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Southwest again....

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crjdude

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2002
Posts
220
I've been pursuing Southwest since '99. Been lucky enough to be selected to interview twice (2000 and 2005) but didn't seem to be what they wanted.

Is it worth pursuing a 3rd interview or do I need to finally lay this goal down and focus on something else?

At some point it just "is what it is......"

Thanks.
 
What's your pain level? I know a guy that was hired on his FIFTH try. The interview is pretty low cost so if you're up for it then come on back.

Gup
 
You have a 100% of never working at SWA if you don't try again.

...and they pay for lunch....
 
Hi!

I read of a flightinfo guy who was hired on his 7th try.

Try. That's ALL you can do.

cliff
YIP
 
I know a check airman hired on his third try. If this is where you want to be PLEASE give it your best effort. We need good folks.
 
The hard part is getting them to call you.

<---three-time loser.

Last interview was in July 2005.
 
Tejas-Jet said:
Based on past history...a buy or merge would be assets only with preferential interviews to ensure SWA gets the type of pilot they want.
Click to expand...

If you're referring to Morris, I believe they took everyone as far as pilots were concerned. Including some they fired.

Stapled 'em. Gave them time to get types if they didn't have one.
 
Thanks guys/gals.
Decided to give it another shot.
Now if I can just get that phone to ring...again.
crjdude
 
Why does it take so many attempts to get a job at Southwest? I know of some excellent pilots with resumes that put mine to shame. They are very well liked and great pilots. Yet they have interviewed twice each and no luck. Is there something strange with the process...? It blows me away to see them turn down such great people. The ones I know that have been hired are awesome guys as well. I don't see any difference between them and the ones they turned down.
 
Like Marine boot camp, people value membership in an organization in relationship to how hard it is to get in.
 
AWACoff said:
Why does it take so many attempts to get a job at Southwest? I know of some excellent pilots with resumes that put mine to shame. They are very well liked and great pilots. Yet they have interviewed twice each and no luck. Is there something strange with the process...? It blows me away to see them turn down such great people. The ones I know that have been hired are awesome guys as well. I don't see any difference between them and the ones they turned down.
Click to expand...

I think about it this way:

You have to pass the interview. Then you have to pass the LOI. Then you have to be lucky.

Each month SWA interviews about 700 pilots and hires 48. The odds are against you. So you have to have some luck to get hired.
 
To answer the original question, I would say this: I have in 3 years flown with more truly outstanding individuals than I can count. The one captain who may have made the most positive impression on me was an outstanding aviator, consummate professional, great guy to share a cockpit with, and great communicator with the crew and other employees. He floored me when he told me he didn't get hired until his third try. The humility he showed in going in there a 3rd time with a smile on his face is evident now in the outstanding demeanor with which he treats those he works and shares a cockpit with. I hate to think that he wouldn't be here if he hadn't tried that third time.

The odds are significantly better than described in an earlier post - probably more like 25-40% fluctuating month to month. But the people department likes persistence so your chances actually get better with subsequent interviews. But it's not a crap-shoot and odds don't matter; go in there and interview well and convince them they would want to hang out with you on a three-day and show good CRM and communication and decision-making skills in the LOI and you're in.
 
Last edited:
Hardcorr said:
The interview process is flawed just like it is everywhere else. You need to know somebody and have some luck.
Click to expand...
I agree that our process has worts, but "knowing" someone is neither a prerequisit or a guarantee.
 
Well, I just got through interview number 2. Had two out of three interviewers tell me good job. One guy even said that I was a good fit for their company. The LOI went well overall ,or so I thought. Ran my decision thru other guys and they said they all would have done the same thing.
One week later and no refs called! I have NO IDEA what they want. Have the type and checkairman experience, over 2000 121 turbine PIC. Oh well, on to the third try.
 
I have a friend that did his interview on the 9th and they just called me about him 2 days ago. It may take awhile. Don't sweat it.
 
Hardcorr said:
The interview process is flawed just like it is everywhere else. You need to know somebody and have some luck.
Click to expand...

I agree with having "luck"...but the knowing someone is not true. I have heard of guys that have not gotten hired here that had Parents in the training dept. I have even heard of one guy whose family knew Herb himself...and still didn't get hired. The process might have flaws but knowing someone to get hired at SWA is not as important as DAL, FEDEX...etc.
 
JetFumes said:
Well, I just got through interview number 2. Had two out of three interviewers tell me good job. One guy even said that I was a good fit for their company. The LOI went well overall ,or so I thought. Ran my decision thru other guys and they said they all would have done the same thing.
One week later and no refs called! I have NO IDEA what they want. Have the type and checkairman experience, over 2000 121 turbine PIC. Oh well, on to the third try.
Click to expand...


Don't be discouraged. Its possible they won't call your refs. If you did well enough and they do some digging of their own and like what they see, then you never know. I wouldn't sweat it until the letter comes.
 
I do not buy the fact that no refs get called and you get the job. They talk to someone somewhere to verify who you are. They might not call your letters of recs, but they talk to someone somewhere...they have to... opinions?
 
I thought that's what I said. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. I know they get in contact with people who you might not list. They'll find out what they need to know.
 

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