A friend of mine told me that he was able to get Workforce Investment Act to pick up a significant portion of a 737 type-rating. The "problem" was you had to live in AZ and be an AZ resident for this AZ company to be able to do this. I called Higher Power in Dallas and they didn't seem to think they'd be able to do the same thing for TX residents. Anybody else walk down this road and able to get WIA to help with a type?

I remember a bunch of folks trying it after 9-11. I would guess that loophole got buried.

I assume your doing this because you want to work for Southwest. Being ex-military any of the majors would currently be a much better option. You will upgrade to Captain in less than 10 years at the "big three" vs. double that at Southwest.

While I agree with your premise, it's just funny when people say stuff like this. It assumes that the other majors have called you already for interviews. The interview invites aren't exactly flying off the shelf right now.

I commute out of a hub for a major I don't work for and get asked (usually by people not in tune with hiring) "why didn't you choose XYZ Airline?"...well they didn't call me, and I can't just sit around waiting for the prom queen to ask me to dance. You need to get in somewhere then reevaluate with a bird in hand.

Mike is probably just trying to leverage all of his options, including SWA...

Leveraging SWA more often than not de-leverages most of the other options though:

"I see you have 737 type with no time on type, you must be interested in flying for Southwest... NEXT!"

I don't think so from a major's perspective. There are a few SWA guys leaving for legacies right now, not really the other way around, at least that I've heard.

It came up in a round about way in my interview at US Airways and I told the truth. I was able to use the GI Bill to pay for it, it was an opportunity to learn about airline style flying and systems, I needed my ATP anyway and it was an opportunity for a check ride in a controlled environment. He really seemed to like that answer. I was hired. On the other hand, no other major has called so maybe the 737 type is what's preventing the call...

I did. I got WIA funds in California to pay for a 737 type back in 2010. Was difficult to make it happen, but certainly well worth it. Best of luck, as I don't know the current state of WIA funding.

I am certainly not tracking this, but I've had numerous friends that fly at United tell me the opposite... it will take much longer than 10 years for me to upgrade. 15-17 years.

I got mine the same way for the same reasons....interviewed 2 times now (1 major and hired) and it was never even asked. If it had been the answer would have been the same as PRS.
I have yet to hear of anyone in the past year not getting a job because they HAD a 737 type, maybe back in the day but I think those days have pasted.

I guess the takeaway is don't kill yourself trying to get the 737 type (unless SWA truly is your end goal). It seems to be a lot of hoop-jumping to get WIA funds to pay for an expensive type rating. I have a number of military friends who are planning their exit and many of them were seeking the 737 type, simply because that's what they've heard or been told to do all these years. After asking a few of them "why?", several dropped their plans to get the type and just got an ATP from a local school or an All-ATPs type place and spent a lot less money.

I'm hanging on to my GI Bill for other things. Hopefully it'll still be there when my kids hit college. If it looks like it'll go away before then, I guess I'll go find something new to learn and cash it in.