United Gouge

Format: In Person (Denver, CO)

Sections: HR, CRM, and Technical

Dress: Dark suit, white shirt and plain tie.

Introductions

Interviewers are usually one HR rep and one line pilot. Be ready for small talk, they’re friendly but professional. Some have said they were more intense than expected or suggested on other gouges. Expect:“Tell me about yourself.”

HR

Five “Tell me about a time…” (TMAAT) questions. Focus on leadership, emotional control, teamwork, and situational awareness. Interviewers may ask follow-ups, so keep examples detailed and aviation-related when possible.

Common Questions:

• A time you were overwhelmed or disengaged and how you recovered.

• A time emotions got the best of you, what did you learn?

• A time you led a team through a challenge.

• A time you used CRM/TEM to solve a problem.

• A time you spoke harshly or disagreed with someone.

• A time you made a mistake with negative consequences.

• A time you had to change your communication style.

Tips: Use the START method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Take away). They’re looking for professionalism, reflection, and learning, not perfection.They won’t react much during your answers, so don’t let the silence throw you off. Some people have said they felt the questions were more negative than expected, which was a bit unsettling.

Technical

Scenario-based and conversational. Usually a short flight (DEN–SFO, ATL–EWR, EWR–DCA, etc.) in a 737 or Airbus. You’ll brief using the 13 items. keep it concise.

Expect:

• Decide who flies (usually you).

• Discuss takeoff/abort, terrain, weather threats, alternates.

• Talk through SID, STAR, and approach.

• Handle one or two malfunctions (e.g., GEN DRIVE, Yaw Damper, EEC fault).

• Run through QRH actions and discuss CRM coordination.

Common Questions:

• What’s your takeoff/abort plan?

• What do you do if vectored off the SID?

• What’s your altitude if told “climb via” then vectored?

• What’s a yaw damper? What’s Dutch roll?

• Explain “coffin corner.”

• WX drops below mins after FAF — what do you do?

• How low can you descend if you see only approach lights?

• What’s your go-around procedure?

• You have 6,000 lbs fuel and destination closes — how do you decide where to divert?

CRM Debrief:

After each scenario, expect:

• “What went well?”

• “What could you improve?”

• “Which CRM principle matters most besides communication?”

Wrap-Up

They’ll finish with:

• “Why United?”

• “Any checkride failures?”

• “Any incidents, accidents, or terminations?”

Keep answers short clear and concise. End confidently. They want to see enthusiasm for joining United.

Overall: Interviewers genuinely want you to succeed. It’s structured but not robotic. HR focuses on composure; pilots focus on thought process and CRM.

If you’d like personalized coaching or mock interview prep for United, reach out, we’ll help you practice real-world TMAATs and technical scenarios until you’re fully ready.