Ace Interview Prep

09/03/2026

Pilots are still getting bad advice about what to divulge about check ride failures. It doesn’t matter if the check airman said it won’t go on your record. If you have to repeat a training event you must divulge it. That includes KVs, line checks, and MVs, etc.
Interviewers know in an airline career you are exposed constantly to training events.
Trust that they will look at your entire career.

09/01/2026

PRDs can be wrong and you need to know about that before you interview. There is a process to contest an inaccuracy and I would email the company that entered information as well. Keep copies of emails.

08/16/2026

Another SWA FO window opening! Pay particular attention to accuracy when filling out this application. Check turbine time totals and eliminate any simulator time from total time. A failed line check is a check ride failure. If in doubt, disclose it.

08/02/2026

Even if a company you worked for is out of business, you will most likely need to give some reference information for it. Google “records” for the company. Try to provide former chief pilot information. If nothing else try to provide current information for a pilot you flew with at that now defunct job.

07/08/2026

Over explaining a background check issue (a termination for example) can be as harmful as too brief an explanation. Give a short, specific explanation, take responsibility, and trust the interviewer to ask questions if they want more. You don’t want a failed check ride or any kind of a setback to take on more importance than it needs to.

07/04/2026

I will give examples of stories for questions but I recommend you not use those stories, even if you had them happen and they fit the question. Nothing irritates an interviewer more than to hear the same story (even with other details) every day.

06/06/2026

05/31/2026

Two failures in a single training event is still two failures. It’s tempting to say one because it was one training event; but a failed KV and a failed LOE are two separate failures. The airlines are so sensitive to disclosures. Better to over disclose than not.

05/22/2026

I do advise you share any additional failed check rides since interviewing and after receiving a CJO. The airlines are all about integrity and I have not heard of a cjo being rescinded after a recent check ride failure.

05/19/2026

If pursuing a 121 career I think you need to make your resume as simple and clear as possible. These interviewers looks at hundreds every week. Make it easy for them. Simplify. Use specific dates. I think one page is best.