I'm an HPA grad and zero time in type. Was asked about it in the interview. PM me if you would like to know my position on it. I was hired as many others have. I went through the contracted Boeing training for Atlas...HPA facilities, people, and training BLEW Boeing out of the water. A 737 type from HPA is nothing to be afraid of sharing - I'm still proud of it.

 

This is extremely true and while I haven't experienced it at an interview, I was asked about Southwest in particular during a job fair with another airline.

When I was getting ready to get my ATP, the education office at my base told me the GI Bill wouldn't pay for just an ATP, that I needed to do the type rating as well. So, I explain it that way.

I would still do the type course again though, as a military guy, the brief insight I got into civilian training was priceless.

 

I would not put it on the PAQ under the "types flown" if its just a type with no time in the real aircraft.... but it IS a type rating so if you have 3 types (and the 737 is one of them, you have 3 types).... that was another section where is asked # of types.

I love how they have OH-58A/C in there along with all those heavies! I actually got to check it along with the CRJ series Almost 1000 hours of IP time in that little thing !

Nothing wrong with planning and tending to all the eggs in ones basket while LOOKING for a career... I say whoever gets me first wins. But until then, I am going to plan and prepare for all options. I used the GI Bill to get the type, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it.... I would not leave US, UPS, FDX, Atlas, UAL, DAL etc once hired at any of them to go to SWA. However, until that happens, I see nothing wrong with preparing smartly for all options.

 

Any news on when the next wave of phone/interviews will be?

 

I, too, got the 737 type from HPA last year (GI Bill), and have it listed on my resume. Is it the opinion of most people, then, that it would be better to just list my ATP, CFI, etc. without the 737 type (only type rating I have), or is that something that is better explained as Lobeaux did face-to-face? I look at it as I've shown that I can learn a new airplane coming from a Navy tac-air background; but if it's more of a show-stopper before even getting to the interview, I would definitely reconsider taking it off my resume.

Any advice appreciated!

 

This isn't my opinion, although I agree with it. I was told by an individual who reviewed my resume and does interview prep to remove the Higher Power information. But, only for airlines that don't fly the 737. I left the type rating in my section titled "certifications", but removed the Higher Power reference from my resume all together for Spirit, Atlas, JetBlue and FedEx. I left it on there for Alaska, Airways, United and Delta.

Now, my own opinion. There's nothing wrong with attending Higher Power, but there is a stigma about Southwest. It's something you'll have to explain why you have a no-time type. Attending Higher Power because the GI Bill paid for it is a perfectly good reason. Also, like you said, it shows that you can be taught and that you have a recency of training.

Overall, attending Higher Power (despite what they say down there in Fort Worth) is not going to get you a job or NOT going to get you a job. Just like everything else, it's one more cog in the machine. For some, you can put it in a positive light, ie. I learned a lot about civilian flight training, my GI Bill paid for it, I was interested in passenger flight operations, etc. For other airlines, it's best not to mention it, unless they ask you to prove a recency of training (like Airways).

FWIW, I haven't had an interview where I had to explain why I attended HP, it was at a job fair where I had left HP on my resume. I got the "so, if we call you on Monday, and Southwest calls you on Tuesday what will you do?". In the end, I haven't been called by that particular airline anyway, although I'd love to work for them.

Curiously enough, and this is a separate topic, I have counseled a couple of guys who are looking to be seperated out of the AF, due to not making rank, to apply at the regionals, especially if they don't have an ATP, which most of the guys being separated don't have and save their GI Bill. My logic was, go to the regionals, do everything to get hired (leave your ego at the door), get your ATP during training and spend a year or two or three learning 121 operations. The combination of military with regional experience should be sought after by the majors.

 

Maybe I'm missing something here, but doesn't your type show up on your certificate? Does omitting it on your resume/app really show transparency when they see it in your records? If I was in this situation, I think being up front from the get-go is how I would handle it. It's my .02...I don't have that type.

 

I couldn't agree more. Having sat across that desk as someone physically checked off all the ratings on my résumé cross checked to my certificate, I'd much rather explain why I have a type rating with no time than have to explain why I chose to leave one off. It could come off like you were intentionally trying to hide it. And that leaves them open to wonder why, and their first thought I'd bet will be that you really want to be at a specific airline that requires you to buy your own type rating.

 

Yes, it does. On the PAQ, it asks what aircraft you have "flown", I don't check 737. On my resume, I don't have a spot for 737, nor dO I put Higher Power down, but I have a section called "certificates", where I list my type ratings. I put B737 down since its on my certificate.

 

That's a good point about it being listed on your certificate. I've had it on my resume since day one, just wanted to get some opinions on the effect it has when HR people look at it. I have it listed under my certificates and ratings section as well. It is very easily explained if/when I get to an interview that it was the best option for me at the time to get an ATP using the GI Bill, and not that I was specifically going for SWA.
I appreciate the input!