How to get in to SWA from regionals?

[BaronPIC]

My question to anyone familiar with hiring practices at Southwest:

What TT does Southwest look for when hiring pilots from regionals? Does flying an RJ look better than turboprops, or does plain turbine PIC time look the same, regardless of type? Reason I ask was that I talked to an SWA Capt the other day and he mentioned they'll take lower time guys from the military (he is an ex-Marine.) If you're from a regional, expect TT to be 5000+, according to him.

I'm hopefully going to a regional in 6 months or so w/ the ultimate goal of Southwest several years down the road. I have connections at some of the so-called bottom feeders on the regional list. Upgrade time is important, but not the only factor, obviously.

If anyone would be so kinda as to shed some light on me, I'd GREATLY appeciate it. Also, does it matter WHO you've flown for when interviewing at SWA? Thanks much!

Cheers,
BARON

 

[swahopeful]

SWA loves regional pilots and hires tons of turboprop only guys. What they are looking for is as much PIC time in ANY type of turbine aircraft and anything that shows you have been a leader at your airline... for example being a check airman, CRM instructor, sim instructor etc. Go above and beyond in anything you do and you'll get your interview sooner than later. Good luck!

 

[turn&pull]

I am a regional airline Check-airman who interviewed for my second time back in May. I haven't gotten the job offer yet but it is looking good for an October or November class date.

SWA hires based on the overall experience of the individual. A military pilot with a few years of command experience and maybe even some check-airman time will most likely only have about 2500hrs where a regional Captain/check-airman will probably have more like 5-6000 hrs. The job responsibilities, the years worked, and the overall experience gained are probably similar.

My advice would be to get a job at a regional airline that will hire you. Once there, work hard, keep your attitude good, take the first available captain seat and most of all enjoy it. Your time at SWA or another major airline will come in due time. Also if opportunities to expand your experience such as becoming a check-airman or an instructor become available, take them. Its all about the overall experience level.

 

[mach zero]

Ditto what Swahopeful said with one exception. I would not recommend becoming a sim instructor. Sim time is not recognized as flight time. In my observations, SWA wants pilots from commuters to have lots of line experience not sim time. The best you can do is upgrade to CA then become a Line Check Airman so you are still building TPIC flight time while holding an Instructor / Evaluator position.

Avoid commuters that have longer than average upgrade times! RJ F/O time does not do you any good. Good luck.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

I'd be curious to know what a longer than average upgrade post 9/11 is? Just about every regional out there has had their times to upgrade double over the past few years. At my airline, I finished taking my type ride on 9/10/01 and held on to my Captain's seat for a whole 2 months before going back to the right seat for the next 3 years. Just got back to the left seat again, but just pointing out that the 6-12 month upgrades just don't exist at most airlines anymore. And, if they do, it is usually because of abnormally high turnover.

 

[ALSF 2]

I would agree with SWAHOPEFUL's post. It seems as of late they are picking up anyone with Turbine PIC (prop or jet) and some type of instuctor/leadership role at the 121 level. At my regional (which is all turboprop), All the guys and girls being called have a couple things in commom;

1. They all have the type
2. They all had been in some position other than just a line pilot (i.e. CRM inst., Check airman, gnd. inst, etc...)

And these people are being called FAST! (like 3 days after getting the type!!)

As of now it seems that's what SWA is looking for. That may change next week, but right now guys/girls are flying out the door with the above items.

Cheers!

 

[mach zero]

I'd be curious to know what a longer than average upgrade post 9/11 is? Just about every regional out there has had their times to upgrade double over the past few years. At my airline, I finished taking my type ride on 9/10/01 and held on to my Captain's seat for a whole 2 months before going back to the right seat for the next 3 years. Just got back to the left seat again, but just pointing out that the 6-12 month upgrades just don't exist at most airlines anymore. And, if they do, it is usually because of abnormally high turnover.

