I am not who you think I am...Easy is a great guy and his offspring (all 3) are definately their fathers sons.
After reading my post again I realize how anti regional it sounds...I tryed to edit again...guess it only lets you edit once. Sorry Regional Airline guys and gals!!! To the point I was trying to make and failed miserably at:
There are many paths...I know we hire all kinds of guys and gals from all segments of the industry (I think this is a great thing). However...as far as civilians go I think that many people once out of college are overly focused on going to a regional airline. There are many other ways to get the time SWA requires. I was one of those guys doing everything I could to get to a regional. I went to one...three weeks later...the worst happened...(9/11)...and I was out on the street. I was one of the lucky ones that found one of those alternate routes and it worked out great.
The reason I posted what I did was is because many folks who will read this thread are searching for their own path...I thought I could help.
While flying freight is one way, as stated above, there are several ways (eg Fracs, Corporate, etc)
Again...sorry if i offended anyone by my previous statement....If you read my previous posts you will see I am not a flame baiter.
Good luck to all trying to get here...its a great place with wonderful people.