757 with narrow body A321XLR.
  • Higher return margins / reduced fuel consumption.

Mid Term

  • Reducing CO2 emissions. AA target of 2050 for carbon neutral.
  • Purchased 900 million gallons from Neste that reduces carbon emissions by 75%.

Long Term

  • Automation and AI machine learning.
  • Reduction in flight crew.
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8
Q

Leadership TMAAT

Tell me about a time you were proud of a team accomplishment?

Tell me about a time you were proud of a team accomplishment?

A

What are you turn times here in AA?

S. 20 min quick turns in Jetstar Pacific.
Gate agents
Refueler 
Cleaners
Baggage and Freight handlers
Load Master

A. Help out crew clean / commination loop / deligate.

R. Found out potential problems before they came up.

R. Most of the time on time departure.

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9
Q

Assertive TMAAT

When you have had to operate with a difficult crew?

Situation that scared me in the aircraft?

Something didn’t go according to plan?

A

S. Not to refuel or board the aircraft due to cell over airport.
A Re-fueler didn’t understand that we can’t refuel during cell proximity.
A. Became assertive.
A. Re-fueler disconnected.
R. 5 min after, lightning bolt struck the building 50 ft from the aircraft.
R. All passengers and aircraft were safe.

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10
Q

Thinking outside the square or on the spot?

A

Door reset story

“My happy place story”
S. A320 system rests on busy taxiways. Brake check noticed the alternate braking system wasn’t indicating 0.
A. Needing time to investigate / ATC / Taxi clear. = “my happy place”. More time no rush!
R. This gave us enough time to call maintenance fault detect and reset.
R. Didn’t delay pax or other A/C.

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11
Q

Disagreement with another pilot in cockpit?

Disagreed with another pilot?

A

S. Line training on A320 taxing into busy airport.
S. Standard taxi routes one way in and out.
A. Other captain yelled at me and demanded I was turning onto wrong taxiway.
A. Immediately stopped aircraft/ asked him to ask ATC.
R. He had made a mistake and was lost situationally.
R. Later apologised for him behaviour and congratulate me on stopping the aircraft to clarify.
R. Didn’t block outbound aircraft.

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12
Q

Mistakes or made an error?

When have you made a mistake and what would you do differently next time?

A

S. A320 blue arrow for descent on the RNP-AR approach.
S. Aircraft didn’t decent on schedule.
S. Green on type.
R. Conducted a missed.
R. Leant that my scan needed to improve so I practiced the RNP-AR on flight sim.

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13
Q

Intentionally Broke a Rule?

A

S. Taken more fuel than company operations manual.
S. Asia military traffic / VIP is never NOTAMed and forecasts and normally inaccurate.
R. Knowing the times of suspected military operation and the weather patterns over HCMC during the wet season. I routinely take an extra 30 min of holding fuel on selected flights.
R. Has enabled me to land without diverting to my alternate / saved the company money while keeping the aircraft on schedule.

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14
Q

Conflict Resolution Passengers

Tell me a time you made an unpopular decision?

A

S. Noticed oil on APU cowling / called maintenance / stopped boarding.
S.CSM miss heard my instructions / PAX getting angry with the delay.
A. Standing in isle for my PA the CSM translated my PA in Chinese and Vietnamese to de-esculate
A. Airport security standby.
R. Managing maintenance / correct right up / PAX / curfew into China.
R. Improved my communication to non - english speaking CSM.

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15
Q

What rule would you change?

A

Part 121 Fuel requirements standard for all types of operations. Similar to ICAO.

Reducing fuel calculating errors and provide a quicker cross checking method between PIC and dispatcher.

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16
Q

What excites you about AA?

What will be the best thing about working for AA?

What do you know about the company and it’s culture?

A

Inclusive and diverse team of pilots from all backgrounds.

Supportive team working enviroment.

Encourage personal growth - “So we must work to recruit, develop, retain and engage the very best people” - Doug Parker.

Leading edge training.

Personal note - Home PHL.

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17
Q

What Makes a good pilot?

Tell me the qualities of an airline pilot and which is the most important for you?

A
  1. Good moral Judgement.
  2. Continues to self improve.
  3. Accountability.
  4. Communicator
  5. Thinking about future risks.
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18
Q

What was the biggest decision you ever had to make?

A

Aviation - Gate return Vinh

To leave Jetstar / Qantas after 8 years of servie

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19
Q

What do you think will be the most challenging thing about flying for AA?

A

Getting used to the schedule.

Bidding system.

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20
Q

What is the worst thing you have ever done on an airplane?

A

Cleaned up hidden sick bags in the cabin and other material.

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21
Q

Tell about something you did with an aircraft that you regret. Would you do it again and what did you learn from it?

A

S. Early in my career as a VFR scenic pilot.
S. Not diverting when weather went near below VFR.
A. Made it to my destination but was under so much pressure and stress to try and beat the weather.
R. Learnt that I have limitations too.
R. On paper it is legal but pilots have to know their own limitations even when weather is marginal or legal.

