SWA Interview Question?
 

This is actually a 2 part question: 1. How many out there are getting an interview/ hired with no type rating? I've heard in the past about 80% of interviewee's had the type...does this stat still seem about right?
2. Those that were actually lucky enough to get a job offer without the type, how did you answer the question "...so why didn't you get a type rating?" in the interview?
Thanks for the replies in advance.

1. In my interview group, only 3 out of 24 interviewing HAD the type. They hired 10 of us. This seemed to be pretty typical of many of the groups that interviewed around the same time a few months ago.

2. They never asked that question, in fact, one of my interviewers went so far as to explain to me why they dropped the type requirement to get an interview.

I'm just curious why you wouldn't get the type...I looking into this, but I keep thinking it seems like not getting the type is a waste. If you show up with the ATP written done to somewhere like HP, you get the ATP and the type. Otherwise, you spend $3K to get the ATP, then you get hired and still have to go spend the full price to get the type. Seems like it makes more sense to get the type knocked out in advance...

GNH

Unless you got your ATP while flying for a another company when you went for upgrade. Then you just spend $80 for the ATP written and get your ATP (and a nifty type rating) for free :) I'm hard pressed to find an example of a pilot that would meet the mins for SWA without already possessing an ATP gotten from another job, but I could be wrong. The type has it's pro's and con's. Pro - You look better to SWA. Con - Every other carrier see's a 737 type rating with no actual 737 flight time and knows that you got it so you could better your chances at SWA (and thereby telling them that they're choice #2).

I don't think the type hurts you elsewhere - it just means you're maximizing your employability everywhere - that being said since you don't need the type to get hired at SWA anymore (had to have it to even interview a few years ago) why spend the time and money - you might get hired somewhere else first.

Sharky,

You forget about us military types. I guess, conversely I forget about the civilian guys as well. For me, I have the written done, but I'm getting the type/atp combo. I think I'm pretty well qualified to work for someone, but I don't have an ATP and neither will anyone else coming out of the military.

As for getting the type I think this is easily explained away for the reason I've already listed i.e. you're gonna spend $3K for the ATP, might as well spend the extra $4K and get the type. It's a competetive market. You'd be a fool not to be as prepared as you can be before stepping into the market to sell yourself.

GNH

You can get your ATP for about $1500. If you get your type, even with the VA footing 60% of the bill, you're looking at another 3K on top of that(including room and board during the course).

Slice,

I checked with the VA and they told me no dice for going to Higher Power for my type. Other problem is if you take any money from Uncle Sugar, they want time in return and I'm not giving them any more...

On another note, didn't really know you could get the ATP for that cheap...might need to look into that a little more closely. However since I'd really like to keep my options open for SWA still seems like it makes more sense to get the type first and get the ATP for free.

GNH

Not sure why the VA would say this unless you were trying to use tuition assistance and not the GI Bill. When I went to Higher Power there were alot of military people in the course and we were all using our GI bill to pay for 60% of it. You may want to check into it again. The person you would need to speak with at Higher Power that could help you out with this is Tina. She is the one who sends in all the paperwork for you.

Not certain on the extra time for money comment either. I paid for my GI bill the first year I was in the military. I have not used it until I went to Higher Power for my type rating. You don't incur an ADSO or anything similar for using it because you already paid for it.

If you have the GI bill and you want to go, you can. I would talk to another VA representative to help you with your questions. Best of luck to you.

BTW, Higher Power is EXCELLENT!

www.prairieairservice.com,

Herb has done a lot of ATP training for mil guys.

Ah, now I see. I actually already used my GI Bill to pay for school. I was in the Army as an enlisted infantry grunt and used my GI to get me through school when I got out. Therefore I can't get the GI Bill again. I was referring to the tuition assistance program. For this one you end up with a two year ADSC and I checked with the VA and HP and it was a no go unfortunately.

Guess I'll have to pay the full rate, but with all of the deployments I still will do and the amount of money I'm puttin away it won't be a big deal.

GNH

I used Tuition Assistance for a ERAU Degree and I used the Montgomery GI Bill to pay for 60% of HPA B737 price....my end was right at 3K. Get the ATP written first also if you don't have it. Then you will leave with both. Room and board...well you can add that too...depends on how you want it....some guys shared rooms, stayed with friends...ect...

Contact the VA, get your letter of eligibility (that may be the problem)....go see your education department folks....fill out the paper work and drive on! It worked for me and hundreds others at HPA. HPA is also very willing to help veterans! Good Luck!

If you are getting out to join the guard, you may be eligible for the Reserve GI Bill. I had used my Montgomery GI Bill for college already about 10 years ago. I still qualified for the reserve one.

Dazd, getting back to your original question, I know 4 guys in my unit who have been hired by SWA during the past 12 months. 2 of 4 did not have type. I have an interview in Mar w/no type and will see what happens.

As for your second question, my buds were completely up front about it. One said he would get it if offered a job. The other had it scheduled, but got called to interview before he could go.