Southwest Airlines

[IFLY!]

My history includes both airline and corporate flying with over 6,700 hrs. total time and 3200 turbine (currently flying EFIS/FMS king Air 200). I'll be attending higher power in april/may of 06 for my 737 Type Rating. what else can I do to market myself and experience? any help would be appreciated. Also any information on interview prep and LOI interview at SWA.

 

[EA6BDriver]

I'm no SWA expert, but have heard of a few guys w/o type ratings getting the call the past few days. I would imagine if you get your 737 type, plus get some good recs from the inside, you'd get a call pretty soon. If guys w/o types are getting called, I would imagine that's because they've reached the bottom of the "type rated" pile of apps. Just my guess...

 

[Jim Smyth]

I would say that you need to network with as many SWA Pilots as possible. When it comes time for the interview they will be able to guide you through the process and possibly put in a good word to the Chiefs who are the ones that are in the review board at the end and they make the final decisions. This will deffinately help.

 

[PurpleChimp]

My history includes both airline and corporate flying with over 6,700 hrs. total time and 3200 turbine (currently flying EFIS/FMS king Air 200). I'll be attending higher power in april/may of 06 for my 737 Type Rating. what else can I do to market myself and experience? any help would be appreciated. Also any information on interview prep and LOI interview at SWA.

emeraldcoastinterviewconsulting.com

Aaron Hagan provides top-notch prep for both panel interview and LOI. I don't care who you are, if you don't do formal interview prep, you're are at a disadvantage right out of the shoot. I know a number of current 737 captains/FO's who interviewed at SWA and did not get hired. To the man, they failed to do interview prep. (No, Aaron Hagan is not paying me)

 

[IFLY!]

Jim do you have any recommendations for networking within the ranks and what’s your recommendation for interview prep?

 

[Whataburger]

When you got to Higher Power, you will meet a lady named Judy Tarver. For 180 bucks, she will prep you for the SWA interview when you get it. She has been around the industry for a long time. Even used to interview for American. She does not tell you what to say, but how to tell a story and emphasize the important details. It will be the best $180 you'll ever spend.

Secondly, network network network. Then, network some more.

 

[phoenix rising]

I have not posted on here before but I see a lot of you guys trying to get on with SW and others pushing the interview prep. I interviewed with SW and did not do the prep and got the job. I was glad I did not do the prep. In the HR interview she asked me if I did any interview prep. I said no but why do you ask? She said the people that are doing the prep are not getting hired because they sound like robots. They can even tell who is preping them. My advise to all that want the job is look at your log book and think of stories of your flying career. When you have your stories talk with your significant other and talk out your story. This is the best prep you can do. It is natural and from you not someone you paid to help you. There is so much gouge out there on the internet on SW that you can find the typical questions that they ask in the interview. You have to be yourself and be enthusiastic. Show why you love SW and why you are the best person for the job. Just my 2 cents

 

[Oh-ryan]

I have not posted on here before but I see a lot of you guys trying to get on with SW and others pushing the interview prep. I interviewed with SW and did not do the prep and got the job. I was glad I did not do the prep. In the HR interview she asked me if I did any interview prep. I said no but why do you ask? She said the people that are doing the prep are not getting hired because they sound like robots. They can even tell who is preping them. My advise to all that want the job is look at your log book and think of stories of your flying career. When you have your stories talk with your significant other and talk out your story. This is the best prep you can do. It is natural and from you not someone you paid to help you. There is so much gouge out there on the internet on SW that you can find the typical questions that they ask in the interview. You have to be yourself and be enthusiastic. Show why you love SW and why you are the best person for the job. Just my 2 cents

I don't think doing interview prep should be thought of as a negative. Concur you don't want to sound like a robot, but prepping for an interview should not be viewed as negative by HR people in any industry. If I were in a position to hire someone to do a job for me that would place him or her in a position that they are unfamiliar with I hope that they would PREPare for it. But no robots please.

 

[no1pilot2000]

An interviewing technique

I recently spoke to someone who interviewed with AirTran Airways. He told me one of the best interviewing techniques is just to be "yourself". His advice to someone interviewing with an airline is to show your passion for aviation and willingness to go beyond what is expected of you. He told me that those interviewing for any airline pilot position be themselves and show that desire for being a pilot and enjoying one's work.

Besides having the qualifications to be a pilot with SWA, Air Tran, or ect., the key word in an airline pilot job interview is "passion" for flying.

 

[Jim Smyth]

Jim do you have any recommendations for networking within the ranks and what’s your recommendation for interview prep?

I have been out of the interviewing game for a while now but you have alot of good information already on this thread. I would do anything you can to improve your odds of getting hired. If you know any SWA Pilots it would be good to keep them in the loop as you progress down the interview road. The old saying of "who you know rather than what you know may apply here and elsewhere". Best of luck.