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PSA HR interview questions with verified (acceptable responses) Tell us about yourself - ANSWER My name is Alexa Ciccone and I go by Lexi. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA but decided to go to Arizona State University because I really liked the area and the school. It is also where I found my love for flying. I have had fantastic training with ATP Flight School and ASU in the 141 program. With ASU I completed many classes that I feel have helped to prepare me for the Part 121 world including a year of flying a king air simulator and 65 hours in a CRJ-200 simulator. While instructing with ATP I was hired as a multi engine instructor and a check instructor. I pride myself on always being on time and prepared for every lesson with my students. -I am also very active and enjoy workout and go on exercise walks. I really enjoy cooking as well especially for other people and whenever I have the time I love traveling back to the east coast to visit family. Why do you want to work at PSA - ANSWER -I chose to apply for PSA because it is a stable and growing company with a great track record. Any articles I read or any people who I talk to always speak highly of the company. The company is safety focused, driven, and cares about those who they interact with everyday. The company is also wholly owned by american airlines group which is one of the stronger airlines and who I eventually want to work for. Have you failed any checkrides? - ANSWER -Yes two checkrides, my first and last. I failed the private pilot checkride in the flight and my CFII in the flight as well. -I failed my private pilot checkride during a diversion scenario. I was extremely nervous for my first checkride and I was so heads down in the airplane that I didn't see the airport right next to me. Since then I have had more practice with evaluations and checkrides. I have learned techniques to calm myself down and focus on what I was trained to do. -For my CFI instrument add on I was unsatisfactory on the unpublished hold. I second guessed myself during the checkride changing my original plan. Since then I have learned to always go back to the basics of what I know and follow what I know from the training I have received. After I made sure to master holding procedures and I have now been told by my past instrument students I helped them become better with holding procedures.
Tell us about a conflict - ANSWER -When I was first flight instructing last february, I was training a student who did not have much respect for others or authority figures. I started to see hints of this with comments she would make in the airplane and comments about my boss. I would normally deflect the conversation to something else or back to training since she was generally respectful with me. When this student completed an instrument eval with my lead instructor at the time, she was extremely rude and back talked him in the airplane. Once I heard what happened, I decided it was time to have a hard conversation with her. Initially I was afraid of her defensive personality and that she might complain about me as I was new to instructing at this time. I explained to her that her actions can reflect back on her for the rest of her career and it is unprofessional to treat anyone that way. At first she was defensive but the more I explained to her the importance of professionalism in this career field she took my advise, apologize and moved on. The next evaluation she had with my lead instructor was much smoother than the first time around. To this day she often reaches out to me for advise on instructing at ATP. Tell about an emergency or a stressful flight - ANSWER -Back when I was a commercial multi-engine student, I was on a two hour day, two hour night XC with an instructor I had never flown with before. We flew to Lake Havasu and had dinner to wait for night. Everything went smoothly on the flight there. On the way back, the ceiling was much lower around Lake Havasu than before and the freezing level was around 8,000 feet. I was flying the PA-44 which is not approved to fly into known icing conditions so the only way we could get back was if we were cleared for the southern route with the highest MEA at 6,000. -We were cleared for the southern route and as we got in contact with LA center after flying the DP, ATC had us fly direct to a fix and climb 11,000. We plugged it into the GPS realizing soon after we were headed northbound. As we climbed into the cloud layer we began picking up ice. At this point we decided training was over and now my instructor and I would work as a team. I continued to fly the aircraft and he took over coms. At first LA center told us we were on the southern route when we were not. Eventually eventually we were told us to climb and maintain 14k. We did not have oxygen equipment onboard and told them we were unable to do so. At this point we had any anti-ice equipment on which is not much and ice was rapidly building. I could feel the performance of the aircraft decreasing and I was looking for the closest airport which was now 30 miles away in mountainous terrain. My instructor continued to call LA center and now the
What makes your previous flight training/employment stand out? - ANSWER -Since training and working at ATP flight school, I have been involved in multiple leadership roles. I work as a 141 check instructor where I conduct stage checks for instrument and commercial ASU flight students as well as instructor qualification flights. -I also work as a primary multi-engine instructor for ATP flight school where I complete training for multi-engine add-on ratings. -I am also part of a mentorship program at ATP where I primarily mentor other instructors concerning the 141 program. -With ASU I completed a year of king air simulator training focused primarily on CRM training and I also completed 65 hours in a CRJ-200 simulator focused on Part 121 style training. What makes you think you can survive a Part 121 training schedule? - ANSWER -I believe my previous training has helped to prepare me for the work I will have to put in to a Part 121 training schedule. With my training through ASU I have had labs flying a King Air simulator with a focus on CRM training as well as a CRJ-200 simulator focused on airline style training as well as CRM. -A also know that my hard work and dedication to flight training and instructing will carry through as I train for a Part 121 position. Tell me about your latest training experience and which part was challenging for you - ANSWER -My training to become a check instructor. After 6 months of training for the position, I truly found it most difficult learning how evaluate a students performance. It was and still can be challenging to determine exactly when a student is unsatisfactory when their performance is on the line. Do you learn better with a little or a lot of instruction? - ANSWER -A lot! While I am a good studier on my own, I believe I always get even more from the instructor themselves through their experience. What inspires you? - ANSWER -Learning new things and being able to mentor others. Who do you look up to? - ANSWER -My dad who is an A320 captain at American Airlines.
