Ok...another unrelated type of incident, but still in the same genre:
In 1991 NWA was conducting pilot interviews on the 2nd floor of NATCO near an old polished propeller. A fresh patch of interviewee's had gathered in their "uniforms" (blue suit, white shirt, dark tie) to await their 1-on-1 interviews with a managment pilot, a line pilot, and an H.R. staffer. When it was their turn, the interviewer would walk out and call the name of the next pilot...and take them back to an interview room.
This upstairs lobby also happens to be the same area where all NWA pilots congregate prior to, and after, simulator sessions to meet with their instructors. In the NWA of tradition of wearing a coat and tie to checkrides, a few new-hires awaiting their first FE certification oral or sim check showed up in their Interview "uniforms" too.
One of our designees ("APD's" at the airlines) named Randy P____, went to the lobby to find his student for the FE Oral. He walked up to the first pilot he saw in a suit and asked, "Are you Bob?" The pilot nodded, and Randy told him, "Hi, I'm Randy...let's go get this done!", and led him off to a briefing room for the oral.
Randy told me what happened:
He gets the kid to the room, has him sit down, and asks for his license and medical. The kid complies. Randy sets them down and starts with the "put them at ease" portion of the oral.
Randy: "So, what'd you fly before?"
Kid: "Jetstreams at Express One"
Randy: "How'd you like that?"
Kid: "Well sir, it was a challenge and I really enjoyed it. It really prepared me for the jump to Northwest?"
Randy: "Ok. So...let's start with the 727's
Electrical system. How do you know if a generator is on line?"
Kid: (stunned) "Um...I'm not sure."
Randy: "Huh? Didn't you study for this?"
Kid: "Yes sir...but not the electrical system of the 727."
Randy: (now pi$$ed) "You're kidding me! Then what DID you study?"
Kid: "Well, the history of Northwest...and some general information on fleet and bases."
Randy: "___! I can't ___-ing believe it! You're not gonna last long at Northwest doing that ____!"
Kid: (near tears) "Um...I didn't know! Nobody said I had to know anything about the 727."
Randy: (lightbulb comes on) "Er...you Robert _____?"
Kid: "No sir. I'm Robert _____."
Randy: "Ok, Bob. I was just testing your ability to respond to a crisis. Now, go back out by the propeller and wait for your next interview. You did fine. And remember, don't tell anybody about this one...we're trying to keep it a secret."
Kid: (relieved) "Yes sir. I promise!"
Randy went out front...found his real student, and scuttled back to the briefing room. Randy says the kid got hired, and he ended up giving him his oral a few months later.