no college degree & SWA

[shuttlepilot]

Of all the recent interviewees and new hires what has been the ratio of people without a college degree? I just called the PD and Kim said that was probably the one thing holding me back. I got my type in April with 2000 plus pic at the reginals, online app since it came up.
I have two year at a foreign college that no longer excists, nothing credits here.

 

[propjob27]

Not to sound stupid but...

Can you actually just pick up the phone and call the PD (which I assume is some HR department) and talk to someone about your app?

I too am trying to get an SWA interview, and I'll do anything I can to help.

Thanks guys.

 

[Mach 80]

I know of a couple of SWA pilots without 4 year degrees. I talked to one of them and he said it never came up in his interview at all. They were hired several years ago though.

 

[chase]

Advice from a lowly SWA/FO

Meeting the qualifications as listed on the website is the minimum obviously. Having a college degree doesn't impact the interview/LOI process but it certainly is one of the variables that is looked at (I've never been there but am assuming for what it is worth) along with many other factors. Certainly we hire folks without college degrees, probably not many but then again we probably don't get too many folks without degrees applying. My suggestion, press ahead, make the best effort you can & let the chips fall where they may. It doesn't sound like a college degree is in your future but that doesn't exclude SWA from being in yours...continue the process & if it works out, great, if not, try again even if the college degree isn't likely. Good luck & definitely do whatever else you can to improve your chances of getting hired...cheers,

 

[SWA GUY]

We just hired a buddy of mine, and he has no degree....

 

[SkyBoy1981]

I'm not to the level of even trying yet, but I've heard of several others who have been waiting for months to get a call for an SWA interview. I know at least one guy even had a 4 year degree, thousands of hours of PIC in RJ's, and is even a check airman for one of the regional airlines. I personally doubt the degree makes all that much difference...it probably just takes patience and persistance.

 

[RVR300]

Guys... It's not about what you have on paper. That may get you in the door for the interview, but after that it's all about you the person.

When you're in your interview group you may be in the company of commuter guys, corporate, astronauts (we have five right now I think), young, old, degree, no degree, etc. They're going to be looking at the person behind the resume to determine if your a good fit for our airline.

The problem you have are the thousands of furloughed guys. But don't let that depress you. Look at it this way... a guy that comes from another major has their 'personality' stamped on them; on the other hand a guy from the commuters is like a sponge ready to soak up the SW mission and easily sheds prior airline habits.

I've flown with several prior-big airline guys recently. Most are exactly the kind of guys and gals we need here. One slipped through the cracks. He seemed VERY his ex airline (won't say which one) but I thought if his attitude was the norm over there, those boys don't stand a chance.

Be yourself guys. Once you get the interview call, it's all about the person. And if you're a colonel just remember you're not the man in charge anymore and won't be for some time. A bad reputation when you're a new guy spreads like wildfire.

 

[PSL]

RVR300 is absolutely correct from the intel I have on the process.

I want to believe we are looking at the 'whole' person when deciding who to interview and, more importantly, deciding who to hire.

Since there is a computer selection process, the variability in the interview pool is determined by the search criteria entered or by manually picking applicants.

In my class, which I'm guessing is representative of most, we were quite diverse in demographics and prior experience. If memory serves, the oldest turned 50 while in GS, the youngest was 27, we had one who had no college (he was a B-727 captain), four had masters degrees, one had a Ph.D., 50/50 military/civilian, three were in the Reserves (USAF), 85% of the class (24 men) was married, FAR121/135/Corporate were equally represented, Tactical/Transport/Tanker were also well represented.

It's been said many times before, you can't get hired unless you apply.

I have no idea what role the 737 type rating plays in the process. I'm guessing it does dramatically improve your chances at being selected for an itnerview.

But when you get here ... rememeber one thing.

Your paycheck says Southwest Airlines on it. Bring all your experience to bear to do the best job you can the SWA way.

All of us have been PIC/ACs in a former life; remember you are being hired to intially play a supporting role (as a FO) and when the time comes, slide over to sign the release.

If you want to make a positive impression with the captain corps, concentrate on making their job as easy as possible. Know your White Book (FOM), don't press the field and speak up if you feel rushed. I have not flown with one captain that would not adjust the pace when warranted to accomodate the 'new guy'.

Best wishes and Good Luck.

 

[RJones]

No college degree, dropped out of high school (GED). The other day “Hoot” Gibson was on the jumpseat. It dawned on me…an astronaut and a high school dropout in the same cockpit, only at SWA.

 

[pilotyip]

College Degree

SWA is a smart outfit and they know that a college degree has nothing to do with your flying ability, your cockpit personality and your work ethic. The reason most pilots hired have college degrees, it because most pilots applying have college degrees. So if almost everyone applying has a college degree, then almost everyone hired will have a college degree. It you want to be a pilot fly airplanes, build TJ PIC, don’t look back and you will have a great career.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Hey guys

I'm still an aspiring airline pilot...currently in the corporate flying world. The more I research airlines and future career opportunties, the more I am impressed by Southwest. They truly seem to be in a league of their own. Although I currently only have 2100 hours and 1400 in biz jets, my plan is to get on with a regional to build some 121 time and join the herds that seem to be going to SWA in hopes of having a solid career. I do want to ask, though, is 121 experience pretty much a prerequisite for SWA? Their site doesn't specify as such in their hiring minimums, but one would have to assume that a pilot with 121 time would have a very competitive edge over someone from only 91. Or is it possible that SWA is willing to hire folks that they can train initially to their level of standards without eliminating the possible bad habits of flying with a previous carrier? I'm expecting to have to build some 121 time before jumping to an SWA career anyway, but I just thought I would ask for an opinion from those of you with the "inside scoop". Thanks.

