How long for a SWA interview call?

[VAPOR]

my understanding of the 1,000 PIC requirement is for insurance

 

[jwes]

I liked the beginning of this post where people chimed in about their flying experience and how long they've been waiting to hear from SW. Lets hear about that some more. It kinda makes me feel like I'm not the only ugly duckling out there. The other part (who's better military or civi) is just stupid
So keep it coming stay on track.

 

[JumpJetter]

I liked the beginning of this post where people chimed in about their flying experience and how long they've been waiting to hear from SW. Lets hear about that some more. It kinda makes me feel like I'm not the only ugly duckling out there. The other part (who's better military or civi) is just stupid
So keep it coming stay on track.

I agree...stayontarget..

3700TT
1800 PIC T
Mil fighters -> regional T-props -> Major ->furloughed ->Pt 135 Charter
(some how my wife is still with me!)
App and Type in Oct 2004 (didn't have the PIC time yet)

PD told me it's a matter of "throughput". Just can only interview only so many at a time.

Then of course there is the selection rate.....

JJ

 

[eagledoormat]

I interviewed in 1992 originally and it was 1000 pic. A year later, they weren't taking aps. When they started again, it was now 1000 PIC Turbine and I was no longer qualified as I only had 960 PIC turbine and was an FO on a turbo prop for a regional with no upgrade in site. It took me almost 5 more years to get requalified. Well, I was turned down the next time also and have just recently re-interviewed with almost 12000 TT and 2500PIC turbine. Waiting to hear but don't feel good as they aren't checking my refs yet.

 

[LJDRVR]

Type and APP in late 2001, 2200 turbine PIC, the rest on the left. Still patiently and happily waiting.

 

[BMW]

I interviewed in 1992 originally and it was 1000 pic. A year later, they weren't taking aps. When they started again, it was now 1000 PIC Turbine and I was no longer qualified as I only had 960 PIC turbine and was an FO on a turbo prop for a regional with no upgrade in site. It took me almost 5 more years to get requalified. Well, I was turned down the next time also and have just recently re-interviewed with almost 12000 TT and 2500PIC turbine. Waiting to hear but don't feel good as they aren't checking my refs yet.

Don't let the fact that your refs haven't been called get you down. Several guys in my interview group had their refs called and mine were not so I was expecting a letter. They got letters and I got the call, with none of my refs ever being called. No rhyme or reason how they do things, at least I can't figure it out. Keep the faith.

BMW

 

[eagledoormat]

Thanks

Thanks, BMW! You made my Thanksgiving. Maybe...just maybe......

Anyway, thanks and best of luck to all SW hopefuls. It's a great place, and a goal worthy of the wait.

 

[:-)]

To answer the original question. Who the heck knows?

Seriously, if you read the reports of people who got the call, and people who have not yet gotten the call, you'll just pull your hair out, because there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.

 

[shuttlepilot]

7900TT, 3100 pic turbine, checkairman, typed in april 2004, app. in since then. Still waiting...

 

[MADPHOTOGRAPHIC]

FELLAS,

Thought I might share some limited experience with those that are waiting for a call to interview.

I am a Navy pointy nose puke with with some 100 or so hours messing around in light airplanes.

I got Typed @ K&S (great program aka Mike Sturgis) in late May 05.
Online app in June of 05. No call until September of 05. BUT>>>

I called PD and spoke to Kim and Lindsey( Both the best ever) and they took me through my app page by page to make sure it was formatted correctly.

My big mistake was my work history. All I put for employment history was "95 to Present" USN Strike Fighter Aviator. 2400 hours 2000 pic.

They want your employment broken down by each individual command you were in. What did you do there and what were the highlights.

Also breakdown your flying history by each and every aircraft you ever took the controls of. Seriously, being detailed will get you everywhere in this process.

After I spoke with them about my app, I got a call within three weeks for the interview.

Did the interview (amazing place and people), sweated out the 5 weeks waiting for the Letter or Call, finally getting the call to "Continue" the day before Thanksgiving. Whew!!!

I hope this helps in terms of looking over your app and making sure it's correct. Lindsey and Kim were super helpful over the phone but hopefully this post will help others avoid my mistake therby getting you an interview a lot faster. If you're looking for info on my prep or documents feel free to to ask.

Good Luck to all. NEVER GIVE UP!!!

