Paying thousands for a slim chance to get hired at SWA??

[Flybet3]

As I am expecting to be furloughed late this year or early next, I am investigating my job options and trying to plan (as best I can) for the future. Job opportunities are slim; however, the question I have is why so many of us are willing to pay thousands of dollars on a type rating just to get an interview at SWA which comes with about a 25-30% chance of getting hired? I admit I am considering it also, but I am torn between thinking that I don't want to miss any opportunity and thinking that I throwing my money away. I have heard so many stories of those not being hired and think it is ridiculous that we must pay for the rating and then proceed with less than a 50% chance of getting hired. Is it really worth it?

I hear that for a bit more money you can get a CRJ type at Regional Airline Academy, or go to Gulfstream and they GUARANTEE YOU an interview with an airline. You know, it's a bit more, but pretty much the same concept.

 

[Flybet3]

Aside the cost of a commercial-multi-instrument which last time I checked runs more then a 737 type.

What is funny about these debates is people think nothing of spending $20-100K to get their ratings for a $22K a year job. Then think it is nuts to pay $8k for a job which pays in excess of $100K fairly rapidly.

Well the funnier thing is that people pay 20-100K for a job that initially pays 22K, but you can make 100K after a few years, and other bozos that pay 8K for an Interview, or even worst 8K for just inc on their ticket b/c they never call.

 

[Flybet3]

Oh yeah, sorry about the furlough too. Invest 8K somewhere else. Or try to see if you can possibly get a job flying a citation or lear somewhere, even if you start as an FO. Fractionals.

 

[Flybet3]

"SW hires the attitude and trains the talent"

Of course, as long as your talent already has a 737 type. No type? then take your great attitude and talent and go pound some sand.

 

[135fr8r]

I have a bud who is a Capt with another major, and his cousin was hired at SWA a couple years back from the Navy. Apparently there is some type of good ole boy system around as this guy said he knew for a fact, a year prior to interviewing, he already had the job. Those are his words, not mine.

 

[highsky]

Why is it that so many are ready and willing to get the 737 Type to get the interview/or START TRAINING with Southwest? Are there no principles anymore? Since when did Pay For Training become an acceptable thing? And don't fool yourselves Southwest guys, because that's exactly what this is.

I can't think of one other reputable airline that requires a Type on the aircraft to be flown on the first day of training. I'm sick and tired of Southwest guys getting a Pass on this. I certainly wasn't required to have a 757/767 Type at my airline on the first day of training; and I make a LOT more than those guys at Southwest. Paying for Training just lowers the bar for ALL OF US.

I know I'll get a lot of retribution from Southwest guys about this, but I don't care. Ego doesn't obfuscate the truth. SOMEONE HAD TO SAY IT.

If you're not RAISING the bar, you're LOWERING IT.

Don't forget: Just seven short years ago, Southwest was the red-headed stepchild of airline jobs. Their pay and benefits package SUCKED in comparison to the Legacies/Cargo.

Post 9/11, they had a very low operating cost. Duh! They didn't pay dikc compared to the legacies. To their credit, they had many brilliant corporate moves, to include fuel hedging, and the realization that if you can make the employees feel happy about dressing in Santa Claus' and elves' costumes on Christmas, they won't mind being paid sub-industry wages. (Personally, I'll take the extra millions over the lollipops and dressing like Santa Claus). Now, Southwest (among passenger airlines) has established the new "bar." Guys are cumming all over themselves to work there. Obviously guys don't remember the "bar" that was in place prior to 9/11.

Brilliant. It has worked for them. That, and the cherry picking and cannabilization of the National Airspace System.

You want my opinion? Save your money, and your pride. Save your industry. Don't prostitute yourself to Southwest. There are other reputable jobs out there that don't require you to sell yourself with Pay For Training. Don't lower the bar for yourself. Don't lower the bar for the rest of us.

 

[Bob_Sacamano]

Well, unless he's related to Herb, that's not true. Just a big dose of arrogance...

