Southwest questions?
02-24-2011, 05:46 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Southwest questions?
Hello All, I'm a Military pilot retiring in 11 months. For the Southwest folks, couple questions:
1) Any gouge on upcoming hiring windows?
2) What are the junior domiciles where new hires should expect to go?
3) Any talk of a DEN domicile?
4) For Mil pilots, does getting the 737-type prior to putting in an app make a difference in whether you get an interview?
Thanks a bunch!!!
1) Any gouge on upcoming hiring windows?
2) What are the junior domiciles where new hires should expect to go?
3) Any talk of a DEN domicile?
4) For Mil pilots, does getting the 737-type prior to putting in an app make a difference in whether you get an interview?
Thanks a bunch!!!
02-24-2011, 06:45 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: Glass Guppy
Posts: 73
Here is some advice I could offer,
Plan on getting the type rating. Although rumor has it may go away, for now they do require it. The cost is reasonable if you have VA benefits and it is a very worthwhile type rating.
Make sure all records are in order. Flight times, training records etc. This is very important for any interview.
Try to make some contacts with pilots at SWA, and get some good letters of recomendation from former bosses and what not. Networking is a good thing.
Perhaps look into interview prep for SWA, although you don't want to give canned answers it does help to know what to expect on the interview.
Read the book "Nuts!" it is a good book to give you insight about SWA. I think it would be a great idea to do as much research as you can about SWA. It is smart to know things that are unique to SWA including culture, background and goals.
Junior Bases- OAK, and LAS- there is talk about DEN base but nothing beyond that for now.
Constantly check the SWA website for pilot hiring, I am not sure anyone knows when it will open, but keep checking it daily.
Plan on getting the type rating. Although rumor has it may go away, for now they do require it. The cost is reasonable if you have VA benefits and it is a very worthwhile type rating.
Make sure all records are in order. Flight times, training records etc. This is very important for any interview.
Try to make some contacts with pilots at SWA, and get some good letters of recomendation from former bosses and what not. Networking is a good thing.
Perhaps look into interview prep for SWA, although you don't want to give canned answers it does help to know what to expect on the interview.
Read the book "Nuts!" it is a good book to give you insight about SWA. I think it would be a great idea to do as much research as you can about SWA. It is smart to know things that are unique to SWA including culture, background and goals.
Junior Bases- OAK, and LAS- there is talk about DEN base but nothing beyond that for now.
Constantly check the SWA website for pilot hiring, I am not sure anyone knows when it will open, but keep checking it daily.
02-24-2011, 08:41 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: In the bunk
Posts: 394
Originally Posted by Stoner97
Hello All, I'm a Military pilot retiring in 11 months. For the Southwest folks, couple questions:
1) Any gouge on upcoming hiring windows?
2) What are the junior domiciles where new hires should expect to go?
3) Any talk of a DEN domicile?
4) For Mil pilots, does getting the 737-type prior to putting in an app make a difference in whether you get an interview?
Thanks a bunch!!!
1) Any gouge on upcoming hiring windows?
2) What are the junior domiciles where new hires should expect to go?
3) Any talk of a DEN domicile?
4) For Mil pilots, does getting the 737-type prior to putting in an app make a difference in whether you get an interview?
Thanks a bunch!!!
2. West bases are most junior. Oakland is probably most junior then Las Vegas then Phoenix.
3. Always been talk about a DEN domicile. May happen someday since Denver has become so big for us.
4. I got it before, all my mil buddies also got it before. Expect a flood of applicants so you don't want to be one of the few without one. I heard, second hand, that they may get rid of the 737-type requirement. This may have to do with the AirTran acquisition.
Hope this helps, good luck.
02-24-2011, 10:03 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Legacy FO
Posts: 4,096
For anyone separating from active duty ... APPLY EVERYWHERE !!! I have two close friends from active duty who had their hearts set on a particular airline, and weren't hired. Military reserve money is gone so you can't survive as a trougher.
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when I still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when I still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
02-24-2011, 10:07 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy
For anyone separating from active duty ... APPLY EVERYWHERE !!! I have two close friends from active duty who had their hearts set on a particular airline, and weren't hired. Military reserve money is gone so you can't survive as a trougher.
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when I still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when I still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
02-24-2011, 10:43 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: In the bunk
Posts: 394
Originally Posted by kc10 fatboy
for anyone separating from active duty ... Apply everywhere !!! I have two close friends from active duty who had their hearts set on a particular airline, and weren't hired. Military reserve money is gone so you can't survive as a trougher.
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when i still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
If you are a year out, you should have your letter of recs done. Your applications should already be in the system and update them often.
My airline offered an interview when i still had 6 months left on active duty. So don't put it off any longer!
02-24-2011, 01:15 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 735
I would expect the 737 type requirement to stay in-place until after the SWA/AT merger is complete (18-24/mo from DOCC), so get your type.
+1 on the book 'Hard Landing'. And that recommendation is for everyone in aviation, not just military-only.
Amazon.com: Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines into Chaos (9780812928358): Thomas Petzinger Jr.: Books
+1 on the book 'Hard Landing'. And that recommendation is for everyone in aviation, not just military-only.
Amazon.com: Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines into Chaos (9780812928358): Thomas Petzinger Jr.: Books
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