Tell us something about yourself we will not find on your resume - ANSWER - That I always go above and beyond what is expected of me. I always spend extra time with my students past the minimum required training so I can see them improve and become better pilots themself. If you go to the training center you'll will almost always see me there. What do you do for fun?/Do you have any hobbies? - ANSWER -I love cooking
. I love cooking for other people much more than I do myself. I also enjoy working out, going for walks, and traveling back to the east coast to visit family and friends. Are you involved in the community? - ANSWER -Growing up I always volunteered with my church and did volunteer events with my highschool tennis team. -I mentor new instructors at my flight school and have volunteered with women in aviation and the Phoenix 99's. How do you like your current job? - ANSWER - I love it and I am going to miss it when I leave. Flight instructing will be one of my most memorable experiences and I have found great friendships through work. I do feel that there is no room left for me to grow and am ready to further my career. Why did you choose the job you have now? - ANSWER -I wanted to stay with my flight school so I could instruct ASU students who are where I was. I felt I would learn the most from flight instructing and had many opportunities for leadership at my flight school. Why are you contemplating leaving your current employer?/What is something you do not like about your current employer? - ANSWER -I am excited for the next step in my career. I am looking forward to learning something new. -I feel like I am ready for a new challenge and have completing everything I wanted to. There is no more room left for growth. How will you handle a jet that goes much faster than the plane you have been flying? - ANSWER -With good training, following SOP's, and always staying ahead of the aircraft. Why do you want to fly Part 121? - ANSWER -I like the lifestyle and the great benefits it provides. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? - ANSWER -As a PSA captain.
What makes you angry? - ANSWER -As a check instructor I am always bothered when students show up for the stage check unprepared. I don't enjoy having to unsat a student in many different areas. When this happens I do everything I can to try to get them through. How do you handle pressure and stress? - ANSWER -I believe eating healthy and exercising helps me the most. I also always take a few deep breaths before I react to anything and am never afraid to ask for advise or help when it is needed. Describe your sense of humor? - ANSWER -Dry/dark sense of humor If I had a blank check what plane would I buy? - ANSWER -Something I could take my friends and family in to travel. Tell me about a time you inspired someone: - ANSWER -My best friend since the age of 10 told me I am her inspiration as she applies to medical school. She planned to go to PA school originally however said that she made the switch after seeing how hard I work and how passionate I am about my profession. What makes a professional pilot? - ANSWER -Someone who utilizes CRM and follows SOPs. Taking care of yourself and showing up to work fit for duty. What 3 characteristics make you a professional pilot? - ANSWER -Timely. I am on time and get required tasks done in a timely manner. -I am respectful to others. -I am always ready to learn something new. Define professionalism: - ANSWER -I believe true professionalism is shown in someone who is a level 4 professional. Someone who has a lot of knowledge, comes to work motivated, and meteors others. Do you have any leadership roles? - ANSWER -Check instructor -Multi-engine instructor Tell me about a time where you were a mentor or a leader? - ANSWER -A specific time where a was a leader/mentour. Two of the students that I conducted retraining for during their commercial stage checks reached out to me during CFI school and asked for advise from an experienced instructor. I told them to stop by the training center and I helped them through their lesson plans and gave them practical advise. They were endlessly thankful for the help I gave them.
