Path to Check Airmen
 

So this is a topic that rarely comes up on here. For those of you at SWA - If my ultimate goal is to become a check airmen at a major, should I wait to jump to a major until I become a check airmen at my regional? I know most of you will think this is a stupid question, but if SWA hires me with relatively low regional PIC and no check airmen letter will that hurt my chances?

To answer your question, I'd say previous check airman experience will help your chances at future CKAM positions.

Now I must ask...why is this your ultimate goal? I flew with a check airman awhile ago who was super cool and very chill, and I asked how he got to that position. He had been recommended into the CKAM position by people he'd flown with, it wasn't anything he actively pursued. To quote him, "it's the guys who seek out the check airman position who often times are the guys who shouldn't be check airman."

Just keep it in mind...if you're a natural leader/mentor/instructor and those around you feel the same way, then check airman positions type will come to you.

Are you trying to become a Check Airman at SWA, or at a 'major' after your time at SWA?

As to getting hired at SWA, comments from these threads suggest getting hired with relatively low regional PIC (absent mil flying history) is very difficult. Becoming a Check Airman at your regional could enhance your chances of getting the interview.

Get LCA experience now at a regional if you can.

It must be different at SWA than where I work. We must take the initiative to apply, have a resume LORs, interview, etc.

As a LCA myself, I get what the guy you flew with was saying. I've flown with some at my current employer who desperately want to be LCA, but they're also known as someone most can't stand to work with. You know the type.

But I don't necessarily agree. Just because you want to do something you know you'll enjoy and that position gives you more "authority", doesn't automatically make you a "that guy".

I applied because I think I was good at flight instructing, I have years of experience on the my current aircraft, and I like to help people.

It's possible some may just enjoy the position, too. I know I love it. I'll miss it if I ever get a class... I like helping new hires, upgrades, and I feel like doing line checks helps keep me sharper because I'm seeing things from another viewpoint.

Just my 2cents

What the previous posters said. Back in the day, it was a kiss of death to outwardly express interest in becoming a SWA CKAM. The selection system was basically a "tap on the shoulder" from Flt Ops to pilots they felt would be good candidates. These days, the company puts out job postings from time to time for new CKAM applicants (probably mostly to satisfy the People Dept folks), but the old rules still largely apply. Say what you will about the system, but the results speak for themselves: very few "you don't want to get a line/sim check from that guy" types out there at SWA.

Well if it ain't broke don't fix it!

100% agree!

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to be a Check Airman at SWA? It seems like an odd career goal, especially here.

FWIW, in my career, and not that it applies in this case, but I've noticed that the more a person wants to be a check airman, the less we need that person as a check airman. :eek:

Not much more pay and you lose control of your schedule. Plus required time in Dallas for sims. No thanks. You trying to get into the cheif pilot track?

Thanks for all the replies. And thanks for not taking a huge negitive turn like some of these threads do. I’ve always had a passion to teach and mentor. I have years of extremely successful and enjoyable instructing experience as well as training gigs in non flying careers. It has nothing to do with seeking authority. Frankly, if the job paid the exact same and litterally the only authority you had was to do IOE for guys I’d still want to do it. I love seeing student progress and the teaching process adds an interesting challenge to the job. At my airline the process is the opposite of southwest. You’ve got to be pretty aggressive. Thanks again for all of the replies.