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Is SWA still calling for Interviews?

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BagelBaker

mmm... stale doughnuts
Joined
Mar 20, 2004
Posts
18
Let's make one thing clear right from the start: I'm an idiot. That being said, the rest of the post will make much better sense...

I applied with SWA about a year and a half ago. Right after they switched over to the new online application. I have 8800 TT, 5400 Turbine PIC, four types, one of which is in the 737. I'm currently flying left seat in the CRJ. So I'm a bit surprised as time goes by, and a bunch of my buds are sending me emails like, "hey loser! I got an SWA interview! Why haven't you???" To which I make the witty comeback of, "Duh, I dunno." I've updated my application regularly. Prayed to the various aviation related deities, and lo, I still have not been called. So last week, I pull up my SWA application, intent on finding out why they don't LUV me. And I find it: I failed to fill out the very bottom of the application. You know, the part where you digitally sign it. Did I mention that I'm an idiot?

So this brings us to the question... Is SWA still actively calling for interviews, or are they done for a while? What's the latest projections for hiring this year? Have you just recently been called for an interview? I'd love to hear from you.

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
You aren't an idiot. The digital signature wasn't part of the application when it first came out. It was added recently.
 
Do you have a 4 year?



Did you mark a YES to any of the "have you ever" questions on the app?



How about traffic tickets?





Not that this means anything, I am just trying to get some rhyme of reason as to the calls for interviews.



Mark



PS, I did the same thing with the app.
 
This is of Monday morning:

One class in September, one class in October. November and December still unknown....new fiscal year begins in October.

They have 100 pilots in the pool right now. That's a number they like to have at all times.
 
Yes, they are still calling. Just got the call to interview. 5250 total, 2200 Turbine PIC, 121. Three types (737 included) Checkairman experience. College degree.. I think they like the checkairman thing. Anything that shows you get more involved in your comany than just being a regular line guy gets their attention, I'm guessing. Also, update your application every week or so. I didn't get the call until after I had been doing that.
 
Just spoke with a reference caller at PD (regarding an applicant) and was told August and September would each have only one class, then beginning October back to the three a month pace. Also, more than 500 to be hired in '06...
 
Flew with with one of our Regional chief pilots a few weeks ago. He confirmed,

1 class in Aug and Sept
3 classes a month Oct, Nov, Dec. 600+ possible in 06

Also,

electronic flight bag comming online sooner rather than later. (manufacturer of our OPC in discontinuing the product thus expediting the electronic flight bag for us)

Possibility of wingletts on the -300's. (fuel mizer project didn't produce results inline with expectations. wingletts might, but much larger undertaking on the -300 than the -700's. Structural issues with the wing I believe)

probably not going to grow at a rate faster than the traditional 10% per year until fuel stabalizes and we see where we are in the industry mix.

Upper management has a gut feeling the at least one carrier will be gone by years end and possibly two. Lots of opportunities if this occurs. This is the reason we are being extra conservative now so we are in a good position to seize all opportunities down the road.

Headquarters feels like the Wright ammendment will be gone or compromised on (limited longhaul flights in the begining and phased out completely with time) by the end of the year.
 
"Upper management has a gut feeling the at least one carrier will be gone by years end and possibly two......"

Did Management give any hint as to which carrier(s) might be gone? Personally, I'm hoping that UAL and DAL go under. The quicker the better.
 
Brandt,

I didn't call you a looser. Maybe they just don't like bagels.

Keep the faith.

Jon
 
Gents, I really appreciate all the help and info. I'm really glad to hear that the digital signature was a recent addition.

I have no speeding tickets, no 4 year degree (doh), and no "yes" answers to any of the "have you ever..." questions. But.. and this is a big butt...I did leave the flying game for about five years. I've been back flying the line full time for five years, but I have a feeling that's the main reason they're not calling. I'll try updating every week and see how that goes.

Jon, yours was the most polite of all the emails I got from guys getting interviews. Also the fewest words. I think there were ten...;) Best of luck, Jon, I'm sure pulling for ya!

Thanks again everyone. :)
 
I know someone who was a RJ FO, knew no one @ SWA, had no type, got called for Sept 2001 interview, interview cancelled due to 9/11, then when they started calling again they reinstated the type requirement to interview. After some time went by, they dropped that requirement, he got the type, is a captain now with plenty of time, and still cannot get called!

WTF?
 
My new philosophy is not to wait on SWA. You get so tied up in the LUV chanting at the type schools that you think it has to happen soon, and for many, it does not.

Who knows how the winds blow over there. I'm coming up on a year since type as well, with no call. But I don't have a four year (working on it), so that is probably why I'm not being called.

