For a guy with a civilian airline background maybe but for a single pilot fighter guy, getting a type rating in a Boeing 737 versus a recip twin has numerous advantages.

1. Exposure to a civilian transport category training program.
2. Working with a co-pilot and refining CRM skills.
3. First real FAA checkride.
4. Brushing up on civilian regs.
5. Learning an aircraft that is relevant to airline operations.

Plus, its only a few thousand dollars more investment and the GI bill should cover some of it while the rest can be written off on your taxes. I've flown with 100s of guys who went through the weekend ATP program and didn't learn jack nor prepare them one iota for an airline job! If I were looking at a resume and the person had the initiative to get an initial ATP in a 737, all things being equal, I would hire him/her over someone who got it in a light recip twin. Why? They've demonstrated they can pass an airline training program to Captain standards.

As far as SWA goes, I thought they didn't require a type rating to get an interview anyway? None of the airlines are immune from pilots changing airlines and would be naive to think that pilots that don't have B737 on their license are there to stay!

Ultimately, its a personal choice and the pros and cons need to be weighed. Hence, this productive dialogue.

 

Since you still have "a few years" left, I would probably just wait a year or two. I have heard rumors that SWA won't even be requiring a type rating for employment in the future, since they have acquired another aircraft type with the merger with AirTran. I personally wouldn't waste the money on a 737 type, but that's just me.

 

I appreciate all the input. I do have a CFI, CFII and MEI and have about 1000 hours doing just that. I don’t even know in 2 years from now where I’ll be applying to or who will be hiring. I’m just trying to figure out if the extra $5000 would be worth the investment to get some more experience. I don’t necessarily have an extra $5000 to through around but I’d find it if the 737 type would help me get accustomed to flying large jets. All good points. Thanks for the help

 

I would do both.. together, if you can swing the finances. If not, then just knock out the atp and be done with it.

 

Go get your type in the 73. Take your ATP written before you go. Show the examiner the test and you will knock out both with the 73 checkride.

That's the way I got my 737 and ATP rating.

 

How would they ever know if someone had their ATP, then later got the 737 type?

 

I went with Aeroservice in Miami. ATP and 737 type for $1,800 with GI Bill. $4,500 without.

 

If you has 1000 hours TPIC at a regional before you got the 737 type, that might be a hint. Of course you could simply lie about when you got the type, maybe white-out the dates on your training record.

If you did it all at once, I would simply tell them that. But a 73 type without experience will probably lead to a discussion about your SWA aspirations...have a reasonable song and dance ready.

 

By the dates on the application?

 

A SW probie makes 25 dollars more an hour than a CAL probie. Plus don't CAL guys go without health bennies for the first six months? Do the math. Who's really buying their job?