Interview at SWA prior to type rating

[fugghedabowdit]

How often does this actually happen, and what are the driving factors that make it happen? (internal letters of rec, etc.) Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[bluefin]

Good luck..............................................................

 

[canyonblue737]

It *is* rare, in particular right now since the pool is nearly totally dry. Not impossible though, and a percentage (i would guess under 10%) does interview without the type. The weird thing is to me it seems they have nearly identical qualifications to the candidates that do have types, it isn't like they have more time etc. I am sure that being a leader in your line of work, ie. a check airman would go miles to helping your chances to get an interview without a type, but it still would need a bit of luck. I have *never* seen letters of rec. etc. get anyone an interview, only help your chances at a decision board.

 

[AlbieF15]

Good bro of mine got interviewed without the type. Lots of guys on inside pulling for him, and he was "tenatively" hired pending his type.

He chose to go to FedEx, but it was a tough call. He did have family in MEM which certainly contributed to his choice.

 

[spanky2]

In 1999, I interviewed without a 737 type and was hired pending completion of type rating. Different era then.

Today - Go ahead and spend the $$ and get the type.

 

[getonit]

I went to a career fair sponsored by Higher Power and SWA. The SWA recruiter, who did most of the talking, said that 98% of the people getting the interview had the type.

 

[blzr]

Does anyone expect other airlines to adopt this practice of requiring a type for an interview? Seems like it would save on initial training and separate the wheat from the chaff.

 

[ForgedBlade]

Just got called today for a July interview with SWA. No type, but of course ATA helped!

 

[ForgedBlade]

Forget the end of that last post. I just discovered that SWA is no longer giving preferential interviews to ATA guys. Anyway, two of my friends just got hired without the type.

 

[skyy]

just wondering if anybody having problems updating their pilot application with southwest?

 

[Speed]

It's Possible...but will cost you $$$--Play the odds.

Yes it's possible to get the interview and hired (contingent upon the successful completion of your type rating) without many connections. In my interview group of 12 last April, I only know of 5 getting hired and three of us did not have our Type ratings yet. All three of us had a lot of IP/Evaluator/Check Airmen time, so my guess is that helped make the cut--I was not well connected at SWA.

From my personal experience, I had a little over 3,000 hours PIC Turbine Time, 1500+ IP/EP time with an ATP. The other military guy was over 2,000 hours PIC and the civilian guy was high time and a former Chief Pilot for a Regional. I'm not sure how they select who will interview, but from my limited observation...it seems like 1800 hours Turbine PIC and a Type or 2500+ Turbine PIC hours without a Type gets you in the "zone" where you may get a call for an interview (is that fuzzy enough language?).

As an interesting note, I'd only had my application in a couple weeks and had scheduled to get my Type in July at FTI in Denver (when I could get leave from the military), so was totally surprised to get the call for an interview so soon--be prepared as soon as you put the application in.

I was able to move the Type class up a couple of weeks, but it still cost me big seniority and $$ not having the type already (you have to be on property prior to Jan 1 for profit sharing). The other two people who interviewed with me in April started class beginning of August. I got my Type on June 20th and didn't start class until Jan! You get put in the pool on your interview date or type rating date--whichever happens last, so it makes a BIG difference in your seniority if you have to get the Type afterwards. Yes it was nice putting down the money for the Type knowing I had a job, but overall if you're serious about coming here, then I think it's worth playing the odds and making the investment up front (I'm not being a hypocrite...remember, I was scheduled to get my Type rating when I got the call).

Overall, I it's numbers and points driven by the quality of your app rather than who you know to get the interview. SWA is looking for Quality flight time, leadership, demonstration of excelling at past jobs, work ethic, positive attitude, and YOUR LOGBOOK. If you're high "quality" time then you may get the call without the Type. Otherwise, get the type. After you've interviewed, now the internal recommendations can help you. If you hadn't flown with many folks currently with SWA and are shy on the internals--it's not a nail in the coffin, you can still get hired.

Everything positive you've heard about SWA is true...it's worth stacking the deck in your favor, and it'll make a big difference in your seniority (shallow pool date) once you get the job.

Good Luck,
Speed

 

[chase]

Speed,

Excellent advise!!!! You couldn't have made a better case for getting the type early on IF SWA is really where you wish to be. What was most significant about your post but missed by many is the following:

"...so was totally surprised to get the call for an interview so soon--be prepared as soon as you put the application in. "

No one knows the formula for getting the call but once it does come one needs to be ready....all the standard things...HS diploma/transcripts, College diploma/transcripts, 3 LORs, passport, names/phone numbers of past employers & addressed, etc. All of that can take time. Also, how easy will it be to get LORs from folks at this time of the year; vacation, lots of folks moving (particularly military), time delay in getting folks to send things to you....getting much of this in advance will save you a lot of headaches & stress....if you wait until you get the call you will find yourself scrambling when one needs to be relaxing so for the sake of argument, asssume you got the call right now, how far down the checklist are you in getting ready for takeoff? Can you do anything to help get you closer to #1 for the runway & if so DO IT NOW!!! Good luck & have a great summer to those waiting for the call, to those who have an interview & to those who are coming to big D sooner than you thought!!!

 

[Benhuntn]

I can echo speeds words. I interviewed in Jan of '02 without a type. I finished my type by 27 Mar. '02 and entered the pool at that date. Others who interviewed with me (with type in hand) were hired by Jan '04 and I came on board in May of '04. It cost me 5 months and 142 in senority. If you are young enough that it doesn't matter to you fine, but if you are old like me that loss of 5 months is important. I would recommend to anyone looking for an interview at SWA to do the type.