Not looking for a 737 job right now as I stand no chance. But I need to get my ATP most definitely. Getting an ATP in a twin piston engine costs as much as getting a type rating. Wanted to kill 2 birds once, but the question was/is the difficulty I will be facing during training.

The other question you may want to ask is whether the 73 type will block pilot jobs between what you are doing now and your goals (airline job?). I cannot answer that question since I was in the military first.
I do know I interviewed twice (other than SWA) and had to explain why I got a 73 type. I think you could easily layout the story you discussed in this thread.
Good luck

May want to consider something like ; ATP Flight School: ATP Written & Certificate/Rating
$2695 vs $7K min. Back in '92 I did the ATP in 2 days for $1200 with no study (I already had the written). I did the 737 type in 9 day in '93 and studied for 30 days prior to showing up and I had over 2000 hrs of military tactical jet time and it was still a challenge. If you, however are set on the 737 type, I would contact Ray Brendle @ [email protected] or 281-360-1010. He owns Crew Pilot Training (CPT) and will let you "sit in" on a class before you do your real class if you are interested or have the time( about $1500 for the books and computer course prior to the ground school. They use SWA simulators in DAL. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. If you call Ray, you can mention that you received this advice from the SWA capt. that called him on thurs. eve. Good luck with your decision.

Thank you for the info, I sure will let him know that. If you hold just one type rating, is it easier to aquire more ratings? I am not talking about the experience you get, the requirements, like "Add on ratings".

Silly or not I'd use a microsoft flight simulator, it will represent the speed issue pretty well. Get an ATP PTS and rehearse a check ride with it. Its not different then a Commercial ride. The one thing I would think may cause you a little trouble would be the crew concepts and procedures.

I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a lot of time to study and partner who could help guide you. You will need to have your instrument skills down before you start and learn how to function as a captain in a crew environment-calling for the right checklists during emergencies, single-engine approaches and go-arounds, flying profiles etc. Systems knowledge and just learning the airplane itself also takes some time.
I did my atp/type in a 767 earlier this year and it was a lot of work, but I already had almost 3000 hours jet time in different airplanes. Its not impossible, just realize what you will be getting into.

An added bonus of having a type is when you go to get a job somewhere and they look at your license, they might think to themselves, "Hey, this guy has got a 73 type. That must mean he is not a complete dummy and he has been exposed to the environment in which we will be putting him. Plus, if he can buckle down and do this type rating, he sure as heck should be able to make it through our training program."

Go for it.

Or it says... This guy wanted to work for Southwest and they didn't want him, why should we gve him flight time and experience only to have him run off to Southwest after the 2nd interview 6 months from now. Devils Advocate, sorry.

Right, except for he's not gonna have the 1000 Turbine PIC that SWA requires for you to even get a foot in the door. Therefore that line of thinking is out because it's gonna be a while before he makes it up the ranks and moves to the left seat. :rolleyes: I see what you were trying to get at though.