Rumor Alert-SWA may consider hiring external dispatch applicants

[RVSM]

Just a rumor at this point but it is something to think about.

 

[SKC]

I had heard that rumor in Oct of '05.

 

[homerjdispatch]

That would be awesome.... How do the current SWA dispatchers feel about it?

 

[shooter]

GREAT! All Texas fans....keep your eyes out! This is GREAT news for our profession.

 

[RVSM]

Most realize that we have just about emptied the internal bowl of appropriate candidates. Overall I think the feeling is positive.
One more group of internal hires, from the last interviews, should start in a couple of months and if rumors are accurate the next interviews will be in the fall and will be a mix of internal and externals.

 

[WalterSobchak]

GREAT! All Texas fans....keep your eyes out! This is GREAT news for our profession.

North Texas is home for me and I miss it dearly.

 

[propsarebest]

Good for WN, even though I have never understood why it;s such a coveted place to work.

 

[SKC]

I'm guessing, because working for a company that actually makes money is attractive.

 

[homerjdispatch]

Good for WN, even though I have never understood why it;s such a coveted place to work.

Dude, If you dont know why, were not gonna tell you.

 

[flyjumpseat]

Good for WN, even though I have never understood why it;s such a coveted place to work.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

 

[propsarebest]

I know why people wanna work there, I just don't understand why. Southwest has ruined this industry, turning it into a bus service. Remember when people actually used to dress up to fly somewhere? Remember when airlines actually had customer service? That is all gone, because of the way WN operates.

Work there= middle seat, last row, for LIFE!

 

[SKC]

Yeah, that's the ONLY reason why the legacies have been sucking the teets off the bankruptsy judges over the past 5 years.

"Work there= middle seat, last row, for LIFE!"

What part of full airplanes are bad? A non-rev doesn't help the company pay it's bills (directly). If I have a hard time getting on a WN plane stand-by, that means the company is doing something right.

 

[Ohh Porterhouse]

Hmmmm I wonder...

Do you have to line up at the interview door 2 hours before just like you do to get on one of their flights???

 

[RJAA]

I know why people wanna work there, I just don't understand why.

I guess things like stability and a decent payscale/profit sharing aren't really your priorities.

 

[ss9e]

I know why people wanna work there, I just don't understand why. Southwest has ruined this industry, turning it into a bus service. Remember when people actually used to dress up to fly somewhere? Remember when airlines actually had customer service? That is all gone, because of the way WN operates.

Work there= middle seat, last row, for LIFE!

deregulation turned flying into a bus service and i'm glad. the average consumer shouldn't have to pay out the @ss to fly somewhere. nor should they have to dress up to fly. customer service is gone in every industry now.
you're living in the past my friend.

 

[MrSalty]

I know why people wanna work there, I just don't understand why. Southwest has ruined this industry, turning it into a bus service. Remember when people actually used to dress up to fly somewhere? Remember when airlines actually had customer service? That is all gone, because of the way WN operates.

Work there= middle seat, last row, for LIFE!

I blame Canada.

 

[propsarebest]

OMFG, Mr. Salty is alive!

 

[RVSM]

Do you have to line up at the interview door 2 hours before just like you do to get on one of their flights???

Not required but probably a good idea. 10 min early is 5 mins late.
Other than that you better have skills, mad skills.
People skills to get past the People Dept interview. (check out the pilot gouge and look into "behavior based interview" techniques.)
Dispatch skills to get past the written, practical and ??? that the dispatchers are looking for.
Wn in general is very Xenophobic due to a fear of importing legacy cancer. Also since we do dang near everything different at WN, compared to elsewhere, it means we have to take time and money to train outsiders on the WN way. I suspect that because of this they will be looking for around 5 years of 121 Dx time from externals, (my opinion, not inside info), so that they can spend more time on WN topics and less on Dx 101 topics.
If/when WN starts looking externally for Dx'ers it will be probably the most competitive interview in the industry. Think about it, WN hires several hundred of the best pilots the industy has to offer each year. There might be 5 Dx slots annually. Not trying to be a jerk I just want everyone who is interested prepared to bring their A game.
Good Luck
RVSM

 

[RJAA]

We recently had some tools interviewing for us with just a polo shirt and pants. No bueno. LMAO. And our interview process is rather simple compared to other legacies.

