Transportation security officers (TSOs) are the first line of defense against threats to the traveling public and the transportation infrastructure. TSOs screen passengers and baggage for prohibited items, such as weapons and explosives. They also search for other threats, such as items that could be used to make a bomb.
In order to be hired as a TSO, you’ll need to go through a rigorous interview process. You’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.
TSA Screener Interview Questions with Answer Examples
Questions about experience and background
Common experience and background questions may include:
What is your greatest strength, and how will it benefit you as a TSA Screener?
As a TSA screener, youll likely need to maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times. The interviewer is asking you about personal qualities that will enable you to succeed in what can be a strenuous job in a structured professional setting. Take this opportunity to highlight the personality traits that make you qualified for this unique role and highlight your soft skills.
Example: “My greatest strength is my resilience under pressure. As a TSA screener, I know Ill be interacting with travelers from many different locations. Im used to interacting with people who may be stressed, hurried or having a bad day. My security and customer service background means that I have a lot of practice responding to stressful situations with grace, and I understand the importance of keeping calm at all times as I interact with members of the public.”
Tell us about a time you had a conflict with a coworker.
Conflict on the job can be common, especially when you work in a high-stress, highly structured environment, like an airport. By asking this question, your interviewer is trying to get a sense of your approach to conflict and understand how you will react when experiencing on-the-job tension with your coworkers. Try to use the STAR interview technique to provide a specific example for this question.
Example: “I dont often come into conflict with coworkers, but when it has happened in the past, its usually due to a lack of communication. An example is a coworker I had at a past security job who would often ask me for assistance with tasks when I was actively assisting clients or performing other duties. While Im always happy to support a team member, it was taking time away from my own work. I resolved the issue by clearly stating my boundaries and telling them I could only assist them when I had completed my own tasks.”
PILOT INTERVIEW Questions And Answers! (How to PASS an Airline Pilot Interview)
1. What is CRM process as Airline Pilot? The systematic and effective use of all available resources to ensure a desirable outcome and completion of the flight. Focusing on communication, teamwork, task allocation, decision-making and situational awareness. The major contributors in the CRM process are: Dispatchers, flight attendants, maintenance, ATC and of course the cockpit crew.
2. What is the MAP on a non-precision approach? Non-precision: MAP is usually visually identified by a capitol and bold “M” in the Jepps or at the end of the solid line on NOS. There are several ways to id the MAP: Published DME at the MAP, Navaid such as the middle marker (MM), or timing from the FAF
3. What is the importance of proficiency in several languages for a pilot? A private pilot may limit himself to knowledge of English good enough to understand control towers. Other pilots, being more publicly involved figures by necessity, greatly benefit from knowing more than one language.
4. What is your Proudest accomplishment? Becoming a pilot and graduating from college as to be the biggest accomplish so far.
5. What is the 1-2-3 rule? Requirements for filing an alternate. 1-2-3: 1hr before to 1hr after estimated time of arrival, the weather must be forecast to be 2000′ ceiling and 3SM vis.
6. What makes a good captain or what do you expect from a Captain? one that is knowledgeable, decisive, conservative and safety conscious, good people skills, superior communication skills, solid piloting skills, can manage stress and avoid confrontation
7. List your qualifications as a pilot? Besides relevant college degree(s), pilots graduate from flying school and participate in annual additional training.
8. What is GRID MORA? It’s an altitude derived by Jepp or provided by state authorities. If derived by Jepp, Grid MORA clear all terrain and structures by 1000′ in areas where highest elevations are 5000′ MSL or lower. MORA values clear all terrain and structures by 2000′ in areas where highest elevations are 5001′ MSL or higher. Grid MORA (State) altitude supplied by the State Authority provides 2000′ clearance in mountainous areas and 1000′ in non-mountainous areas. Also… a +/- denote doubtful accuracy but are believed to provide sufficient reference point clearance.
