Advice re SW

[matchthehatch]

Any advice would be appreciated, and before someone tells me to do a search - I have and am still in a bit of a quandry. Here's the scenario:

I have 950 hours of turbine PIC time, unless you count the 300 or so hours of time I have if you consider the following taken off of the SW web site:

Southwest Airlines further allows logging of PIC as follows: For an aircraft requiring a type rating: If both pilots are type rated, the pilot in the left seat and sole manipulator of the controls may log PIC.

However, I have decided that the best approach is to consider that time as strictly SIC and that I will do whatever it takes to find a job to boost my "real" PIC time.

It appears from reading the numerous threads that SW will call those qualified pilots for an interview (if one is going to get a call in the first place) very shortly after obtaining a 737 type. That being said, am I better off getting the 1000 hours (and then some) prior to getting typed, or is there really not a difference? I like the idea of being qualified when I walk out of the sim following my checkride and especially when meeting people from Southwest's PD at Higher Power.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful insight. After being down on aviation for so long following my furlough, I feel renewed excitement when thinking of a possibility of a career as Southwest.

 

[RJones]

Personally, I'd get the 1000hrs PIC Turbine, the type, and then submit ... and I'd do it as fast as possible. I have a buddy who starts on Monday the 10th and he told me 780 new hires this year. If you don't already know it, seniority is everything and the quicker the better.

RJ

 

[OffHot]

Which ever way you can do it the quickest. Mean time between application and interview is decreasing rapidly. The ATA folks will use some of the interview slots over the coming months, but like you they must meet the minimum requirements. Good luck.

 

[Swerpipe]

My opinion

Hey match,

I would continue to do whatever is in my power. I am not sure what the value of waiting for your type rating would be. I got typed 3 years ago, even before I had the 1k pic turbine. App in Aug, '02. I am at 2300 pic now and waiting for the call but the point is that I have done everything in my power at every stage of the game. My actions are the only things I can control. Getting the type now as opposed to 3 years ago would not have expedited the CALL now, I'm sure. I have met over time some of the PD folks (over 4 1/2 years ago) and they know who I am and I'll continue to let them know that I am dead serious about coming over to be part of SWA. Do you know what the PD folks tell me privately? "hang in there, your time will come..." and they have said it for a while and it's true.

The competition is brutal to put it mildly. Folks visiting this board often express their frustration at waiting for the call but collectively, we can not overlook the fact that there are numerous over-qualified pilots, submitting their apps weekly, who are aspiring to be at SWA. Some of these pilots are at the front of line the second they submit their app. How long you have waited or been wanting the job does not matter, just a taste of the real World. As long as you understand that, you will not get frustrated. Others are graduating from type rating schools boosting their quals and moving further to the front of the line. You could very well get the type the 50 hours, submit your app and then have to wait for a while, there are no guarantees...
As far of the 300 hours, I am sure that if you were not "designated or considered" the PIC then you can not count it regardless of where you sat but ask the PD. Get the type, get turbine pic and go to AirInc or any informal meetings they may host to continue to let them know you want to be there. Above all don't lose your hope and good luck.