Quick question for guys that are working on their applications:

I am still about 2 years out from making the transition, but wanted to get a head start on my applications.

My question is: Do I need to have a current FAA class 1 even though I plan on having my applications in "draft" mode for the time being? As I get closer to the transition and publish my apps I will obviously go out and get a class 1, but I don't really see the point in having a class 1 medical right now.

Any insight on the topic will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

If you are staying in "draft" mode, nobody will see it and it doesn't matter. The day you publish without a current class I is the day the computer automatically screens your app from ever being seen by humans. One reason to get a current class I is to make sure that there are no surprises that pop up. Usually, these can be resolved but it takes working with your AME, paperwork to the FAA, and TIME.

Concur with kme.
And just to be clear about the underlined statement you made - you have those two tasks reversed. Get the class 1 first, THEN publish your apps. DO NOT answer in the affirmative to a question based on what you plan or hope to get done at some point in the future.

Same for a passport I take it?
Mailed the renewal out last week, but the calendar says that I will likely get it back AFTER the coming SWA window.

My fault for not doing my homework on time.

Ask yourself if you want this line of questioning in your intervew:
"Mr. BFM, we notice the date of issue on your passport is after the date you submitted your application for employment. Can you explain?" The follow-up will be, "Have you made a habit of falsifying information to your previous employers?"

Obviously will not end well, most likely.

Similar to the AF guy years ago who bought a logbook and meticulously transferred every flight from UPT to present day. At his UAL interview for some unknown reason, he attempted to claim that he had kept the logbook from the start of his career. The interviewers inquired as to how he had been able to enter sorties in 1995 in a logbook with a 2005 copyright.....and then showed him the door.

There are services that can get you a passport much faster than normal. I got a passport in 2-3 days.

Thank you for the replies. I will ensure that I have a current class 1 before I hit "publish" on my apps.

Bit of a non-sequiter as that actually wasn't the framing of the original question. To be clear, I'm asking if submitting an app without a current passport would auto-sort your app into the dustbin. I'm guessing that I'll just have to catch the next window.

Probably should have taken that route, or better, sent mine off when it had expired in 2014. Water under the bridge.

2.5 week turnaround. Way to go, State.
Here we go!