737 type going away?

[RedC5Guy]

Hey Folks!

Viscious rumor circulating that SWA will announce that the type requirement will be dropped completely in the next two weeks. Supposedly was decided on at a CP meeting. Has anyone heard about this? Also, if it is true could this be the clue that a second aircraft type will be showing up in DAL? I'm bumming because I'm in the middle of my 737 type right now! If the requirement is dropped I sure hope the type is worth lots of bonus points!

Red

 

[knelson]

Don't worry

It doesn't matter whether they require it or not if you have it. I don't think any person can ever have too much education. The 73 type is good training no matter what you are doing and in the big picture of all your training, it's not that big of a cost. As far as the other airframe, no idea, but I doubt it.

Good luck with your training,

Kevin

 

[na265]

First I have heard about dropping the type. Channel 2 News here in HOU ran on their ticker across the bottom of the screen that SWA was looking a second aircraft type. The news never ran a story on it though.

 

[SWAdude]

If the requirement for a type is dropped, the Type will give you more points in the application process and will result in at least a sooner interview.

Dude

 

[na265]

A friend of mine said he was putting in an app, and was told SWA was not accepting any right now. Anyone in the "know" have an ideas when SWA will open the app process?

 

[B190Captain]

2004 I heard

 

[chase]

Type & 2nd Aircraft Comment

I don't believe SWA will delete the type for employment anytime soon. There isn't a type required for applying but the current requirement is to have it completed within 6 months of being notified of being accepted for employment. The pool of candidates is sufficient to justify this requirement in my opinion & with this aspect being a long historical requirement, I don't believe they will drop that requirement anytime soon but I could be wrong of course.

As for 2nd aircraft type, the recent articles are generated primarily because of Jim Parker's constant matra after each quarterly report or aviation analyst meeting when a reporter asks, "will SWA entertain thoughts of a regional aircraft?" His reply is nearly always the same, "yes we'll always look at the financial viability of it..." This does several things:

1. Keeps Boeing on their toes in hopes of them never taking SWA for granted when it comes to aircraft purchases. SWA has a great relationship with Boeing but it is still two businesses negotiating the best deal possible based upon individual interests.

2. It keeps the competitors guessing on what SWA will do. While SWA's business plan is well known & has been copied (attempts too anyway), SWA prides itself on looking at things inside & outside the box. To say SWA would NEVER consider other options to make money with a 2nd aircraft would be unwise I believe. There maybe business plans out there that MIGHT allow continued profitability, growth & job security for all current SWA employees, who knows & SWA would be foolish to not encourage folks to think of ways this could occur. Obviously so far they haven't seen a business plan that would work but to say there isn't one out there that would satisfy all players (unions, management, shareholders, employees, etc) would be premature I think.

Just one FO's opinion.

 

[737tanker]

The application window will open when the People Dept has complted the process for online applications & those with applications on file have been given the opportunity to complete their online application. Once that is done then they will open the window to others. A Chief Pilot told me that once SWA opens the application window via the online process it will not be closed. Just no exact date when all this will happen.

 

[na265]

Chase and 737tanker, thanks for the reply. Always great insight.

 

[StarrBuck]

I doubt that the type requirement will go away for two major reasons. First, they have plenty of resume's on file right now, and when the window opens, i'm sure they will be flooded with online apps.. All of these folks have demonstrated their willingness to obtain the type rating on their own accord.. Secondly, the SWA training system is based upon newhires being typed upon entry. If the applicants were not typed, the training process would need to be changed (lengthened). More training, more expense.. I don't see them spending money on something that is not needed.. Oh yeah, one more, which doesn't make much sense is the old "We've done it that way for 30 years, and we're gonna contine doing it that way..".. Evidently there are some people who feel that since they had to pay for the type rating, that everyone should.. I have not met anyone with that opinion yet though..

Although, stranger things have happened!!!

 

[SWAdude]

Starrbuck,

The training would not increase at all. The only difference between a type and an fo checkout is a rejected takeoff and an aborted engine start. Both covered in upgrade training.

There also must be an FAA observer on the captain checkride, something that could be done by some of our check airmen by becoming a designee. There were a number of Morris pilots that did not have their type when we aquired them. It wasn't that big of a deal to get them typed when they went through upgrade.

I agree though that the type will always be a requirement to get hired.

To be interviewed though I could see that being dropped.

Dude

 

[737tanker]

According to 1 of the asst. Chief in BWI if we did SWA did away with the type it would add about 80 hours to the new hire training. Also SWA saves a lot on insurance by having both piolts typed. So I don't see the type going away. It just won't be required for an interview.

 

[SWAdude]

737tanker

That plainly is not true. There are no requirements of such to go through our initial training. Proof are the Morris pilots. One was my sim partner in initial and there was no difference between his or any other pilots training. Many of the Morris pilots did not have types. The only difference is the FAA observing their sim checkrides when they upgraded.

As for the insurance premiums, there is no break for two typed pilots plain and simple. That comes directly from Jim Wimberly. The reason for having the type is and always has been for the company to see that a pilot pocesses the skills required to be a captain. And it works. Since I have been here I personally have not heard of anyone failing upgrade and losing their job.

Dude

 

[737tanker]

I'm just saying what one of the asst chiefs told us in the lounge & he said that is what Greg Crum told them at the last Chief Pilot meeting in DAL.

 

[Dennis Miller]

I'm just saying what one of the asst chiefs told us

You flew the DO-228, I doubt you can hear anything

 

[jhill]

<<That plainly is not true. There are no requirements of such to go through our initial training. Proof are the Morris pilots.>>

What the training program consist of is dictated by 8400.10 (Inspectors Handbook) and the FSB report for the aircraft. Our POI will approve programs based on those documents and the experience of the pilots involved. All the Morris guys had 737 experience under 121 which makes all the difference when it comes to abbreviated training programs such as ours. I assure you our program would have to be expended greatly to bring in non-typed new hires.

 

[enigma]

bump, I just couldn't stand to see Allimas having so many consecutive replies.



engima