Is Southwest Hiring Mostly Military?

[chase]

Pool costs & how old is too old?

A number that was once thrown out was that interviewing one applicant runs in the neighborhood of $1000 per person...that is a very conservative number though when one throws in costs associated with the interview itself (trip pulls for 4of 5 folks), incidental costs associated with each package/candidate, etc.

Putting these folks in the pool as mentioned has costs associated, further 3rd party background checks & the "pee" tests for those selected by the DB add additional costs to those folks selected for further screening & generally are hired here at SWA. That is why the $1000 figure is generally assumed to be rather low.

Re-newing the background check does cost money & when it was determined back in '02&'03 that having a large pool of folks (200) only resulted in background checks needing to be re-done again, further evidence became clear that having large number of folks waiting in the pool isn't necessary in most situation. That backlog would've never happened if 911 wouldn't have happened....things are different now (hopefully forever!) & folks are moving into the pool & out well within the 6 month window which makes everything run smoothly. The only folks who are in the pool longer than 6 months are those folks who are fulfilling military obligations & can't separate/retire sooner I would think. I don't believe (again I've been wrong) that SWA is striving for a large pool of folks....they're selected from a great group of folks very strong candidates.

As for age...40 is definitely not too old....upper age ranges for new hires is usually late 40's & routinely folks who have turned 50 or slightly older....for the record SWA has hired folks at 56 years of age even though that was sometime ago.......if you believe that Age 60 will be repealed (I do) then the age issue becomes even less of an issue.....they definitely won't hire you if you don't apply but if you do apply make sure (in my opinion) you have already committed yourself toward fully understanding and knowing why you're wanting to work at SWA....if this is an exploratory campaign to judge your interest in SWA, I would recommend, in all due respect, don't waste your time or SWA's....but hey it's a free country & give it a shot, you may find Southwest is just to your liking...it isn't to everyone but they welcome all comers!!! Good luck,

 

[Focus]

Southwest Airlines will hire any and all Types as long as they know how to fly a 737. No pun intended..Seriously, why waiste your time worrying about the ratio of Military to Civillian personnel hired....If they are hiring,....then they are hiring...


Give it all you got and hope for the best....Just remember the morning you walk into your interview that you are being reviewed by some of the best analyst the industry has to offer...The best advice given to me years ago was....Be Yourself...

Dont worry about the guy passing around a peice of paper wanting to get everyones name and email address....perhaps he's just trying to cover up some imperfection in his true credentials...Be yourself, Be cordial, but most of all, never succomb to trying to fit into a situation that really may not be you..

SWA is a different culture....Like all cultures at all airlines they are looking for somebody that will fit in..So just be yourself...If they like you maybe you will get a job/career. If not keep pressing on....

Becoming an airline pilot is like wearing a Hawaiian Shirt to the Innauguration Party of a Republican President....Who knows how you will be received other than the President. Bottom line, if you can make it past the Security then your on your own....Quick Tounge, Stories, and anything else you can imagine will probably get you some attention....CLOSING THE DEAL is up to you..Thats the Bottom Line..

 

[Scooby74]

Chase, I love your analogy. Oh, how true that is. I was on the last decision board on the 11th and 12th and got the letter from Amy last Tuesday. I think I was on my A game for the interview. Everyone I interviewed with said I had a great interview. One of them even told me I was displaying some incredible qualities that Southwest Airlines is looking for. A week after the interview three of my 10 letters of rec. were called. Step in the right direction....sure. Then all my paperwork went before 21 Captains who never had the chance to meet me. Something flaged.......I don't know what that flag was. That is the hardest part.
Qualifications at time of interview:
30 years old---look much younger from what everone tells me
6,200 TT
2,200 PIC Turbine (450 SF-430...1750 EMB-145)
3,700 Total Turbine
4,100 Total PIC
Double B.S. in Aviation Science and Medical Psychology
I have Flight Instructed, flew single pilot cargo(Check Pilot there), CA at current company for 3 years...Also a SF-340 Sim Instructor.

When I was back at work this week everyone asked if I got the job. The response was quite similar...What!! You have got to be kidding.
I have personally seen great guys/and gals go to Southwest from our company. I have also seen Captains who are on F/O's and F/A's no fly list get the call. All you can say is WOW, I don't get it.

Will I apply again? You better believe it. I was blessed with this opportunity to interview in December. I know a lot of pilots who have applied way before I did and have not had the chance to interview. I applied for the check airman slot about 6 months ago(when I felt like I could be effective in that position) Maybe that will fall my way.

All in all....do the Military pilots have an advantage?? I think so...but I don't have the inside scoop. I think the best way to recruit pilots would be to scout like MLB. "Hi I am a scout for SWA, wondering if I could sit in the jumpseat with you to Newark" How fun would that be Yeah, I have strange dreams.

