Competitive at SWA: ME Piston VS SE Tur

[MLBWINGBORN]

Fact..
The 1000 PIC Turbine is met anytime you were operating as PIC of a Turbine aircraft..

It does not say anything nor have i heard anyone discussing anything with regard to single versus multi or fighter versus C-208..

1000 PIC turbine in anything counts...

And yes..There are a number of C-208 drivers that have been hired here..

Mike

 

[46Driver]

When you get down to the fine print, I believe that "1000 PIC turbine in anything counts" is incorrect - I know all too well that Southwest specifically excludes turbine helicopter time.

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

I stand corrected due to the fact that i didnt include the rotory wing issue in my post..

Since we were clearly talking fixed wing aircraft in the previous posts I thought that it was understood we were still talking fixed wing..

Mike..

 

[enigma]

When you get down to the fine print, I believe that "1000 PIC turbine in anything counts" is incorrect - I know all too well that Southwest specifically excludes turbine helicopter time.

Great point 46driver. The absolute best Captain I ever flew with was a Navy trained helo pilot, the next best is an AF helo/C130 pilot. If SWA excludes their helo time, it doesn't make sense to include single pilot, low performance, low altitude, low speed, low complexity Caravan time.

Mike, You are obviously the man as far as SWA info. I do not doubt you if you say that there are C 208 drivers at SWA, but I have to ask this: was the Caravan their only turbine experience and if so, what percentage of SWA new hires they comprise?

Remember, my answer was not intended to denigrate C208 pilots, only to try and help a bunch of Caravan drivers from developing unrealistic expectations. You may know of one onehundreth of one percent of your fellow pilots who came straight from Caravans, but I have a friend (SWA Captain who interviews and has for around ten years, who must remain nameless) who told me a long time ago that taking job flying caravans with Martinaire would not help me get on with SWA because the Caravan time was essentially worthless. At the time, I was a fairly high time Lear FO, who was a little short on turbine PIC.

Once again, I'm just trying to remain realistic.

regards,
enigma

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

SWerpipe..

After having read your lengthy post several times, ive decided that it is either a very poor attempt at humor or nothing more than flame bait..

If its the latter then you got me..You made me sit up and take notice and really pissed me off..

It has been my personal experience that the best pilots, generally with very few exceptons, have been those with great attitudes..

Yours is one that clearly needs some adjustment..

If your post was one of attempted humor..

While developing your super human skills as a poster..It may be better next time to attempt a single bound over the family dog house as opposed to the nearest verbally tall building in public..

Its not as embarrassing when you fall flat on your a$$..

Mike

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Mike,
Excellent analogy on 'El Captano Pipo.

Well said, well said.

 

[jergar999]

Anyone know the difference between a 121 driver and his jet?

The jet stops whining at the gate.

GO 135! (Until I get a 121 job)

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Enigma as well as others..

The post clearly started off with a question..
My understanding of the question was to either stay at a piston twin job or take a turbine job...

Never turn down a turbine job if the other choice is a piston job..
Dahhh!!!If you have the SWA mins met..Take the job you like that pays the bills..

Now the second part of the question... Does C-208 time count towards the BASIC 1000 PIC turbine requirments at SWA?

The answer is YES...Period..Only flight time in fixed wing aircraft is counted towards your flight time totals in order to meet the mins..

After those two issues were discussed the post has gone down the path of splitting hairs..
I will now attempt some hair repair and apply large amounts of conditioner..

AFTER you have met the BASIC requirments for an INTERVIEW at SWA..

It is my understanding that all aspects of your aviation background is considered in the process and weighted...How this is done is super secret stuff. But in general it is on a point system..

A good example would be one of my class mates..He was for the vast majority of his flying a AH-64 pilot and IP..During the later stages of his stay in the Army he started flying King Airs..