I would consider sitting 4 years or more at a commuter a longer than average upgrade time. There are some carriers out there with shorter than average upgrade times but may only operate T-Props or pay really low. This is still desirable IMHO because you can get the desired TPIC faster. Remember once you upgrade it will still take another 2 years or so to get that 1000 hours.

 

[BaronPIC]

Thanks a lot, guys! Great insight and good input and has shaped my outlook a little more! I'm certainly looking to do more than just fly a line when I get to a regional (i.e. line check airman, etc.) Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be asking more questions in the near future!

Cheers,
Baron

 

[captain caveman]

Aha, The great dilemna. Contribute to lowering the bar by taking a 121 job with poor compensation or take the same job in hopes of bettering one's self at a future time.

 

[Lear70]

The trend I've been seeing at Pinnacle for interview calls seems to be similar to what ALSF-2 said:

Total time over 4,000
B737 Type
High Turbine PIC regardless of whether the majority is T.P. or Jet.

Here, it's been a mix of line guys and check airmen, doesn't seem to weigh heavily on either side.
Also haven't seen that "short time period" between type and call... most of the guys and gals I talk to have had the type since '01 or '02 and have been applying for a while.

Good luck to all...

 

[johnny taliban]

Part 135???

Hi to all,

do any of you guys/gals know of any Part 135 drivers that have been getting the call? Just curious because unless a Part 135 driver happens to be the chief pilot, there isnt much opportunity to gain experience on the training side of the industry or assume any sort of leadership role. I would imagine the same is true for Part 91 folks as well.

johnny

 

[SWA GUY]

Johnny,

Don't worry WN will take regular 135 schlubs, they took me and I was a regular line-swine at a 121 carrier.

 

[farmboy]

Thanks a lot, guys! Great insight and good input and has shaped my outlook a little more! I'm certainly looking to do more than just fly a line when I get to a regional (i.e. line check airman, etc.) Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be asking more questions in the near future!

Cheers,
Baron

turbine pic is a must. go to a regional/commuter where you will upgrade fast. there are a few left. the low pay will reward you later in your career. f/o rj time is not considered other than in your total time and is still valuble but does not count on the application. these small turbo prop airlines will give you experience that is PRICELESS, and this experience is what swa loves. (no auto pilot, no radar vectors to the approach, throw a few bags to get out on time. fuel/de-ice the aircraft yourself if you have to,.. i.e.. you do what it takes to accomplish the mission) ect...they know this at swa and they expect their employees to live by it also. i interviewed at airtran, emery, twa, cal, awa, ual and finally swa, was hired by all. did not get the interviews because i "knew" someone but because i had turbine pic time and i worked my but off and they (swa) knew it from my experience and log books. i worked at a small commuter to begin with, upgraded fast and built 2k-3k turbine pic in 2 to 3 years. went to a major, then another, furloughed, then found 2 full time flying jobs, again building pic turbine time. swa saw that i flew almost 1k hours a year, every year, since the start,(swa will look at how much you fly every year). good luck....

 

[johnny taliban]

schlubs only?

SWA GUY,

I dont really fit the discription of a "schlub". Im more of a "SMUCK" then a "schlub". Should I be concerned?

Johnny

 

[SWA GUY]

Johhny,

Don't underestimate yourself.....you're a tremendous schlub!

B-b-b-b-buy B-b-b-ushwood!!! Never!!!!!

 

[johnny taliban]

SWA GUY,

thanks for those inspiring words. When I get down or a little discouraged I just have to remember those famous words by BLUTO, "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor??!!!"

 

[SWA GUY]

Johnny,

Get a job at WN, we'll get along juuuuust fine.


One genuine rabbit's foot.
One Hari Cari knife, pass it around boys one of you may find a use for it. One box of delicious, nutritious, caramel-coated popper jacks. Betcha gonna bomb John Wayne's house ain't ya!
(Slim Pickens, 1941).