737 Type, Career ender?

[qxdash8]

I know that to get an interview at SWA, you really need to have the type these days. So you go out and spend the 7 g's on the type rating and then like the majority of others that have tried it, you dont make it through the DB. So now you want to interview at some other airlines. Is having the trype really going to hurt your chances? Does anyone out there have any experience with trying to get hired at an airline, other than SW, with the 737 type?

As you may have gussed, I'm trying to decide if I want to take the chance. I would really like to work for SWA, and paying for the type is worth it for me (yes, I know, PFT...big risk, etc.). However, if like the other 70-80%, I dont get hired, I would still like to have some other options.

 

[Phaedrus]

Got my type, didn't get hired by SWA, got hired at AirTran. Good luck to you. If you can afford the training it's a good education regardless of where you end up. That said, I wish I had my money back. Call me shallow.

 

[FlyAuburn]

I have a class with jetBlue and I wasn't asked about the type in my interview. I don't think they care. Did I get the interview because of the type? who knows. I'm sure it looked better on my resume, don't you think?
I suggest HPA if you decide to do it. Awesome operation! I also split my ground and sim a couple of weeks apart. I had more time to prepare for the sim. It all depends on your preference. Good luck!

 

[CF34-3B1]

I have 3 (former) co workers who got the type, interviewed but were not successful at SWA, and were subsequently hired at other majors.

For me it was a no brainer. SWA was the one place I really wanted to work. If having the type hurt my chances at other airlines, so be it, since they weren't my first choice anyway.

And remember some of us DO get hired the first time around. Focus on getting hired, not on what to do if you get turned down. Glass half full kinda thing.

Just my opinion, worth what you paid for it.

Best of luck.

 

[propjob27]

I wouldn't say it is anything close to a "career ender", especially if you are halfway decent at explaing yourself out of things.

I got my 737 type in June, and was turned down by SWA. However, after getting the type, I got interview calls from AirTran and Continental. I went to the Continental interview first and was successful, so I didn't get to "test" the AirTran process.

But at CAL, they did ask me "So you have a 737 type raiting?" (I went to the interview with my temp, so it was pretty obvious that I got it recently too). You can explain it away without too much trouble. "Yes sir, I have a 737 type. I was furloughed at the time so the Illinois WIA program paid for most of it and I viewed it simply as a "sim prep" for upcoming interviews, to keep me current, and keep my head in the aviation game, etc"

If you were military only, you can throw that out there too as an explanation. "Coming from a military background, I got a 737 type to familiarize myself with civilian transport category aircraft, and since the 737 is the USA's most popular fleet type, I figured that was the one to get. etc.."

In other words, you can explain pretty much anything away, as long as you can tell a story with a straight face and w/o looking nervous. If you can't do that, you aren't going to get hired anyway.

 

[bafanguy]

Seems like propjob27 said it very well. Having a rating in an airline airplane ( yes, I know some corps fly them ) can't hurt your chances getting hired at an airline. It just shows you were motivated enough to do that to get an airline job.


However, as a casual observer of the corporate aviation scene...and having learned everything I think I know about that on this forum, showing airline tendencies ( aka type rating in an airline airplane but not having flown it for an airline, i.e., you must have bought the rating in the attempt to fly for an airline ) MAY not play well in that arena. But, you can probably explain that away also if you're creative enough.

If SWA is where you want to work, and you've got the $$$, go for it. You can't win if you don't enter. Good luck whatever you decide.

P.S. You can have my 737 rating if you want it.

 

[puddlejumper101]

i know of two people at my company who had types, interviewed with SWA, got turned down, and are now with UPS...doesn't sound like it did much damage to them

 

[HoursHore]

Many people hired at FedEx who had the type. Very Easy to explain.

 

[Caboclo]

If you're really nervous about it, get a copy of your license before you get the type rating; then show the old one to CAL.

 

[jws717]

Thats a bad idea, ever heard of the background check on your certificate? it is called PRIA ( pilot records improvement act ). they will know you gave them a void certificate.

 

[viper548]

If you're that concerned about it, tell them you won the type by attending an airinc job fair or something like that.

 

[SWA/FO]

Why would anyone fault anyone for trying to get a job? There is nothing wrong with trying to get a job....anywhere.

I do think people tend to think of the negative side of things. "All that money and if they don't hire me"...etc...

Life is about taking chances.

I would rather take a shot at it then wonder the rest of my life what would have happened if I had done (fill in the blank) it.

 

[inthewind]

Why not try with the truth. ' Southwest has been hiring for a while, so I got the type. As soon as I found out that CAL was hiring I couldn't wait to apply for new dream job' or something to that effect.

 

[pkober]

I was never even asked about mine at the CAL interview. They hired me with the type.

What ever you do, don't try to hide the fact that you have the type. That would sink you in an interview really fast.

