Paying thousands for a slim chance to get hired at SWA??

[Airframe256]

As I am expecting to be furloughed late this year or early next, I am investigating my job options and trying to plan (as best I can) for the future. Job opportunities are slim; however, the question I have is why so many of us are willing to pay thousands of dollars on a type rating just to get an interview at SWA which comes with about a 25-30% chance of getting hired? I admit I am considering it also, but I am torn between thinking that I don't want to miss any opportunity and thinking that I throwing my money away. I have heard so many stories of those not being hired and think it is ridiculous that we must pay for the rating and then proceed with less than a 50% chance of getting hired. Is it really worth it?

 

[Jet41]

Why would you pay for the type, they don't require it for the interview.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Sounds like an awfully expensive lottery ticket to me. Especially with hundreds of current and qualified 737 pilots (with actual time in the aircraft...) are being furloughed or whose companies have gone out of business are competing with you for the same interview.

 

[Airframe256]

I've heard that it's difficult to get an interview without the rating and that you have a very good chance of an interview with the rating. From my own experience, I have had my application in for 5 years with no call. So, it seems like I need the rating to get the interview call. I just can't decide if it's worth the gamble.

 

[radarlove]

If you're just now "getting around" to thinking about maybe applying to SWA, then I would make the assumption that your chances of getting hired are a lot more slim than 25%.

No major airline is interested in pilots that, if forced to, would be willing to work there. From United to UPS, they want new-hires to be enthusiastic.

It's like trying to get into the Naval Academy: "Well, if I get turned down by Princeton, I'd be willing to go here."

Ya think they're going to let you go in?

Now I don't know for sure who SWA hires or doesn't hire, but I don't know of any major airline other than Jet Blue that welcomes furloughees into the fold. Once you've been dealt your cards, there you are.

 

[airlinepilot]

You do not need a type to get an interview. The people department enters whatever profile they desire and the computer spits outs the names. The day of good-ole-boy interviews ended years back. Plenty of guys and gals get an interview without the type but having the type can't be a negative.

 

[CE750Driver]

Have you considered Netjets or anther fractional? Doesn't cost a thing.

 

[Herkdrv]

As I am expecting to be furloughed late this year or early next, I am investigating my job options and trying to plan (as best I can) for the future. Job opportunities are slim; however, the question I have is why so many of us are willing to pay thousands of dollars on a type rating just to get an interview at SWA which comes with about a 25-30% chance of getting hired? I admit I am considering it also, but I am torn between thinking that I don't want to miss any opportunity and thinking that I throwing my money away. I have heard so many stories of those not being hired and think it is ridiculous that we must pay for the rating and then proceed with less than a 50% chance of getting hired. Is it really worth it?

If you do get furloughed try using WIA funds from your state to pay for the type rating. Each state has different requirements but my sim partner when I went through at K&S was on a full ride thanks to the State of California.

 

[waveflyer]

radarlove has it pegged-- every airline around longer than air tran has enough applicants that have wanted to work there since birth that you'll have your work cut out for you to convince them that your app is in b/c you really want to work there and not just b/c you're getting axed. I know what you're thinking- 'are there no points for loyalty to my current employer?'

no. not really-- and that's a two way street as youre finding out now.

I'm very sorry you're getting furloughed- that really sucks.

Southwest though is one of those companies that has so many good points- most important is the stable work environment they promise you- when you find out how life really is there- you should want to work there no matter where you are now. That's what they believe and it's what you should believe if you want any chance of getting the job.

Think how much you spent on your CFI/CFII/MEI--vs. how much you used those... Go in w/ the attitude (and explain it in every interview you get) that the 73 type is career progression- most carriers fly it and it's a good way to increase your knowledge. If you get a wn interview - DO NOT HAVE A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT b/c you spent the cash and expended the effort-- most everyone spent the cash-- and if they didn't-- my friends tell me their only regret was in NOT paying for it-- those who gamed AT or CAL did it at the possible expense of their own seniority. It's true everywhere-- if you want to work there-- you have to jump through their hoops- whether it's the FE written for fedex/ups or air inc conferences or application fees-- everyone has a different system-- and it's different so that they can tell whether you really want to work there or not. Will you be a good employee? That's a silly question at your average legacy- but at WN it's fair-- they want you personally invested in what's going on there. It can't be all about you-- you take care of others first- and you will be taken care of. If you think of only you first- then you will not be taken care of-- it's universal law- it's why ceo's at ual are staring at bk- and it's why herb has tears in his eyes getting gifts from pilots- who's richer? herb is richer in every way, including money- b/c he put his people and company first, not himself. And that's what you have to do.
If you can't buy into that- i wouldn't spend the money. b/c all of WN runs on just that concept.

And, kumbaya aside, if you're given a merit-based 1 in 4 or 1 in 3 chance of getting anything- and you're not confident you will...??? Might want to work on yourself a bit.

btw- our union would operate a whole lot better if it ran on that as well. (ie: scope, b-scales, nb v wb, senior v junior, fo v capt, mil v civ- COMPANY v COMPANY-- we are ridiculous and feeling the affects of our own attitudes toward each other.)

 

[Airframe256]

Have you considered Netjets or anther fractional? Doesn't cost a thing.

Yes, I have applied to NetJets, as well. I am just trying to cover all my bases.