I applied for this position through Delta's website and the time elapsed from when I applied to when I was granted a conditional job offer was just under 3 weeks, pending successful completion of a drug test, physical agility test and extensive background check (including credit history).
The first step of the process was straightforward when applying for this position online, simply entering basic information and answering initial yes/no screening questions about the position such as, "are you able to lift up to 70 lbs." and "this position requires you to be working in noisy, confined areas in different kinds of weather, etc." (just so you clearly know, if you haven't figured out by now what you've applied for).
About a week later, a recruiter contacted my by phone and interviewed me for about 30 minutes asking questions gauging my personality and ability to problem solve situations in my past jobs. The recruiter also emphasized how important customer service is and the job's perception by airline passengers who may monitor how you do your job on the ramp handling their baggage. The recruiter was very nice and pleasant to deal with. Although I can't recall exactly what questions she asked, I strongly recommend to you that you be yourself and be honest, especially in this part of the process. If you had a negative situation you've dealt with on the job, think about any and all constructive ways you handled that situation and the positive outcome.
Immediately after I completed my phone interview with the recruiter, I was directed to the career section at Delta.com (where I applied for the position) and completed the official Delta application, including a comprehensive work and residence history and completed education. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row, including your previous start/end salary information and every place you've lived to 10 years back with no gaps in your application.
One week later, I was contacted by a different person in Delta's recruiting department securing a face-to-face interview appointment time. I was given very clear directions as to what I needed to bring with me and where to go upon arrival at the airport. All of the information regarding the interview was also emailed to me.
I scheduled the interview a few days later and arrived on time, even though I had to park at another terminal. I was escorted to the station office where my interview was and it was a great experience for me. Delta's face-to-face interview process (which was one-on-one, not group interview for me) uses the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method where a set of circumstances is laid out to you in a question and asking about how you rectified that situation in a previous job. Some of the questions did resemble that of what the phone recruiter did ask. The questions aren't extremely challenging but it's best to be honest and positive as you reflect certain situations and circumstances you've handled in previous jobs, as you did in the phone interview.
After the face-to-face interview, I was granted the job opportunity on a conditional basis (which I was excited, of course!) and then filled out a massive amount of paperwork. I also later set up when I'll complete the drug test and physical agility test, but am very optimistic.
By the way, never mention travel benefits ANYTIME in the interview process as to why you want to work for an airline. Never a good way to make a first impression or secure your future with any airline.
Every interaction I had with each phone recruiter and individual Delta airport employee (ticket counter, baggage office and station/ramp office) was exceptional and I felt welcome, which makes me feel even better as to why I'm eager to work for Delta!