Thanks Comp,
Your positive spin on things makes me feel a little better about second chances! Honestly that 2% news was bumming me out!
I interviewed w/o the type back in Sept of 2000. I felt like I did real well but I should have been a little less formal with them. I think I was basically out gunned by others that morning as 6 from my group of 13 got called.
I recently got the the type and have about a 100 hrs flying the 737 now, only to be furloughed this fall. Just about the time I'll be real comfy in it for crying out loud! My stats are about 17k total time, 10k pic 121 turbo prop, a good attitude and about 8 guys at SWA that will write letters for me. I've even received update form letters from SWA during the last few years (before my type), but I still cant seem to get the phone to ring!
No problem - it's easy to get discouraged (as well I know) when so much rides on so little.
As someone mentioned, make sure your app is accurate and keep it up to date. I would call the PD once the pool starts getting shallow and just make sure that everything looks good on your app. FWIW, my take after having been intimately involved in the SWA application process for a couple years:
1. PIC (and your 1st interview performance in the case of 2nd timers like you) gets you the interview call. As long as your app is up to date, then they will get to you as they work their way down the list. I had a couple of excellent inside contacts, but they didn't help get me the call any earlier the 2nd time.
While I was waiting the PD told me how long the times were until people were getting the call for their 2nd interviews. Once interviews start up again, I think that is a fair question to ask (although you may not get an answer depending on who you talk to).
2. The hiring decision is based primarily on your interview performance. I had tons of online recs, had my buds talk to the different Chief Pilots before the decision board, yadda, yadda... and still got turned down. Cross your t's and dot your i's (still do all the 'good ol' boy' stuff like letters, recs, paperwork in order, etc..), but remember that the interview is the KEY. If you are doing well it will feel like a BS session, not formal AT ALL - I saw both sides of this.
When or if you get the call again, I'm sure you'll prepare like you have a snowball's chance in hell, but realize going forward that it's your job to lose at that point: 25% hire rate for first timers, 75% for second timers. When I walked by the interview area when I started training, my buddy commented on how it made him nervous just to see all of it again. I said (and honestly meant) that it seemed so familiar it was like being at home. If you do it right, the second one will go MUCH better (as I said - because of you
and because of them).
Good luck and stay positive or this whole industry will drive you crazy! I am an absolute firm believer in the power of perseverance above almost all else.
"If you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right."
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
~ Calvin Coolidge
While searching for the above quote, I came across this one which seemed particularly appropriate (although hopefully it won't take any more than 2):
"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries."
~ James A. Michener