I have a bud who is a Capt with another major, and his cousin was hired at SWA a couple years back from the Navy. Apparently there is some type of good ole boy system around as this guy said he knew for a fact, a year prior to interviewing, he already had the job. Those are his words, not mine.

 

[milflyboy]

Since when did Pay For Training become an acceptable thing?

I never understood all this bitching about paying for training. Everybody who took the civilian route paid for their training at some point, so what is the big deal?

 

[naviator]

Type rating cost

A slightly beside the point comment, but you guys should be happy that you live in the US of A when it comes to buying a 737 type.

I work for a scandinavian 737 lcc and the prices for typeratings over here are insane. 18000 euros pluss 5000 euros for the required landings. Not to mention if you want to work for Ryanair. They have a special program that you have to attend (as a cadet) and the price is just under 30 000 euros.

It's a sad, sad thing, but like someone else mentioned, if it means that you'll be making 100 000 usd pluss within a year or two it might be worth it.

 

[RedDogC130]

Why is it that so many are ready and willing to get the 737 Type to get the interview/or START TRAINING with Southwest? Are there no principles anymore? Since when did Pay For Training become an acceptable thing? And don't fool yourselves Southwest guys, because that's exactly what this is.

I can't think of one other reputable airline that requires a Type on the aircraft to be flown on the first day of training. I'm sick and tired of Southwest guys getting a Pass on this. I certainly wasn't required to have a 757/767 Type at my airline on the first day of training; and I make a LOT more than those guys at Southwest. Paying for Training just lowers the bar for ALL OF US.

I know I'll get a lot of retribution from Southwest guys about this, but I don't care. Ego doesn't obfuscate the truth. SOMEONE HAD TO SAY IT.

If you're not RAISING the bar, you're LOWERING IT.

Don't forget: Just seven short years ago, Southwest was the red-headed stepchild of airline jobs. Their pay and benefits package SUCKED in comparison to the Legacies/Cargo.

Post 9/11, they had a very low operating cost. Duh! They didn't pay dikc compared to the legacies. To their credit, they had many brilliant corporate moves, to include fuel hedging, and the realization that if you can make the employees feel happy about dressing in Santa Claus' and elves' costumes on Christmas, they won't mind being paid sub-industry wages. (Personally, I'll take the extra millions over the lollipops and dressing like Santa Claus). Now, Southwest (among passenger airlines) has established the new "bar." Guys are cumming all over themselves to work there. Obviously guys don't remember the "bar" that was in place prior to 9/11.

Brilliant. It has worked for them. That, and the cherry picking and cannabilization of the National Airspace System.

You want my opinion? Save your money, and your pride. Save your industry. Don't prostitute yourself to Southwest. There are other reputable jobs out there that don't require you to sell yourself with Pay For Training. Don't lower the bar for yourself. Don't lower the bar for the rest of us.

So who exactly do you work for big guy? Talk a bunch of crap now tell us who you work for.

 

[tomgoodman]

The PFT objection

I never understood all this bitching about paying for training. Everybody who took the civilian route paid for their training at some point, so what is the big deal?

Of course, no training is "free" -- instructors have to make a living somehow. Military guys pay too, with years of obligated service. I think the real PFT beef arises if an airline is actually "selling the job", using training as a ploy. This favors applicants who are either wealthy or willing to incur a large debt. Most pilots feel that airlines should recoup their training costs from ticket revenue, not from the trainees.

 

[ASADFW7]

If SWA is absolutely where you want to be get the type. If you are just fishing it out don't bother.

 

[contrail67]

trying to get a job at southwest is like winning the lottery playing your favorite numbers--

while you cant win unless you buy a ticket, but the odds of getting hired are not in your favor.

i would get a corporate type IE a citation V b/c that covers like 10 planes you would be able to fly.

not trying to rain on your parade, but odds are odds and they arent in your favor-- go with the more favorable plan, plus you know how many people out there are getting furloughed and not only have the type but have thousands of hours in type? but then again, SW hires the attitude and trains the talent.

who knows

SKIPPY



"im here for the gang bang." old school

Then why do they make you buy the talent? Never understood that but to each company its own.

