Looks like they only favor guys with heavy experience. Any chance for a S-3 guy getting out in September 08??
Basically "bar rules" are in effect, in which if a given bar is full of pretty gals, Southern tends to go for them, but if that is not the case, then they go for pilots with "great personalities"...
Meaning that if pilots with experience in heavies, cargo, and international flying are looking for jobs, then Southern jumps at them first... But if that kind of pilot is far and few between, then they go for pilots they think can adapt and grow into the position.
Not sure where I fit into the second quote, but I got hired (and typed) with 3300 total (1700 E-2 Hawkeye (not big) and 1300 helo!), a 737 type due to the GI bill and I hadn't flown anything other than a sim in 8 months.
There's a balance between being snobbish and getting the crews you need to fly the rapidly expanding aircraft fleet and business that you have.
(Just my opinion here) but I think they look for people who are going to be
a.) OK to be stuck on the road with for 20 days
b.) trainable and able to pass a PC (most don't get typed) in a
full-steam guage 747-200 (this has tripped up a few folks)
and c.) be able to enjoy the kind of flying that is ACMI, where a lot is left to the crew to get it done without much help from dispatch ("much help" may be an overstatement) in addition to being on the road 12-20 days a month.
The flying is much closer to what I did in the Navy than what you'd find in a scheduled 121 gig. I'm really enjoying it. Quite a few ex-military (and USCG) here too. Hoover, you'll feel at home if you can stand the time away. Plus, by Sept we'll know if the new sched/dispach plan delivered as promised.
As with any job, send in your resume, interview and see what you think. PM me if you've got more Q's, would be happy to answer.
HTH
Spongebob