I had the app done about 8 months before leaving the military. Got out and recieved the call about a month later. I had not updated my app in about 5 months. A month prior to recieivng the call, I updated my app about every 5 days.
A bud of mine (also not typed) was told at the interview that one of the requirements they like for people without type ratings is that you were a Chief of Stan/Eval or evaluator during your career. The three guys I know that just got the call were all Chief of Stan Eval.

 

I just sent in my app yesterday. I don't understand why my phone isn't ringing off the hook yet!

 

Well, here goes. I was a check airman on the Emb-145 with 4900 TT, 4400 turbine jet, 2400 PIC turbine jet. That was back in December of 2005 when I had my interview. Everyone else that interviewed the day I did was either a check airman or a management pilot.

As far as asking why I didn't have the type, I just told them that I was planning on getting it in the spring of 2006. I just wanted to let them know that I was interested in working for SWA, but I didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't offered the job.

On a side note, I have seen far too many of my friends who have way more time than me not get the job over at SWA, and I wasn't going to spend the dough for the type if I didn't have to. It really baffles me what they are looking for since I'm talking about fellow check airman, APD's, management pilots, and line pilot friends that are getting shot down by SWA. Some of my friends did have the type and they're still getting shot down. It's all a mystery, but hey, things worked out for the better. I'm with CAL on the 737, and I didn't have to pay for the type. Yeah

 

I had the resume on file with them for 3 months and they called, however, I went to an AIR Inc. meeting and that helped. Who knows, check it out.

 

Well, there is definately some bias there. My former company, Chautauqua, has a 85% fail rate at getting hired at SWA. That doesn't fair too well with most of the pilots at CHQ. Therefore, the general consensus is to get the type, fail the first interview and get the clock rolling for the 2nd interview a year later. It's kind of sad, but my advice is don't wait for SWA unless you are heart set on that's the only place to work. I've just seen too many people blow the $7500 dollars and it kills them when they get the rejection letter.

 

thanks for the replies. I'm going the HPA route hopefully that will change my luck.

 

Did the HPA thing myself... called for an interview within a month.

@Metal121... I'll see you on the 16th!

 

Good move on using Higher Power. I used them about 6 years ago and got called/hired immediately. Times were different then as everyone was hiring 100+ pilots/month but HPA is the way to go. There's a very strong connection between HPA and SWA that was divulged to me on the QT. There's nothing illegal or unethical going on but trust me, there's a reason HPA typed pilots get called and hired very often.

S.B.

 

There will be a Southwest Airlines Pilot Open House on June 10th, 2006 at;
Southwest Headquarters
2702 Love Field Drive
Dallas, TX 75235
It will be from 1:00PM - 6:00PM.

From the flyer;

"Hear from the Pilot Hiring Team, ask questions, and win great prizes! You do not have to meet application minimums to attend."

This may be a better opportunuty than an Air Inc conference if you are only looking at SWA and the price is right....free. Good luck.

 

I interviewed with SWA for a non-flying (ground) position a few years back when I was still full of myself. The one thing SWA prides themselves on is having their employees have the ability to become animated (pilots included) if the situation calls for it. I'm sure we've all experienced a SWA flight.

I suggest that you just be yourself. It seems as though they aren't looking Roger Ramp Agent or Jeffrey Jet Jock.

Just be yourself.