New SWA hiring update!

[flyingchicago]

I work for Chicago Express and our D.O. spoke with the chief pilot at SWA who wanted to express his desire to see C8 people apply, yada yada, but this is intresting... the SWA guy said not to worry about applying on Jan 12th exactly as they will "download the applications mid-Feb and process them then" (i think if you applied a while ago on paper you may still have an advantage when you enter that data in the online app, but someone applying on jan 12th will not have an advantage over someone who applied the end of jan.)

He also said "they said interviews will resume in April."

 

[P3 Tweek]

SWA online app

If nobody else will say it - I will. Thanks for the information `Fly'!

Tweek

 

[herewego again]

SWA

I can verfiy this. When I was at Higher Power, Rebekah Krone visited and asked us to tell all our friends NOT to try superhuman efforts to be the first application in on the 12th. She said the only reason they would be looking at them then, was to see who had won the in-office betting pool. Guess they've built up a bit of a beer fund based on how many app's they think they'll receive. She also said have it in by early Feb, and we'll be pulling them out of the computer for interviews by mid Feb.
Also, all old paper applications will be kept, however interviews will be called on a purely competitive basis only. She said that if two EXACTLY the same applications were being reviewed (and she really didnt seem to think that was likely, there is usually some characteristic between the two), then the pilot with the earlier app would be called first. But she did stress that this was really a non-event, because if both those pilots were so competitive, the second would be called within a number of days anyhow. Then with Boards/backgrounds/class scheduling etc etc, the pilot who was called second could easily be in class prior to the pilot called first. Clear as mud?
Good luck to all on the 12th and beyond. I'll be trying to shut the server down with y'all !!!!

Herewegoagain

 

[PSL]

I can't speak to Lou's comments, but the classes I've seen have been balanced (Prior 121/135, military (both tactical and transport/tanker), folks that have both airline/military, and corporate.

The process, for the most part works. We see very few people make it to crew room and ask 'How the hell did they get here ?'

I'm somewhat curious ...

Is you TT 600 hours or 1600 hours ?

Just curious.

 

[737tanker]

From what a BWI asst. chief had to say the date on the application no longer matters. When they want some people to interview they will put into the computers the parameters of what they are looking for & then the computer will spit out a list of names of the most competitive based on the inputted parameters. He also the parameters will probably change every time. What would be a constant is flight time, so he recommended that an applicant update their online application after every flight.

 

[zymotic]

Herewegoagain

She also said have it in by early Feb, and we'll be pulling them out of the computer for interviews by mid Feb.

Herewegoagain

What do you think she meant by "pulling them out of the computer for interviews by mid Feb"? Interviews by mid Feb or starting phone calls by then? Did she mention anything about when interviews would start?

 

[herewego again]

sorry I knew that would confuse someone. No, mid Feb is the first they'll look at them. She said they wanted to give at least a months notice to those called in to interview. I think late March/April time frame.
Good luck, and yes I wish I could encourage you all to wait until August, but thats not gonna happen now is it
Good Luck Guys
Herewegoagain

 

[SWAbigdaddy]

Was the D.O. at Chicago Express wearing a cheerleader outfit?

 

[flyingchicago]

Our D.O. is a nice enough guy to realize that although a fantastic place to work, Chicago Express is not a career airline for almost anyone until we get large regional jets. Because of this the company, despite the cost to them, has always supported and helped pilots move on and improve in their careers... no matter if that is ATA, SWA, Airtran or others. Kinda makes you respect the guy...

 

[Tripower455]

Kinda makes you respect the guy...

If the D.O. is still Scott H, then you are absolutely correct. He's good people!

I flew with him in a previous life..........

 

[thebluto]

JUST FOR S's and G's

Okay, just for fun, does anyone know what time of day the online app will be available on the 12th?

 

[jhill]

Re: JUST FOR S's and G's

Okay, just for fun, does anyone know what time of day the online app will be available on the 12th?

Midnight. It really doesn't matter though. It is not a first come first served basis. The most desirable candidates will be interviewed first. A type does not make you the most desirable either. Having lots of PIC time in turbine airplanes and being current do. They say they want guys qualified to be captains from day one. Interviews will resume in April. The next class dates are Jan 12 and Mar 1st. 392 planned for this year with the possibility of 580

 

[P3 Tweek]

Possibly 580?

jhill,

I had heard of the 390-420 figure but not 580? Could you please explain under what circumstances SWA could hit the 580 figure with a net gain of 30 aircraft in the fleet in 2004?

Thanks a bunch!

If it's true - definitely LUV it.

Tweek

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Re: Re: JUST FOR S's and G's

A type does not make you the most desirable either. Having lots of PIC time in turbine airplanes and being current do.

I can speculate too...

Id rather be the guy with a respectable amount of PIC (not just the mins) and a 737 type than the guy with a whole log book full of PIC and no type.

No one thing will make or break you. While the selection process and interviews are changing, their desire to hire pilots that truly want to fly for Southwest Airlines first is not.

Aquiring a type rating shows this desire, and when coupled with a fair amount of experience, I would think makes one quite competitive.

Being unwilling to get a type rating, and having chosen another major airline first do not show this desire.

But, like I said, no one thing will make or break you.

of course I too, am just speculating

 

[PSL]

Congratulations ...

I hope you realize how fortunate you are to be flying a turbine aircraft at 600 hours.

Best wishes for continued good fortune.