Hey guys! Just got hired and this is my first 121 gig. As such, I have a few questions if y'all don't mind.(Some of these will probably seem pretty ridiculous but all I've ever done is 91/135 corporate flying.) Curious as to what everyone generally packs in their bags. I'm assuming just clothes to change into when one gets to the hotel and Dopp kit, etc? Also, on the company issued iPad, are we only allowed SWA approved apps on there? Do most people take their own iPad as well? Are guys allowed to read/play games on iPads in cruise? When on the road, how do you find out where the hotel we are supposed to stay in? Do we have to pay for our own uniforms? I should probably just chill; I'm sure all of these will get answered. I am just curious because there are so many things that I have no idea how they all work. Anyway, thanks in advance and please, be gentle.

I pack 3 days worth of clothes including gym shorts and t-shirts. I wear one uniform shirt and pack another (sometimes 2 more in the summer). One extra pair of uniform pants. I have a small “emergency pharmacy” with things like antacids, pain relievers, nasal spray, cough drops in case I start feeling bad on the road. Things you don’t normally think of like an extra pair of shoe laces in case mine breaks. I also bring emergency food like a package of ramen noodles, peanut butter, and a Cliff bar or two. I bring a backup headset (just the company’s Telex 850) in case mine breaks so I don’t have to use the backup one on the plane.

Load whatever apps you want on the iPad. You will fly with aluminum foil hat guys who do everything including taping over the camera on the iPad. That isn’t really necessary. When you’re in training stop by the EFB office and have Amy show you what the company can see. It isn’t much.

CrewBuddy is a GREAT app to have on your phone, especially when you are on reserve and you are new. It’ll show you what hotel you are staying at, any discounts we get there, and most importantly, where to pick up the van!

Yes you’ll pay for your uniforms unfortunately. Welcome to the company! We are glad you’re here! It’s entirely different than part 91 in almost every way. Some better... some not so much. Generally the pros outweigh the cons though.

I flew for a Fortune 500 during the lost decade and you couldn’t get me to go back. Sure, there are things I miss. But 99% of things are way better here!


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Thanks man! I’m super stoked about it. Got my class date for 2/6, unless someone bows out before. The forums have been super helpful to me wrapping my brain around all of this. Any advice for training?

Nope. Just show up and do the fire hose thing. You’ll be surprised at how much LESS you’ll be required to know about the airplane than you did at Flightsafety or Simuflight. Enjoy your time in Dallas. Make sure to give your mind a break now and again. Go see a movie. Go home if you have the time. Make friends with somebody who has a car. Make time to try Hard 8 BBQ and Cane Rosso Pizza.


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Zap hit the nail on the head. My personal packing list is three civvy shirts (at least one collared), a pair of jeans, shorts in the summer, sneakers, flip flops, swimsuit, PJ pants, gym shirt and shorts, then however many days I am gone plus one of socks, underwear, and T-shirts. I am a commuter, though, hence the plus one. I bring one pilot shirt and a backup (rarely need it in the winter) and only one pair of slacks although zap is probably smart to bring two.
In my other bag I have some food, ice, a cup, headset, granola bars, ibuprophen, sudafed, charger, flashlight, fork and spoon, hotel sewing kit, iPhone charger battery, ear plugs, headphones, and various and other sundry items that I have found useful along the way.
You will figure it out.
Training is mostly easy as long as you apply yourself a moderate amount. My liver suffered way more than my brain.

Man awesome info! Zap I was thinking the same thing about FlightSafety as I have been going through the pre-study material and I LIKE IT! It seems like they focus on actually flying the plane instead of spending what always seemed to me in inordinate amount of time on systems. I'm from and live in Texas and will be commuting as well. Hard 8 BBQ is legit! What is the dress code when commuting? Is there one? Why bring two shirts in summer as opposed to winter, because of sweating? E6B why bring your own cup? How do you bring ice and food?
(Told ya I was a noob lol) I can't tell you guys how much I'm looking forward to NOT having to load bags in the summer heat while wearing dress pants. I don't mind doing that stuff, just not in dress pants and having to try and look nice while sweating my a$$ off. I know it will vary but how many legs a day do y'all do in general? Thanks again for the info, its really helping me out.

Best way I’ve heard someone explain the training is “get ready for 4 weeks of training crammed into 8 weeks” . Seriously it’s long, repetitive, occasionally wrong if you’ve ever flown anywhere else. But that’s how we do it at SW.
that being said they will use every resource they can to get you through. Take breaks, go home on weekends, enjoy a deck party or two. But remember as a SW legend Lou said to our class “you worked really hard to get here. Work just as hard to stay here”.

To answer your question above, I have a tote that doubles as a passable cooler. I bring fruit, yogurt, granola, pre packaged Trader Joe’s salads, and leftovers and eat them on the road. Not everyone does this, I would say about half bring some sort of food setup. I found that it helps me keep weight off and saves money. If I fly international legs at the start of a trip or an all Mexico kind of trip, that doesn’t happen since customs will take it all. I keep it cold with a wal mart pharmacy ice bag and ice from hotel ice makers. I usually bring enough to supplement 2 to 3 meals and snacks along the way. That way I still enjoy food on overnights but may eat meals while I fly or sitting in the lounge before or after a commute. I also bring either oatmeal or breakfast bars for breakfast since I am a PM flyer and usually don’t want to emerge from my room prior to noon.
I bring a yeti style cold cup because I don’t like drinking water out of the cans and I prefer it cold during the summer especially. My tote has a pocket for it on the side which makes it easy.
Again, this is just what works for me and it has evolved over 3.5 years on the line.

As far as a commute uniform, the only thing required for the jumpseat is no shorts, sneakers, or t shirts. Jeans are fine. Same for the training center except you can wear your Jordans there.
Best of luck in training and enjoy yourself.

Interesting! Is there any particular brand of bag or size y'all recommend? You mentioned the lounge, are there employee only lounges in most airports? If one doesn't pack food, do we usually have time to run into the terminal and grab a bite? Do we have time to eat in the terminal, or does one person buy for the crew and bring it back to the ship? Hoover what is a deck party? Yeah, they had the cans available to us during the interview; really threw me for a loop as I didn't realize that is what they use on the plane. I'd just always seen the cups. Thanks again for all the info!

The 737 is louder than you expect. The union sometimes has a deal with Bose for a real headset. You can buy a bag at the uniform shop. Bring any bag you want for training. Lounges in crew bases. Deck party is a HQ thing. The healthy people bring their own food. Otherwise, ask the captain to make a run.

Relax.