SWA Removes B737 Type Requirment

[bafanguy]

It was an email sent out to all the pilots .

Did the email announcing this offer any explanation for the change in a policy dating back about 40 years ?

 

[PCL_128]

Did the email announcing this offer any explanation for the change in a policy dating back about 40 years ?

Yes, it said several things, including the current hiring environment, the changes with AQP, and other things.

 

[bafanguy]

Yes, it said several things, including the current hiring environment...and other things.

What did they say about the "current hiring environment" ?:

The number of applicants accepting interviews has dropped ?

The number of those accepting a job and showing up for class has dropped ?

People on the bottom are leaving in disturbing numbers ?

What are "other things" ?

Without seeing the email first hand, we interested observers can only ask questions.

It seems that changing a 40 year, hard-and-fast employment requirement is a significant event. There must be a story there...

Just curious. I'm not looking for a job.

 

[PCL_128]

I'm sure the company doesn't want its internal memos posted publicly, but the general idea of it was that it isn't as easy to attract the most qualified applicants in today's environment, and otherwise qualified people are being passed over because they either don't have the type or are unwilling to even apply with the knowledge that they'll have to get it before accepting a job offer. In addition to that, they mentioned the AQP program changing the training curriculum, and that the insurance company apparently wasn't providing as much benefit anymore as a result of the requirement.

 

[SWA Bubba]

What did they say about the "current hiring environment" ?:

The number of applicants accepting interviews has dropped ?

The number of those accepting a job and showing up for class has dropped ?

People on the bottom are leaving in disturbing numbers ?

What are "other things" ?

Without seeing the email first hand, we interested observers can only ask questions.

It seems that changing a 40 year, hard-and-fast employment requirement is a significant event. There must be a story there...

Just curious. I'm not looking for a job.

Hate to disappoint you, but there's really much of a story.

This has actually been coming for quite a while. The Ops email mentioned several things, such as the loss of advantages from that particular requirement. Those had been things like reduced insurance rates for a small new company, easier training syllabus, ensuring applicants really wanted to be here, etc. None of those really apply anymore. The other aspect was with current and projected hiring at all airlines coupled with a shrinking applicant pool, Southwest was concerned that we would be losing out on potential applicants who were otherwise highly qualified.

As far as your suggestions go, I don't think they really played any part. The last hiring pool still had the requirement, and we had many more applicants than slots, plus the number of people who left in the last year was minimal.

Like I said, we've all been expecting this for the last several years. In reality, we've basically been waiting for our old, intransigent VP of FltOps to leave and be replaced by a more reasonable guy, which happened fairly recently.

Bubba

 

[humveedriver]

What did they say about the "current hiring environment" ?:

The number of applicants accepting interviews has dropped ?

The number of those accepting a job and showing up for class has dropped ?

People on the bottom are leaving in disturbing numbers ?

What are "other things" ?

Without seeing the email first hand, we interested observers can only ask questions.

It seems that changing a 40 year, hard-and-fast employment requirement is a significant event. There must be a story there...

Just curious. I'm not looking for a job.

Lots of changes over last few years. More changes to come. SWA goes international now, dropped the type, is changing to dual cue flight director. And! and! We are looking at getting a new lightweight jacket! There that's damn near the whole message. Can't copy and paste. The company is strict about releasing internal memos.

 

[bafanguy]

Hate to disappoint you, but there's really much of a story.

Bubba,

Not disappointed at all. I'm just curious. I've followed the history of SWA since mid-1971...and I'm STILL following it.

Sometimes I ask questions since I no longer have contact with anyone on the inside.

The whole issue of pilot supply & demand is one of my favorite subjects. Been watching it (or trying to ) since the mid-60s.

Some people follow curling; I follow pilot stuff.

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.

 

[outerlimits]

Lots of changes over last few years. More changes to come. SWA goes international now, dropped the type, is changing to dual cue flight director. And! and! We are looking at getting a new lightweight jacket! There that's damn near the whole message. Can't copy and paste. The company is strict about releasing internal memos.

What kind of lightweight jacket ?

It would be cool if you guys got Members Only jackets.

