I thought cfistew answered your question quite well too. You can have all them diplomas and fancy schooling but it appears that none of them classes you took involved reading and attention to detail.....:rolleyes:

Geeez, touchy touchy... All I said was is that is eerily similar to pay for training. I didn't say it IS... Personally, I think it sucks that SWA requires it ahead of time. And... I don't think it's worth it. JMO. Flame away all you SWA guys. You got your gig.. I got mine. I wouldn't trade, and maybe you wouldn't either. I couldn't care less one way or the other.

TS, Would you make the investment if you didn't have your "gig"? Would it be worth the $ in the long run to spend, lets say $8000.00? Just curious as to what people are thinking/willing to spend in order to land a great paying job.

No, I appreciated cfitstew's answer very much. I didn't mean to marginalize his contributions.... I was just trying to steer this ship back on track and keep it away from those dangerous waters where everyone *****es about pay for training and people that want to get a type rating... and see if I could garner a few more answers.

:).. You will no-doubt make some good connections working there and learn the company lingo and culture. They will not waive any requirements for an interview.

I'm sure the flamethrowers will be unlocked after I say this, but I was never interested in SWA. Getting to the top of the heap, and that heap being the left seat of a 737 just doesn't interest me all that much... never did. I have always wante to fly international... Like many of us, I love the job, not just the paycheck. Some great paying jobs are just jobs after awhile. I still have a LOT of fun when I go to work. But to be fair... maybe, if that was all that was available. I spent a lot more for college to get that piece of paper (which I still use btw), but to just get a type rating for a job that may or may not materialize... probably not. (I have heard that in years past that SWA would hire you, as long as you had the type prior to showing up for recurrent, but I know not if that is still the case) So... how's that for a noncomittal answer? :D

No flamethrowers, you make many excellent points in this post.

Only flying a SWA B737 domestic (for now) is not what many/most pilots want to do for their career. If this is the case they shouldn't apply to SWA for any reason, quality of life or quality of pay included. Equally said, many pilots, including myself have no real desire to fly long-haul international, babysitting an autopilot hour after hour. Luckily the world needs both kinds of air service. Everybody is happy. ;)

The best part of my day is hand flying up to and down from 20,000 ft. I get to do that alot at my current Skywest job. I imagine I will get the opportunity to do that alot at Southwest as well.

Hey...no need to worry. The SWA People Department and the pilots who interview applicants do an excellent job of weeding out bad attitudes and bitter people like MILPILOT. They would blow him out of the water pronto whether he has a type or not. My guess is that he interviewed without the type and was notified that his sterling personality just wasn't a fit for Southwest.

I know that it is easy to pass on Southwest. Why bother with the best salary in the business, best working atmosphere and a secure future when you can choose another avenue that offers endless chaos (furloughs, low pay, pay reductions, outsourcing to regional carriers, nasty relations with management) Who wants such a boring career?!

I would probably take that desk job you were talking about. Best bet is a cubicle without a phone so you won't have to work and play well with others.

Airline history has shown time and time again, airlines that posessed those traits didn't hold on to them forever. You can be at #1 today, may not be that way tomorrow.

Nice.. arrogant post. I hope it doesn't bite you in the arse someday. remember.. all the things you mentioned were once proudly enjoyed at DAL. Even the Roman empire fell too... So, enjoy it while it lasts.. but as you rub everybody's nose in it, don't expect sympathy when it's your turn in the box.