 

[Tripower455]

No college degree, dropped out of high school (GED). The other day “Hoot” Gibson was on the jumpseat. It dawned on me…an astronaut and a high school dropout in the same cockpit, only at SWA.

LOL.... What a GREAT guy..... If anyone deserves to project an air of cockiness, it's him, and he most certainly doesn't! He is absolutely one of the most humble people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. He is a true gentleman.

Back to the original question. I have a 2 year degree, and while I am definitely in the minority, there are plenty of other "under-educated" types running around SWA.

What the others have said is true. Once you get the interview, be yourself and don't even think about the fact that the others might have MBAs, because at that point, SWA doesn't care. If they did, you wouldn't be there.

Good LUCK!

 

[RVR300]

Skyboy,

If you have the min PIC turbine time, then you're good to apply to SW.

We have a bunch of corporate guys on the books. If you have the prerequisites, then go for it.

We're going to hire another 100 this year, and 450-600 a year for the next five years.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Thanks for the reply RVR. Currently my turbine PIC is only around 700, so once I get the 1000 I will definitely submit my info. Thanks again!

 

[BRA]

How did you swing 700 already? Am i reading this right? 2100 hours, and 700 jet PIC turbine? At 1400 total time...you became PIC? Where are these jobs??? I swear i do everything the hard way.

 

[johnny taliban]

How did you swing 700 already? Am i reading this right? 2100 hours, and 700 jet PIC turbine? At 1400 total time...you became PIC? Where are these jobs??? I swear i do everything the hard way.

Dude, my grandma could fly a Citation.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

How did you swing 700 already? Am i reading this right? 2100 hours, and 700 jet PIC turbine? At 1400 total time...you became PIC? Where are these jobs??? I swear i do everything the hard way.

My situation is a bit unusual. I was hired by a small 2-pilot flight department just prior to 9/11. I had previously been a CFI and had about 800 total time and about 50 multi. The company typed me in the C500 3 months after hiring me, allowing me to fly left seat and log PIC time. However, our Chief Pilot (who was the 2nd pilot) would fly in the right seat as the FO...this satisified the insurance company but still allowed me to log PIC Turbine time since I was in the left seat, type rated, and sole manipulator of the controls. We swap seats on a daily basis, so I log left seat days as PIC and right seat as SIC. We fly an average of 500 hours a year, thats 250 of which are PIC..after 3 years I have accumulated about 700 total PIC Turbine. I have actually been very fortunate to have been given such an opportunity, and I am very grateful to my employer for that.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Dude, my grandma could fly a Citation.

No argument there. Its a Cessna!

 

[FracCapt]

However, our Chief Pilot (who was the 2nd pilot) would fly in the right seat as the FO...this satisified the insurance company but still allowed me to log PIC Turbine time since I was in the left seat, type rated, and sole manipulator of the controls. We swap seats on a daily basis, so I log left seat days as PIC and right seat as SIC. We fly an average of 500 hours a year, thats 250 of which are PIC..after 3 years I have accumulated about 700 total PIC Turbine. I have actually been very fortunate to have been given such an opportunity, and I am very grateful to my employer for that.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble here....but...that's seriously questionable "PIC" time. I, personally, do not consider that PIC. You were REQUIRED to have somebody else responsible for the aircraft for insurance coverage to be in effect. Now, that means nothing to the feds...but when you explain it that way to an airline, they will likely not count it as PIC time since YOU were not ultimately responsible for the aircraft....you were just sitting left seat, and logging it as PIC.

Anybody else have an opinion on this?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

I'm not trying to burst your bubble here....but...that's seriously questionable "PIC" time. I, personally, do not consider that PIC. You were REQUIRED to have somebody else responsible for the aircraft for insurance coverage to be in effect. Now, that means nothing to the feds...but when you explain it that way to an airline, they will likely not count it as PIC time since YOU were not ultimately responsible for the aircraft....you were just sitting left seat, and logging it as PIC.

Anybody else have an opinion on this?

You may be correct. Having yet to experience an airline interview I wouldn't know. I would think that having multi of any kind would be enough to get a regional job, but whether or not the time would count for SWA is a good question. If anyone does have a solid answer to this I would like to know though..just for my planning purposes. The SWA site says this:

""3Southwest Airlines defines "Pilot in Command" as the Pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight. This definition is taken from PART I of the FAR. Southwest Airlines further allows logging of PIC as follows: For an aircraft requiring a type rating: If both pilots are type rated, the pilot in the left seat and sole manipulator of the controls may log PIC. If only one pilot is type rated only that pilot may log PIC, regardless of seat position. For aircraft not requiring a type rating: Only the pilot in the left seat and sole manipulator of the controls may log PIC. "".


Since my situation falls under the category of both pilots being type rated, and the one in the left seat manipulating the flight controls logging the PIC, I would think it would be ok. I doubt the insurance requirements of my previous employers would ever be asked or known by the airline. Again, any input would be appreciated. Thanks.