Scenario Based Questions

Question 1

You meet downstairs after an overnight the CA isn’t feeling well, you suspect he’s intoxicated, He insists he’s fine, what do you do?

Answer 1

If I have any doubt I would pull the CA aside and ask him if he’s feeling ok. If I believe he would compromise safety in any way I would suggest that he call in sick and if he still persists, let him know that we’ll use the breathalyzer at the airport to be absolutely safe.

Question 2

During walk-around at an outstation you notice the right tire has a flat spot with cord showing (not torn). Captain says he doesn’t care and thinks you’re over reacting about it. What do you do?

Answer 2

I’d let the CA know that I was uncomfortable with the tire and that it felt unsafe. We’ll call maintenance and have them take a look.

Question 3

The captain doesn’t want to go missed and what do you say/do? Do you say something after? Do you report it?

Answer 3

As PM I would let the tower know that we are going around. I would talk with the CA after we’re on the ground to clear things up, perhaps point out why I felt the go around was necessary. If I felt the issue was not resolved I would talk to Professional Standards.

Question 4

The Captain wants to go on a 5 hour flight, full of pax, although all lavs are (legally) deferred per the MEL…what do you do?

Answer 4

I think 5 hours is too long, especially with children onboard. 2 hours would be my upper limit, ensuring all passengers knew about the inconvenience before boarding the plane.

Question 5

Tell us about a difficult pilot you flew with. What issues did you have? How did you address them?

Answer 5

I flew with a CA who was routinely fast at restrictions on arrivals. When I alerted him that he was a little fast he responded that the speed restrictions are more guidelines than requirements. Approaching the next restriction I asked the controller if they needed the speed and they of course said yes. After doing this twice he began to meet the speed restrictions.

Question 6

What would you do if you had a CA who wanted to take off with frost on the wings?

Answer 6

I would let the captain know that it is unsafe and not in accordance with the SOP and company procedures. If it came down to it I could call ground for taxi-back to the de-ice pad or involve the company but in no situation allow the CA to takeoff.

Question 7

What would you do if you only had 20 minutes to catch your commute home, and you just pulled into the gate at SBI?

Answer 7

While tight connections happen I wouldn’t let it compromise my responsibilities.

Question 8

There is a conflict in the cabin. Hulk and Spiderman are back there. Which one would you send to resolve the conflict?

Answer 8

Spiderman. Don’t want Hulk to tear apart the aircraft.

Question 9

What would you do if the captain showed up out of uniform?

Answer 9

I would ask him if he wanted to borrow a tie, pants, etc. Maybe purchase a replacement in the terminal.

Question 10

What would you do if the passengers are refusing to wear their masks?

Answer 10

Make a PA addressing the requirements for wearing a mask.

Question 11

What would you do if there was a passenger seating conflict?

Answer 11

If we’re still at the gate alert the gate agent.

Question 12

What would you do if the captain became unresponsive on takeoff?

Answer 12

I would immediately act according to the SOPs and phase of the takeoff.

Question 13

What would you do if the flight attendant calls during cruise and says the masks have deployed?

Answer 13

Make sure we are still pressurized, apply the appropriate QRH procedure, communicate with the FA, Passengers, Dispatcher, and Maintenance as appropriate.

Question 14

What would you do if the captain notices a maintenance issue but doesn’t want to write it up and just go home?

Answer 14

I would let the CA know that it’s unsafe in that condition and that we need to call maintenance. If necessary I would call maintenance myself.

Question 15

What would you do if your captain showed up for the flight acting weird, but you can’t smell alcohol?

Answer 15

I would talk to them and see if everything is ok and make sure they are safe to fly.

Question 16

What would you do if a FA called and said she can hear a clock ticking in an overhead bin?

Answer 16

I would lockdown the cockpit and begin the bomb threat procedure.

Question 17

How would you handle two flight attendants who were fighting?

Answer 17

Separate them.

