Southwest/PanAm Hiring Open House

[thepotato232]

I was wondering how many people here were interested in the upcoming conference Southwest will be holding in Denver on September 12th. Since SWA is the only act in town that plans on hiring any time soon, anybody who wants to stand out from the ever-growing crowd will have to put in some face time, and the program that the two companies are running should guarantee some one-on-one interaction with the HR and hiring folks. The other thing anybody needs are 737 type rating. PanAm seem to be the only organization that hasn't raised their price for a type based on the increased demand. They're still running $4,995 for the full program.

The last one of these hiring conferences SWA did was last April in Las Vegas. I knew quite a few guys from that pool who jumped to the front of the interview line, and ended up with the job. It was also just a couple of months before the company opened a Las Vegas base, so I guess we can take that for whatever it's worth vis-a-vis all of the recent Denver expansion. Sounds like it's worth a shot to me...

 

[jhill]

I was wondering how many people here were interested in the upcoming conference Southwest will be holding in Denver on September 12th. Since SWA is the only act in town that plans on hiring any time soon, anybody who wants to stand out from the ever-growing crowd will have to put in some face time, and the program that the two companies are running should guarantee some one-on-one interaction with the HR and hiring folks. The other thing anybody needs are 737 type rating. PanAm seem to be the only organization that hasn't raised their price for a type based on the increased demand. They're still running $4,995 for the full program.

The last one of these hiring conferences SWA did was last April in Las Vegas. I knew quite a few guys from that pool who jumped to the front of the interview line, and ended up with the job. It was also just a couple of months before the company opened a Las Vegas base, so I guess we can take that for whatever it's worth vis-a-vis all of the recent Denver expansion. Sounds like it's worth a shot to me...

Do you get a commision on PanAm types? This sounds like an infomercial.

 

[thepotato232]

I was at the last one of these things that SWA did in Las Vegas with FTI (PanAm has since taken over FTI's place). Even though I am but a lowly FO goober at a regional, I received better treatment from the HR folks at SWA than I would ever hope to get at my own company, and I'm still in contact with people I met over there more than a year ago. It was certainly worth the trip. And more to the point, it was actually a good time! I wish I worked for PanAm, as a commission would sure help with the upcoming furlough. Of course, given that this is FI, I can expect a derisive comment or two. We all know that the people who get the job at SWA are people with a 737 type who make a good impression in person, so I just thought this would be a good way to do it. No ulterior motives, I had just heard unsubstantiated rumors that there may be one or two pilots out there who might be interested in working for Southwest at some point. If I can weasel my way into one of those fabled unemployed-pilot-gets-cheap-type-rating government payout doohickies, then I might just take the plunge myself.

For anyone interested in the conference, I found out about it on PanAm's Website. As many people as there are hoping to jump into the pool, this seemed like a good start. Admission to the conference is free by the way, you just have to RSVP on the company website. Like last year, they have a limit on the number of people who can attend, since a lot of the other SWA get-togethers turn into crowded arenas where nobody gets any one-on-one time with the company people.

 

[mainjet]

So is this Southwest PanAm conference mainly directed at pilots who don't have the type? Who Pan Am can sign up for getting one? Or can pilots who have the type already from somewhere else attend as well? Just wondering on any inside scoop.....

 

[airlinepilot]

The days of face time with PD helping get an interview are gone.......they just enter the criteria into the computer and it spits out the names to invite. Sounds more like a Pan Am promotion....they (like Higher Power) want you to think they are tied to the hip with SWA and that your chances of getting your foot in the door improve by attending. I have talked to several of the guys/gals that do the interviews. I have heard that in times of high demand and low pool numbers that having a type might be a tie breaker....but that is all. Where you get your type make NO DIFFERENCE!!! I got my type at the cheapest place I could find and would tell all to do the same. Good luck...great place to work!

 

[thepotato232]

Well it's open attendance, whether you need a type or not. SWA is sending enough of their own HR people to make it informative, if nothing else. It's common knowledge that the company you get the type from is irrelevant these days (be it HP, PanAm, or whoever), but it might be nice to hear the latest about the company from the HR people themselves, instead of through the usual rumors. Could be a worthwhile event for those of us who are on the fence about the investment in the type and all. What are the going rates for the 737 type these days, anyway? Not a price I'd want to pay without someone at the company telling me exactly what it'll do for me, besides give me an edge on a computer program.

 

[airline#5]

The dozen or so people I know who whored themselves out and went the PFT route to get hired at SWA...got shot down. Some several times over. Unless your rich and $$$ is no issue, it's a bad gamble. It's smart on SW's part, if your sucker enuf to spend lots of coin to throw your name in the hat, when your name is pulled out they know you'll drink the koolaid.

 

[Whataburger]

... when your name is pulled out they know you'll drink the koolaid.

That's what makes our mgm't brilliant.

 

[Dart]

I agree! How many people show up for this event??

That's what makes our mgm't brilliant.

 

[Dude]

Hey #5,

Does the number 5 represent your number of failed attempts at a career? If so, you really don't appear to be in a position to be the authority on anything regarding the airlines and how to have a fruitful career.

By the way, my favorite flavor of kool-aid is profitable. Try it and you'll like it.