Still no call here...waiting patiently...for 6 years

5000 ttl
2050 Jet PIC
737 Type
12 years Part 121
4 year degree
O-5 USMCR (ground guy)
Have had my app in since Dec 2008 and keeping it up ever since

I'll take any advice I can get, thanks!

I am curious of how you have been at a 121 carrier for 12 years and only have 5000 TT?

I was in the last class at SWA (Oct1). I was likely the last guy in SWA history who had to go out and get the type prior to class. There were 8 of us in class and most of us (maybe all) did not have the type when we interviewed and only acquired the type after getting the good news post DB. They have indicated that they will look favorably upon those who already have the type, but there is a distinct trend now of hiring pilots without the type. At time of interview:

Civilian puke
7100 TT
2200 TPIC
757 FO at time of interview
Typed DHC 8/DC-9/B-757/767
Previous LCA/PCA experience
Previous 121 Chief Instructor DHC 8
Did not wear a red tie to the interview

I had a number of friends hired at SWA over the years. I refused to get the 737 type because I was cheap and concerned about getting the type and then being rejected by SWA and having to explain myself at another carrier's interview later on. They opened the window briefly in May/June last year and I applied not expecting much, but still hopeful. A close friend at SWA called shortly thereafter indicating calls were going out. I indicated I had heard nothing. He insisted that I re-update my application. I did and the next day I got my invite. I interviewed in late June, waited exactly one month for the DB, and got the good news late July. Started my 737 type rating training in SEA 3 weeks later and was in class in Dallas the beginning of October. Had to walk around the training center with rattles/baby bottle for 6 weeks since I happened to be the youngest in class. Oldest guy was assigned a cane. Previous classes had the oldest guy marching around with a colostomy bag, at least that's what we heard.

Good luck to all of you guys!

Also curious how you could be flying 121 for 12 years with so little total time.

I cannot speak for him, but my guess is that being an O-5 USMCR is the reason.

Should have elaborated....deployed 3 times, furloughed 7 months right after I got hired in 2001, spent 3 years in Hawaii flying (average about 45 hours/month flying there) and then took a LOA in March 2010 to assist in a family emergency. Still current.

Makes perfect sense there. Thanks for being there for our country! Best of luck. Interviewed twice before getting on myself. Not sure what the answer is. Hope to see you here!

Do you think your availability date plays a large part in getting an invite? I put Sept '15 (currently deployed). I don't have the 73 type either. Can't find a good place to get it in Afghan right now....<-- that was a joke obviously!

Military
BE-400/BBD-700 type ratings
4,000 TT (turbine)
2,200 PIC (turbine)
1,400 IP/EP (turbine)
Clean background

Good luck to you all ladies/gents!

Any females in the pool? Without a type?

From what I understand SWA doesn't really do pools anymore. Basically if you get hired you are in class within a few months.