Southwest and Military obligations

[Dragon's Fire]

I know there must be other military pilots out there that have applied to various programs like NASA, Customs, Guard or full time reserve jobs while they were waiting for Southwest to call. I submitted my resignation to the Navy but was picked up for a program within the Navy. Although a selection board chose me, the Navy is refusing to pull my resignation letter due to political reasons way above my level. I have accepted and committed myself to the program and am in limbo waiting for the paperwork to go through. Because I was still waiting to hear the outcome, I hadn’t pulled my application from Southwest. Southwest called this morning to offer an interview. What happens if Southwest offers a job, but the military job comes through and they won’t release me? It's a three-year commitment. How would Southwest react to this information? How do I manage this?

 

[chase]

First of all make sure you have copies of all emails, correspondences, make memos for records of your conversations with folks regarding your situation. A couple of questions, did you apply for the program before you submitted your letter of resignation? If after submitting your app you decided to resign & you were eligible (did your current commander approve of it? His commander?) to do so but now the Navy has blocked that process, you have a case. There were folks who applied, interviewed & were hired with class dates back after Desert Storm who were kept in the military after the military announced they were allowing folks to leave. They were caught up on the excessive departure of pilots & about 20 folks (my poor memory) were hired by SWA but couldn't get out of the AF because they reneged on their promise to let guys out.

Maybe not quite the same for you but I would accept the interview unless you know for a 100% fact you aren't eligible to get out. If the last word is your case is being reviewed but you currently meet eligibility requirements you certainly don't want to miss out on the opportunity to interview. I would also not hesitate to contact the PD folks & explain your situation to them. They are great at coming up with suggestions & solutions that far exceed whatever I could come up with. It is a touchy situation not knowing what your future holds but the gals there can offer you some insight. I'll check with a few of my contacts also & see what comes of it.

Good luck & thanks for serving

I know there must be other military pilots out there that have applied to various programs like NASA, Customs, Guard or full time reserve jobs while they were waiting for Southwest to call. I submitted my resignation to the Navy but was picked up for a program within the Navy. Although a selection board chose me, the Navy is refusing to pull my resignation letter due to political reasons way above my level. I have accepted and committed myself to the program and am in limbo waiting for the paperwork to go through. Because I was still waiting to hear the outcome, I hadn’t pulled my application from Southwest. Southwest called this morning to offer an interview. What happens if Southwest offers a job, but the military job comes through and they won’t release me? It's a three-year commitment. How would Southwest react to this information? How do I manage this?

 

[Dragon's Fire]

Thanks for the response. To answer your question, I applied to this program 3 times. The first 2 times I was not picked up. I was falling within the detailing window and had to either take orders or resign. We made a family decision to resign. I submitted the letter through the chain of command and it was approved. Even though I had an approved LOR, I was still eligible to apply to the program and was then picked up on the third board. I accepted and submitted the paperwork, but now I can’t get my orders until they pull my LOR (which the regular Navy is refusing to do right now).

After discussion with a few close friends and family I accepted the interview with Southwest. I just don’t know how Southwest would respond to this situation. I really want to work for Southwest, and don’t want to screw this up. I would love to work there if not now, in the future.

On a side note. After I was selected the first thing the detailer mentioned was that they selected too many people and he doesn’t have enough places to place everyone. (He has me penciled in, but can’t issue orders until the LOR is removed).

 

[navyc9]

Is this a position that they could possibly convert to a Reservist position? If they could you could possibly work both jobs. Just trying to look at all angles.
good luck.

 

[UALjan15]

What happens if Southwest offers a job, but the military job comes through and they won’t release me?

Dragon's Fire:

How's this for thinking outside the box: If SWA picks you up, you "come out of the closet" with the Navy, and they'll have to let you go. NOT that I think you're in the closet right now, but I'll bet it would work!

 

[chase]

I'm sending you a PM to clarify some things, we'll chat.

 

[SLOTH]

Remember M*A*S*H

Dragon's Fire:

How's this for thinking outside the box: If SWA picks you up, you "come out of the closet" with the Navy, and they'll have to let you go. NOT that I think you're in the closet right now, but I'll bet it would work!

Sounds like a Klinger routine in the making. LOL