SWAcapt

I don't know but I'll try and find out. To the best of my SWA knowlege, this was the first time they've done this.

You can reapply one year after your first interview. SWA will not come looking for you.

It could seem intimidating but it used to actually be much harder. I got my type in Aug'93 and and had to wait for the application "day" on 01AUG94. All apps. post marked on that day were accepted and all others weren't. I then got a call for an interview SEP'95 and was placed in a pool. I was offered a job in FEB'96. I never had any doubt about getting hired. I knew it would happen. The interviewers can see confidence. Perhaps you may want to invest in a mock interview that is taylored to SWA and ask them for the brutal truth. Do they think you would succeed at the interwiew?
In 2.5 years of getting the type and no practical application on the 737... I forgot it all. It will come back in training.
There's enough guys with the type applying to chose from. Good luck in your persuits. It's definitely worth it. I'll call a friend to see if they plan on another job fair.

SWAcapt

Flipper, here is a follow up. I called the People Dept. and asked your two questions.
1. The pilot career day was the first one held and was thought to be a big success. They do plan on doing another one in the future but do not know when yet.
2. If not successful at the interview, you may reapply one year later.

note: I have flown with several pilots that were hired on their 2nd and even third attempts. If someone keeps coming back and is not discouraged, he is definitely worth another look. Hope this info. was helpful and best wishes on your career.

757Driver

I'm a little confused. You were hired in Feb of '06 and you're a Captain?

How'd you do that?

SWAcapt

757Driver, I can imagine the confusion! My bad. Those zeros should have been 9's. Thanks for the proof read. I edited/corrected my original post. Upgrades runnung about 6 years, NOT 6months.

Floridaflipper

Thanks for the info!

I just passed the minimums so I intend to really start pursuing this in the next few weeks.

Sr. Barco

I love it when SWACapt throws in a smack down! hahahaha...Good job.

FloridaFlipper you CAN interview AND be hired without the type. Come on man get up to speed . Just kidding. If you get hired without the type you have 6 months to get it. After you get it you start class.

As far as this AirWillie dude goes, he's just yanking our chains. He doesn't know anything about SWA at all. Disregard him.

S.B.

Floridaflipper

Sr., I was basically going by what people were saying that they heard at the seminar - that Southwest is way behind the hiring curve right now and they don't want to have to wait for you to get your type - Therefore, unless you have the type, you most likely won't get a call.

Just looking at the numbers (and by the way I got a D in statistics so I could be way off) - approximately 20% of people interviewed are hired. Of that 20%, it seems that most have a type. I'm hearing at least 75%. So, I'm guessing that the majority of those that DON'T have the type probably have some pretty strong internal recommendations - which I, unfortunately, don't have. So basically, I really don't expect to get a call until after I get the type.

What scares me is that I have known people with flight time that is well over the minimums AND with a type that have had their stuff on file for nearly a year without a call. But like other people have said, it is a bit of a gamble and you never know.

As far as Willie goes, I used to know a guy just like him (maybe it is him) who absolutely hates SWA and blames them for the destruction of the legacy carriers and the old airline lifestyle and career in general. I guess that you're always going to have a few people like that. I've heard those types of rantings before, and they never really made that much sense to me. He's not going to scare me off.

Nice boat, by the way...

Sr. Barco

Florida--

I understand where you're coming from now. You are probably right on the money with your assessment. You know how it is when you've been at a company for a while, you lose touch with the hiring practices.

I totally understand your dilema. I was in the same quandry in 1999. Times were MUCH better than of course, but $7k was a lot of money for a poor a$$ commuter pilot to spend on just the chance of getting hired. I just decided to go for it and not look back. I looked at it this way: If I didn't get hired I would be out $7k but if I did get hired I would be in for a great career. I never even thought of failing. I know that sounds corny but it worked. It was the only place I wanted to work so maybe that showed through, I don't know.

Like I've said in previous posts, Southwest is not for everyone. That's my only response to the nay-sayers. If you don't like x, y or z about Southwest then it's probably not the place for you. It sounds to me like you really want to work here so I would say go for it and network like a fool. I did for a year and met some strong contacts.

Good luck!

S.B.

AirWillie

Damn you guys are still at it? I didn't mean to sound like a total idiot I just didn't like the fact that SWAjet used the word "wannabes". Don't know if he has the command of the English language but that's very cocky and disrespecting to guys trying to get in. That's why I implied that some of you guys need to get back down to earth and stop looking at non WN guys as wannabes.

waflyboy

Haha, I can't say I'd mind being classified as an "SWA Wannabe." Hell, I'd wear a bright orange t-shirt with those words on it. From what I've learned about SWA culture and company success, it's the only major I can see myself applying with in a few years when I meet the requirements.

I know you were talking to Flipper, but I want to thank you, Luv2Fly and OcscartheGrouch for the info and words of encouragement. I'm looking forward to joining ya'll someday not too far away. But first, I think I'd like to have some experiences so I have a few more stories to tell at my interview