JamesNoBrakes

There's a tendency to think that old croggy pilots are going to look at the resumes and throw them out because people have too much experience or type ratings. These days HR departments do the sorting without these kinds of influences because of liability. Most likely they do all the work to select interview candidates and then it goes to a few pilots and HR professionals for the interview. It's not impossible for a bias like that to get through the system, but it's no longer 1970 either. The company has to protect itself throughout the interview/selection process.

E2CMaster

I'm one of the guys who has a AATPs horror story.
(the DPE and the material condition of the planes).

I'm going to HPA in October.

iceman49

This is a penny wise dollar foolish option IMHO

2loud

Only insecure airlines/HR will have a negative view of a 737 type rating and they are the airlines to avoid, given a choice. IMHO, I'd use the $ to get some stick time. Airlines nowadays don't really care if you have a type rating or not, especially if you are coming from the military. Turbine PIC and currency are the two biggies, from my experience.

Barnstormer

In a year if you have not been hired yet and Southwest starts hiring, you will wish you had gotten the type.

Nextlife

I was trying to make the same decision not long ago. I decided to go with the 737 Type/ATP for two reasons 1) very little money out of pocket with the GI Bill (the Seminole ATP is almost half way there if you pay out of pocket anyway) and 2) Being military trained, I do better in a program with a syllabus and more structure vs. the three day fly until you're ready light twin program. The fact that I wouldn't mind flying for Southwest doesn't hurt either.

Twin Wasp

One other thing to think about, most Boeings have a family resemblance. If you understand how Boeing builds an electrical system or a pneumatic system, a lot of the terminology carries over between types. If you learn "Boeing" in a bit more relaxed 142 setting, airline initial training might be a bit easier. It's a double edged sword and you need to figure what info to keep and what to dump.

FLY6584

Can't state this enough. I went through the 737-type route using my 9/11 GI Bill and it was stress free and I knew at the end of it I would be walking away with my ATP and a type. For me it was insurance of knowing it would be almost impossible to fail the checkride and a structured simulator course is already similar to what we are used to in the military. Easy decision for me and very glad I went that route. There are a lot of urban myths about 737 types hurting you, but every contact I have at the Majors say that is BS and it shows a dedication to commercial aviation and the ability to learn complex aircraft.

A few years ago when Southwest was the place to be that was one thing, but these days places like Delta know that people would now choose Delta over Southwest so they aren't worried about you jumping ship if SWA starts hiring again.

ox999

Another important thing that the type rating gets you is the ability to "check" another box on the electronic application. Then when the computer gonks up your score, it just might put you that much more ahead in the "call for an interview" stack over those without it...which equals seniority.

Also, as a military retiree (I'm one too), if the extra $3k that it costs over the cheaper route is REALLY gonna break you...ya might also want to start setting some extra money aside for a financial planning class.

jal362

Thanks for all the good advice. Any comments on if it should be done in the 737NG or the 737-200/300? Also, if the retirement date is 18-20 months from now, does anyone recommend starting the application process now or 3 months prior to terminal leave.