9. What is the definition of CRM? CRM is a system which allows optimum use of all available resources – equipment, procedures, interpersonal communication, team work – all to promote safety and enhance efficiency in operations
10. What is Vso of your most recent aircraft? Cessna 172 is 41Kts
11. What is the max distance from the runway if you were to circle to land? Depends on your speed
12. Have you applied anywhere else? Just be honest on this one. If you are in the job hunt, it’s normal to apply to several companies. It’s great to tell them that Cathay is your top choice, but it would be suspect to say Cathay is your only choice.
13. What is mach tuck? As the aircraft reaches critical mach the nose of the aircraft tends to pitch downwards due to the flow of air over the wing reaching supersonic speeds producing additional life and center of pressure moving rearward. As the center of pressure moves rearward the elevators become less effective, pushing the aircraft into a potentially unrecoverable dive.
14. What is tower’s NORDO signal to be cleared to land? Steady green
15. What is VMCG? minimum speed control in the ground
16. What is the difference between Blue, Green Airports? blue is IFR (has approaches) green is VFR (no approaches)
17. What is GRADIENT CLIMB? 3%
18. What is VMCA? Minimun Speed Control in the Air
19. What is windshear? its a change on direction and speed of the wind
20. What is MOCA? Minimum Obstacle Clearance that provides obstable clearance between Vor airways. It also ensures VOR coverage 22nm from the nearest VOR
21. What is hyperventilation? hyperventilation is when the body has too much Oxygen and not enough Co2
22. Ever had an emergency? yes, many over the years
23. Pilots have many simultaneous responsibilities during the flight. What can you tell me about this? Pilots navigate the flight, observe and direct the activities of the crew, check instruments, keep an eye on the weather, and monitor altitude and air traffic. Doing all these and more, often simultaneously, requires outstanding multi-tasking skills and power of concentration.
24. What are the max airspeeds in C airspace? 200 KIAS within 4 NM of Primary Class C Airport
25. How would you behave as the pilot of a plane during an emergency? Describe first what your emotional response would be. It is important to demonstrate, preferably through examples, that you can maintain your poise during such events, and that you possess enough presence of mind to activate emergency procedures and delegate duties among crew members as necessary.
26. Where do you see yourself in 6 months? with your company
27. Did you ever have to modify the flight course in the past? Pilots are able to modify the course in flight, if this is dictated by internal or external conditions. This is not a small responsibility and needs careful coordination with control towers and scrupulous attention to detail.
28. What Is V2? takeoff safety speed
29. What Is Max A/s In Class C? Airspeed maximum of 200 knots indicated within 4 nautical or 5 statute miles and 2500 feet above the ground of the primary airport.
30. What Are The Cdi/raim Sensitivities Of A Gps Outside 30nm? Inside 30nm? +- 5 mi +- 1 mi
31. What Is The Effect Of Aft Cg On Performance? rearward Cg gives better fuel efficiency
32. What Is An Lda? a precision approach that is offset from the runway, it may have GS
33. Where Is The Faf On A Vor/ils Approach? On a VOR approach, the FAP is whenever you are established on course inbound and the final decent may be started. For non-precision approaches, the FAF is the “Maltese Cross” and for precision, the arrow which identifies the GS intercept.
34. Why Cape Air? big airline paneer
35. What Kind Of Airspace Is Around Lax? Class B. Very congested airspace.
36. What Is V1? Take off decision speed
37. What is hypoxia? Lack of oxygen to body tissues
38. Why do you like Compass? I like the new modern equipment and I like the fact that it’s got flow through to/ is part of Northwest.
39. What is a squall line? It is a continuous narrow line active of thunderstorms ahead of cold front but can develop far removed of any front. May be too long to detour, too thick to penetrate. It forms very rapidly reach Max intensity in late afternoon or early evening. IT IS THE SINGLE MOST INTENSE WEATHER HAZARD FOR AIRCRAFT.
