Another data point for the discussion.

I was hired this year. Regional CA, 5,000TT, sim instructor, Master's degree, with the type. I had applied at every application window since I was eligible (approx 2 years of applying) and made contact with SWA people at job fairs in each of the last 2 years. Got the type rating in Sept last year. Somebody recommended me for the in-house job expo earlier this year. I attended that and an interview invitation followed shortly.

Anecdotally, I think my TT is fairly low for somebody hired from a civilian background. I suspect the 737 type is what tipped the scales in my favor. This suspicion has been supported by someone who I trust knows a bit about the selection process.

For what its worth, I also remember hearing at the expo that they place a high value on education. As for the other stuff (job fairs, consistently applying, sim instructing), I have no idea to what extent it helped, if at all. I was just doing everything I could to show SWA recruiters that this is where I wanted to work, in case somebody happened to be watching.

Somebody previously mentioned K&S Aviation. I did my type with them and would recommend them for anybody choosing that route.