What is the difference between authority and leadership? - ANSWER - Command (Authority) is delegated, leadership is not What makes a good manager? - ANSWER -A good manager is someone who builds a good relationship and trust with their employees and acts as a leader. Someone who is able to get the required tasks done efficiently with a positive attitude. Tell me about a manager you got along with (or worked well with) and why? - ANSWER -My current manager for the 141 program Alex. He is the assistant chief 141 instructor and trained me as a check instructor and a multi-engine instructor. I work well with him because he is extremely knowledgeable about ATP and their SOPs. He has a good relationship with all of his check instructors and is a huge advocate of open communication. He is always around when I need advise even if it is not specifically a 141 issue. He is always there when I have questions about something. Tell me about a time a manger you liked did something you didn't like - ANSWER ??? Why would you make a good captain? - ANSWER - I am a level 4 professional, I always follow SOPs, come to work motivated, and mentor others when needed. Tell me about a time you had to make a deadline while surrounded by distractions: - ANSWER -I had my MEI checkride the same week as finals my last semester of senior year. Two weeks prior I had the flu and was unable to attend the two CRJ simulator sessions that I also had to make up the same week as finals. Passing my MEI checkride was most important to me and I did it while being able to pass all of my finals and be satisfactory during my simulator sessions. Tell me about an actual emergency you've had (if you've had one) and how you've dealt with it. - ANSWER Icing story Tell me about a time you were scared in an airplane. - ANSWER Icing story What was your worst experience in an airplane. - ANSWER -I was flying with a commercial multi-engine add on student. It was the last flight before his checkride and it was extremely turbulent and hot. As he was flying he started to feel nauseous. I took controls to fly us back to the airport and he ended up becoming sick, something I am personally afraid of. As I was flying back I did everything I could to prevent myself from getting sick as well. I began to feel nauseous and was terrified of throwing up as well. I made sure
goal of working for a commuter and it was also a way to give back to ASU students. What would you do if an old timer captain wouldn't use a checklist? - ANSWER -I would remind him of the company procedure and suggest that the checklist be followed. If he didn't comply then I would use the checklist, and then go to professional standards. What would you do if a captain wanted to go below mins without the visibility? - ANSWER -Notify ATC that you are going missed. What would you do if a captain is texting while taxiing? - ANSWER -Remind them of the sterile cockpit procedure What would you do if the captain had been drinking? - ANSWER -Tell them to call in sick! Suppose the aircraft gets delayed for a minor maintenance issue and the captain tells you to make an announcement telling the passengers that we are being delayed because of bad weather. What would you do? - ANSWER -I don't see the need to lie to the passengers. It is easier to tell them the truth of a minor mx issue. I would follow SOPs and discuss it with the captain. What would you do if the captain wants to takeoff over maximum weight? - ANSWER -Tell them that it is in violation of the aircraft's operating limitations and I am not comfortable doing so. If he was attempting to continue, I would tell ATC that we need more time because we are overweight. What would you do if a captain was eager to get to the gate because he had a vacation to go on and was taxiing really fast? - ANSWER -I would remind them of the maximum taxi speed. I am trying to build good habits as a new FO. How would you deal with a captain who is violating SOP? - ANSWER -Point it out in the SOP's and give them a chance to correct the situation. If they continue then I would tell them I cannot be a part of it. Why do we have SOPs? - ANSWER -Puts everyone on the same page. It helps to prevent confusion between the flight crew. -When things don't go as planned following SOP's enhances safety and prevents errors. Tell me about a company SOP that you did not agree with? - ANSWER -At ATP, we are the only flight school in the valley who is not allowed to do touch
