Originally Posted by
larryfxlast
I mentioned this in the career building page, however I thought I would take a chance and converse with some of my cohearts :P.
I'm a 27 year old, 28 next Friday! DAL based employee. I work in the hangar etc. Etc.
I have an eviscerating desire to fly our 737s.
I'm working towards my license and ratings; going to build time, but I can't help but to fear one major empass. The regional time....
No doubt this experience is necessary for me to be competitive, and acquiring the coveted 1500 TPIC looks daunting, when doing research on junior FO regional bids and maintaining SWA employment if I desire anythig resembling a life (but it can be done). Or I could look for cargo or a small 135 pax carrier flying turbo prop.
That being said. Will there come a time where I just have to bid SWA farewell and a "hope to see you later"? We've had had 4 hangar employees go internally to FOs in the past and naturally they aren't around for me to ask how they did it!
First and foremost... do you have a 4-year degree? If not, you'll need it.
Secondly, plenty of folks come back, but they are usually competitive in every other aspect. I know a few pilots who started off as CSA's and FA's. For example, there's a captain in MDW who started here as a FA. She had a degree, went to a regional full time, and applied back once she met the minimum requirements. She was hired back and kept her employee number. Conversely, I know a former ramper who was arguably the biggest SWA cheerleader I ever knew. Her looks and personality would probably make her the poster girl for Southwest Airlines. She has several thousand hours TPIC, 737 type, great community service... no call. She's at AA now due to flowthrough. Reason? No degree.