Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCal JetDriver
I know a previous post said 4 out 6 guys in a class did not have a type. Anyone know how a new type rating affects your application percentage in the pile? i.e. at 60% down, 737 type- now 20% down the heap...
I know having a type rating is favorable for competitiveness, but does anyone have some rough stats as of late to escalate into the short list?
I was in the last class at SWA (Oct1). I was likely the last guy in SWA history who had to go out and get the type prior to class. There were 8 of us in class and most of us (maybe all) did not have the type when we interviewed and only acquired the type after getting the good news post DB. They have indicated that they will look favorably upon those who already have the type, but there is a distinct trend now of hiring pilots without the type. At time of interview:
Civilian puke
7100 TT
2200 TPIC
757 FO at time of interview
Typed DHC 8/DC-9/B-757/767
Previous LCA/PCA experience
Previous 121 Chief Instructor DHC 8
Did not wear a red tie to the interview
I had a number of friends hired at SWA over the years. I refused to get the 737 type because I was cheap and concerned about getting the type and then being rejected by SWA and having to explain myself at another carrier's interview later on. They opened the window briefly in May/June last year and I applied not expecting much, but still hopeful. A close friend at SWA called shortly thereafter indicating calls were going out. I indicated I had heard nothing. He insisted that I re-update my application. I did and the next day I got my invite. I interviewed in late June, waited exactly one month for the DB, and got the good news late July. Started my 737 type rating training in SEA 3 weeks later and was in class in Dallas the beginning of October. Had to walk around the training center with rattles/baby bottle for 6 weeks since I happened to be the youngest in class. Oldest guy was assigned a cane. Previous classes had the oldest guy marching around with a colostomy bag, at least that's what we heard.
Good luck to all of you guys!