Realistically-how long from Private to right seat for Southwest?

[RUNNINHORN]

The last two guys that were balls out training at SWA had to take a lateral transfer and made the AP News Wire.

so whats your point?

 

[mcjohn]

Dagnabit MarineGrunt! Havn't you seen any of my posts!? You're making me jealous here. Runninhorn has 18 hrs and 74 posts and he gets all the goods!
Seriously though, that was some killer info and I wish you'd of written it about 3 years ago for me.

Somebody send this guy some money for his services! (I sure as hell don't have any.)

 

[RUNNINHORN]

I dont know if this will help you but I thought I might as well chime in.

In 1990 I soloed a Piper Warrior after 15 hours on my way to getting my private pilots license. In the summer of 2000 I was hired by American Airlines and Delta Airlines.

However, I wouldn't describe me ever going "balls to the wall" Well, maybe when I was flying for Continental Expess I did.

my definition of "balls to the walls" training, is training that is very focused, goal-driven and motivated to complete the tasks at hand in a timely manner...........

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Dagnabit MarineGrunt! Havn't you seen any of my posts!? You're making me jealous here. Runninhorn has 18 hrs and 74 posts and he gets all the goods!
Seriously though, that was some killer info and I wish you'd of written it about 3 years ago for me.

Somebody send this guy some money for his services! (I sure as hell don't have any.)

ive got more than 18, just havent updated in quite some time...........

 

[9GClub]

MarineGrunt,

Just wanted to say that I appreciate what you said about your commitment to your wife and kids and the priority they hold in your life (even over flying). That's becoming rare these days, and it's good to hear.

-9G

 

[mcjohn]

Here's my 2 cents. Try to stay as out of debt as much as you can while your going balls to the wall. Most people who go balls to wall have to finance which allows you to fly everyday but go somewhere affordable (forget about the Florida flight academies). IMHO each rating is a license to learn. Get each as quickly as possible. I can see some folks disagreeing with this approach but it'll probably keep you out of poverty in the long run. Here an example of the bottom rung of affordability that I think is just fine:
http://www.shebleaviation.com/index.html
BTW you pay those prices straight up before training and that's it. No gimmicks.

 

[mcjohn]

MarineGrunt,

Just wanted to say that I appreciate what you said about your commitment to your wife and kids and the priority they hold in your life (even over flying). That's becoming rare these days, and it's good to hear.

-9G

I second that emotion! Wife comes first or you should have never gotten married.

 

[joe_pilot]

Ok, ok, this is a serious question. If a person was to go balls out training, that already has their private and working on their instrument, "guessing" how long would you say, how many years, could right seat be attained for flying for southwest?

Four years and six months after I got my intrument rating I was hired at a regional. I could have been there faster, but I am one of those 'sickos' who enjoyed flight instructing and did that for a couple thousand hrs and then flew freight for the same. I was very lucky, though. I worked at a busy flight school AND freight company. If I had taken the earliest upgrade available, I would have SW minimums after about three years here, so call it 7 years to SW's mins. Another three for competitive mins, so about 10 years. But then again, I'm in no rush to upgrade.

Just my $.02

Good luck.

-JP

 

[A Squared]

No kidding... Southwest accepts FAR part I definition for PIC?

So if you're a type-rated first officer then your legs (~50% of total time in the aircraft) could be considered PIC for the purposes of a Southwest application?

No, that would be the "part 61" definition of PIC. The Part 1 definition of PIC means you are the real, no $hit, buck stops here, PIC

 

[FN FAL]

so whats your point?

The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe.

 

[MauleSkinner]

All that being said, the most important thing is to have backup skills, where you can find another job if things don't work out for whatever reason.

That, to me, is also the most important issue (well, after the marriage stuff)...if you're one and only goal in aviation is flying for Southwest, great. But what will you do if, for some reason, they don't want you? Remember, for everyone who spent 10 or 20 years on their way to the right seat at Southwest, there are probably several who spent that same time and didn't make it.

Above all, Fly safe!

David

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I'll let ya know if I ever get there. Right now I'm at 6+ years and haven't seen the left seat of any flying device since my commercial multi checkride in 2000. (not counting the week spent getting my Citation type) Currently I am about to join an unemployment line for an unknown length of time. Upgrade times to get that PIC time were looking at 5 + years in the company and slowly dropping, now they are over 6 and increasing with the layoffs and downgrades.
Right now I have a better shot at doing your taxes than being your SWA first officer.

 

[414Flyer]

Do it because you want to take the journey, not because of the possible destination.

 

[MTpilot]

I think you should save your "balls to the walls" stuff for flying freight, that will be the quickest way to get your time up. Just get all your ratings as fast as you can, instruct till you get 135 mins, then take a freight job with the first dirtbag outfit that will hire you, jump ship for better airplanes and jobs whenever you can, with a little luck you could be competive in five years. Then you can get a job where you might actually see your wife every now and again. Best of luck.

 

[Swaayze]

15.5 yrs and counting....slowly

 

[NoKoolAid]

Military Options

Call me crazy, but I was hired off active duty USAF (now at FedEx) with just under 10 years of service.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd recommend Guard/Reserve and fly civilian on the side. Guard/Reserve units are very selective about who they send to pilot training, but if you make the cut you'll love the flying.

The best way to build flight time and not starve in the process is active duty military. Decent income for pilots and their families. No matter where you live, there is a housing allowance and cost of living adjustment. Health insurance extends to your whole family. Of course, you may get shot at in the process! Check Six!

Big Picture: you get to build flight time, make decent money compared to the civilian route, and the benefits are good as well. However, please don't go the military route if you are not willing to serve your country with honor and pride. We need men and women of high character, motivation, and commitment to protect our nation. The "spineless" need not apply.

Southwest is a great goal, but be realistic. I'm sure plenty of folks dreamed about flying for Delta, United, TWA, Eastern, Braniff, etc. -- you get the picture.

Good Luck.

Now get your arse down to the recruiter's office ASAP, mister!

 

[Metro752]

true, but she is the type of person that cant understand that and needs a general time frame. I know I know, but that is just one of her quirks.

She could use a good beating. Sounds like one of them anti-war wanna pullout timeline folks.

 

[Metro752]

Yes Sir Gunnery Sargeant Ermey Sir

 

[Hand Commander]

The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe.

Well you know, the man that was talking to the dog Looked at the dog and he said, Sort of staring in disbelief, "You can't say that."

FZ in '08

 

[FN FAL]

my definition of "balls to the walls" training, is training that is very focused, goal-driven and motivated to complete the tasks at hand in a timely manner...........

That's the spirit, you just have to want it more than the other guy and it will happen.