Interview Question for NJA

[crjaviator]

Hello NJA fliers,
I was placed in the interview queue the beginning of last month. I've heard from internal sources that the wait time for an interview will probably only be a few more months. I've looked over many interview gouges at the other web site but would love soom insights on how to nail it. I've wanted this job since for years now and don't want to F*&$ it up at the interview.

Is anyone willing to educate me (the right answers / the right thing to do) on some of the HR questions.
For instance....if some one lights birthday candles on a cake in the back, what is the right thing to say or do?
Or if you smell weed being smoked and you are arriving back in the states, what is the proper course of action.
IF two underage girls are in drinking in the back, what should you do.
The owner says he needs to go back because he forgot something....what do you do.
I'm all for customer service as long as safety first is applied. I want to learn what NetJets viewpoint (and the pilots working for them) are.
Hope these line of questioning doesn't seem corny.

 

[skiandsurf]

I was asked similar type of questions, I said that since I would be hired in as an FO, and dont have this type of experience, I would talk to the captain and follow his lead. CRM=our discussion, captains decision. Use it.

As far as people doing illegal stuff back there, the company does not tolerate this. Again, talk to the captain, and let him let the company know. Also you can fill out an ASAP report (its like a NASA report). They take safety very serious at NJs.

If the owner wants to go back, go back. Again, the captain will be there. If you had a 2 hr taxi out from JFK, you might not want to go back, offer them other options, but if their mind is set to go back, then we go back. (I have not had this happen yet).

 

[fischman]

skiandsurf has a good handle on things.

As far as owners doing anything illegal goes: Talk to your partner (PIC), arrive at a point of action (which will be to notify law enforcement), and land the aircraft. Use your judgement. It will probably be correct.

As far as owners wanting anything within the law: It is their plane. They can do what they want. i.e.: change destination, go back, bring additional passengers (with a call be you to dispatch), watch movies, have sex, eat puppies, lick the windows, etc... Remeber that is is their airplane and the have more of a right to be there than you.

NetJets will spend just about ANY amount of money to make the owners happy. This is a hard concept for alot of the 121 guys.

When I got hired I went to www.aviationinterviews.com . The website was not free, but worth every penny in my opinion.

Remember to go to www.ibt1108.org to give the contract a read before you accept employment.

 

[fischman]

and good luck

 

[crjaviator]

Yes, but as far as illegal.......Does lighting candles on a birthday cake constitute that? I think not. But am I correct in NetJets point of view? I mean, in the 121 world, you can't smoke cigerettes but that's from a health point of view. Open flames from matches or a lighter was never an issue in the past. Everyone used to smoke on airlines just 15 years ago. What is NetJets view on this?
I went to aviationinterviews.com to pull what info I could but there were no good posts about the answers they were looking for.

 

[skiandsurf]

skiandsurf has a good handle on things.

.

Thanks, I am here to help and spread the truth.

 

[old*art]

Its their airplane. We still carry ash trays.

 

[skiandsurf]

Yes, but as far as illegal.......Does lighting candles on a birthday cake constitute that? I think not. But am I correct in NetJets point of view? I mean, in the 121 world, you can't smoke cigerettes but that's from a health point of view. Open flames from matches or a lighter was never an issue in the past. Everyone used to smoke on airlines just 15 years ago. What is NetJets view on this?
I went to aviationinterviews.com to pull what info I could but there were no good posts about the answers they were looking for.

We used to have matches onboard the planes, but we recently took them off. The owners can smoke, remember its their plane, but they rarely do (like never). We have "smokeless ashtrays" onboard.

Havent had a birthday cake with candles, yet.

.....And one more thing...
these owners are for the most part very nice, and very appreciative for what we provide. They are not like college kids on spring break destroying a hotel room. They get onboard, They eat, read and sleep. They are not needy. After the flight, we do have to clean up after them, but again, most of the owners do not make too big of a mess. There are times when you will regret having to clean up a bigger mess, but again that is not too often.

 

[172driver]

As far as owners doing anything illegal goes: Talk to your partner (PIC), arrive at a point of action (which will be to notify law enforcement), and land the aircraft. Use your judgement. It will probably be correct.

I think I would be more likely to politely explain to the owners that we can't allow them to use illegal substances on the airplane. No need to get law enforcement involved. While I'm sure the company would back you, you just lost an owner and probably offended hundreds more. We are pilots, not police.

 

[Ultra Grump]

What he said. ^

As for candles on a bday cake, if you're doing your job (flying the plane), the first you'd notice would be the smell of smoke after they blew the candles out. Unless of course you're turned around singing "Happy Birthday" with them.

 

[fischman]

rollin the dice man...

I think I would be more likely to politely explain to the owners that we can't allow them to use illegal substances on the airplane. No need to get law enforcement involved. While I'm sure the company would back you, you just lost an owner and probably offended hundreds more. We are pilots, not police.

I have to disagree with this, especially as an interview answer. One of the requirements of having an ATP certificate is that the applicant is of "good moral character."

I would argue that a passenger using illegal (sometimes mood altering) substances is a safety of flight issue.

What if they light up a joint? I guess you would just put on the O2 mask and let it burn?

If a passenger is using illegal drugs on my plane, I would talk it over with my partner, call ATC, divert , and have law enforcement meet us at the plane. I am confident I would have NetJets support on the matter, and certain that 1108 would back me.

