I am an FO at my regional and have been there for about 9 months. I have over 1,000 hours of turbine (mostly single engine) and got an interview with Southwest. The biggest thing that I saw that helped was as previously stated. Get in front of a recruiter at an upcoming event.

 

The type is not required. Don’t fork out the money for that.

Aim for the qualifications that will get you hired at all the majors. Get PIC turbine, check airman, instructor time, a degree, some sort of community involvement/volunteer thing, etc.

Six years ago our class average flight time was 6000 hours.

Im guessing the most recent class had averages that were less.

 

Distinguish yourself however you can. I know it is hard as an FO. I was able to volunteer as a new pilot mentor. I had six or seven mentees before I got the call. It was a great experience personally and three of my mentees now have interviews here. I did some other volunteer stuff, a hospital, church, etc. it does not have to be a ton but enough to let them know you are more than just a pilot in a uniform.

Get and keep your log book perfect. The guy said mine was one of the best he had ever seen. It was five years ago, and I had both a written and electronic - all of it synced. The time reviewing my log book was less than two minutes and then we just BS’d about cars and hobbies.

Take the FIRST upgrade you can. If you can possibly commute and it does not make your life too miserable - do it. Turbine PIC is still incredibly important.

Write down interesting and challenging that happen while at work. I did not do this but wish I had. You will get some TMAT, time requests and if you scan them before the interview, they will be top of mind and roll right off your tongue. Don’t try to memorize a response, just be able to jump into the story with ease.

if you don’t have a degree do what ever it takes to get one,

Study your tail off for you PC’s and be prepared. Get the gouge before hand and give them no reason for a failure. A bust won’t rule you out but there is no reason to create something that has to be explained, that could have been avoided.

As said before, get to the job fairs. It wasn’t that way five years ago, but it sure seems to be that way now.

I also agree - don’t waste the money on the 737 type rating. Most of the guys today do not have it I don’t think (also a change from days gone by). I did not have it when I got hired.

Best of Luck!

 

2024 is only 20 months away….

 

SWA is just looking for pilots with a pulse at this point. All the over-qualified people are going elsewhere. TPIC isn't even a requirement anymore. Apply to every window you can, no matter how many hours you have. Eventually you'll get picked up.

 

I know plenty of people that have interviewed and not gotten a call


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We have a former Skywest chief pilot and United Captain who have recently hit the line...not sure what you're referring to but there is still plenty of experience in our new hire classes.

 

Don’t forget the U2, B1, C17, C130 and F16 peeps


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And the THREE Delta pilots in one class.

 

I highly disagree. I am currently in class and can say each one of my classmates are more than just a pulse. While some don’t have much turbine pic, they have other things that make them stand out.

My biggest suggestion to people applying to any of the major airlines is to volunteer such as a new hire mentor where you currently work and also go to job fairs.