Good Luck

CLAMBAKE

 

[Dolomite1and2]

qxdash8,
SWA/FO nailed it. I got my 73 type in hopes of getting hired at SWA but a lot of other doors opened up while waiting for the PD to call. I was fortunate enough to learn that an old friend was flying for FedEx and he agreed to sponsor me. When I met the ACP in Memphis, I had 737 on my certificate and resume/cover sheet. He never asked me about it. I’m delighted to say that I was too ignorant to second guess every step I made during the job-search prep (I did my share of that too, but not to that extent) because I probably would have convinced myself not to contact Higher Power Aviation and get the type. I was selected to continue at SWA’s July decision board AND was granted an interview at FedEx despite that 737 wart on my certificate. Best of luck to you.

 

[LR25]

Seems like propjob27 said it very well. Having a rating in an airline airplane ( yes, I know some corps fly them ) can't hurt your chances getting hired at an airline. It just shows you were motivated enough to do that to get an airline job.

Or motivated enough to sell yourself out.

Face it, why was SWA at the Miami career fair. The line went around the building. Is there really a deficit of people either in the pool or being interviewed? He!! no, its a simple business venture, give as many people the notion that they will be hired by SWA, and in turn Aeroservice sells hundreds of type ratings at reduced cost.

Gee, I need to buy a 737 sim and quit this flying gig.

Anybody want to go in?

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Wouldn't it be interesting if people stopped buying their type's and SWA only had a pool of non typed applicant's to choose from.

I know this scenario will never play out, but it seems regretfully too many good people are buying their type merely to get the interview and are summarily rejected-a shame, a lot of great guys lately getting the letter instead of the call.

 

[FN FAL]

Wouldn't it be interesting if people stopped buying their type's and SWA only had a pool of non typed applicant's to choose from.

I know this scenario will never play out, but it seems regretfully too many good people are buying their type merely to get the interview and are summarily rejected-a shame, a lot of great guys lately getting the letter instead of the call.

Did you see all the "but at least I got what was behind door #2" responses.

 

[FN FAL]

You can explain it away without too much trouble. "Yes sir, I have a 737 type. I was furloughed at the time so the Illinois WIA program paid for most of it and I viewed it simply as a "sim prep" for upcoming interviews, to keep me current, and keep my head in the aviation game, etc".

Don't take it personal, but I hope all you "free money" people get what you deserve.

 

[UALjan15]

.....You can explain it away without too much trouble. "Yes sir, I have a 737 type. I was furloughed at the time so the Illinois WIA program paid for most of it and I viewed it simply as a "sim prep" for upcoming interviews, to keep me current, and keep my head in the aviation game, etc"

If you were military only, you can throw that out there too as an explanation. "Coming from a military background, I got a 737 type to familiarize myself with civilian transport category aircraft, and since the 737 is the USA's most popular fleet type, I figured that was the one to get. etc.."

In other words, you can explain pretty much anything away, as long as you can tell a story with a straight face and w/o looking nervous. If you can't do that, you aren't going to get hired anyway.

Sorry propjob, but this is some terrible advice! Both of the examples you gave were so transparent that any interviewer that wasn't on his first day on the job will see right through those stories.

Instead, I would choose a slant where you acknowledge that you went after SWA...and for good reason (they are hiring record numbers, you met their quals, and you want the best chance for a solid job in this shaky industry). Don't dwell on it--where you need to concentrate is convincing the interviewer that you want to work for their company even more than SWA. I had the opportunity to explain this very situation in my AWA interview last year, and this is pretty much how I handled it.

 

['72Gremlin]

If you're that concerned about it, tell them you won the type by attending an airinc job fair or something like that.

Viper, I don't think this is the best advice.

For every few stories I've heard about people getting hired at different majors (other than SWA) "with" the type, I've heard 1 or 2 stories about those who didn't get hired, maybe because of it. Bottom line: be prepared to answer the question at an interview. It may or may not come up. But it would be interview suicide to walk into an interview without having a well-thought out, truthfull answer prepared. As far as to get the type, or not get the type? If SWA is among the top 3 airlines you want to work for, which it sounds like it is, get it. Otherwise, that door shall remained closed to you.

Besides, I'm sure the $7000 is somehow tax deductible.

 

[pkober]

Don't take it personal, but I hope all you "free money" people get what you deserve.

What the ......

Why all the hate toward WIA people? We just happened to be lucky enough to get furloughed.

CLAMBAKE

 

[Deuce130]

If you're that concerned about it, tell them you won the type by attending an airinc job fair or something like that.

Could be the worst interview advice I have ever heard. Never lie during the interview. I've never heard of the 737 type hurting anyone. I think the only major out there that people have been talking about this problem is with Fedex. It's not a problem with Fedex. Either way, tell the truth and you'll come out a whole lot better than by making up some BS.

 

[Juvat]

Good grief! Don't lie!

I wouldn't say it is anything close to a "career ender", especially if you are halfway decent at explaing yourself out of things.

I got my 737 type in June, and was turned down by SWA. However, after getting the type, I got interview calls from AirTran and Continental. I went to the Continental interview first and was successful, so I didn't get to "test" the AirTran process.