and go's or stop and go's in the seminole so we only do full stop taxi backs. I realize though that ATP has had a history of gear up landings and the company has good reason for this SOP, so I have no problem complying with it. What makes a successful team? - ANSWER -Communication, leadership, and the ability to work together. What makes a team successful in the cockpit? - ANSWER -Good training and following SOP's with good CRM and communication between the crew. Tell me a time when you had difficulty with another crew member and how did you resolve it? - ANSWER -In october when I received the position of a multi-engine instructor, I was the first instructor to get the position after it was unavailable for almost 6 months. I had another instructor come up to me and ask why I was chosen over him. He explained that he applied months ago and should have been chosen first. I was taken aback but nicely told him I also applied months ago and I'm not sure exactly how they chose each new instructor. To this day I still say hi to him in passing. What would you do if you saw your captain drinking a tallboy on an overnight 9.5 hours before our start time? - ANSWER -Suggest they call in sick and give scheduling enough time to find someone to cover for them What if you saw a flight attendant giving free drinks before the flight? If after you spoke to the FA and saw them do the same thing again later in the day at another location what then? - ANSWER -Depends on what the rules are behind this. It might be a decision that should be made by the flight attendant. Tell me about a time when you had to step up to the plate and take charge when it wasn't necessarily your role? - ANSWER -Same as tie down example. What would you do if you saw an employee doing something against company policy? - ANSWER -Respectfully approach them and give them the opportunity to correct the situation Youre wearing your uniform in a grocery store and a woman approaches you and begins to complain about your company.. What do you say to her? - ANSWER -I would apologize for her experience. I would explain to her that it is our goal to ensure you receive the best customer service we can provide while at the same time getting you to your destination and the safest possible manner.
Tell me one good thing that your current/previous boss would say about you.
- ANSWER -That I go above and beyond what is expected of me because I am always trying to learn more. I am always there when he needs something. Tell me an achievement you are most proud of - ANSWER -My work as a check instructor. I had to come up with my own plan of action completing every task in the instrument ACS and commercial ACS. I completed 6 months of training and it took up a lot of my free time and a lot of editing was made, but I feel that I know can give a fair and conclusive stage check to each student I am assigned to work with. It is very rewarding because I am able to give back and act mentor to ASU students which is why it is such a big accomplishment. What do you look for or value in a company when you are choosing where you want to work? - ANSWER -A safety first mindset with employees who share the same passion for aviation as I do. If offered a job how would I prepare for class? - ANSWER -Study all of the information I am given prior to training. Know the company's SOPs, read aircraft handbooks, know the Part 121 regulations and study jeppesen charts. What are some difficulties you went through to be where you are at today? - ANSWER -As a private pilot student, I initially struggled to get the hang of things and this consequently lead to failing my checkride. Through this failure, I learned how to move forward and work harder learning from my mistake. I believe this is what helped me to be so successful throughout the 141 program. Name a time you did something ethical and someone did not approve. - ANSWER -I had a student who was not completing the minimum requirements for weeks and after talking with my lead instructor and giving the student many opportunities to complete the work, I had to go to my boss and have a tough conversation with my student. He believed I was asking too much of him and in the end requested a new instructor. During the preflight, you spot a tire showing cord. You bring it to the attention of the Captain. Since its Thanksgiving, Day 4 of a trip, and this is the only flight for the day, the Captain says they've done it before and not to worry about it. What do you do? - ANSWER -The aircraft is not airworthy and we need to get the tire fixed before we fly. The fact that it is a holiday and
the last flight out is no exception the aircraft is still not airworthy and it would not be safe to fly. What are some things you would do to make flights run efficiently to save the company money? - ANSWER -I know airlines single engine taxi and if it was approved do it as much as appropriate. -I would fly at the recommended altitudes for best fuel efficiency. -I would ask for more direct routing to save on time and fuel. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with time limitations and how you handled it? - ANSWER -Last summer I was completing a 250NM regulatory flight with my 141 instrument student. The only time we could get the flight done that week was after his class. Flying back from ELP we had to race night time because ATP does not allow single engine flight at night unless it is regulatory. We filed IFR on our way back but were rerouted to take a much longer route which would have had us landing at night. Since we were in VFR conditions, I cancelled IFR and we flew back to the airport VFR. