Why should we hire you?
- I hope I can communicate this to you in our short time together, but I honestly believe I have what you are looking for… in abundance.
- First, I’m an excellent pilot. I have a long and spotless career in a variety of aircraft, missions and locations. I have 6 “Exceptionally Qualified” flight evals in my Air Force record. Also, I did previously complete an airline training program and flew the line. Although for a far shorter period of time than I hoped. I know there have been a lot of changes and I have a lot to learn, but I can learn, and learn fast because I love it! To me, flying is a lifelong pursuit of unattainable perfection. I love the pursuit and never grow tired of it!
- The second primary reason is “shared values.” All companies talk about honesty, integrity, teamwork…
Tell me about yourself.
- I was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana not far from where my grandfather and his brothers owned and operated a sugar cane farm. I grew up mostly on that farm and, what was then, the small town of Covington outside of New Orleans. It’s a unique place to grow up! Although I’ve live around the country, the love of life and food and fun from down there is still a big part of me!
- I got my love of flying from my father. Although he wasn’t a pilot, he loves aviation and we always went air shows. Whenever we went to airport to pick up someone (I didn’t take my first flight until I was in high school) we’d go early and watch the airliners come and go.
- My high school had an Air Force Junior ROTC program, so in addition to being captain of the football team, Vice President of the Key Club and so forth, I was the cadet commander of our little detachment. Anyway, that’s how I got connected with the Air Force.
- I’ve had an awesome Air Force career! By choice, all of it spent at the unit level flying airplanes and even a brief, glorious time as an airline pilot flying for Northwest!
- After pilot training I went to Pease AFB in New Hampshire and flew the no-kidding water injected KC-135 A-Model and the mighty T-37 as part of the “Accelerated Co-pilot Enrichment” program. It was a program to help co-pilots build the flying time needed to upgrade to aircraft commander. Looking back on it, I barely knew up from down then, but learned many of the formative lessons of my career in that assignment!
- Next I was a T-38 instructor pilot at Reese in Lubbock, Texas. I caught the last of the big pilot training classes, had three students at once, flew 12-15 sorties a week and love it.
- What I am most proud of is while at Reese the AF brought in a brand new aircraft, the T-1A, a modified Beechjet 400 small business jet, I was selected to be a part of the “T-1A Initial Cadre”… the first 23 pilots to fly and train students! I gave THE very first student check ride in history of the program. I was the first T-1 Functional Check Flight pilot (we did the test flights after the aircraft underwent any major repairs especially to the engines or flight controls) in Air Training Command and I won the very first T-1A “Instructor Pilot of the Year” award!
- After Texas, I got my second choice and went to Grand Forks, ND. (My first choice was Robins AFB just down the road near Macon, because the long term plan was to settle down and apply to Delta… but after settling in ND, the logical first choice was NWA… Anyway, YES! It was a bit chilly! (Real quick. You might get a kick out of this. When we signed up my younger son for preschool…)
The highlight of my time at Grand Forks… was leading the team that converted the wing 5 squadrons, 48 aircraft) to the Pacer CRAG modified KC-135… a rudimentary “glass cockpit with GPS, FMS, TCAS… eventually SATCOM, CPDLC, GPWS… and the elimination of the navigator and transition to two-pilot ops. Of course it’s the standard now and the airlines had made the conversion years earlier, but then it was a big deal in the AF. - In 2000, my active duty commitments to AF were complete and I made the jump to the airlines and the Air Force Reserve at Grissom ARB in Indiana. Since we were living in ND and planning to stay for a while I applied to NWA first, was hired, loved it and about 9 months later 9/11 occurred. The economy was hit hard, the furlough occurred, but I don’t talk about much, and you’ll never hear me complain about it. When I think about all the people who lost loved ones that day, I think it would be unforgivable for me to complain about losing a job.
- Nine days after 9/11 my reserve unit was called to active duty for a year, I became an Air Reserve Technician, which means I work full-time for the Air Reserve command in a combined civil service/military capacity. I moved steadily up in rank and positions… I was Chief of standardization and evaluations (kind of like the senior check airman), a squadron commander, flying squadron operations office, a squadron commander again in North Carolina and finally promoted to Colonel and the very challenging but rewarding job I have know as the Operations Group Commander at March ARB (about miles east of Los Angeles). I oversee 9 C-17s, 14 KC-135s, 7 different squadrons, about 750 personnel including responsibility for air field and air traffic control.
- To wrap it up, I never imagined it would be this good! I’ve been to 32 different countries, made life-long friends, I’m retiring as a Colonel and my gas tank is still full! I’m sincerely as energetic and enthusiastic to fly and now serve this fantastic company as I was when I started! So briefly that’s my story and why I’m here today!
Why do you want to work for delta?
- I admire Delta! Imprinted on me…
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Tell me something that you’re not good at.
- Basketball!
- I’m not good at going fast…
Tell me about a time that you had a serious conflict with a coworker.
- Thunderbird #1 story…
How do you handle stress?
- I believe in the basics: rest, hydration, nutrition and exercise…
- Talk it out with someone
- “Social Timeouts”… time with friends and family for fun
Tell me about a time that stress affected your performance?
(Pick a story where stress made me work harder and was positive.)
- not all stress is bad… PIT story?
What are you most proud of?
- Personally, my sons…
- Professionally, I’m proud of my work with the T-1A program or my work at March…
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
(Do not pick the hardest thing.) ((exert Spock-like control over your emotions!))
Valor Flights…
Maybe the air show?
Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?
- Thank you for this opportunity…
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Tell me what about a time when you had to roll up your sleeves and pitch in.
- there have been many, I’m not above or hesitant to do any dirty work…
- Dolphin smell at Sigonella!
- I haul bags off the redeployers
Tell me about a time that you provided exceptional customer service.
All the time, asshole!
- I always do the basics…
- Three Capstone Missions…
Tell me about a time you saw someone do something unsafe.
Danger danger danger!
- I’ve seen attempts to do something unsafe, especially flying with students…
… rolling inverted into the clouds
… the giant hand at Tinker
… Ladder use…
Will not be witness to an unsafe act…
Psychologist question: tell me about your family life.
?
What was the most challenging time of your life?
Psych question.
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What do you like about flying?
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Was there a moment when you decided to make flying a career?
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What criteria would you use to determine whether or not to call in fatigue?
?
Trip check in time is tomorrow at 1000. How would you prepare?
Look up FAA crew rest rules.
How would you brief the crew?
?
Tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with a difficult passenger.
The commute back from Detroit…?
Yelling armrest guys…?
Verbally bitch-slappin flight attendant?
You’re told that the captain was in the bar eight hours prior to show time. What do you do?
(Look up FAA drinking rules. And delta policy.)
The captain and the lead flight attendant get into an argument. The captain says, “fuck that cunt. I’m not speaking to her anymore.”
? (I’m uncomfortable. I’m concerned. This is unsafe.)
How would you handle the captain that does not use a checklist?
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