Interview

Question 1

TMAAT you had a conflict with a captain

Answer 1

Situation
Action
Result

Henry saying I’m taking too long. We were on leg 5 of 6. Rare to fly that many. Look. I try to put myself in the other pilot’s shoes that we’re both tired and his comment is a result of that. We completed another leg professionally, agreed to get dinner and a beer, and had a nice discussion that we were both exhausted from the long day.

“To resolve this conflict, I had to recognize that I cannot change or control his behavior. I also acknowledged that this behavior, from both of us, was likely a result of stress due to the heavy workload of the project. Therefore, I adjusted my own communication style to increase empathy, avoid triggers and build patience with interruptions. We were able to complete the project and maintain polite correspondence whenever we needed to work together after that.”

Question 2

TMAAT you made a mistake

Answer 2

Leaving the pax bags behind in PBI

Question 3

3 skills for a good FO

Answer 3

Be competent. Know your SOP’s. Know your updates. Brief the captain on major SOP changes so on same page.

Be assertive. Help prevent mistakes. FO’s have saved me many times from turning onto the wrong taxiway to making sure our pax ID’s were checked.

Trust but verify. That they complete a quick walk around after my preflight (if I’m NFP that day) to make sure chocks are pulled and doors closed and latched.

Question 4

Best customer service story?

Answer 4

President of NCAA diversion to RDU due to thunderstorms/driving him to Duke/using my own CC.

Delivering a client’s very expensive jewelry back to her at 3 o’clock in the morning.

Question 5

Why Southwest?

Answer 5

F/A’s taking care of me after my mother’s death…The “we” core value practicing “service with luv” was emphasized that day. This promotes longevity for employees, and keeps customers coming back.

I like that SW likes to keep work enjoyable. Not take things too seriously, all the while keeping it safe while providing customer service and comfort.

Values: Integrity

• Act like an owner
• Choose to do right
• Be courageous

I appreciate the foreword thinking of taking care of its employees by being financially prepared during the down times. I.E. fuel hedging. Added 17 cities during the pandemic.

Question 6

Why are you leaving current job?

Answer 6

I am grateful for my time at Xojet, but at this point in my career I’m interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.

Better work-life balance. Family would like it if I’m home more often.

Question 7

How do you feel about two months of training?

Answer 7

I’m fine with it. I have been in this industry for a long time and I understand the requirements of 121 training coming in. I’m looking forward to learning the SWA and 121 way, and the new challenges that they bring.

Question 8

What did you do to prepare?

Answer 8

I sought the consult of a few close friends that are SWA pilots, and spoke with a former SWA captain that runs a interview prep company to help me remember stories, and to bring out the best of me.

Question 9

Why should we hire you?

Answer 9

I can bring some key strengths, qualifications, and experiences to SWA, such as a personal renewed positive energy that I can help sustain the culture, an asset with my former experience as an instructor to the training department some day, and continue the positive culture and not take myself too seriously that I learned at Xojet that so many former Xojet pilots brought.

Question 10

What do you think will be the most difficult transition for you going to SWA?

Answer 10

Settling in to a different type of flying. Learning how the bidding and scheduling system works. But overtime I am looking forward to it and adapting to it.

Question 11

TMAAT you had a communication breakdown?

Answer 11

SimCom “posh posh.”

Pitot covers left on during preflight

Question 12

Core Values.

Answer 12

Humility:

Don’t take yourself too seriously
Keep perspective
Don’t be a jerk

Me:
Pride
Integrity
Humility

We:
Teamwork
Honesty
Service with luv

Southwest:
How southwest succeeds

Efficiency
Discipline
Excellence

Question 13

A time CRM worked for you

Answer 13

• fuel not transferring from the center tank to the wing tanks

Question 14

Pick one emergency. What did you learn?

Answer 14

Landing gear indication with Brian in the Beech Jet.

Lowered the gear and one main gear was showing not down.
I learned about what it’s like to put the theory of CRM into actual use and practice. I learned the importance of delegating tasks based on experience.

Question 15

Strengths/Weaknesses

Answer 15

Strengths:

I’m generally not a procrastinator. I like to check tasks off of my list early and not induce any stress brought on by having to rush.

Communication skills

Weaknesses:

Negative criticism. Sometimes I struggle with negative criticism. But negative criticism is necessary for growth and learning, especially in a training environment and I’ve learned to accept that.

Question 16

TMAAT you went out of your way to help a crew member

Answer 16

Find something

Question 17

TMMAT you had to take controls from the captain

Answer 17

Use Brian Craddock story with the cross-plumbed brakes in CGF

Question 18

Worst mistake in the cockpit?

Answer 18

Maybe in a slight hurry to get the airplane powered up and instead of turning on the emergency lights to check them, I instead turned on the gravity cross flow switch which basically opens a valve between the fuel tanks. This started a fuel leak out of one of the wings.

Question 19

Now to deal with a difficult captain or FO?