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision that would be expensive for the company in order to assure safety. - ANSWER -Last April, I was doing a regulatory 2 hour day 2 hour night flight with a commercial pilot student. The flight to Yuma went smoothly, however on the way back we were doing a runup at Yuma and our standby battery test failed. I made the decision to taxi back to the FBO to call the on-call mx number. I did not hear back from mx so I called my boss and told him we were going to need a hotel for the night as well as an uber to the hotel. He booked the room and after he did, on call mx called me back and said we were safe to fly back to my home airport. We made the decision to fly home so the airplane and I could be back for morning flights. Tell me an achievement you're most proud of. - ANSWER -My work as a check instructor. We have around 80 instructors at ATP with only 5 being multi-engine instructors and 5 being stage check instructors. I was fortunate enough to be selected for both positions and I am very proud of that. Tell me about the hardest decision you made during flight training - ANSWER -Becoming a check instructor and how it took away from my flight time. 6 hour oral exams. It was hard to give up flight time but this was a great opportunity. Company bases - ANSWER -CLT (charlotte)
Would you accept a job offer from PSA? - ANSWER -I would love to work for PSA airlines. If i was offered a job I would with no doubt in my mind take the job offer. Questions to ask? - ANSWER -If I am selected for another interview what can I do to prepare myself? Tell us about yourself - ANSWER -Name -Thank them for the opportunity -Born in PA, came to ASU, found my love for flying. -Biomed then ASU/ATP. Training through ASU, instructing at ATP. -I love instructing with ATP and I pride myself on the work I have done with them -MULTI/check. -Volunteer WAI, Phoenix 99s, and ATP instructor mentorship program. Why PSA - ANSWER -stable and growing -read articles talked to pilots who speak highly of the company culture and training. -Wholly owned by the american airlines group and my dad is a 320 captain for american. -Bonus they have a flow through to american -I feel like I would fit in with the company culture (safety first/passionate employees) -East coast based / family lives on the east coast -I like the route structure. -I like the aircraft they fly. Why the Airlines - ANSWER -While I love flight instructing, I feel like there is not much room for growth in my current position. -I come from a family of airline employees, My dad is a pilot for american, my mom was a pilot for USAir and then southwest. My aunt just retired as a flight attendant for american and my pappy was a USAir mechanic.
-Growing up I always loved non-reving and thought it was so fun going to the airport. -I enjoy traveling and the lifestyle that airline pilots live. I prefer working a lot all at once and enjoying a couple of days off in between. -I also really enjoy working with people. I pride myself in getting along well with people and those I work with who share the same passion that I do. What kind of worker are you: - ANSWER -I am someone who loves coming in to work and always has a positive attitude. / fulfilment through work and flying. The harder I have to work the more and more I enjoy what I am doing. -I work well with others. I have been told that I am easy to get along with by my supervisors and coworkers. / I am a mentor for my students and other instructors. I also will go above and beyond what is expected of me and that shows with my current employer now. I have had to put in countless hours outside of work and complete months of extra training for the positions I have. What is a professional pilot mean to you: - ANSWER -I believe a professional pilot is someone who always shows up on time and prepared. A professional pilot is someone who shows up to work fit for duty, follows SOPs and consistently uses CRM. -A believe a true professional pilot is someone who is a level four professional, they are knowledgeable, show up to work motivated with a good attitude and are a mentor to those around them. -I believe they are someone who is passionate about aviation and truly enjoys the job. Every pilot who has been a mentor to me is someone who is passionate. -I feel that passion helps them to further their knowledge and continuously learn throughout their career. Whats a safety issue youve worked through - ANSWER -December 2019, I was a commercial multi initial student in the seminole completing a night flight back from HII. -By taking the southern route we back we would be able to avoid any icing situations and we were cleared for the southern route.
-I failed my private pilot in flight due to a diversion. Very nervous, fixated on the task at hand. Didnt see airport next to me. -Did one retraining flight and passed the checkride with no issue a few days later. -Now learned how to deal with my nerves better, maintain SA, and look at the big picture instead of just the task at hand. -CFI instrument add on: I failed due to an unsatisfactory hold in the flight. I second guessed myself last second and did not complete the hold correctly. -Did one retraining flight and passed the checkride two days later. -I learned to go with what I was trained to do and trust my instinct. I now pride myself on teaching holds and have been told my many students during instrument check flights that I have helped them to understand holding procedures much more clearly. I pride myself on being able to teach what I once didn't fully understand myself at one time.
