I've got a interview w/ SWA in Feb. Does anyone recommend Judy Tarver, or a different interview prep? I am military so I have never interviewed for a civ. flying job.

 

I'm military and also never interviewed before. I went with Emerald Coast, and I highly recommend them (worked for me!). They also have a money back guarantee if you don't get hired.

I can't comment on Judy Tarver, because I don't know anyone personally that's used her.

Word of caution--make sure you don't overdo it on the prep (ie. you don't want to sound too rehearsed or "canned").

Congrats on the interview!! Best of luck!

 

Many of my fellow interviewees and I used Judy Tarver for prep. She did an excellent job and had wonderful insight into what was expected at the SWA interview. It has been a contensious (sp?) issue, but the question of "whether I did interview prep" did come up during the HR portion of the interview. I just answered honestly and said yes...they asked "who?" and I said "Judy Tarver," and that was the last I heard about it. I don't know the whole story but I think there could be issues with some people that do interview prep out there.

I also have had friends hired that used Emerald Coast, get hired, and have nothing but good things to say about the service they received.

Anyways that was my experience, Good luck on the interview, I know it sounds cliche, but be yourself (I know-- I thought "Great Advice" when I was reading through these boards a few months ago when I read the same thing. But it really was true, and you'll probably think the same thing when you get out of the interview)

 

arjmjj-
Also forgot to mention I was in the same position as you, military, hadn't really interviewed for a position in a long, long time. So I felt that Judy gave me an opportunity to "shake off the rust". Some guys I know accomplished the same things just going over TMAAT questions with a spouse/sig other.
Again Good Luck,
Globe

 

I too am in the military and did a phone interview prep with Judy. I would highly recommend her, the subject of prep never came up in the interview and I was hired. Good luck!

 

The "issues" some of the Southwest HR seem to have with me is I have posted before that the very close ties between Higher Power Aviation and the HR department seem to benefit both parties. I think those comments stung, even if they were just an outside observation and not based on any hard data.

In 2005 I also began promoting 737 type ratings through Pan Am International out of MIA as a less expensive alternative to HPA. Pan Am has provided the hardware for years for our DC-10 and 747 prep courses and asked if I could help spread the word about their 737 types--which weren't getting much attention. They asked me to join them at Air Inc Seminars in the beginning of 2006 to help draw attention to their course. So--I showed up--had lunch with Kit Darby, the HPA folks, the SWA HR folks, and a host of other nice people. Amazingly enough, shortly after that my clients started getting asked "so...did you do any professional prep?..." Pireps indicated that saying "Emerald Coast" made the room turn a bit frosty.

FYI--my understanding Judy does her work out of the HPA office and works in some capacity there. So...that would explain why Judy is "good" and Emerald Coast is "bad".

Mark Sterns and company run a first class operation. The training there is top notch, and I've never heard a complaint from any of their customers about the service. The point I made about a year ago on some boards was simply that getting a type at one place or another does not seem to statistically improve anyone's chances. My (outside looking in) perception was that some companies, including HPA, sell some sizzle (the chance to hobnob with SWA HR folks) along with their steak (a darn good type rating program). My point was that for those folks who ALREADY had some good contacts at SWA or were on a tight budget--there were OTHER alternatives available. For what its worth, I also told folks that if they DIDN'T have any ties that HPA was probably the best way to get some attention.

That was it. That is the issue. Its just business. I wanted to slide a piece of the huge 737 type pie over to Pan Am, and perhaps get a nibble of the proceeds myself. So--by doing that--I became a defacto HPA competitor. The fact is I've had less than 10 guys sign up at Pan Am, and many go to Dallas because they know people that did and were very satisfied and they don't want to go with an unknown on something this important. Nothing wrong with that--I drive a Toyota pickup that was more expensive than a comparable Dodge. Sometimes--you go with what feels right.

If working with Emerald Coast creates too much angst for a SWA client, there are tons of other folks who'd love to help them. However, if you do work with us--I am not on a Christmas Card list with anyone in HR at SWA and we don't call each other up for girl chat. If you work with us the only people that will know will be your counselor and you.

 

Albie;
I am sorry if my post seemed disparaging to you. That was not my intent. Like I said I didn't know the story, and didn't know it involved Emerald Coast (in fact many of my friends were hired at SWA after using your prep). My experiences happened to be with HPA and Judy, but like any service related industry I am sure there are other great alternatives. I was just trying to pass on to a fellow mil bud, my experience, when he asked. Hopefully no hard feelings.
Globe
P.S. The previous stories I heard of were about former employees of SWA giving prep.

 

No hard feelings at all Globe, and Judy has done a great job for a lot of folks. I'm just using the thread to explain some of the things people might have heard.

I ain't the only game in town, and there is plenty of business for everyone. Not everyone wants/needs prep, and just as folks have favorite instructors--some coaches gel with certain clients better than others. But--I am darn proud of our success and the hard work and success of our clients.

And yes...Rob Beeks and a few others got the whale-eye from SWA management, and more than a few guys have started and ended SWA prep business that were on the property.