 

[skiandsurf]

If a passenger is using illegal drugs on my plane, I would talk it over with my partner, call ATC, divert , and have law enforcement meet us at the plane. I am confident I would have NetJets support on the matter, and certain that 1108 would back me.

I am going out on a limb here.....but think of available options. First call a Chief Pilot via the planes phone. Let them come up with a solution (or at input). After you land, tell the Chief Pilot know that you "might test positive" and you would like a month or 2 off to clean out your system....with pay of course.

But again, this will not be the everyday situation, maybe once in a career.

as far as interviewing, I dont think the company is looking for a pilot that is quick to call the police and get the owners arrested.

 

[Willy21]

A management type had this to offer for that situation. Turn on the no smoking sign. Explain to the passengers that you don't want to accuse them of anything but whatever it is please put it away and no questions will be asked. It gets you off of the hook and allows them to stay out of trouble without getting into the he said she said bit.

 

[172driver]

I have to disagree with this, especially as an interview answer. One of the requirements of having an ATP certificate is that the applicant is of "good moral character."

Do you think good moral character requires telling the police about every illegal act you encounter in the course of your life?

I would argue that a passenger using illegal (sometimes mood altering) substances is a safety of flight issue.

What if they light up a joint? I guess you would just put on the O2 mask and let it burn?
QUOTE]

And I would argue that it isn't a safety of flight issue. I already posted as to how I would answer the interview question. I would talk to the owners and respectfully ask them to extinguish it.

In real life, it would depend on the circumstances for me. Where are we going? How many people are back there? How much are they smoking? How much smoke is in the cabin? If it's two people headed to a domestic destination and they want to have a puff or two, I really don't care, nor would I be so melodramatic as to don my mask.

 

[Windsor]

I'm not a frax or pax guy, but I'd let common sense dictate what I'd do about a pax smoking a bong in the back. Give a call to the higher ups in the company. Let someone in management or the chief pilots office make the call on diverting or calling the cops.

 

[Buckeye]

My concern is not with tattle-telling management or the cops, I am concerned about what US Customs and Border Patrol are going to say if they smell anything or decide to search the aircraft. I cross the border weekly and know these people really well, they take their jobs seriously. Not to mention that if they did find something that the plane gets impounded. I would give the company the heads up and hope for the best. The people whom actually 123QS are going to be happy with their plane being impounded or possibly seized.

 

[fischman]

I would argue that a passenger using illegal (sometimes mood altering) substances is a safety of flight issue.

What if they light up a joint? I guess you would just put on the O2 mask and let it burn?
QUOTE]

And I would argue that it isn't a safety of flight issue. I already posted as to how I would answer the interview question. I would talk to the owners and respectfully ask them to extinguish it.

In real life, it would depend on the circumstances for me. Where are we going? How many people are back there? How much are they smoking? How much smoke is in the cabin? If it's two people headed to a domestic destination and they want to have a puff or two, I really don't care, nor would I be so melodramatic as to don my mask.

I get what you are saying. What would you do if the pax started freaking out on a bad acid trip? How would you know if it was acid? PCP? Coke? What if the Pax overdoses on YOUR flight because you didn't want to piss him off? Would you let a passenger board if they were visibly drunk? Where do you draw the line? I obviously draw it closer than you.

I will leave it at this, and it is purely my opinion as PIC. I am not going to risk getting stoned on second hand smoke when I am flying an airplane. Therefore if this scenario happened, me and my SIC are going to be sucking on the mask. Also, I am not willing to risk my certificate so Snoop Dog can "chill out." The company will be informed, and law enforcement will meet us when we land.

Respectfully,

 

[ozpilot]

If someone lit up a joint in the back and I could smell it, I would go back and politlely suggest that its not a good idea to smoke a substance that can affect the performance of the flight crew. (duh!) If they refused to put it out then I would divert and get the company involved.

Otherwise I would continue to the destination, on O2 of course. But I would insist on a drug test for the FO and I when we got there.

p.s. a very good question - its never happened to me - I would be very interested in other opinions.

 

[SDCFI]

§ 91.19 Carriage of narcotic drugs, marihuana, and depressant or stimulant drugs or substances.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate a civil aircraft within the United States with knowledge that narcotic drugs, marihuana, and depressant or stimulant drugs or substances as defined in Federal or State statutes are carried in the aircraft.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to any carriage of narcotic drugs, marihuana, and depressant or stimulant drugs or substances authorized by or under any Federal or State statute or by any Federal or State agency.

Since NetJets expects its flight crews to follow all federal regulations I would call dispatch (radio, sat phone, whatever) and tell them we need to divert and why. If you don't tell anyone you are opening yourself up to certificate action (and maybe more) should anything happen. What if after the pax leave you get ramped and the plane smells like weed? What if they get into the terminal and drop their bag in front of airport security and a joint falls out? What if something slips under a seat or behind a panel only to surface when a CBP officer comes up after a trip from Mexico? You're betting your job and the company's reputation that nobody finds out. Not the kind of risk I want to take. When it comes to doing something blatantly illegal that puts you and your livelihood at risk I don't think you owe the pax any special considerations. I would of course handle the situation in a calm and professional manner, buy they would get no sympathy from me when the cops take them away in handcuffs. What you do in your own home is one thing, what you do in the back of my airplane is another.

 

[crjaviator]

Lot's of good posts and varying opinions. I'm very gratefull to all that have answered. I'm also fairly confused now as well. I keep changing my thought process based on inputs from all. Don't stop replying! This is good stuff.