 

[DX Jake]

Not required but probably a good idea. 10 min early is 5 mins late.
Other than that you better have skills, mad skills.
People skills to get past the People Dept interview. (check out the pilot gouge and look into "behavior based interview" techniques.)
Dispatch skills to get past the written, practical and ??? that the dispatchers are looking for.
Wn in general is very Xenophobic due to a fear of importing legacy cancer. Also since we do dang near everything different at WN, compared to elsewhere, it means we have to take time and money to train outsiders on the WN way. I suspect that because of this they will be looking for around 5 years of 121 Dx time from externals, (my opinion, not inside info), so that they can spend more time on WN topics and less on Dx 101 topics.
If/when WN starts looking externally for Dx'ers it will be probably the most competitive interview in the industry. Think about it, WN hires several hundred of the best pilots the industy has to offer each year. There might be 5 Dx slots annually. Not trying to be a jerk I just want everyone who is interested prepared to bring their A game.
Good Luck
RVSM

were you on a day shift yesterday?!?! I couldn't believe my eyes.

 

[XPOO]

So, um, excuse me, but are you trying to say that Southwest is the pinnacle of dispatching as we know it? Har! I guess if you don't mind living in a city where you drive hours upon end to work, where the freeway system looks like a huge p*nis, and the city draws up plans for a victory parade long before they even win a championship, certain counties within the city don't sell alcohol. And don't get me started on all the people that think a cowboy hat is part of their work uniform. As for the job...dispatching is dispatching is dispatching. Get over yourselves.

 

[SKC]

XPOO, don't you think it's great that some folks have found that job for them? Isn't that the goal that we're all trying to reach? Doing the job that you love for a company that actually treats you like they want you to be there. That's the American dream [cue cheezy music]..... :laugh:

Good companies are dwindling. Southwest is one of them and like Willy Wonka is looking at opening up the chocolate factory for outsiders. Who knows, maybe you'll get a golden ticket and get to go work with the rest of the oompa-loompas (sorry RVSM and Jake ).

Seriously, if you like where you're at, no reason to get your panties in a wad because many people think it'll be a good opportunity.

 

[DX Jake]

XPOO, don't you think it's great that some folks have found that job for them? Isn't that the goal that we're all trying to reach? Doing the job that you love for a company that actually treats you like they want you to be there. That's the American dream [cue cheezy music]..... :laugh:

Good companies are dwindling. Southwest is one of them and like Willy Wonka is looking at opening up the chocolate factory for outsiders. Who knows, maybe you'll get a golden ticket and get to go work with the rest of the oompa-loompas (sorry RVSM and Jake ).

Seriously, if you like where you're at, no reason to get your panties in a wad because many people think it'll be a good opportunity.

No offense taken SKC. XPOO is entitled to his/her opinion. And not that it matters XPOO, but I've been here for a few years now, and I don't think I've seen someone wearing a cowboy hat yet. Dallas is very urban. The cowboy hat stuff is wayyy out there. Yes, the traffic can suck sometimes, but it's not different from any other city. Actually the great part about being a dispatcher here, is that the morning shift arrives way before AM rush hour even starts, and the PM shift arrives way before the PM rush even starts. Housing here is affordable. I don't think RVSM was trying to convey that SWA is the cream of the crop. I think he's just trying to help other dispatchers on here that MAY be interested in one day working for SWA as a dispatcher one day. Within reason, I think he was trying to help out by saying there will be many that apply, and that the interview process is unique from other airlines.

 

[XPOO]

I hear what he is saying, he just said it in a "we're better than everyone out there" mentality, and I had to put him back in his place. And seriously, yes, I have seen many a gas station counter clerk wearing their cowboy hat on duty. Same goes with the cowboy boots. Bright pink ones. What the hell? I'm sorry, but I grew up in cowboy country and you wouldn't catch a real cowboy dead in bright pick cowboy boots. Anyways, checking out the girls at Gators were always a good way to pass the time, and the Grapevine Hooters was also a lovely place. Does that chick that refuses to wear the "proper" attire still work there? She insisted on wearing a full long-sleeve shirt. Anyways, I'd rather be in the open air, where in 15 minutes I can be away from ANYONE doing ANYTHING. And in Dallas, you'd have a long way to drive to be able to breathe and be away from everyone else. But then again, that's my opinion. I'm not trying to sway anyone.

 

[RJAA]

Living in a dump is alright, as long as there are tons of non-rev opportunities, which makes a world of difference. Again, it depends on what you want.

 

[RVSM]

Xpoo,
My apologies if you were upset, my confident demeanor is often mistaken for arrogance. I'm used to it by now.
My intent was to give advanced notice to anyone thinking of coming to work for WN that the interview process is very competitive and to allow them time to research and hone the skills necessary to succeed in the Byzantine Wn interview process.
As for Dallas I think we actually agree that it is not the ideal location for persons that enjoy outdoor recreation and solitude. Fortunately the low cost of living and flexible schedule provide ample opportunity to grab a backpack and catch a plane to a more suitable location for a few days. Not all of us can have our dream job in our dream location.
Good luck to all who make the attempt,
RVSM