I like how you talk about not dividing a pilot groups, which I agree with, yet you arrogantly proclaim you will never pay for training, like you're too good for us lowly SWA guys who gladly paid for our type.

I was originally going to post that some of the hiring at SWA this is year is related to Airtran's shortage of pilots. Airtran is so short staffed and runs on a barebones operation and SWA will need to hire pilots inorder to get things on this side of the fence up to their specs. This came out of the mouth from someone in management at SWA.

I would be the mentioned poster, and I kind of got the vibe. Dont chase the dream, the said dream just came to you. Anyway, any info for hiring this year. I hear the poolies are loving life and blown away. Congrats again to you guys for waiting it out. Fingers crossed to everyone this year! Thanx to all for the updates.

thanx for the update. I imagine as soon as the two are merged, the hiring will continue!

I hold nothing against anyone who has paid for their training. I have plenty of friends that have done it. Personally, it isn't anything I would do. No arrogance intended. Doesn't the military provide money for this type of training, via a GI bill? If so, then I don't blame anyone for taking advantage of that option. In this case, I would have also.

Does anyone know what the procedure is to convert a foreign 737 type rating to FAA? Thanks.

I agree with SWA717. The 'Tranny' is woefully understaffed and it wouldn't surprise me to have SWA add 150-200 (upgraded CAs and new-hire FOs) just to bring us 'up to spec'.

As far as the 'pay for training' issue, I would've happily paid for a 737 type if offered a job at SWA (I never interviewed), because I understand it's an important part of the culture. Prove that you want to work there, by putting your money where your mouth is. I think the investment is well worth the return.

i agree. I have flown with many that have over 6 figures in loans from flying. Hell, whats another 7 grand? Got to invest in yourself, if SW is where you want to go. For me, it is an easy decision. Well said!

I find this very hard to believe. It is my understanding that Southwest pilots and AirTran pilots will be operating as completely separate entities until such time that there is a joint operating certificate. This deal has not even been signed yet and a joint operating certificate is certainly a long ways down the road. New hires at Southwest will be flying only Southwest 737's for quite a while. The current new hires coming on property are most likely to offset summer schedule expansion that was very difficult for SWA to cover in 2010. There is no way that SWA would hire new hires now to staff AirTran two years in the future. This deal that hasn't even been finalized and most are saying that it will not be signed until May.

No one became a pilot without paying for their own training in some form or another. SWA just requires you to pay a little more.

Best money I ever spent.

I've seen guys loose more on craps in Vegas.