But at CAL, they did ask me "So you have a 737 type raiting?" (I went to the interview with my temp, so it was pretty obvious that I got it recently too). You can explain it away without too much trouble. "Yes sir, I have a 737 type. I was furloughed at the time so the Illinois WIA program paid for most of it and I viewed it simply as a "sim prep" for upcoming interviews, to keep me current, and keep my head in the aviation game, etc"

If you were military only, you can throw that out there too as an explanation. "Coming from a military background, I got a 737 type to familiarize myself with civilian transport category aircraft, and since the 737 is the USA's most popular fleet type, I figured that was the one to get. etc.."

In other words, you can explain pretty much anything away, as long as you can tell a story with a straight face and w/o looking nervous. If you can't do that, you aren't going to get hired anyway.

Oh this is classic. You're giving advice on how to bull$hit the interviewer, rather than just tell the truth. Have you ever heard the saying: "you can't shine a turd"? The best interview "technique" is to be yourself, answer the question straight, and don't give jack-off answers like the one's you're espousing here. My guess is that if an airline heard this kind of baloney, they would check the box next to "this guy is a tool" on the interviewer form.

 

[Juvat]

To continue with your flawed logic...

Wouldn't it be interesting if people stopped buying their type's and SWA only had a pool of non typed applicant's to choose from.

I know this scenario will never play out, but it seems regretfully too many good people are buying their type merely to get the interview and are summarily rejected-a shame, a lot of great guys lately getting the letter instead of the call.

...and wouldn't it be interesting if people stopped going to FBOs to "buy" their private pilot licenses. After a few years there would be no new pilots in the world, and SWA would have to start hiring shoe clerks from Payless Shoes.

Give me a break.

 

[Juvat]

I know that to get an interview at SWA, you really need to have the type these days. So you go out and spend the 7 g's on the type rating and then like the majority of others that have tried it, you dont make it through the DB. So now you want to interview at some other airlines. Is having the trype really going to hurt your chances? Does anyone out there have any experience with trying to get hired at an airline, other than SW, with the 737 type?

As you may have gussed, I'm trying to decide if I want to take the chance. I would really like to work for SWA, and paying for the type is worth it for me (yes, I know, PFT...big risk, etc.). However, if like the other 70-80%, I dont get hired, I would still like to have some other options.

To answer your question bluntly: if you want to fly for SWA, you have to get the type rating. If you don't want to fly for SWA, then don't bother. This ain't rocket science.

If you don't get hired by SWA on the first try, then sure, you're going to go interview with other airlines. Just be honest with them. Tell your own individual story and don't make up some pack of lies to try to put lipstick and rouge on your life story.

At the end of the day, extra training and qualifications can never hurt you. The only thing that will hurt you in an interview is your mouth. If you pop off with some of the stupidity that's been offered in this thread, then you'll reap what you sow.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

Don't lie about anything in an airline interview -- don't obfuscate, don't slant the truth, DO NOT IN ANY WAY TRY TO DECEIVE YOUR INTERVIEWER! It almost never works. Just be truthful.

There is no shame in applying to or interviewing with more than one airline -- everyone should understand that. Just explain truthfully that you were interested in working for SWA -- they are one of the very few airlines that have been hiring fairly consistently over the past few years. Any reasonable person in this industry would surely understand that.

I had a type, and was already in the pool at SWA when I interviewed at JetBlue. Not only was it not an issue, it did not even come up in the interview.

So, based on my story -- and those of many other respondents in this thread -- obviously having a 737 type without experience in type does not necessarily hurt your employability with other carriers. In fact, it never would have entered my mind had you not asked the question.

On another note, FN FAL, what exactly do I deserve for using WIA money to get my 737 type?

Originally posted by FN FAL:
I hope all you "free money" people get what you deserve.

 

[mdanno808]

What the ......

Why all the hate toward WIA people? We just happened to be lucky enough to get furloughed.

CLAMBAKE

Yeah, WTF?

 

[SWA/FO]

This is what you say in an interview... It kinda like going to college, you apply and shoot for Harvard (SWA) and hope to be accepted but if you don't get accepted, you're still planning to go to college somewhere.

 

[:-)]

Howz about this for an explanation?

"I obtained a 737 type rating in the middle 90's. At the time, I wasn't qualified, (no degree, low jet time, etc) to get an interview with any of our Flag carriers, so I got the 737 rating hoping to better my chances to get a job that I could use as a stepping stone for one of the said Flag carriers. In other words, at the time, SWA was my best chance for a job flying anthing other than RJ's, so I did what I could to get qualified for a SWA interview.

That was then this is now, today I'm finally qualified to interview at an airline that was unobtainable when I got the 737 rating. Mr. interviewer, I sit before you today asking you for a position with your carrier, I trust that you understand career progression and timing. My 737 rating is nothing more than the remainder of a ten year old, now obselete, career plan."

Now, if I could only afford to work for Continental first year wages, I might apply;-0