 

[Flybet3]

Why is it that so many are ready and willing to get the 737 Type to get the interview/or START TRAINING with Southwest? Are there no principles anymore? Since when did Pay For Training become an acceptable thing? And don't fool yourselves Southwest guys, because that's exactly what this is.

I can't think of one other reputable airline that requires a Type on the aircraft to be flown on the first day of training. I'm sick and tired of Southwest guys getting a Pass on this. I certainly wasn't required to have a 757/767 Type at my airline on the first day of training; and I make a LOT more than those guys at Southwest. Paying for Training just lowers the bar for ALL OF US.

I know I'll get a lot of retribution from Southwest guys about this, but I don't care. Ego doesn't obfuscate the truth. SOMEONE HAD TO SAY IT.

If you're not RAISING the bar, you're LOWERING IT.

Don't forget: Just seven short years ago, Southwest was the red-headed stepchild of airline jobs. Their pay and benefits package SUCKED in comparison to the Legacies/Cargo.

Post 9/11, they had a very low operating cost. Duh! They didn't pay dikc compared to the legacies. To their credit, they had many brilliant corporate moves, to include fuel hedging, and the realization that if you can make the employees feel happy about dressing in Santa Claus' and elves' costumes on Christmas, they won't mind being paid sub-industry wages. (Personally, I'll take the extra millions over the lollipops and dressing like Santa Claus). Now, Southwest (among passenger airlines) has established the new "bar." Guys are cumming all over themselves to work there. Obviously guys don't remember the "bar" that was in place prior to 9/11.

Brilliant. It has worked for them. That, and the cherry picking and cannabilization of the National Airspace System.

You want my opinion? Save your money, and your pride. Save your industry. Don't prostitute yourself to Southwest. There are other reputable jobs out there that don't require you to sell yourself with Pay For Training. Don't lower the bar for yourself. Don't lower the bar for the rest of us.

The funny thing is that if you pay for training for a possible interview with southwest you're not a whore. But God forbid anyone spends 80K at Riddle or Gulfstream, he's a whore doing pay for training.
It's like saying that a chick that charges $20 for a BJ is a prostitute and should be in jail for it, but if she charges $500 she's an "Escort".
So invest 100K for your education and either you're a whore or mom and dad paid for it, but Spend 8K and you're a qualified professional. :erm: ?????

 

[Flybet3]

I never understood all this bitching about paying for training. Everybody who took the civilian route paid for their training at some point, so what is the big deal?

THAAAAAAAANK YOU. I've always said it, most pilots at one point in their career have "paid for training" or "whored" them selves out for a job. And the ones that say I've never done that are the ones that don't have anyone to guarantee them an interview at southwest yet. But as soon as they're "IN" they'll pull out the credit card, get a loan or dip in the 401K to get the Type fast!
To me that's the same thing as paying 20K for a CRJ type to get a guaranteed interview at a regional. The only difference is you spent more and will initially make less.

 

[Captain Overs]

I guess you're right. We all know getting a CRJ type to interview at a regional is the same as getting a 737 type to interview with SWA.

Moron.

 

[Skippy]

if she charges dinner, drinks, and a movie, she's a girlfriend, fiance, or worse yet, WIFE!!!

Bitches!!

 

[Flybet3]

I guess you're right. We all know getting a CRJ type to interview at a regional is the same as getting a 737 type to interview with SWA.

Moron.

At the end of the day the principle is the same. We're talking about paying for your own type to get an interview. Jackass.

 

[CA1900]

But God forbid anyone spends 80K at Riddle or Gulfstream, he's a whore doing pay for training.

Uhhh.... Riddle is a college that provides you with a college degree and FAA certificates and ratings. Gulfstream provides you with....... 250 hours. That's it.

They aren't even remotely the same thing.

 

[AC560]

Are there no principles anymore? Since when did Pay For Training become an acceptable thing? And don't fool yourselves Southwest guys, because that's exactly what this is.

Who paid for your private, commercial, instrument, twin. etc. instruction? I know some people trying to get theirs who would love to know how to get it all for free.