Human Resource

Question 1

Do you have any accidents, incidents, or violations?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

What are the highlights of your resume?

Answer 2

Loyalty. I usually stay long with an airline and I am in

No accidents and incidents. I am a safe pilot.

Question 3

What is your total time? PIC?

Answer 3

Airbus: 8,500 hrs, 3,000 hrs PIC time

Question 4

How many hours do you fly each month?

Answer 4

90 hours. Not my choice. Airline requirement. In Asia, maximization is the norm.

Question 5

Can you walk me through your resume / tell me about your career starting from flight school

Answer 5

Started flight training in 2007. I was a Cebu Pacific Cadet.

My training lasted 3 years because the company was waiting for the right time to put us in the line.

Started flying in the line with Cebu Pacific until November 2016
Then Air Asia until 2022
I lived in San Francisco during my furlough then I got my FAA ATP in 2021
I did a test flight in France with Flight Deck Support in 2021, I asked Air Asia if I could fly on the side, was allowed.
I have been with Vietjet in since April 2022

Question 6

Why should we hire you? Who is Leonardo? What will you bring to Spirit?

Answer 6

1. I bring my to you years of flying experience
2. I like learning new things, quick to learn and adapt
3. I adjust to company cultures as proof of my long stay with my previous airlines
4. I am committed to safety
5. I believe highly in CRM, communication and teamwork
6. I am relaxed and equate work with a fun environment
7. I am a people person
8. I am all about giving the best customer experience in the safest possible way

Question 7

Tell me about a time when you had to give disappointing news to someone

Answer 7

When I was furloughed during the pandemic. I had to explain the news to my wife that I still was employed but will no longer receive salary. With pandemic going into it’s 2nd year, no idea if and when I would start receiving salary again.

Question 8

Have you ever been fired or asked to resign in lieu of termination?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

How would you rate you piloting skills on a scale from 1 to 10?

Answer 9

I would say an 8. I have had years to develop my skills but I know I definitely have room to grow and want to continue learning.

I have never flown for a US airline. There will be adjustments there.

Question 10

How do you show resiliency in a hard situation?

Answer 10

Focus on the task at hand
Do not lose situational awareness
Remain calm
Be a team player or leader as needed

Question 11

What happens if the weather drops below minimums inside the FAF?

Answer 11

Continue the approach
You may land if the runway is visible at MDA and have the required minimum visibility

Question 12

Tell us about a time you had to make a safe decision.

Answer 12

I called in fatigue at work the night before. The result of arriving again from a long flight brought about by delays due to weather, this happened for four days straight.
The night before my next flight, my fifth day flying, I could feel my body was different. Tired. So I called in fatigue. Good decision.

Question 13

Tell me about a time you highlighted/praised a crew member?

Answer 13

I did a 4 leg flight, with a change aircraft in the middle, and all legs were delayed because of bad weather. At the end of the flight, I made sure to tell everyone what a great job they all did, being patient with the customers, keeping it together during turbulence, and working through an exhausting day, all while keeping everything safe and still a fun experience

Question 14

Tell me about a time You provided great customer service (besides helping a passenger get their bags, or helping a person in a wheelchair).

Answer 14

I remember a time in Manila, we were delayed due to bad weather on approach. But the weather was fine at the airport.

A customer came to me, she said, “why are we delayed? They say weather, but there is no weather that I can see”, I explained the situation and then she said “I should have flown Philippine Airlines”!

I told her, “you know, if I were in your position, I would feel the same way as you”.

She smiled and left. Empathy made the difference.

Question 15

Have you had any DUI’s?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

What type of plane are you currently flying?

Answer 16

IAirbus A320 Family. I have flown A319, A320, A321 (CEO & NEO)

Question 17

Why would you be a good fit for Spirit?

Answer 17

I have noticed, after being in 3 airlines, many carry over their old airlines procedures. This leads to confusion.

When I join an airline, I adjust fully to that airlines structure and SOP.

I will fly the Spirit way under Spirit’s rules.

I am also a hard worker, come in early all the time.

Lastly, I believe I already practice Spirit’s Culture of Relaxed, Friendly, and Fun and believe in Spirit’s Core Values

Question 18

Why do you want to work for Spirit or what do you look for in an airline? (4)

Answer 18

I have read that the culture of Spirit is relaxed, friendly, and fun. I am a people person.

I also practice Spirit’s core values Safety, Service, Savvy, Style in every day I fly.

I am also looking for a long term stay, until I retire, so stability is important to me.

I have been flying the Airbus A320 Family for 13 years. I want to stay with Airbus

Question 19

Do you have any questions for us?

Answer 19

Any plans to go wide body?

Question 20

How do you set the tone for the crew?

Answer 20

At the start of the day, I like to introduce myself first properly, presenting myself as light and approachable. I do small chat. Important is Relaxed, Friendly, & Fun

Question 21

Have you ever had any training failures?

