You'll be the last to board regardless how full the flight is. They will give you the last boarding card. All flights are full nowadays, so expect a middle seat and boarding last. Put a permanent smile on your face and be as friendly as you can be. Introduce yourself to the crew but don't be pushy. Just be nice and grateful for your middle seat.

 

Have applied every window in the last year. No invite but also no tBNT

 

Keep updating the credentials page.

 

I had a normal ticket; I checked in online as usual and was early B boarding. I introduced myself to the gate agent and asked her if she needed me to board later or anything along those lines and she waved her hand and said no worries.

Same-o with the cabin crew and the flight crew. Everyone is psyched that you're going to an interview and wants you to succeed. Put your interview smile on, mind your manners, and offer to help them out if you've got time after the flight.

 

Thanks, hopefully, I'll get the opportunity .

 

Did you buy a ticket yourself? I didn't have a normal ticket. I had to check in with a CS rep at the ticket counter, they found a special letter and issued a ticket for me there. There was nothing "normal" about my ticker to the interview.

 

My boarding group wasn't last, but was near the middle. Not sure how they knew (notes in the computer?) but the gate agent knew I was on my way to an interview, and was not surprised when I asked if it would be ok to hop on early to say hi to the crew. Both pilots and FAs seem happy to chat with me, wished me luck, and FAs said I could sit anywhere except exit rows.

I was following advice to introduce myself to the crew upon boarding, and in my experience that has been easier to do during pre-boarding, which is why I asked about that. On the other hand, on my flight back everyone looked super busy so I didn't even ask and boarded with my group. So, judgement call on if/when to introduce yourself to the crew as an interview candidate.

The 2 restrictions I've usually heard from SWA FAs when jumpseating are to sit anywhere except exit rows or first 4-5 rows. Everywhere else is fine. I was also told that when boarding with any normal boarding pass (ie. not jumpseating) and not pre-boarding, then any seat still open when you get on the plane is fair game since passengers who paid extra to board early will already have chosen their preferred seats.

I haven't yet been told "official" company policy or procedure for this stuff, this is just what I've seen or been told during several JS flights and my interview trip out and back.

 

Thanks. Good info.

 

No; I think they've moved away from that. My experience was to put my preferences in by flight number. The people department passed those along and generated an itinerary, and then I had a normal e-ticket as though I had bought my own ticket.

Check in online the day prior just like anyone else.

 

Cool, I didn't know they changed the process. I'm glad it's more like a normal eticket now. I remember it was pretty weird because I had to introduce myself to a ticketing agent, they had to retrieve some weird handwritten letter with my name on it. It almost felt like the ticketing agent was interviewing me. I think the change had something to do with the new reservation system, but I still don't understand what really changed, so I may be wrong. Glad the current interviewees can check in on line and skip all that circus. Still, I'd recommend saying hi to the crew and don't hide you're going to the interview. Good luck to all coming in!