Airline Pilot Central Forums - which is best regional if targeting SWA ?

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- - which is best regional if targeting SWA ? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/southwest/112250-best-regional-if-targeting-swa.html)

Until recently I would have said Skywest is the "best" regional for a SWA wannabee, but SWAPA put out some new-hire demographics info which showed the most new hires have lately come from...wait for it....

Expressjet :confused::confused::confused:

Though I think as others have posted, I'm not sure there's really that much difference these days between most of the regionals, in SWA's eyes.

Anyone leaving the other big 5 (AA/DL/UA/FDX/UPS) for SWA?

https://m.facebook.com/swapa737/photos/a.246911312167819.1073741833.186824038176547/781354318723513/?type=3&source=48

Quote:

Originally Posted by coryk (Post 2555607)

Anyone leaving the other big 5 (AA/DL/UA/FDX/UPS) for SWA?

Guy in my class turned down a FDX CJO and I had a UAL CJO. It’s not really “leaving” I guess. Once you get on a seniority list at any of these, it’s hard to start over.

In my class of 28, 1/3 of us were from either XJT (LASA) or Skyw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfpilot1414 (Post 2555746)

https://m.facebook.com/swapa737/photos/a.246911312167819.1073741833.186824038176547/781354318723513/?type=3&source=48

Surprising to me that JetBlue isn’t represented on the pie chart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueBaron (Post 2555905)

In my class of 28, 1/3 of us were from either XJT (LASA) or Skyw.

Anyone from republic??

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfpilot1414 (Post 2555746)

https://m.facebook.com/swapa737/photos/a.246911312167819.1073741833.186824038176547/781354318723513/?type=3&source=48

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...31&oe=5B48D6A7

I believe ExpressJet is owned by Skywest, correct ? If yes, then "pilots from Skywest companies" make up ??? 40% of the pie chart.

I would have thought that we would see more Envoy folks being hired.

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfpilot1414 (Post 2555928)

Anyone from republic??

I think a couple maybe.

Insight on the pie chart. SWA puts a lot of weight in total time that other majors do not. I would wager the average age of a pure civilian off the street hire at SWA is noticeably higher than other places. This simply favors those who have been in the industry longer. Some regional carriers have a higher ratio of seasoned pilots (Expressjet, SkyWest, Republic) and many that I see making the jump have 8+ years and up in the industry. Whereas the AA wholly owned carriers are flowing the top of their lists, and the commuterairs, compasses, mesas, & TSAs have much younger groups. Also consider that SWA has a regional homecourt advantage with a lot of these regionals they are drawing from. No surprise you don't get a lot of Horizon and Endeavor, since SWA has a tiny SEA/PDX, MSP/DTW/NYC footprint.
In summary, the hiring numbers have a greater likelihood of the demographics of the pilots at those regionals and their preferences than SWA playing favorites by association. No different than thinking you need to go to ERAU to get a leg up.