737 Rating Needed for Interview at SWA?

[301SW]

Would any of the Southwest Pilots know if a 737 rating is needed for an interview at Southwest? I have heard that you can interview without one, but a rating is needed to be a hiring candidate, and I have heard that to even get an interview, the rating is a must.

Also, for those of you new hires, would you know the age range (approximately) of the people Southwest hires? Mainly young? or older?

Thank you.

 

[falcon20driver]

Not sure on the type and interview question, but there was a funny post about pasifiers and canes a couple months ago regarding pilot age. Search pasifier and see what you find.

 

[Rex Kramer]

I know of a few people that have gotten the interview without the 737 type but the percentage seems to be fairly small. I think that the percentage of military pilots that do not have the type when they interview is higher than the percentage for civillian pilots(don't quote me on that, it is just anecdotal).

I was in the January 10th class and the average age was 36.4. The low was 28 and the high was 45. Most of the class lists were pretty close to that.

Good luck. This place is amazing. SWA has exceeded my expectations - and my expectations were ridiculously high.

CX

 

[debo007]

Swa

No Type...No Interview. I am a week into my type now.

 

[HarleyGuy]

Kinda old. Our baby was 32 and our Old Man was 47. I think we have 16 out of 20 over 40. Lots of retired military in their early 40s. Hope this sheds some light.

 

[canyonblue737]

Baby in our class was 28, the oldest was 51. I think the median age averages mid to later 30's.

 

[dink]

29 to 52 years for my class. Age does not seem to matter other than they do a very good job of spreading the ages out. like they do not want everyone to retire at the same time....

1/2 military 1/2 civilian


good luck...

 

[kelbill]

I believe official policy is that a type is still not required for an interview. But being a pilot, you should be good with numbers and risk assessment. If we plan on hiring about 500 pilots over the next year, and 1/3 to 1/2 of those interviewed are hired, we only need to interview 1000-1500 right? Well, with 5,000 or so resumes on file I believe (actually more I think) you can do the math to see where you might rank for an interview. Unless you can prove a blood lineage to Herb or Colleen, you best have a smokin hot resume. Having naked pictures of Herb won't do you any good as I'm sure he considers those cherished items and not blackmail. It is obviously a big and expensive gamble, but if you truly want to work here, go get the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** type, ASAP. We are still growing, and so interviews/hiring will be going like gangbusters, bar any unforseen tragedy in the world/industry. Won't you be kicking yourself if you don't get the type and the phone never rings to come interview? Again, this assumes you really want to come to SWA. If you don't, don't get it and don't sweat it.

 

[NEDude]

T-minus 33 days and counting for the type. Yeah, an expensive gamble, but as they say "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

 

[Wingsweep]

Like a Diamond Ad

It's like the ad's the diamond companies use. Spend a month's salary for a lifetime of bliss. Cheers.

 

[Wesb737fo]

I'm a civilian type w about 1,800 pic turbine (1900's & CRJ). I bought the type in January (K&S in PHX). No interview so far, but I think you need they type rating to have a chance.

Still waiting for a call from the warden concerning my pardon. By the way, Good luck to all.

 

[301SW]

Another SWA Question

Hey thanks for responding to my questions. I forgot to ask if SWA has a preference as to which facility one goes to for the 73 rating, as one FO told me they prefer certain facilities over others. Thanks again...

 

[canyonblue737]

Hey thanks for responding to my questions. I forgot to ask if SWA has a preference as to which facility one goes to for the 73 rating, as one FO told me they prefer certain facilities over others. Thanks again...

there is 100% no preference.

 

[FracCapt]

Hey thanks for responding to my questions. I forgot to ask if SWA has a preference as to which facility one goes to for the 73 rating, as one FO told me they prefer certain facilities over others. Thanks again...

They don't care. Just get the type. I went to HPA because of their reputation and recommendations from good friends that went there. The people in the PD will even tell you that it doesn't matter where you get the type.

 

[Shisha]

Personally met a candidate to interview w/in the past month w/out the type. Is it possible, sure. Probable, no.
I debated whether to get the type...put my app in and hoped to get the interview w/out the type (then get the type once I got the "good news"). Yeah, right.
Got the type and interview call three months later. What would I do differently? I would have stopped listening to other folks in my squadron who said "I don't want to pay seven grand to get the type." Sure, I could have gotten the type and either had no interview or interview and dreaded letter. In hindsight, it is far better to have tried and come up short than to wonder (eternally) "What if?"
If you're military and are currently on active duty w/ a letter of resignation in - go get the type (IMHO).
If you're competitive (either military or civilian) get the type and try...at the very least, you won't wonder years from now when you see Southwest everywhere if you could have been on board w/ them. Best of luck and fly safe!

Shisha

Living the dream as an SWA new hire!