Yea, I was being a smart a$$.

If Southwest is your target airline find some Southwest pilots and talk to them in person. See if they can give you more realistic expectations on what it takes to be competitive at their ailrline. You might even build some contacts while doing it. Remember what is posted on the qualifications page of any airline is the absolute minimum qualification, to be truly competetive usually requires quite a bit more. Also having an internal recomendation anywhere obviously will be a huge help.

If you are getting information from a recruiting agency, flight school or employer who is getting you to work cheaply that information should be highly suspect. There is no pilot shortage, only a shortage of pilots willing to work cheaply. Get your primary information from people who are actually flying for the company that you want to work for.

Most importantly, assume you may be at any job you take much longer than you plan. Sometimes things move quickly and your lucky, but most of the time they move slowly and Murphy is around the corner. Make sure you can live on what you make and that you are willing to stay there for awhile longer than you plan.

Also if you have a family make sure they are ready for the ride as well.