In hot,
Great attitude! One has to keep plugging along regardless of how dim things get. Well done. Look forward to seeing you at the new guy party this spring or summer.
Fearless,
To correct a few items you mentioned in your post.
First of all if the info they were using was 3 years old my apologies. With the internet the way it is, the difficulty in verifying what you say is true is difficult. I've NEVER heard of such a thing happening but there is always a first time. Again, my apologies, no excuses. Just curious, did you point this out to anyone that the info wasn't current? I'm confident that if you had, the interviewers would have provided that feedback to the folks who had screwed up & would try not to have that happen again. Additionally, most folks when they come to the interview have a copy of everything they have sent to the company, including resume. Having this info would have provided them with all they need to know anyway. BTW, the interviewers ONLY have access to your resume, nothing more. No background info, no LORs, nothing. This allows the interviewers to have as uncluttered a view of you as possible with no outside influences other than YOUR OWN resume. If the resume they had was old, whip out the new one & say "um, I think this one is more current, pls use this one, thanks."
In terms of probation. I've never heard the term "probies" before. I've never been at another major so don't have anything to compare it to but I thought everyone treated me great while on probation & mine wasn't a flawless probation!! I've heard of only 1 or 2 folks not making it through probation & only 1 person not making it through IOE over the last 2-3 yrs. If you have other data then I'll stand corrected. Maybe the folks you have spoken too didn't have my experience, if so then I understand your comments. However, generally I've not heard of many problems that weren't overcome by perserverance & effort + attitude.
Your comments about attitude are correct. We are looking for folks who have a similar attitude to the interviewers, current employees of the company. Diversity in culture, race, religion are all fine. Attitude diversity is not something most companies desire. EVERY COMPANY would like to have positive, upbeat, take charge employees. However, most settle for less & compromise that aspect of a person's personality for the skills they bring to the table. SWA doesn't & it has paid off for them. SWA has always said, we hire for attitude...we can train the folks to do any job we have. Lets face it, there are a ton of pilots out there, as are computer folks, schedulers, marketing types. What can't be taught or instilled in folks is how you approach your job & fellow workers. As one of our senior executives says, "YOU AND YOU ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN HAPPINESS." The company isn't, your spouse isn't, your kids aren't, you are. So if one doesn't display an attitude in the 3 x 45 minute sessions that encompanses the things I've spoken about above, you won't get hired. Simple as that. However, nothing prevents someone from coming back again if they so desire. No value judgement about the person. Not all of my friends that I have or people I like would do well at SWA, doesn't mean they are bad folks, just different. They're still my friends.
Sorry the experience didn't turn out well for you but condemming the company for what type of people it will hire would be like telling YOU what type of friends you should have. Any company should be allowed to hire the type of folks THEY feel will be the best for their company. Otherwise, let anyone off the street walkup & get a job. While the process may seem harsh to those turned down, it is a process, LEGAL, reasonable & most importantly consistent IMHO.
I'm sure you are a great person with great skills & will do well somewhere else. IMHO, if one walks away from the experience bitter I believe it says more about the individual than it does the company. As evidence by the number of folks who come back 2, 3, 4 times and are eventually hired. Some are never hired. Doesn't mean they are dirt bags, just not the type folks SWA is looking for.
Good luck, God Bless in your quest for a flying job.
Sorry about the rambling. I don't want to get into a big battle of philosophy on this web site about this subject. It is worth rambling about but not on this thread. My apologies to all for digressing slightly.
