Compass Airlines      View Vacancies

Interview Profile

• Updated 9/25/10

• All done in one day in MSP 
  
  
  
  • Each candidate is different.
  
  
  
  


• Gather documents


• Proceed with a three part test
  
  
  
  • Computer based
  
  
  • Cognitive
  
  
  • Psychological
  
  
  • Technical (NOT just from ATP written)
  
  
  
  


• If you pass they let you continue with a panel interview, 3 on 1
  
  
  
  • One HR representative
  
  
  • Two NWA pilots
  
  
  • No Technical Questions
  
  
  • HR is just getting to know you and how you would respond to certain scenarios
  
  
  
  


• If hired, then fill out paperwork


• Doctor for drug screening


• Taxi to airport

Interview Question Bank

Technical Questions

• How do you identify a FAF on a VOR


• How do you identify the FAF on an ILS?


• What are holding speeds?


• What is the required wake turbulence separation behind a heavy?


• Describe systems on your current aircraft
  
  
  
  • Landing gear
  
  
  • Engines
  
  
  
  


• When is an alternate required for landing?


• When is an alternate required for takeoff?


• Would you depart with a runway MU of 25?


• Would you depart if the crosswind exceeded airplane limitations?


• Shown pictures to identify
  
  
  
  • Cold front
  
  
  • Stationary front
  
  
  • Displaced threshold
  
  
  • Taxiway markings
  
  
  • ILS critical area
  
  
  
  

Human Resource Questions

• Tell us about an emergency you've had


• Tell us about your strengths


• What would you do if a crewmember was not adhering to standard procedures and when you brought it to their attention they disregarded you?


• What would your ideal flying job be?


• Where else have you applied?


• What are your career goals and expectations?


• You taxi to the runway and the F/O says he didn't do the walk around, what woyld you do? Would you tell the passengers?


• F/O says he did walk around, but you saw that he didn't. What would you do?


• What would you do if your F/O wasn't responding to an altitude change?


• Have you ever had a conflict with a fellow crewmember, how did you handle that? How are you a leader as an FO?


• How did you start flying?


• Why Compass?


• Do you feel comfortable giving PAs to passengers? How about standing in the galley or the gate and doing it?


• Talk about a time you had to give a PA to the passengers due to weather or maintenance.


• Tell us about your typical day where you are right now.


• What do you like most and least about your present job?


• What did you like more, and which was tougher for you, ground or sim training?


• Why do you like compass?


• What does your resume not tell us about you?


• Did you ever have a problem with an F/O?


• Have you ever had a problem with a passenger?


• Have you ever gone out of the way for a passenger?


• How do you feel you would do going back to being an F/O?


• What are your pet peeves with a captain or F/O?


• Tell us about a mistake you made the last time you flew?


• What makes a good captain?


• What would you do if you lost your medical?


• What would you do if you suspected a passenger was drunk or not responsive?


• Describe your academic and work experience as outlined in the supplemental form sent to you prior to the interview.


• What do you think about the flow-through agreement?


• Have you ever broken a regulation?


• In your opinion, what is the best flying job?


• How do you see the rest of your career playing out?


• What make a good airline?


• Have you ever benn angry with a Captain or F/O?


• Explain any failed check rides.


• Explain any violations/ letters of warning.


• What do you think will be the cause of the next aviation accident?


• What would you do if you lost your medical?


• What would you do if you do not get enough rest?


• Would you fly fatigued, what if the rest of the crew was okay with it?

Simulator

• Discontinued (08/27/2010)


• Conducted in 727


• Depart and conduct basic maneuvers


• Steep turns


• Constant rate (1000 fpm) climbing and descending turns


• Hints:
  
  
  
  • Controls are very heavy
  
  
  • Steam gauges
  
  
  • Controls are heavy
  
  
  • Trim is electric, but it moves a trim wheel which is noisy
  
  
  • Sim is slow to process, be patient- put in a correction wait 3-4 seconds then react
  
  
  • Proceed direct to a VOR
  
  
  • Given holding instructions
  
  
  • If you brief the right entry, you may not actually enter the hold
  
  
  • Sim complete after holding event
  
  
  • If you do hold, don't forget the call to ATC that you are entering
  
  
  • May get questions about holding speeds during the simulator
  
  
  
  

Written

• Trim tab purpose and variations (about 6 questions)


• When can you store baggage in passenger compartment


• 15-20 weather questions

Comments

• Bring all required paperwork PLUS a 10 year work/living history as there is more paperwork to fill out the day of the interview (11/06/07)


• Everyone is very laid back and friendly. If they call you in they want to give you the job. (08/04/07)


• The contract requires all new hires to be given a PIC type rating. (That's how they let them get away with the $12,000 one-year training contract, prorated.) (09/04/07)


• The technical questions are NOT from the ATP and are pretty difficult. Know the stuff from the study guide to a pretty in depth level. Just studying the ATP will not help much. ( I found the Delta interview gouge was a help) (08/27/10)


• They provide transportation and Hotel (Holiday Inn near their corporate offices) to and from the interview (08/27/10)


• I just interviewed at Compass the week of September 20, 2010.  They conduct interviews Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  You will take three one hour exams consisting of personality test in which you will have to answer Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree on Questions such as "People consider me to be hard working." Next is a cognitive exam consisting of hand-eye cordnitation, memory and recall ability, such as putting numbers and letters in a sequence. The third test is a job-based knowledge test.  Very difficult. I have been a pilot for six years and study very hard for the test and was nervous awaiting the scores.  I stress the importance of completely filling out the study guide they provide for you before hand.  That ends the morning session.  If you pass all three, you will be asked after a one hour lunch break to interview infront of a panel of three individuals, including the Chief Pilot, a Human Resources Member, and someone else, I had a retired NWA Pilot.  Tell me about a time when I declared an emergency, Tell me about a time I changed company policy.  Tell me what you do in your free time.  Tell me what you are thinking about 1 hour prior to your show as driving to work. Tell me about a time I had to settle a disagreement amongst co-workers. (09/25/10)