Damn Albie, 2 out of 10! I'm glad you didn't share this fact with me when I did my prep...I would have been a lot less confident when I interviewed with SWA. However, everything turned out fine for me, one airline application, one interview and now I'm in the pool. I do feel really blessed to have been so fortunate. The reason SWA was my first choice.....I only know a few guys at UPS or FEDEX (none at CAL) compared to six at SWA. They all said that they still enjoy coming to work and thought that it would be a good fit for me. I know that internal recommendations are huge at any airline, and I appreciated what my friends could do for me. SWA was my first choice, but if I thought about it too long I might have changed my mind. There are also some very good reasons for going cargo (or CAL). I just played the cards I had.

Scout,

Our guys are 6.5 out of 10... Not perfect but better than average. Lots of great guys in that 3.5, however.

Enjoy your job--its a great company. Just don't forget its a business...not your family.

Aaron

I retired after 24 years in the AF and my SWA interview was only the second job interview I've ever done, my main issue is probably just a lack of experience with the corporate world.

I believe I limited my "whiner" comments to the usual type of poster that's found on these message boards (Browntail, Cynical, Lavender et al). I realize that there are also some well-reasoned people that make inputs here, but most of the flamers hiding behind anonymous logins cast a shadow over the rest of us. Again, I have a major lack of experience regarding unions, if I sounded like I thought badly of them then it was just that. I do realize that unions have a place, but they bear some of the responsibility as well for the current situation.

My sim instructor job here at Boeing ATS is secure, I was up front with them about having applications out there even before I interviewed with them and they have been nothing but supportive, so I am VERY fortunate there. If SWA sends a rejection letter, I have a backup plan.

My wife agrees with you on that one, she thinks that one question may have cost me the job. Well, I figure that I should ask about what concerns the pilots have about SWA, after all, I'm checking them out as much as they are looking at me, I want to make a good career choice. If I lose the job, then it wasn't meant to be. I'll take the consequences either way.

Hey Dave,
I interviewed on Tues. (1 out of 22!) There MUST be something in the water. EVERYONE is happy. It was like the "Stepford wives" set. Just wondering what you thought of the actual process? I had a good day, however, seemed like there was the "good, bad, ok" interviewers. Or was it just me? One I felt OK with, the other was like my old buddy, and the last didn't seem interested at ALL.? Anyone else?
I think I did OK in the LOI. Guess I'll find out in 4-6 weeks. THAT IS SOOOOOO long!
Also, just in case, does anybody know if after one year when you re-apply, do you tend to get the call before others, or are you basically back at the bottom?

Otto,

Did a few personal trips to London, Paris, and Moscow. I will admit I was a little jealous of the crew having 24+ hours RON. Albany ain't so bad........

Using info on APC your 29k number is off. 12 yr. 737 pay at 75 hours/month SWA/CAL is 48k difference. I will tell you that 75 hours would be a slack month for me and would probably give me 18/19days off. Hard work days though.

I would choose CAl.
Those SWA guys work too damn hard.
Plus it sounds (on the radio) that they fly
around with the window open. Too noisy for me.

I think CAL has better Long term probability.
Being intl. and all.

I think they fly with the windows down and their clothes off. :p

I’ve worked for SWA for a long time now. The best advise I can give you is get the job offer and then decide. I have friends that work at CAL and they are very happy. I’m very happy at SWA. Yes I work hard but I have more days off then the average airline pilot. I just finished a 4-day trip that pays 32 trips at $173.63 per trip. Do the math: $5556.16 for 4 days of work (27.5 hours of flight time, approx. 200 per hour). If I do 3 of these a month for 12 months that’s over $200,000.00 per year for only working 12 days a month. This does not include profit sharing or 401K matching.

What you truly need to look at is growth and security and nobody can predict that. Who thought Eastern, Pan Am, TWA and so on would go out of business. I wish I could say that I was smart and chose SWA but I was just lucky. They were the only ones that would hire me. I would have jumped at any of the legacies pre 911 if they offered a job and left SWA in the dust.

Good luck with your interviews and your choice!

Nice post SWA Aviator.

I wish that the PD would reflect on your post and consider it's implications.

Opposite of your experience, SWA was the only place I wanted to work, and they wouldn't have me. However, I've rebounded quite well from my SWA rejection'S, so maybe things work out for the best for all of us.

CAL definitely. SWA pilots work too hard. Money is not everything. At CAL you will have a much greater variety of flying to choose from. A career is a long time. 5 or 6 legs is not fun after doing it for 20 years.

Also remember one thing. Never buy the hottest stock. What I mean is, SW is the top right now. I think this may be the high water mark for them. Delta and United were the best 3 years ago. CAL is right there in the middle or better. They are well positioned.