Q for former DAL interviewees

[Ward]

Could someone shed some light on the questions regarding absences from one's current airline?

Is there a focus on just sick calls? The number of sick calls or the total number of days?

What about personal leave? Must that be disclosed?

I'm not overly concerned about it because I'm not an abuser of sick leave but I was sick more last year (probably due to toddler in daycare bringing home all sorts of goodies).

Someone mentioned this is brought up in the invitation e-mail???

Thanks.

Ward

 

[wings421]

I was asked how many times have you called in sick in the last 12 months. How many times have you been unavailable on reserve/missed showtimes etc...? When was the last time that you sat reserve?

 

[fly4surf]

I was asked how many times have you called in sick in the last 12 months. How many times have you been unavailable on reserve/missed showtimes etc...? When was the last time that you sat reserve?

A couple, never, and your looking at it!
Just give me a call, I can start in two weeks.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Make sure they know why you were sick. Did you take FMLA. make sure that they know that you did not call in sick when you were not the one that was sick, as well as when you were caring for someone else who was sick.
If you had a few (less than three to four) you should be fine as well as they are documented. Just make sure that you answer honestly, and clearly. Do not mince words.

 

[jonjuan]

Make sure they know why you were sick. Did you take FMLA. make sure that they know that you did not call in sick when you were not the one that was sick, as well as when you were caring for someone else who was sick.
If you had a few (less than three to four) you should be fine as well as they are documented. Just make sure that you answer honestly, and clearly. Do not mince words.

Yeah, because they know who would lie about being sick during the interview or once hired. It doesn't happen here, no way. Why even ask the question?

 

[thor2j]

Do you want the job, LIE! Do you not want the job, tell the truth.

 

[iaflyer]

A guy in my new hire class here at DAL got terminated for lying about his sick usage three weeks after starting class. Don't lie in the interview - you sign a document giving Delta the ability to get your sick usage from your old company. Apparently they do send it off - and this guy got axed because of it.

 

[Z_Pilot]

I told them the truth...I was sick twice within the last year. Although I couldn't recall the exact dates, I told them which month. I also brought in my paystub to show them that I had 120+ hours of sick time banked. For some reason they kept questioning me about sick time. Maybe I don't have good interview skills, but it seemed to go downhill from there.

Better luck to you.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Fact is that they check. The guy in question was from a close DCI carrier. If you work for ASA or CMR you will have your sick record checked. Many other companies will not release it, and in fact there is no paper train from the aforementioned two, so that a candidate can not come back a sue them. Of course there are ways around that. They will find out.
Do not lie. DAL wants to know that if you called out sick. 1) You gave the company ample time to find a replacement, 2) That you were sick, and not collecting sick pay for time that you were not sick, 3) You are not using sick time to care for others.
If you can efficiently answer these questions you will be fine.
It also helps if you have not called in on a Holiday or around the Super Bowl etc.
Fact is that if you falsify anything DAL will fire you. They do a very thorough background check. That does not mean that you need to offer information that was not asked, but it does mean that if asked you need to answer honestly.
DAL has in the past had an issue with people using all of their allotted sick time as extra vacation. It is you time, but they did not like it. They are just making sure that they are not hiring more people like that.

 

[CheapFlyer]

Do not lie. DAL wants to know that if you called out sick. 1) You gave the company ample time to find a replacement, 2) That you were sick, and not collecting sick pay for time that you were not sick, 3) You are not using sick time to care for others.

If your wife/son/daughter had a major trauma/illness Delta thinks it's bad that you stay home and take care of them?

That doesn't seem right.

-CF

 

[ACL65PILOT]

You can do that but it must fall under FMLA. Not you calling out saying your sick using your sick time. You must use vacation time for the FMLA leave. I know it is a fine line, but one that DAL seems to define.

 

[motch]

Unfortunately,
While I do know most of the Delta guys on here, and what they say it true... I have to lean towards what Thor said.

DAL is either looking for the perfect pilot... or just not checking every fact for everyone they hired.

I was completely honest, and was turned down. Not going to go into it here cause it's on another thread but I will say this. After talking to the guys in my squadron about the interview, I was told I probably was to honest and should either have not told them stuff or lied about it. Just my two cents. Good luck thought, DAL would still be a dream job. Just not in the HR or hiring department!

Always

 

[iaflyer]

When I interviewed at DAL I had called in sick several times in the past twelve months, once for an extended period. I had researched my sick time usage before the interview and knew exactly what I had used. I described each sick call in the interview in detail so that part was an non-event.

I think Delta is looking for responsible, mature people who don't call in sick for their buddy's party - nothing more than that.

 

[jrcpilot]

Could someone shed some light on the questions regarding absences from one's current airline?

Is there a focus on just sick calls? The number of sick calls or the total number of days?

What about personal leave? Must that be disclosed?

I'm not overly concerned about it because I'm not an abuser of sick leave but I was sick more last year (probably due to toddler in daycare bringing home all sorts of goodies).

Someone mentioned this is brought up in the invitation e-mail???

Thanks.

Ward

The number one thing you need to be is HONEST!!! Tell them when and why you were sick. The number one disqualifier at DL is Dishonesty. Be yourself, SHow some humility and show them that you have the knowledge and you will be fine....good luck.

 

[qxdash8]

You can do that but it must fall under FMLA. Not you calling out saying your sick using your sick time. You must use vacation time for the FMLA leave. I know it is a fine line, but one that DAL seems to define.

Just to be clear: Some states have laws that further refine the federal FMLA laws. Oregon, for example, requires that the employer allow the use of sick and/or STD for FMLA, not just vacation time.