Question 18

An old lady approached you in the terminal and was complaining how Frontier “nickel and dime everything from bags to everything else”, what would you say to her?

Answer 18

I would apologize and show empathy. Al la carte service allows for the lowest possible ticket prices.

Question 19

What would you do if a PAX during the boarding process yells that I’m drunk?

Answer 19

I would involve the gate agent and get a breathalyzer involved to prove I am not intoxicated.

Question 20

What would you do if the CA wanted to wear a Frontier baseball cap?

Answer 20

I would try to compromise with them by suggesting he wear it only in the cockpit. Baseball caps are not professional in the public eye and hurts our reputation.

Question 21

What would you do if the Captain doesn’t want to de-ice?

Answer 21

Reiterate the need to de-ice if there is any confusion, best err on the side of caution.

Question 22

What would I do if the captain refused to go around for a loss of essential instrument?

Answer 22

Inform ATC of the loss and that we are going around.

Question 23

You are the CA. You are at cruise. The FA calls and says there is a fire in a overhead bin and the bin is jammed shut. The FA then asks for the crash axe to get it open. What do you do?

Answer 23

Ask the FA to use all available resources to combat the fire, but keep the cockpit door locked.

Question 24

You want to depart ORD with a very HIGH crosswind, should you depart?

Answer 24

Determine if the winds are within limits.

Question 25

You’re on the ILS approach and the Glideslope fails, can you continue the approach?

Answer 25

After reporting the failure, you should go around. You were cleared for the ILS and likely didn’t brief or program the LOC only approach.

Question 26

You are climbing out of DEN and you see some cool looking lens-shaped clouds over the mountains, what do you do?

Answer 26

Avoid the Lenticular clouds.

Question 27

Got the Denver ILS 34L, brief it as you would in real life. Asked me what the final approach was on an ILS? Asked me what I needed to go Below Mins? (really big on this, asked everyone this one). Okay you have what you need to go down 100ft below mins and tower reported the visibility just dropped down below mins but you have the runway, would you continue? Now if you had a FED on the jump would you continue?

Answer 27

91. 175
92. Continuous position to land on intended runway in the TDZ.
93. Required flight visibility.
94. Runway environment in sight.

The approach light systems’s red terminating bars or red side row bars (used on ALSF-1 and ALSF-2 systems)
The runway threshold
The threshold lights
The runway end identifier lights (they’re the flashing strobes on the corners of the runway’s approach threshold)
The visual approach slope indicator (this includes both VASIs and PAPIs)
The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings
The touchdown zone lights
The runway or runway markings
The runway lights

Question 28

What would you do if Cruising at FL380 and an engine fails. What are your immediate considerations and actions?

Answer 28

Aviate, navigate, communicate. Ensure the airspeed is appropriate, situational awareness with terrain, nearby airports. Run procedure, determine driftdown and diversion airport.

Question 29

What would you do if you get to the aircraft and the CAPT is not there yet, notified all 3 lavatories are out of service?

Answer 29

I would call the CA to get them in the loop. If we’re not ok with taking the plane then call dispatch to work out possible solutions.

Question 30

What would you do if the plane was leaking blue fluid?

Answer 30

Inspect the area to determine where it’s coming from then call maintenance.

Question 31

What would you do if you lost an engine in cruise over the mountains?

Answer 31

Run the appropriate procedure, If we were dispatched under method 1, I would choose an alternate as appropriate. If method 2 I would consult the release to see options.

Question 32

What will you do if you’ve descend below DA , but then need to go around?

Answer 32

Perform the go-around or balked landing.

Question 33

What would you do if it was Christmas Eve and the LAV was MEL’d. The flight is about 1:40. Would you go or not, and how would you make that decision ?

Answer 33

I personally would go if the other crew members were comfortable and the MEL was legal. 2 hours is my limit, I’ve done it before and as long as the passengers are notified before boarding I think it’s ok.