I went through PanAm in vegas, total cost including hotel was just about $6k plus food and gambling money.

 

Sure. First, they do it because they can. There is no shortage of people willing to pay for their own type rating. Second, SWA requires a 737 type rating - i.e., SWA does not explicitly require you to pay for anything. If you do not already have one then YOU make the choice to pay for it yourself.

Personally, I call this forward thinking and not "backwards" on the part of the company. Any airline does not exist solely to provide jobs for people - they exist to be profitable.

 

They do not know. You are correct in saying that one could spend thousands of dollars on a type rating only to never have it pay off in their favor. This is why one must do the pro vs con analysis when contemplating who to work for. Personally, while I really respect SWA and think they are a great company, I refused to pay for my own type rating in the "hopes" of ever getting a call from them. I just did not want to work for them that bad.

It isn't.

I'm a capitalist through and through and a firm believer in free-market economics. The ONLY reason SWA can do this is because the market allows for it - i.e., there is more than an adequate supply of people attaining 737 type ratings (either paying for it themselves or earning one at a different carrier). While I would not pay for my own type rating, at the same time I cannot fault SWA management for requiring a 737 type rating.

 

Does anyone know someone who waited until they got the job offer before getting the type?

I know several guys who got it beforehand who didn't get an offer......

 

Seems to me the requirement of a 737 type would need to be validated with current employees. Can they still do that being that now the AirTran guys can't all be typed in the 737? Am I Right?

 

Really, a 737 type...why? If I'm paying for it, I'd rather get typed in the Concord. What's the sudden fascination with the 737? I think it's an ugly airplane...IMHO

 

No such thing as a ugly airplane

 

I know of one guy...had come off the MD-80 at another company, interviewed, got the offer, and I think it was six months to get the 737 type. He did it a couple weeks later, called SWA, and got a class date.

 

I'd rather be typed in a 737 than a DC9. I think it would be much easier to find a job.

 

I did the HP B737NG and it was $10K (VA paid). The classic I think runs about $7K. I stayed at a friends place, so I made out there. I would highly recommend HP. Great atmosphere and good instructors!