Answer 19

I have flown with who are rumored to be difficult colleagues from other pilots. But I’ve always had a rule to take with a grain of salt and to get to know the person first before passing judgment. This has worked for me on the past.

Question 20

How would you describe yourself?

Answer 20

A loyal person who is grateful for everything I have. I am passionate about my work. I am ambitious and driven. I am organized.

Question 21

Questions for them.

Answer 21

What have you seen the biggest obstacles or challenges for new hires been on their first year?

I understand there’s a new training center being built in DAL. Has it been completed?

Question 22

Tell us about your most memorable flight?

Answer 22

Use the PWM-BNA trip with the teenagers to pick up the new puppy.

Or flying the heart for a transplant patient.

Question 23

How many destinations?

Fleet Size?

Orders of aircraft?

Key people?

Financial and performance overview?

Recent company news?

Answer 23

121. 10 additional countries

Up to 114.

Gary Kelly
Tom Nealon
Mike Van de Ven

Recent news: they released a history book.

Question 24

The role of a first officer at SWA?

Answer 24

Assist the captain.

Successfully complete the first year timeline from “celebration” to “1 year from start” laid out on the careers page.

All the while maintaining the culture of fostering a fun and healthy work environment while not taking yourself so seriously,

Question 25

What would former crew say about you?

Answer 25

A knowledgeable pilot. Respects the airplane in regards to safety and performance. Enjoy being around. Thinks outside the box. Conscientious, honest, and hard working. Easy going personality.

Question 26

What makes Southwest better than Xojet?

Answer 26

“Better” has different meanings for different people. Xojet is a wonderful place to work. Organizations all do their best to treat their people well, be economically sustainable, and players in their communities. It depends on the individual what’s”best” in my opinion.

Question 27

What bad qualities would my FO’s say I have?

Answer 27

Sometimes they say they can’t read my handwriting on the releases.

A couple would say I worry too much about the next day’s challenges before the current day is up. But that translates my work into being proactive (choosing different airports for clients when snow coming the next day for ex), it gives us time to choose a safe option , and allows the company to reach out to the clients of any impending diversions.

Question 28

Why did you pick the college you went to?

Answer 28

Took many of my previous credits and flight ratings.

Based in my hometown, and has a stellar reputation.

They have a strong community presence with giving back to it. I.e. Excelsior Connects, which provides support for current and aspiring students. Something I wish I had while in my beginning stages.

Question 29

TMAAT you had to use your CRM skills

Answer 29

Pitch feel fail example?

Question 30

TMAAT you made a mistake while flying?

Answer 30

I have some ASAP reporting events.

Turn wrong direction after takeoff in CRQ.

Turned onto wrong taxiway in CLT.

Question 31

TMAAT you clashed with another crew member or coworker?

Answer 31

Tim Maison berating mx over the phone.

Kevin insulting the bartender about not being able to vape.

Question 32

What about your experience makes you a good fit?

Answer 32

Xojet shares a lot of the same culture as SWA, So I feel tuned into it already. I’m excited to finish my career with SWA. I live near a base and feel that would help with longevity hear at SWA.

Look out for their employees etc

Question 33

Hobbies and what I like to do for fun?

Answer 33

Golf
Cycling
Spend time with wife
Gym

Question 34

What are you looking for in an airline?

Answer 34

Stability.

Awards and recognitions which are loaded under your press releases. 
Foreword thinking. 
Historical reputation 
Structure 
Culture
Branding

Question 35

TMAAT you failed as a leader?

Answer 35

Pitot tube cover incident.

I lost control of the morning.

I should have briefed FO better.

Question 36

Went through my resume asking me questions on why I made certain company moves.

Answer 36

I explained progression to build my and become better for myself and career. out of advice from Rocky and their recruiters I met at Women In Aviation Conference. I wanted to be the best me I could be for them.

Question 37

How would I handle being a junior FO in a bad base after being senior?

Answer 37

I understand completely the short term sacrifices I will be making to eventually gain long term traction to finish my career at Southwest.

Question 38

TMAAT you witnessed a crew member violate an SOP

Answer 38

I myself have kept the APU on high mode longer than it should be on really hot days to serve our pax and make them comfortable

Question 39

Which value do you associate with and why?

Answer 39

We. Because even at Xojet, I believe the “We” spirit value is something I can relate to on a daily basis. Teamwork. Integrity. Service with luv.

Question 40

Coolest thing I’ve done in a plane?

Answer 40

Taking my father as my first passenger on a flight in a 172 after earning my Private License.

Question 41

TMAAT you were counseled?

Answer 41

I was being groomed to be a TCE at SimCom, and my TCM, with whom I had a good relationship, wanted to make sure I had all of the right to tools to succeed.

Question 42

What qualities make up a good pilot?

Answer 42

Interpersonal (people) skills
Listening
Time management
Empathy
Motivation
Positive attitude
Team work
Self discipline
Confidence
Ability to remain calm in a crisis