*****As for the interview.... go have fun, be honest, and smile until it hurts, then keep smiling. Great bunch of people to spend the day with. And remember.....Everything Happens For A Reason.********

 

[Guam360]

Dude, you are a Saint.

 

[chase]

Scooby,

Well said...something tells me we'll see you at SWA in the future with a great story to tell...thanks for applying & encouraging others with your story...well done!!!

 

[TonyC]

I'm a reformed bush pilot.

That's debatable!

 

[walden]

Focus?
>>Dont worry about the guy passing around a peice of paper wanting to get everyones name and email address....perhaps he's just trying to cover up some imperfection in his true credentials...<<

How would some guy passing around a sheet of paper to keep in touch with the guys he interviewed with be considered "trying to cover up..."?
No big deal if I get an answer or not, I'm just really curious how you came up with that view.

 

[FLYLOW22]

How would some guy passing around a sheet of paper to keep in touch with the guys he interviewed with be considered "trying to cover up..."?
No big deal if I get an answer or not, I'm just really curious how you came up with that view.

I don't find that odd either. In fact, I thought it common practice to exchange email/phone info to keep in touch with fellow applicants. I think it's a great idea!

 

[JTB]

Show 'em who you are with a sincere smile

SkyW,
There's some great info listed above from chase and Resume Writer and others. Congrats on the interview - you've achieved what many, many folks would love to have - the opportunity to show SWA who you are.

Scooby, you WILL be back, my friend!

The question of hiring military vs civilian is a difficult one to answer...sheer speculation at best. One thing is for sure, the PD folks want to meet you and are not necessarily going to compare you with others as they are just going to see if you are a great fit for SWA. I've seen, read, heard of many great folks - both military and civilian - get the letter of rejection. I was extremely fortunate on the last DB to get the good news call. I also realize that some really great guys that I know personally got the letter instead...why? Gosh, that is such a tough question. The question gets even more complex when a guy with all civilian time gets the letter while a military guy gets the call (albeit they each had similar interview experiences and got their references called). If the references get called for a candidate but for some reason the candidate gets the letter, there will always be questions as to why. A simple answer may be that the candidate doesn't have the amount of PIC time the DB is looking for on that particular board or possibly doesn't have check airman/standardization pilot box checked. Doesn't mean they're not a great pilot, it's just that the DB was looking for something else this time around. More quals in areas of leadership will always make you look better. Not saying that flying the line as a CA in the civ world or flying the line as a military aircraft commander aren't great things. The fact that others have gotten on board w/out advanced quals doesn't mean anything...that was the past and this is now - you want to strive to show them you're willing to be that checkairman or instructor/standardization guy. If I were getting ready for the interview, a couple of things you may want to do (and please know I very humbly submit the following - I'm just one of those types of guys that sweated wearing a red or blue tie - brought them both and in the end wore the one I thought would make me more comfortable (the red one)):
1. Know, review and be able to articulate your flying experiences. Review your log book for good/challenging/conflict events. Be able to discuss the weak areas and be upfront and honest with them.
2. Talk with the folks that are on your contact list as well as your LOR folks. Yes, you may have talked with them in the not so distant past because you're applying to a couple of different airlines, but make sure they know why you want SWA. Your contacts and LOR folks will be contacted - make sure they can speak about you in the best possible way.
3. Make a great spreadsheet on your flight time that is Southwest specific. Show this spreadsheet to a pilot buddy and see if they can follow everything you've listed. While this topic hasn't been listed much, I'm a believer that it's yet again one of the things you control during the interview. Make it a great one!
4. Remember that the interview starts the moment you leave your home till you return home. If you're flying SWA, take time to meet and thank everyone you come in contact with - and show them genuine interest.

I list the above four things knowing you've already done your homework and are prepared...but if you were going to do some things during the last two weeks, those are what I'd do. By all means, go there and have FUN. Easier said than done. But if you've prepared, you'll sweat the little things much less and it will show! They know you're going to be nervous but they'll also know you're a heck of a great guy if you can still open up to them during an all important interview.

For those who got the rejection and are wondering "what the he!!," I feel your pain. Keep the faith! Having been turned down by a great airline prior to the SWA interview, it's tough to be lighthearted, positive and optomistic after interviewing and coming up short. Reading encouraging posts on this board helped me tremendously (especially you, chase). Sorry for the long post, but I know there are many folks wondering the original poster's question. Take care and fly safe!

jtb

 

[flyinglow]

Not to stir the pot, but it appears that a few people who didn't get hired probably worked for CHQ. Don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. Just food for thought.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

That is opposite to airline thinking...

Most mil guys seemed to be older, which equals less time in the company which equals lest overall cost to the company, since they will not be there for 25-30 years like our younger civ. counterparts. Just my thoughts...

It used to be the airlines would not hire a pilot over 32 -34 years of age. They wanted to hire young to get the maximum amount of return in their training investment. Many airlines reach the maximum pay rate with in the first 15 years (12 years at AMR). Paradigms change.