WEACLRS

I wasn't suggesting that, nor do I support requiring a type before hire. Yet I too am faced with the same questions about SWA - Should I get the type or not?

The fact that SWA is the only major US carrier to require the type for new hire shows it's not something most airlines feel they can practically do, or want to. And I doubt any airline would be able to do it for transitions (none do that I know of). No pilot would transition from one left seat to another. SWA is in somewhat of a unique position being a one aircraft type company.

SWA's ability to get pilots to apply with the type is beginning to weaken as seen by their willingness to interview pilots without the type, and hire a few (inside word is about 20%) who then must go get it. Maybe this happened years ago, but not in recent memory. We have two pilots in our base that have 1800 and 1350 part 121 PIC respectively, both less than 4000 TT. They both claim no contacts (referrals) at SWA. Both applied without the type initially. Both then got the type and were called for interviews within two weeks of reporting to SWA they had completed the rating (Higher Power). Neither are check airman, neither have jet time (all turboprop pic). Both are still waiting for the DB.

There is a trend here that I like. It appears SWA is beginning to have troubles getting pilots they want to have that are willing to gain the type (by whatever means) before they apply.

Sr. Barco

There's no doubt that the type requirement at SWA is a controversial subject. We could debate it forever. Everyone talks about the ins and outs, philosophy, if/when to get it, is it considered PFT, what if you buy it and don't get hired etc. etc. blah blah blah.

I look at it like this: It's what SWA wants and it probably won't change any time soon. If you don't want to pay for it, don't. I did. It cost $7,300 at Higher Power 7 years ago. My first profit sharing deposit was $7,000 and my 401(k) match has been $7,000+ almost every year since I got hired. It's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. It was well worth the risk. You can't sit on the fence your whole life.

Take care

S.B.

WEACLRS

And in that same vein, here another thought. Those with the type are getting calls for interviews at 1500 - 2000 PIC. Those without generally at 2500 pic plus and then only 20% of the total interviewed. The difference is about 8 months of flying. If (the big "if") you were to get hired eight months earlier with the type before interview than without the type, that's an additional eight months down the road as a senior captain. The additional captain's salary alone would be in the neighborhood of $100,000 (or more). Assuming a 20-year career (shall we say investment?), that would be a return of 14.2% (assuming a $7000 type rating). Not bad.

Slice

SB correction on your times, right from the source.


* Southwest Airlines Pilot Open House - Hear from the Pilot Hiring Team, ask questions, and win great prizes! You do not have to meet application minimums to attend. Open house is on June 10, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Southwest Airlines Headquarters, 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235.

http://www.southwest.com/careers/pilot_open_house.html

surreal1221

learned a lot from this thread, thanks guys!

Sr. Barco

Thanks for the correction Slice. I saw the note for the open house in the pilot lounge a couple weeks ago and the Chief Pilot told me 8:00am. Those guys are so out of touch.

S.B.

SWAjet

I talked to someone in H.R. who told me that the open house is a way to GET TO KNOW applicants...

So come on out to DAL if SWA if you want a leg up on the competition Ö

Don Q

I'll be there....
Any suggestions on hotels, I'll be renting a car, so I'm looking for good location.

Thanks,

Sr. Barco

Our crews stay at the Renaissance. The hotel shuttle runs every half hour to the training center. I'm not sure the cost but if SWA puts us up there it's probably a good deal. Very nice hotel. Good bar, great breakfast, 10 minutes to the training center etc.

S.B.

paladin

My sore spot is that there are many folks out there who buy the type and then attend an interview with a 20-30% selection opportunity...I feel bad for those folks and refuse to be one of them. SWA should not create the environment where you have to blow $6k+ to have a reasonable shot at an interview. They can still require you to get the type after the job offer and prior to class date if that's what they need.[/QUOTE]

That may be a sore spot for you but obviously it doesn't bother SWA. Its their company and why shouldn't they be allowed to impose any employment requirement they feel fits their model. No one is forcing anybody to apply. It is one more way they have of controlling costs thereby making them more competitive. And as long as there is no shortage of applicants why should they change? When people stop lining up to go to work there they will do what all company's do to attract applicants, they will lower their qualifications.