fenix1

As those who have already earned an opportunity to fly the line, what are your honest, no-holds-barred thoughts about this program (Destination 225) and those who will end up in SWA’s right seat through this program?

WHACKMASTER

F-teeners. No doubt. It’s SWA

Duke Beamer

In my “other” job, I just recently went from a flying gig to a non-flying gig working with high school kids interested in serving their country as a way of providing educational opportunities, like ROTC, the Academy, etc.... 90%+ of them want to be pilots. So I’ve had the opportunity to talk about this program a lot with kids & parents. To be honest, it was a great idea on paper. But in its current state, it’s not that big of a deal. At least not that good of a deal for a high school kid dreaming of flying for Southwest. It looks like to me, the cost is all on the individual and the company doesn’t have any skin in the game. I hope SWA tweaks this and makes it a program where the individuals and the company have a mutual beneficiary relationship.

If a kid asked me today, what would I recommend, getting his/her PPL, going to college, and then joining their local Air National Guard unit and then eventually going to somewhere like SkyWest and then coming to SWA..... yes I would. I don’t think D225 has an inherent advantage over the Guard/SkyWest route. Or the pure military route. Or the pure civilian route. Not yet anyway.

fenix1

Thank you. What will your perception be of those who are hired through this program? Will you perceive as them as their individual competence/professionalism/attitude/etc dictate & treat them as you would any other new FO? Or will Destination 225 FO’s have a “unique” experience as they seek to make it through IOE & Initial in general and fit well with the SWA pilot group?

ZapBrannigan

They’ll have to work hard to earn the respect of most pilots who followed a more traditional path. Over time it won’t matter, but there will be some growing pains.


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Grumpyaviator

Given the quality of training in PHX and the experience applicants will receive at the fractional, they should come to SWA with a good background and be able to acclimate fine. However, I don’t think destination225, or any program like it, is a cost effective way to the airlines at this time, and I don’t recommend the military route for folks who don’t have a heart for military service.

I would recommend what a number of pilots have done, and more are doing all the time. They are buying an airplane and hiring an instructor. After they get their ratings they build time flying their airplane as well as charter, corporate, etc. At 1500 hours they’re in at a regional and have plenty of options to the majors from there. They can then sell the plane, maybe for a profit and also have it to do some recreational flying, which is a pleasure many of us miss out on.

Spark

I missed the part where you have to move to Phoenix. So a year of living expenses on top of the cost for the program.
Almost any FBO and a decent instructor in your home town can get you where you want to be also.

WHACKMASTER

.........for a lot less.

e6bpilot

I think the program is fine, but it is not doing anything that you can’t do on your own for less money.
If it were me, I wouldn’t do it. I would go the 141 route and get into the left seat of a regional with a flow ASAP and go from there. Back in the 90s when the academies were pumping out PFT kids, the industry was in a totally different state. That scheme and its overall effect following the economic crashes and 9/11 is a big part of what led to this shortage in the first place.

at6d

I’m on the fence. For me, the transition to SWA was pretty seamless as I had done almost a decade in both 121 regional (on four types) and another decade in 91 corporate on two types.

It sounds like a good way to enter the corporate world. Maybe they like the customer service aspect for SWA? One thing corporate pilots do very well is network—and corporate is hurting for pilots as well.

To be honest, I think the 121 regional world is a better environmental proving ground.

I think it sounds fair on paper, but the proof is yet to be seen.

What I don’t understand is why we need the program as there are a multitude of qualified pilots trying to land a damn interview. And by qualified I mean 7000+ hours in 121 (I don’t view the civilian guys competing against military folks, I view it as competing against other civilians).