Alaska Airlines      View Vacancies

Interview Profile

• Call to set up interview
• Emails with paperwork attachments
  • Gives flight, hotel information
  • A lot of paperwork

First Interview

• Interview usually starts at 0800 at the Alaska headquarters
• Computerized test
  • Psychological Inventory
  • Math skills
  • Verbal Skills
• Panel Interview
  • Two pilots and one HR representative
  • Mostly HR, people skills questions
  • Just a few technical
• Successful and second interview date is set

Second Interview

• Panel interview
  • Interview with Chief pilot and HR representative
  • Mostly Why Alaska, what would cause you to quit type

Interview Question Bank

First Interview

Human Resource Questions

• Talk through your ten year work history.
• What's your choice of base?
• What's your equipment preference?
• What would you do if Alaska didn't hire you?
• A few questions about my specific background
• Explain unique entries in the notes section of logbook.
• Have you ever had a significant disagreement with another pilot?
• What lead up to it?
• What was the result?
• What would that person say now, if we called and asked him about it?
• Have you ever failed?
• What do you do in your free time?
• You have always advanced your career; convince me you will stay here.
• TMAAT you disagreed with a Captain.
• TMAAT you were asked to do something you weren't comfortable with.
• TMAAT you had to give bad news over the PA.
• TMAAT you had a CRM breakdown in flight.
• What would you do if the Captain showed up drunk for pick up?
• What would you do if the Captain was high and fast on approach to Burbank?
• What would you do if Captain dips below minimums?
• What makes a good Captain?
• Rate yourself as a pilot on a scale from 1-10, explain.
• What role does a pilot play for the company?
• How will you be a good customer service representative for Alaska?
• Tell us something good/bad about your current company.
• Why do you want to leave?
• Any questions for us?
  

Technical Questions

• Aircraft questions (usually most current, or most advanced aircraft)
• What's a current limiter; what is the amperage rating; how do you start the aircraft while preserving the current limiter?
• Ever blown a tire; did you change it yourself; Where is it located in the aircraft?
• What was the fuel capacity of that plane?
• What type of engines does it have?
• What is the turbulence penetration speed?
• Given an approach (Boise ILS 28 Back course is common)
• When would you start down from 33,000' on this approach?
• Brief the approach
• Talk me through this approach
• If there is an arc, what radial would you start your turn from?
• What is the weather required?
• Weather changes before/after FAF what does that mean?
• How would you figure a VDP for this approach?
• What would the DME read at the VDP?
• Is your current aircraft VNAV capable on approaches?
• Read METAR
• Read wind aloft
• What weather is required for takeoff?
• Definition of tropopause
• How does the jetstream affect flight decisions?
• What is weather radar attenuation, what can you do about it?
• What is the difference between ALSF1 and ALSF2 approach lighting systems?
  

Computer Tests

• Psychological Inventory
• Math Skills, sequences
• Verbal Skills

Second Interview

• Why Alaska?
• What attracts you to Alaska?
• What do you think about Alaska's management, and how do they compare with management at your current airline?
• Are you the kind of guy that wants to get something 100% right, regardless of the time required, or 90% right at a much higher level of efficiency?
• What assurances do we have you wait leave Alaska in six months?
• What one word would your wife use to describe you?
• How did career decision __ fit into your plan to work at Alaska?
• What type of flying would you bid for at Alaska?
• What is it specifically about Alaska that attracts you?
• What challenges is the airline industry facing?
• What challenges is Alaska Airlines facing?
• What would you do to deal with a disgruntled Captain?
• What do you know about the culture of Alaska Airlines?
• Any questions for us?
  

Comments

• Alaska pays for your hotel at the Double tree
• Laid back interview
• Second interview is usually a week or so after the first