If you discount his background in the AH-64 you would be throwing away nearly 20 years of background..If you only counted his King Air time he wouldnt really be very "competetive" but he would still have met the BASIC requirments to get an INTERVIEW..

After that..It comes down to the person that walks thru the doors of the PD in Dallas on the day of the interview..The interview is still the most highly weighted part of the process..

The basic requirments are mins needed to get the interview..In the past all those that met the mins got the call to interview..

One last note about the original question..

IMHO working as a single engine turbine driver can more easily lead to a multi engine turbine job than say a light piston twin..

Its all about where you are..where you want to get to..And what are the requirments to get there..

Every postion you may wish to apply for in the future may dictate what path is required to reach your goal..

If your goal is to work for SWA..The requirments are very simple and straight forward..

Meet the mins to get the interview..

Do well on the interview..

Have a personal history that would indicate to everyone that you are a person that would fit into the SWA family..

Have a good background in aviation that shows lots of experiences...

And in general..Be a nice person..

Mike

 

[wil]

I guess that was a swipe at my post. I would never put down 135 as that was my background after instructing and before ASA. It just seems to me that given how many qualified people are looking for work you would want to be as competitive as possible and I think since SWA is 121 you might look better coming from that background.

 

[LJDRVR]

SWERPIPE, Dude, I loved the tounge in cheek response.

Wil,

I've encountered attitudes like yours before sir, usually from someone who desperately wants to believe that somehow their arbitrary career choices and imagined qualifications give them the edge over others. I suppose that's human nature. Do you REALLY believe a lack of 121 time will really make an otherwise qualified person a less attractive prospect, especially to an airline like SW? Like Mike says, its your attitude once you're through the door that gets you hired. There are few absolutes when it comes to hiring. Someone mentioned before that they were told to stay away from Martinaire. If that's sound advice, then how is it there are at least 4 MRA pilots I personally know of flying at SW? Three of whom went directly from Martinaire.

Save your breath dude. If you're going to dole out advice, then do so constructively, as opposed to attempting to build yourself up at the expense of someone whose capabilities you are completely unaware of.

Warmest Regards,

 

[Swerpipe]

I was kidding, of course

wil,

I know you see where I am coming from. I think good attitude makes good pilots, everything else is not as important. What makes you competitive is who you are, nothing else. I was being sarcastic at your labeling of competitiveness with the Part whatever or branch of the military. I was just having fun. Please don't take the me seriously. No offense wil ,please forgive me.
Part 135 drivers: I am not offending you since I am one of you....

 

[enigma]

Someone mentioned before that they were told to stay away from Martinaire. If that's sound advice, then how is it there are at least 4 MRA pilots I personally know of flying at SW? Three of whom went directly from Martinaire.

I mentioned that a SWA interviewer told me to avoid the Martinaire Caravan job. I can only say what Iwas told and stand on my reputation.

Did the Martinaire pilots have any turbine PIC aside from the Caravan? Did they also fly the metro?

An exception can be found for every rule. I don't intend to say that no Caravan (only caravan as PIC) pilot has ever gotten hired by SWA. I am saying that it is very rare, and advising that pilots who have only caravan PIC not get their hopes up. This business can be very tough, and unrealistic expectations can make it even more tough.

regards,
enigma

 

[RJones]

Ah, I was going to say something about SWerpipe's post but he's pissed me off so bad!

 

[jea]

single pt6

captain pipe- Im a pt 91 pilot and if you think its difficult to taxi in PHX I hope I never ride on your plane. Back to the single turbine -How about a meridian? Its pressurized, 260 true at FL290, single pt6. Granted its not an F-16 but we are able to fly sids, stars and comply with most atc requests- pretty good operational experience.

 

[wil]

LJDRVR- Where are you getting the "holy than thou" tone from my post? It is strictly my opinion. We all attack each other on this board and yet I'm willing to bet we would all get along over a couple of pints! I'm off to the pub (one more day off and the wife is at work!). Cheers- Wil