 

[humveedriver]

What kind of lightweight jacket ?

It would be cool if you guys got Members Only jackets.

That is the front runner. Polling indicates this will be the selected style.

http://www.membersonlyoriginal.com/...y-jackets/products/heavy-pu-motorcycle-jacket

 

[ATRCAPT]

You can usually narrow it down even further.......

"What Eagle unit were you in?"

and then, "Is the lobotomy scar visible?"

 

[freightdogfred]

Shhez....more lotto winners. What's in it for me? I got nothing out of this deal

 

[Bobby Orr 4]

Good move.

I do not know why SWA would be anyone's first choice as a new hire.

-Stagnant seniority list. Not any hull growth in sight.
-Contract quickly falling behind Delta, AA, United
-CEO who's legacy will be transforming SWA into a Legacy airline
-Low retirement rate compared to the above mentioned airlines.
-have to pay $7000 for a type rating to qualify for a less desirable job.

I think these are the reason Flight Ops changed the policy. I know and respect Craig but the reasons he stated was way down the list.

 

[outerlimits]

That is the front runner. Polling indicates this will be the selected style.

http://www.membersonlyoriginal.com/...y-jackets/products/heavy-pu-motorcycle-jacket

What would really be cool is the Members-only jackets with that lady that worked with Herb,her face embroidered on the back .

 

[acaTerry]

Now if only they will drop that pointless FAR 1.1 PIC time and join the rest of the aviation world and count 61.51....

 

[HowardBorden]

What did they say about the "current hiring environment" ?:

The number of applicants accepting interviews has dropped ?

The number of those accepting a job and showing up for class has dropped ?

People on the bottom are leaving in disturbing numbers ?

What are "other things" ?

Without seeing the email first hand, we interested observers can only ask questions.

It seems that changing a 40 year, hard-and-fast employment requirement is a significant event. There must be a story there...

Just curious. I'm not looking for a job.

I won't quote a company memo on a forum, but if you want to see the actual memo it is posted in an identical thread on Airline Pilot Central.

P.S. It's about time and good riddance.

 

[bafanguy]

I won't quote a company memo on a forum...

HB,

Understand. I was just remarking that those of us in the Peanut Gallery don't have the best info. I wasn't really expecting to see the memo itself but thought SWA would make a public statement about it.

I thought there might be "...a link to the official statement of the change...".

The change in policy can only help your headhunting.

 

[slaquer5]

HB,

Understand. I was just remarking that those of us in the Peanut Gallery don't have the best info. I wasn't really expecting to see the memo itself but thought SWA would make a public statement about it.

I thought there might be "...a link to the official statement of the change...".

The change in policy can only help your headhunting.

The email put as much info. on the Type requirement as it it did the light weight jacket

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Now if only they will drop that pointless FAR 1.1 PIC time and join the rest of the aviation world and count 61.51....

I'm not an SW pilot, but I actually agree with the use of the FAR 1.1 definition of PIC time. It allows a clear delineation portraying that the person concerned was the one actually responsible for the operation of the aircraft. Any yutz with a rating can be a "sole manipulator."

"Pilot in command means the person who:
(1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight."

 

[Newjetjockey]

Long over due. The catalyst to making this happen was the training of nearly 1000 non typed pilots in house. Improvements to the training department (AQP). No real insurance benefit anymore. And yes. The competitive landscape of the industry was a major factor too in the update. It will be looked upon favorably to anyone who makes the investment.

They actually said a 737 type would be looked upon favorably and as another "feather in the cap" if you have one. This cracks me up. If it were me doing the selecting I would be wondering if someone who showed up with a type they paid for needs to have their head examined....but that's just me. I'm sure all my new coworkers at SWA would disagree.

 

[humveedriver]

They actually said a 737 type would be looked upon favorably and as another "feather in the cap" if you have one. This cracks me up. If it were me doing the selecting I would be wondering if someone who showed up with a type they paid for needs to have their head examined....but that's just me. I'm sure all my new coworkers at SWA would disagree.

Probably to make the folks who recently bought one feel better. You know your pissed if you just bought type in the last month or two.