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22
Q

Tell me about a time you changed a person’s approach to something - what was the outcome and what could have happened if it was different - did this impact that person in a positive manner

Tell me about a time that you helped someone who didn’t ask for your help.

A

S. New FO. Something was bothering / son was sick in hospital.
A. I stated that being fit to fly is also a mental thing. You need to be with family no distractions.
R. Used reserve pilot.
R. Only 30 min delay.

Non-flying
-Helping pilots / friends with their 401k / retirement.

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23
Q

Tell me about the last time you had to start as a pilot and how you prepared?

A

Phenom cockpit diagram and made notes all around it for every light and switch.

24
Q

Tell me a time that you called out Fatigued?

A 
S. Last day of my 8 day rotation.
S. Recently worked 7 days straight 
    - 12 hour days
    - Marginal weather 
    - Minumum rest

A. I noticed I was becoming fatigued because I was making small mistakes on my 7th day.

R. Notified my chief pilot and agreed with me.

R. Replacement found.

25
Q

Tell me how you make apologies to the passengers?

A
  1. Gather the facts first.
  2. Explain the situation to them in detail.
  3. I’m sorry, unfortunately due to x, y & z.
  4. Offer alternative solution.
26
Q

PA to pax about diversion?

A
  1. Introduction.
  2. Technical problem with our xxxxx system.
  3. The FO and myself are running checklist to rectify the problem.
  4. Does not effect the safety of the flight.
  5. As a precaution we will be diverting into xxx.
  6. Will get back to you in x minutes.
27
Q

Tell me a time when you dealt with a unhappy passenger?

A

S. Passenger wanted to go to Provincetown instead of KBOS.
A. Explained to the passenger that the aircraft couldn’t land due to the short runway.
A. Passenger became angry and said she has seen our small plane land there before.
R. In cruise. Called operations and we managed to book a connecting flight in a king air to Provincetown.
R. Deescalated the problem.

28
Q

Tell me about a time colleague disagreed with a decision you made?

A

S. Main door slide wouldn’t arm after push back.
A. FO wanted to gate return and get maintenance.
R. FA disarming and rearming the slide fixed it.
R. Departed on time.
R. Resents don’t have to be CB’s or switches.

29
Q

Tell me about a time - there was a change at your company that affected your day to day work?

A

S. Company wanted Flap 3 Landings / fuel saving.
A. Many pilots and crew not familiar with landing in F3.
R. Many pilots landing long or at risk at tail strike.
R. Only practised them with SKC days and favourable conditions until FO were comftable.

30
Q

Are you familiar with the SARR format?

A

Situation
Action
Result
Reaction

31
Q

Tell me about a time that safety was compromised and what did you do about it?

Tell me about a time that you disagreed with a policy. What did you do about it? What was the outcome?

A

S. Bramuda flight 800nm nearest alternate 800nm.
S. Single runway, North Atlantic and wx.
S. If you don’t get FL450 you won’t have enough fuel to divert to alternate.
A. Treated it like a mini ETOPS.
A. Worked out all my ETPs and PNR.
R. Company adopted it into their manuals.
R. Restriction on that flight now if not given FL450.

32
Q

Change a company procedure?

Noticed something unsafe and what you did about it?

A

Clearances in the cockpit without PIC.

Bramuda story

33
Q

Tell me about a time when you faced criticism that you did not agree with?

A

RTO with ECAM.
RTO ABN/ EMRG task sharing procedure QRH.
Airbus: master lever, cbs, IR and guarded switches do not need to PF’s confirmation on the ground.
Was criticised for not confirming during a RTO.
Later we both looked up QRH and confirmed I had done it correctly.

34
Q

How do we save AA money as pilots?

A
  1. Flap 3 landings
  2. Reduce APU usage during times of nice temps.
  3. Single engine taxi.
  4. Fuel planning.
  5. Selecting ALT
35
Q

Tell me a time you had to refuse an airplane because of mx?

A

S. APU mel / smell in cockpit and cabin
A. Refused to fly due to smelly odour.
R. Was unsafe to PAX and crew.
R. Changed aircraft and delayed 30 min.

36
Q

Tell me about a time you had to break a safety rule?

A

Under an emergency in the sim removing the 15% FLD from IF-LD.

37
Q

Do the needs of the company ever trump the needs of an individual customer? Give an example?

A

Yes for safety.

During an emergency evacuation/ luggage.

FAA Mask mandate.

Smoking onboard.

38
Q

You are at a social event and you start talking to a Frequent Flyer who had to miss an important meeting due to an AA delay recently. How do you address their concern? Follow up: the customer says that Delta’s on-time departure rate is 95% and AA is only 80%. Why can’t AA have a better rate?

A
  1. Get as much information about the delay as possible from the person.
  2. Be empathic.
  3. Once you have all the info you can give him aviation related facts to help make sense of delay.
  4. State that safety is more important.
  5. Maybe give them the customer service number.
  6. Circle back to them and check up on them after some time.
39
Q

What are some of your concerns about current trends in airline travel and how they will affect the profitability of the airlines?

