Originally Posted by
satpak77
If this is true, and I have yet to see factual evidence of the above alleged statement anywhere
Not sure if this is "shortage related" or more of a post-Herb shift in Human Resource thinking, to include legal counsel possibly getting involved regarding "requiring" types prior to starting class. They are hiring FO's, and the FAA does not require an FO to have a 737 type.
Similar to the old days when every airline had their own medical exam and physical requirements. The FAA stepped in and said, hey, FAA Class-1 is enough.
What the VP didn't say and forgot to mention was that "applicants with the 737 type will continue to be ranked higher than those without"
I would hold off on high-fiving myself that a "pilot shortage" is in effect....
Satpak,
Seeing is believing.....
"The B737 Type Rating
As you all know, we have a very long history of requiring that Pilots aquire the B737 type rating prior to starting a new hire class. This has served us well over the years. After a very thorough review of the Southwest Airlines Pilot job description, we have decided to remove the B737 type rating requirement. This decision came after seriously considering that our pool of qualified applicants has dwindled over the years, initial training is more systems comprehensive than the old days, insurance is no longer an issue, and the fact that we are overlooking thousands of qualified pilots who exceed our requirements but do not possess the type rating.
Going forward, the B737 type rating will continue to have value as a desired skill, similar to a college degree or other specialized training. In other words, for those applicants who have a type rating, it will serve as another “feather in the cap” during the selection process. All pilot applicants must still possess the Multi-Engine ATP rating. The proposed initial AQP training has made it much easier to administer a type rating during the initial training syllabus, and those Pilots who are hired without a B737 type rate will receive the rating prior to IOE."