40. Why do you want to work for Allegiant? growing company, day trips, upgrade potential
41. Why Ameriflight? I’d like to fly cargo and gain the single-pilot IFR experience
42. Did you ever have a problem with an F/O? Yes
43. What is your clearance limit when cleared for the approach and then you loose coms? The published hold on the missed.
44. What is MEA? Minimum En Route Altitude, lowest altitude on that airway that assures obstacle clearance and acceptable navigational reception.
45. What is Definition of V2? Single engine climb speed until safe altitude or clear of obstacles
46. What is Definition of V1? on a balance runway it is the last chance for you to decide not to go if you have and emergency and still stop on the runway according to the air data
47. What is the definition of Hypoxia? Not enough Oxygen
48. What is the seating capacity of the Dash 8 100 and 300 and how many flight attendants you need? DA-100 (37) DA-300 (50) FA 1
49. Tell me the biggest factor as far as fuel conservation goes as it relates to a jet engine? TSFC thrust specific fuel consumption which directly inperpolates to power setting and altitude. Higher you climb the less fuel required. Throttle settings also have a say in conservation and relates more to maintenance issues which is why full throttle takeoffs are rarely done.
50. What qualities make a good captain? Confident, Diligent, Good CRM skills, Good Problem Solver
51. What’s your choice of base? PDX or Seattle
52. World Airways Pilot Interview Questions:
53. Flight Express Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
54. Lion Air Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
55. LAN Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
56. Miami Air International Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
57. Mokulele Airlines Pilot Interview Questions:
58. Ryan International Airlines Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
59. Seaborne Airlines Pilot Interview Questions:
60. XOJET Airline Pilot Interview Questions:
Why did you decide for a career of a pilot?
Say them that you enjoy flying, and that you believe to be a responsible person. You can also say that you have all skills and strengths needed for this type of work. Alternatively you can refer to an experience that motivated you to pursue the career, such as meeting a pilot when you were young, or having passion for aircraft models since childhood.
The key is to convince them that you really want the job, and did not apply just because you’ve already spent a small fortune on your studies and training.
Example: “I always start by checking for proper identification on all passengers. If I notice something suspicious about their documents, I will ask them questions to confirm their identity. After this step, I’ll check the vehicle’s registration and insurance information before inspecting the cargo area of the vehicle. Finally, I’ll inspect the driver’s license and other personal documentation.”
Example: “In my last role as a transportation security officer, I noticed an increase in traffic at one of our bus stops. When I investigated further, I found that someone had left their backpack on the bench. I immediately contacted my supervisor so we could call the police department for assistance. The police officers were able to locate the owner of the bag and return it safely.”
Example: “I am definitely comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, as I’ve done so throughout my career. In my last role, I was responsible for monitoring multiple security cameras at once while also checking on the status of vehicles entering the facility. This required me to multitask quite often, but I’m confident that I can handle these types of situations with ease.”
Example: “If I were unable to complete a security check before departure, I would ask my supervisor for assistance or advice on what to do next. If there was no time to get additional support, I would make sure that all passengers had their bags checked before boarding the bus or train. In some cases, I may need to delay the departure until I could ensure everyone’s safety.”
Transportation security officers (TSOs) are the first line of defense against threats to the traveling public and the transportation infrastructure. TSOs screen passengers and baggage for prohibited items, such as weapons and explosives. They also search for other threats, such as items that could be used to make a bomb.
FAQ
What questions do they ask at TSA interview?
- How did you hear about this position?
- Why are you interested in working for the TSA?
- How does this position align with your long-term career goals?
- What skills and qualifications do you have that make you more competitive than other candidates?
- What achievement are you most proud of?
How do I prepare for a TSA interview?
Make sure you have your glasses or contacts if needed. Use your candidate dashboard to collect any needed information. Prepare anecdotes to back up any answer you might give to an interview question. Be ready to describe your answers, and explain how you would resolve an issue.
Why are you interested in working for TSA?
How long is the interview for TSA?