 

[VAPOR]

I've got the time 6500tt, 2600 PIC 121, B-737 typed since Feb 2005
plus a check airman....Met Ryan several times and he says it all looks good, just keep updating. Its the lottery, then you have to pass the interview.
( a two tier lottery)

anyone know how a two tier lottery works (or what it is?)?

 

[JumpJetter]

Perhaps I missed the sarcasim, but the 1000 hour insurance requirement question leads me to believe not.
2 tier lottery = (1) it's hard just to get the interview (the first lottery)
(2) it's hard to get the job (30% selection rate) (the second lottery)

as for the 1000 hours - I'm positive it has nothing to do with insurance. More of a guideline, that by the time you have 1000 hours in turbine airplanes you probably have had some pretty good experience in aviation.

Sorry if you were being sarcastic, if not,....well.....

 

[VAPOR]

no sarcasm, I guess just some aviation lore I heard at some point.

 

[jwes]

Perhaps I missed the sarcasim, but the 1000 hour insurance requirement question leads me to believe not.
2 tier lottery = (1) it's hard just to get the interview (the first lottery)
(2) it's hard to get the job (30% selection rate) (the second lottery)

as for the 1000 hours - I'm positive it has nothing to do with insurance. More of a guideline, that by the time you have 1000 hours in turbine airplanes you probably have had some pretty good experience in aviation.

Sorry if you were being sarcastic, if not,....well.....

Yes it was sarcasim, you hit the nail on the head. Its tough out there.
keep on plugging.

 

[F16TJ]

Staying on target...

I agree...stayontarget..

3700TT
1800 PIC T
Mil fighters -> regional T-props -> Major ->furloughed ->Pt 135 Charter
(some how my wife is still with me!)
App and Type in Oct 2004 (didn't have the PIC time yet)

PD told me it's a matter of "throughput". Just can only interview only so many at a time.

Then of course there is the selection rate.....

JJ

Type in May '05
App on-line on Jun 11, 05
Called to interview Aug 15, 05
Interviewed Sep 21, 05
Call to continue on Oct 17, 05
Indapool on Nov 14, 05

Nov 24, 05--A truly blessed and stress-free Thanksgiving with so much to be thankful for.:beer:

For those waiting...keep the faith and think positive. Oh, and network your arse off!

 

[jwes]

networking?

OK, I have about 4 pilots on my side (RECs in the wings) over at SWA and when you say networking they can't do anything for you until your called for the interview.

I've gone to two Air Inc. conferences handing my updated resume over and keeping the conversation light and pleasant. I also went to a Higher Power get together in NJ not to long ago. So my question is how much more networking is there. Are you guys/girls calling the PD, or emailing everyone and the chief pilot telling them how much you would like to fly for SWA; Because I will start to do that if it helps. My thought was don't over do it ( I think its a little scary to go overboard)

Small rant, I'm better now. Any ideas?

 

[Juvat]

I waited 2 years 6 months after applying (with a type rating!) before I got the call. It was a long wait, but well worth it.

 

[eagledoormat]

That's almost exactly what I waited. Two and a half years. Worth the wait? The jury's out on that. Sooner is always better.

As for networking, from what I've been told there's nothing you can do until called also. If there's a way, I missed it and maybe that's why it took so long.

The only thing I can tell you is to update often. I heard this from several people.

 

[NEDude]

I am curious as to what actually "triggers" the call. Does your name just pop out of the computer during a random selection of all qualified candidates? Do the PD folks have a list of folks they are focusing on and they decide to make the call when certain times are hit?

Just curious because Ryan told me in August that I'd be getting a call in 2-3 months. I have been told by a few people that they don't make time frame pronouncements unless they mean it. But then others here indicate they have been (for lack of a better term) strung along for a few years believing the call is right around the corner.

I am finding out that being told by my target companies that my stuff looks real good and I should be getting a call "soon" is more frustrating than being told that my stuff isn't competative yet.

Reminds me of a horror story from a co-worker about a company he has been trying to get on with for a few years (not SWA). He has met them at AirInc several times. Met the chief pilot a few timesand has half a dozen walk-ins. The recruiters and chief pilot have been telling him for over two year that they are going to get him in for an interview and still no call. The last AirInc conference he went to, the recruiter saw him and actually asked him "why aren't you working for us yet?!" How about calling him in for that interview you've promised him for two years. Still, no call.

Sorry for the rant. The waiting is the hardest part.

 

[shuttlepilot]

Madphotographic, what number did you use to get in touch with the PD? Last time I called all I got was an automated answermachine...