Delta Airlines Flight Attendant Interview(s)

I thought it would be helpful for others trying to become a Delta Flight Attendant to read the process that I’ve gone through to date….

In September 2010 I applied on-line for the position of a Delta Airline Flight Attendant. I’d heard that after quite sometime they have determined that they need additional FA’s.

In January I received a phone call from Delta Human Resources. When I called them back the H/R Rep went immediately into a thirty minute interview. I didn’t realize this was coming, but fortunately I was in a quiet room with no interruptions.

They asked a series of questions, such as:
*Tell me about a situation at work when you had a conflict and how you resolved it.
*Tell me a situation when you needed to follow the rules.
*If you were on a flight and you had a passenger that was becoming inebriated what would you do?
*What would you do if you had a passenger who wanted to move his seat because he was upset from a crying baby in front of him?

The questions should be answered in the STAR format. Google it to learn more.

After the interview I was told that I did very well, and Delta would like for me to complete the in-depth application on-line. I did this immediately.

Within one week I received a call asking me to fly to Atlanta for a Flight Attendant interview. They called me on a Wednesday and asked me to be in Atlanta Monday or Tuesday of the following week. Interviews are conducted at 7:30am and 12:30pm. You advise them which date works best, then they book your flight. You are not given any options on if you can spend the night or night. They are adamant about you understanding when you are confirmed that no changes can be made. If you miss your interview you may not re-apply for six months.

I chose Tuesday at 12:30pm. Several days later I received an email confirmation stating that I was booked on a 6:15am flight from Denver to Atlanta, returning at 11:30pm.

Later I also received a few pages of notes, but not much that described how the day would roll out. The dress is business attire.

Delta’s HQ is not located at the airport, but a few miles away. The only transportation is by taxi. It costs approx $15/one way. This is not reimbursed.

If you fly out the night before you are provided with a special rate at a hotel by HQ. This is not a reimbursed expense and costs approx $70.

I arrived at the appointment slightly before 12:30. I didn’t want to take any chances on timing so I wore my business attire on the plane. All of the interviewees congregate in the lobby area. At 12:30 a FA greeted us and asked that we form two lines leading up to the desk. We collected an empty folder and were asked to place in it our required documents: Application, Passport, SS Card, etc. We were given name tags with a seating assignment on it.

Any luggage or bags were checked. Cell phones are turned off–not on vibrate. They are very serious about this.

From here walked across the street and were led into a large room. This room is where all of the interviewees stayed the whole day. As we walked into the room it was lined with FA’s. Single file we went through the line and shook hands with all of them. I later learned that these are the people that will be interviewing you, meeting with you, and ultimately deciding whether or not you will make the cut.

After about 20 minutes of meet and greet we were asked to sit in our assigned seats and watched a video about Delta made my Delta employees.

Next we were asked to come up to the front of the room, one by one, and answer the following:
*You Name
*Where you are from
*The language you speak
*Your occupation

My particular group of interviewees was comprised of both men and women, ranging in age from early twenties to late fifties. Some occupations that I recall included a bar tender, retired teacher, mom of six, banker, student, flight attendants from other smaller airlines. Attire consisted mainly of the traditional blue suit. I wore something a little different, but polished. High heels are not a problem because you have the opportunity to sit a good bit throughout the course of the day. There were approximately 50 people in my 12:30pm group. We were told that if we made it to this point we were each 1 in 21,000.

There were two Delta employees that we hadn’t been introduced to that were taking notes in the back of the room.

No lunch is provided. A beverage cart is located in the room and you have the ability to get water/sodas and snacks and you like throughout the day. My thought regarding this is that they want to see how you handle little food under pressure. No diabetics were weeded outwith my group. 😉

We were told that we would be divided up into three groups, and there would be three different sessions for each of us.

My first session was to meet with a tenured FA. He gave us a run down of the job, benefits, training, etc. They’d previously asked us to put all notebooks and papers aside so we weren’t able to right any of the information down. Afterward there was a Q&A enabling you to ask whatever you liked. A couple of my takeaways….

*New FA’s are more than likely based out of NY, however, you do list you preference.
*Average first year pay is in the low 20’s.
*You earn a perdiem for food.
*Pay starts as soon as the cabin door closes and ends as the cabin door opens.
*Their computer systems appear to be very sophisticated, making bidding for flights a relatively easy process.
*Training last for 8 weeks (I believe). Dorms or hotel are provided. The train does not run to/from this location, so only transportation is by Shuttle or your personal car. Class days are 10hrs/day for six days a week. A grade average of 90% is required to graduate. Tests are given nearly every day. Family is flown in for graduation. There is a probationary period in which you may not miss a flight or you are terminated. Your first flight could very well be an international flight. Flights are chosen by seniority. If a meal is provided during the flight, each FA also has a meal. FA training is paid and is under $2000.

My second session was the only physical piece of the interview. One by one we were called into a room and asked to reach to points on the walls, symbolizing the overhead cabin. Next we were asked to sit in a chair and put on and take off the seat belt. After this was completed they took two photos: one headshot and one full length.

My third session was the face-to-face interview. I met with two FA’s and was asked six questions, very similar to the phone interview. Again, the responses needed to be answered in the STAR format. They reiterated that they wanted me to be as specific as possible, with no generalities. Both women were extremely nice, and made me feel as comfortable as possible giving the circumstances.

Once this was completed I was asked to read a situation that could take place on a flight and come up with my own verbiage to announce over the pretend loudspeaker….and smile with my language. Reading it is permitted. My particular scenario: You have a first time passenger (picture of a little girl). How would you make this passenger feel special.

After this was complete we all gathered back in the main conference room. We were told initially that we would hear back within three to four weeks whether or not we made the cut. One woman I spoke with had a friend go through the process a few weeks prior. She said they pulled aside a handful and told them that they had been chosen. This did not take place during my interview day. I’m not sure if that means they didn’t think any of us were a good fit, or if they are going to notify us later. I did learn that those not chosen will receive a letter stating so.

The FA’s said goodbye and we dispersed. I took a hotel shuttle bus back to the airport at no charge.

Overall, it was an awesome experience that I enjoyed. I was not asked any questions like, “Tell us why you think you should be hired as a Delta FA?”…..”How many countries is Delta located in?”……What year did Delta start and where?”…..”Who is the CEO of Delta?”. All of the memorizing of stats I did were not needed for the interview, but definitely needed if I go the next step.

Hope this is helpful.

UPDATE: Last Friday, just a few days after my face-to-face interview I received a thanks, but no thanks letter from Delta sent via email. This leads me to believe that you are chosen on the spot, and I just missed it, or they didn’t choose anyone from my group.