Originally Posted by Thunder1

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."