SWA and 737 type-rating -- Federal investigation?

[Fubijaakr]

Exactly, contrail. Which is why I never even applied there in the olden days. I couldn't afford to buy a type rating for a promise of an interview.

 

[JetDude]

Exactly, contrail. Which is why I never even applied there in the olden days. I couldn't afford to buy a type rating for a promise of an interview.

The type rating doesn't get you the "promise of an interview." It makes you more competitive, but in a competitive employment market the type isn't required (for an interview). It is however required for employment; a prerequisite explained in the job description much like ANY prerequisite for MANY other jobs/careers out there. The source of the type is not specified thus invalidating the original poster's premise. It's not a violation of any (current) law. Get real.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Exactly, contrail. Which is why I never even applied there in the olden days. I couldn't afford to buy a type rating for a promise of an interview.

I know the feeling...I too felt like the cost of a type was expensive...but always wanted to fly for SWA....question was...how to do it?

I got hired by a legacy carrier....knew the legacy was a sinking ship...got the type a few years later, when I upgraded...applied to SWA the next day....I'm still thrilled to be here.

 

[Fubijaakr]

I think you misunderstood me, jet dude. In 1990 when I was on the job market, a 737 type rating was required at SWA to even be considered for an interview.

That's what I mean by the "promise" of an interview.

There was no guarantee you would even get an interview WITH a 737 type rating. And $8K was a bit too much to spend for a shot at an interview.

Especially when UPS was setting up HR people in hotel rooms near military air bases and hiring everyone in sight.

 

[JetDude]

I think you misunderstood me, jet dude. In 1990 when I was on the job market, a 737 type rating was required at SWA to even be considered for an interview.

That's what I mean by the "promise" of an interview.

There was no guarantee you would even get an interview WITH a 737 type rating. And $8K was a bit too much to spend for a shot at an interview.

Especially when UPS was setting up HR people in hotel rooms near military air bases and hiring everyone in sight.

You took extreme liberties with the word promise. You perhaps meant to say to enhance your potential at being called for an interview.

 

[contrail67]

You took extreme liberties with the word promise. You perhaps meant to say to enhance your potential at being called for an interview.

No matter how you slice it...you MUST have the type to work at SWA. Who cares what their criteria was at the time you applied....

 

[hyperboy]

crazy

Yea I have the gun that Southwest Airlines held to my head to get they type also......How dumb is this thread. NEWS FLASH! I got it cause I wanted too!


Nothin but "LUV"!

 

[Fubijaakr]

It was simply an economic decision at the time.

 

[igneousy2]

This is such a BS thread.

Even assuming that the original poster is correct and SWA does require a pilot to get a type rating from a flight school that they approve, and even if you assume that they do get a kick-back from that flight school there would still be no violation of any law that any government agency would have cause to investigate.

The original poster is obviously new to aviation (or at least civilian aviation), there are way more insidious things a company can do to a pilot than require a type rating to be hired.

Remember PFT? Remember training contracts? What about pay to fly "First Officer Programs"? There are way worse things that were far more prevalant 10-15 years ago. This is one of the few trends that are going in pilots favor.


Later

 

[Rickindfw]

Yes there should!! I'm sure SWA has a great interest in receiving kickbacks that may reach into the hundreds of dollars from such "preferred" type rating schools. A friend of mine heard from somebody that Southwest would not have made a profit for the last few years if it weren't for these kickbacks!

ygtbsm

 

[spciii]

ygtbsm

Yes Rick, I am sh&tting you.

 

[contrail67]

This is such a BS thread.

Even assuming that the original poster is correct and SWA does require a pilot to get a type rating from a flight school that they approve, and even if you assume that they do get a kick-back from that flight school there would still be no violation of any law that any government agency would have cause to investigate.

The original poster is obviously new to aviation (or at least civilian aviation), there are way more insidious things a company can do to a pilot than require a type rating to be hired.

Remember PFT? Remember training contracts? What about pay to fly "First Officer Programs"? There are way worse things that were far more prevalant 10-15 years ago. This is one of the few trends that are going in pilots favor.


Later

How is requiring you to get a type rating for the job any different than the pay for training programs?...I really don't see a difference. Either program keeps you out until you pay...period. Call it what you want.

 

[ultrarunner]

I once had to pay for a college education in order to apply for a job in the HOPES of getting an interivew...

...am I missing something?

 

[contrail67]

Yes...paying for college...you are more marketable. You are not as likely to get hired by a legacy or low cost carrier like SWA without. Not all airlines require pay for training or buy your type to get the job...and yes you have to pass the interview. There are several commuters that did not have pay for training programs, and several legacy or low cost carriers that do not require you to get your type...in fact there are some today that give you a PIC TYPE in the aircraft at the end of training...for free.

 

[NOZ]

Yes...paying for college...you are more marketable. You are not as likely to get hired by a legacy or low cost carrier like SWA without. Not all airlines require pay for training or buy your type to get the job...and yes you have to pass the interview. There are several commuters that did not have pay for training programs, and several legacy or low cost carriers that do not require you to get your type...in fact there are some today that give you a PIC TYPE in the aircraft at the end of training...for free.

Not free, you just have to pay for it with super low first year pay and/or no health insurance for 6 months...