A

COVID-19 International travel / government restrictions.

Business class takes longer to recover.

Replacing old wide body with narrow mid range jet. eg A321 XLR.

40
Q

What are some special consideration to consider when departing from a contaminated runway?

A 
ASDA
Climb out gradient
TO weight
Ice ingestion
Take off technique - TOGA = lower V1 - Flap 2
41
Q

How is V1 affected by contamination on a runway?

A

V1 will decrease

Longer distance to stop

Decision speed will have to decrease to take into account the decreased braking capability.

42
Q

What is the FAF on a precision approach?

A

Precision = Glide slope intercept point

Non precision = malaise cross

Teardrop with no decided FAF = FAS 10nm from navaid

43
Q

The interviewer brings out the scenario card you were given earlier (freezing drizzle) and asks you to describe it to her in a way she (a non pilot) can understand.

A

Freezing drizzle is like liquid ice that will stick to the airplane and runway.

Lots of ice on airplane = Heavier
Runway = Slippery

With increase in weight from the ice, the aircraft stalls at a much higher speed and lower AOA.

The runway may be so icy that the aircraft won’t be able to take off and slide off the runway.

44
Q

Questions to ask AA?

A

Is there anything about my background or experience that needs further clarification?

Favourite thing about aa?

Junior domiciles at American?

Where are new hires going now?

Do you have any new hire advice?

45
Q

Aircraft Fleet

A

Retiring:
A330-200/300
B757-B767 - Replaced by the A321XLR and B787.

Deferred:
B737- max till 2023.

Orders:
50 A321XLR (2023-2025)
30 A321 Neo 
59 737 Max (2023)
13 787-8
30 787-9
46
Q

Describe your most difficult situation you’ve dealt with at work?

A

Lining up on runway in Northern Vietnam.

Heavy rain, short runway and non grooved.

Decided it was better to return to the gate and delay. But we had run out of duty time.

The terminal had closed and it was the last departure.

Had to get the airport re open in a non-english speaking part of the country.

47
Q 
LGA-BOS
Winter weather
Runway contaminated
Non-ILS approach
30 minutes before departure, what are you thinking? (explain to me as a non-pilot).
A
  1. De-ice / anti ice the plane - so the aircraft can take off.
  2. Contaminated runway what it does to plane and perf.
  3. Ice ingestion. - limit time on runway.
  4. Take off alternate?
  5. Communicate with Dispatch ground and crew. - loop!
  6. Non - ILS approaches RNAV have a min temp limitation for VNAV.
  7. Altimeters will under read so we will have to put on a cold weather factor.
48
Q

Last minute runway change procedure?

A

E.
F.
P.

49
Q

TMAAT When you have had the best and worst briefing?

A

S. Best and worst briefings to the crew.
A. Some captains don’t brief and some try and engage and break ice.
R. Ones that don’t = cabin crew not commutable bringing up concerns.
R. Ones that brief well = cabin crew feel at ease of bringing up safety concerns.
R. I learnt what briefings techniques worked well for me so when I upgraded I knew hoe to engage and get the best from my crew.

50
Q

TMAAT when you lost SA?

A

Cap descend below step

S. I can tell you about a time when we lost it as a crew.
A. Standard taxi routes.
A. Captain lost SA.
A. Nearly blocking outbound route.
R. Stopped AC / confirmed with ATC.
R. We didn’t block the outbound a/c from ramp.
R. Learnt to have the taxi routes briefed and on the iPad, easy access whilst on the ground.

51
Q

WWYD if you decide to divert?

A

Break down FO and Cap duties - hand over control!
CRM ask the FO
Weather
Ask dispatch if there is another suitable alternate for the commercial pax.
Then use communication loop.
Bingo fuel.

52
Q

FO walk around xmas eve and notice a nav light out.

A
  1. Notify captain.
  2. Look up MEL.
  3. Call Maintanance.
  4. Tell capt you can help with setting up the a/c while he writes up log book.
  5. Maybe advise gate agent of possible short delay to boarding.
  6. RAISE.
53
Q

TAAT when you worked with someone you didn’t care for?

A

Approach with cap descending below step.

S.I care for everyone.
A. Can tell you a time when someone didn’t care for me.
A. Captain was upset with me about something and was being short.
A. Before getting on the plane with 200 pax i confronted him.
R. Something bothering you?
R. Discussed sign on time and how he was used to guys signing on earlier.
R. Still keep in touch with him and managed to recommend him for a job in the states. We still keep in contact.

54
Q

Where do you see yourself in 5 Years?

A
  1. Hopefully being successful with the selection process.
  2. Learn my role within company
  3. Constantly learning from good captains.
  4. Try to add value in other departments
  5. Build our house in Near the beach in home town.
  6. Competing my series 65 exam.
55
Q

What do you do for fun?

A
  1. Travel
  2. Food
  3. Scoober diving
  4. Financial planning
56
Q

TMAAT your decision was challenged.

A

Push back with door not armed.

57
Q

TMAAT you had to make a critical decision?

A

Bramuda story.

American Airline Interview (1 decks)

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