Delta Gouge

Format: In Person (Atlanta, GA – Delta HQ)

Sections: HR, CRM, Technical (plus MMPI / Psych)

Dress: Dark suit, white shirt, conservative tie

Introductions

Show up 15 minutes early for check-in and ID badge pickup. You’ll walk to a lobby and mingle with other candidates before being moved to a waiting/common room with coffee, water, and snacks. The day is tightly scripted, follow instructions and stay flexible.

Candidates are typically split into groups: one group interviews first while the other

completes the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) on computers (then you swap). Interview panels are usually 1 Captain, 1 First Officer, and 1 HR (sometimes an additional HR manager sits in to observe).

Expect interviewers to appear stone-faced and focused on notes, practice answering without relying on positive feedback.

HR

The HR portion is straightforward and closely follows study-guide style questions. Expect:

• Questions tied to your application, resume, and employment history

• TMAY (Tell Me About Yourself)

• 3ish TMAATs (Tell Me About A Time)

• 2ish WWYD (What Would You Do) Follow-ups are common, and some intentionally pressure-test your logic.

Common Themes & Questions:

• Walk me through your background (often “since high school”)

• Motivation for aviation / why Delta

• Leadership style as an FO or CA

• Conflict in the cockpit / difficult crewmember

• Regretted decision / mistake in the cockpit

• Handling nonstandard or unsafe captain actions

• Customer service and “internal vs external customers”

• Integrity, attendance, and compliance questions (checkrides, FAA actions, discipline)

Tips:Use START (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Takeaway).

Technical

Technical ranges from “121 practical” to more job-knowledge / problem-solving depending on your panel. Expect scenario-driven decision-making, plus a mix of weather, systems, and instrument/procedure questions.

Expect:

• Basic technical decision scenarios (windshear, wrong runway, icing, cabin press issues, engine indications)

• IFR clearance interpretation (“maintain 2000 until established… cleared ILS…”)

• Missed approach / circling missed logic

• Simple mental math / headings / intercepts / range profile concepts

• Jet/systems fundamentals (AC/DC, inverter, compressor stall, diffuser, spoilers, high-lift devices, CG effects)

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Common Scenarios (examples from gouges):

• Visual to a non-radar towered field; you suspect the Captain is lined up wrong—WWYD?

• Windshear reported on final; Captain wants to continue—WWYD?

• Engine fire light behavior changes with thrust—WWYD?

• Engine failure near V1 / abnormal acceleration—what does it imply and what do you do?

• Pressurization/cabin altitude rising—what’s happening and how do you confirm recovery?

• Thunderstorm cell geometry / radar tilt reasoning

• Holding fuel / range-max profile adjustments when winds differ from plan

• ILS circle-to-land; lose runway, what missed approach do you fly?

Technique that scores well:State your plan out loud, assign tasks, use all resources (FO, FA, Dispatch/maintenance/ATC), and don’t forget passenger communication during emergencies or disruptions.

CRM

CRM is evaluated throughout (not as a separate “module” in most panels). They are listening for:

• Clear division of duties

• Threat and error management

• Assertiveness with professionalism

• Customer focus (including cabin crew + passenger comms)

• Calibrated decision-making under uncertainty

Expect at least one WWYD that forces you to balance: safety + SOP + teamwork + customer impact.

Wrap-Up

After interview + MMPI, candidates regroup. Decisions are typically delivered around midday; in some gouges, names are called and those candidates do not return (TBNT or review). If selected, you’ll complete:

• CJO paperwork

• Urine drug test

• Fingerprints

• Psychologist video call (after MMPI)

• Photos