Looking to the Future
 

Looking to get some advice and info. I am a current regional FO at Envoy. The flow is a great backup plan but have always wanted to fly for Southwest. I am still pretty new to the 121 world but would love to hear some thoughts on what it takes to get hired on at Southwest. It seems like right now guys only get hired with 5-10,000 hours. I am currently at 1700 so I have a ways to go. What are y'alls thoughts on hiring in the next few years? Will the minimums to get on with Southwest come down? It may be a long shot but I was hoping by the time I am closing in on 3,000 hours to have a shot. Anyway thanks in advance for your thoughts

become a captain at your airline, then ASAP a LCA, instructor, something that makes you different than the avg pilot. Rack up hours, stay in touch with anyone and everyone you know who goes to Southwest. Apply, update often.

Lotsa dudes in the applicant pool with TT much much higher than yours, but who knows what the future holds. Seems the only 'low time' guys that get on are military.

G'luck

SWA doesn't have the huge numbers of mandatory retirements that some of the other major/legacy airlines do, but they do have a steady increase in retirements over the next several years. So basically keep your application updated and they'll tell you when you make the cut.

I did just this. 6600 TT 1350 TPIC check airman soon after I had upgraded. Hired August 2017

There's still the 73-type option. Nothing says I REALLY want to work for SWA louder than that. I know it hurts even more now in this environment to shell out $$$$ on the hope of a job offer, but if it gets you here even a year sooner, it would be a worthwhile investment.

I am also looking into SWA in the future. If i got an offer from Delta or some other airline before SWA where I could maybe get into the 737, would it be wise to take that and then transfer to SWA when the call comes or just hold out at a regional for SWA?

Is this a joke? Are you seriously asking whether to go to Delta or stay at a regional?

Has got to be trolling. With a fleet.

Thought I would tag on to this thread instead of starting a new one.

Looking at the next couple years, I'll meet minimums in the next few months, but trying to decide my next step to best add to my chances. Would welcome opinions.

1) upgrading to captain at current 135. Able to get roughly 800 hours a year as PIC. (Time does count as 121 qualifying) also will have opportunity for adding line airman, acp, training etc.

2) get a couple hundred hours of PIC, non qualifying 121, then move over to a regional as SIC. Due to training and reserve less hours over the next couple years but it would check the 121 box and get an additional type rating with hours in "a real jet."

Didn't go the cfi route so I'm inclined towards the first option for the PIC time.

Thoughts?