Make other plans. If SWA calls, drop 'em...
 
BD (aka BB) --

No 4-year degree? Last I spoke to you last summer, you were taking like 24 credit hours at a whack! What in the heck happened?

RG (ORD)
 
It's such a slow process. I've been taking three 3-credit hour classes at a time, but that's only 9 credit hours a quarter, 36 credit hours a year if I do it year round (that's the plan). 120 or so to graduate. Had like 30 that transferred, 34 credited for ATP license.

Gulp. Can't think about it that way or I'll just give up...
 
Last edited:
Just to set the record straight, new fiscal year begins Jan 1st. Great to hear there are more classes to come. congrats to all who interview and welcome to the newhires.
Bake
 
How time flies, RG :) I was taking a huge load of classes, right up til my son was born just over 3 years ago. I haven't taken a class since then, and I only need 3 more classes to get the revered four year degree.


SKYWRJGUY said:
BD (aka BB) --

No 4-year degree? Last I spoke to you last summer, you were taking like 24 credit hours at a whack! What in the heck happened?

RG (ORD)
Click to expand...

Would be great to hear from people that have gotten SWA interview invitations that did NOT have four year degrees. Kinda wonder if that's the big key right now.
 
TipTank, I totally feel your pain. I took well over 18 credits per term while flying the line full time. I got so burned out, I quit with only three classes left.
 
A question for those in the know...

I recently had a naturally occuring "event" which signficantly damaged my airplane, but ended happily with a safe landing. As a result of this I have to say yes to one of the "have you ever" questions. I fully explain it in the block provided, but does it weigh against me regardless?
 
Not at all, I had a PA-24-250 once in my life and the engine quit on me at night. Landed it safely on a hiway. It went on my official record but SWA loved the story because of what I made of it. Some things are beyond our control, what you make of the situation is what SWA really cares about.


bake
 
sat74 said:
I know someone who was a RJ FO, knew no one @ SWA, had no type, got called for Sept 2001 interview, interview cancelled due to 9/11, then when they started calling again they reinstated the type requirement to interview. After some time went by, they dropped that requirement, he got the type, is a captain now with plenty of time, and still cannot get called!

WTF?
Click to expand...


Hindsight is 20/20. But if this person had done the research they would have known to go get the type. The type schools were going gangbusters Dec 2001 to the end of 2002. Higher power tripled their class sizes. The competition for a SWA interview got intense starting in 2002.
 
For those of you that did get the call, did any of you have any speeding tickets? Did they question you about it in the interview? Did you get hired?

I'm just another of the many pilots patiently waiting to hear the phone ring. And yes, I did put all (4) of my speeding tickets on the application and no, I have not gotten a call. Stats are:

Total: 5045
Turbine PIC: 2800 (all turbo-prop 135)
B-737 type
4 year degree
No FAA actions
Instructor pilot at 135 (no checkairman or chief pilot)
current job as FO for 121 turbojet outfit.


I'm pretty hopefull the call will come soon.

Thanks to everyone for all of the input and news.
 
sat74 said:
I know someone who was a RJ FO, knew no one @ SWA, had no type, got called for Sept 2001 interview, interview cancelled due to 9/11, then when they started calling again they reinstated the type requirement to interview. After some time went by, they dropped that requirement, he got the type, is a captain now with plenty of time, and still cannot get called!

WTF?
Click to expand...

WN never changed the type requirement to interview post 9/11. That's an old wive's tale.
 
Metro-mia I had 3 speeding tickets, my buddy had 5 we both got hired. Even though it was on our applications they never mentioned it in the interview.
 
miles otoole said:
WN never changed the type requirement to interview post 9/11. That's an old wive's tale.
Click to expand...

I agree with Miles but I will add additional info.

The people department did change interview policy. Instead of "everyone who meets the mins will get an interview" policy they changed it to "who is most competitive". This was before they went to the computerized system.

You could still get an interview without type after 9/11 but those with it started getting called much sooner after applying than those without. I know for a fact those with non-type applications waited a year or more and those with type waited 2-5 months.

Hope this history channel moment was helpful.
 
Last edited:
JetFumes...

JetFumes said:
Yes, they are still calling. Just got the call to interview. 5250 total, 2200 Turbine PIC, 121. Three types (737 included) Checkairman experience. College degree.. I think they like the checkairman thing. Anything that shows you get more involved in your comany than just being a regular line guy gets their attention, I'm guessing. Also, update your application every week or so. I didn't get the call until after I had been doing that.
Click to expand...

What day did you get the call to interview and what days did they offer for interview dates?

Thanks in advance and congrats!
 

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