Answer 21

Yes. I failed a company sim check. Explain. 2014, as FO with Cebu Pacific, I rejected a speed above V1. We stopped in the runway but I know I had made a mistake. I lost my situational awareness. I had a recheck a few days later and passed. I have since then improved on my situational awareness and CRM. I have not failed any checks since then.

Question 22

How did you get into aviation?

Answer 22

Mom and dad were into selling Jet fuel to general aviation and the airlines in the Philippines. I grew up around mechanics, truck drivers, pilots, and airplanes. I wanted to stay in aviation. An industry that I love.

Question 23

Tell me about the time I had to deal with a difficult captain?

Answer 23

I remember early in my career, a captain who was difficult to fly with. I was upgraded from Standby and I said yes, I accept the flight and asked who was my Captain, they said it was Captain Chip and begged me to take the flight. I was the 4th person they had asked, all others said they were sick. I said I had already accepted the flight.

It then got a call 15 mins later saying, change flight. Then went on to say it was only Captain who was moving but the Captain said he will not move unless I moved with him.

I was surprised. In hindsight, I am glad I flew with all types and not chosen just the nice guys. Captain’s like these increased my tolerance to different personalities. Focused on the job and also made me a better pilot.

Question 24

Who are you?

Answer 24

I am Leonardo M. Orendain
Born and raised in Manila, the Philippines to an American mother and a Filipino father.
I have 5 sisters and no brothers
I graduated Economics in college
I play guitar, love music and the movies
I am a friendly guy. Easy to get along with. eager to learn new things
My first job was as a dish washer back when I was 20. I learned to work hard
I value friendship and teamwork
Etc

Question 25

Tell me about a time when the captain disagreed with your flying?

Answer 25

I remember when the captain would not give me the flaps when I wanted it. He wanted to set them out later. I realized later on that different scenarios can be approached many different ways. I adjusted right away to his style since he is the commander of the flight

Question 26

What do you look for in an airline?

Answer 26

Stability.
Location.
I am looking for my forever airline. Great culture.

Question 27

Tell me about the hardest decision you had to make during a flight?

Answer 27

Doing a Circline Approach, we were then on Finals, about 500’ with a clear view of the runway. We realized we had forgotten to do the Landing Checklist. I executed the misapproach.

Glad we did the Misapproach. Taught me the level of keeping high standards.

Question 28

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a captain?

Answer 28

I flew with a Captain who liked to fly very close to traffic on the approach and on finals.

I was intimidated but I did voice my concern. I was then scolded. Eventually, he did create space in between.

Question 29

Tell me about something that is not on your resume?

Answer 29

Hard working. I always come early to prepare for my flights

Question 30

Captain comes in drunk, what do you do?

Answer 30

I ask him to the side, I encourage him to call in sick. I will refuse to fly under his condition.

Question 31

If you could get rid of a company SOP, what would it be?

Answer 31

I would prefer if the company decided for the pre flight stage to Line Up for Take Off do either PF/PM or CM1/CM2. Right now we are mixing it and it causes confusion with Pilots. It’s PF/PM until Engine Start then CM1/CM2 until Line Up

Question 32

Tell me about a time you had to make a quick decision?

Answer 32

Crew incapacitation, diverted to Manila

Question 33

Tell me about the most recent thing you learned in flight?

Answer 33

I learned not all aircrafts prohibit Reversers on use during taxi. An email was sent out, explaining that Airbus prohibits the use of Reversers during taxi. Apparently ATR pilots do use reversers to slow down their aircraft.

Question 34

What makes a good Captain, what makes a good First Officer?

Answer 34

Captain: communicates well with crew, knowledgeable, good situational awareness for decision making

FO: knowledgeable, knows were to find things when needed, give good advice

Question 35

Rate the last guy you flew with?

Answer 35

I would rate the last First Officer I flew with a 10. Flight to South Korea. Co Pilot was standard and relaxed. Showed good CRM. We discussed Airbus stuff in flight. he was excited to learn and share. I was amazed with his knowledge of the aircraft

Question 36

Tell me about the time, we had to deviate from a flight?

Answer 36

ATC told us after airborne to communicate with our company, we called Air Asia on VHF 2, we were instructed to divert to Kalibo instead of Caticlan. Kalibo and Caticlan airports are next to each other. I informed ATC the change of airport and since I was familiar with the area, the route I wanted to take.

Considerations were the passengers. We were informed by the company they would be bussed to Katiclan.

Question 37

Any good experience with Spirit?

Answer 37

Name: Iffat Nitu
1. Laguardia Check in Agent discovered my luggage was not overweight. I paid for what I thought was overweight luggage. Iffat helped me refund the $79
2. Loved the chairs. Feel lighter and less bulky
3. Friendly service by cabin attendants