Southwest App Questions...What'd you do?

[CaptainBrazilia]

First, I'm having a heck of a time trying to find someone who isn't a relative to put in the boxes about verification of periods of unemployment. I think, at MOST, in the last ten years I've been unemployed maybe a total of 7 months, and none of that has been longer than a month or so at a time. During the unemployment periods, I was in college. Is there anyone that's run into this sort of deal that could shed some light as to the best way to go about noting all this stuff? Leaving it blank probably isn't an option, eh?

Also, on the flight-time grid, did you all list each aircraft type and the amount of time in that type? I can understand this for the airline world, but back when I was instructing, I probably flew 15 different types in one year. I've pretty much just listed the types, with one total flying-hour figure for the lot. Any thoughts on this method?

Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[hopeful]

I thought you only had to account for unemployment periods that were greater than one month.

I listed every aircraft with the actual number of hours in it. It was a pain, but I knew everyone else probably had and I also knew that I was in competition with them so I didn't want to take the "short cut."

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Yeah...I seem to remember something like that. Also, I seem to remember my current employer treating time enrolled in college as a period of employment, even though I didn't have an actual job during several months while I was enrolled.

Does anyone that's been through the process have any suggestions?

 

[InHot]

Make it easy on them

I gave them as much information as possible regarding periods of unemployment.

Persons other than relatives could include clergy, teachers/instructors, team mates (did you play softball/hockey/basketball?).

If you lived in the same area during these different periods of unemployment I don't see any reason not to list the same person more than once, if applicable.

Make it easy for them to verify these periods, ensuring you provide up to date addresses and phone numbers for these folks. Go as far as contacting these people and let know you are listing them on the SWA application.


As far as individual aircraft types - for all the bug smasher (Single Eng RECIP) time I listed them all in one box and then gave an aggregate for all of them, instead of an indivivdual listing. If you need to, add an addendum sheet to provide the info.

My opinion - more info is better than not enough. Just make it as clear and understandable as possible.

Good luck!

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Excellent info. Thanks!

 

[sfomarc]

I got hired two years ago and thought I was going to get hung up on the time I was unemployed.

I was living overseas and did not work nor could it be verified that I truely did live overseas except for my friends here who know I was. The references I used, all friends, consisted of a District Attorney, a cop, and an FAA fed. The person who was contacting my refs really grilled them to the point that each and every one of them was really pissed off at this guy. Finally in fear of getting tossed I wrote a letter and sent it in explaining in detail the entire scenario which seemed to work.

As for flight time, in my opinion I think they just want to see where you got your turbine time. I listed all single engine together, all multi piston together, and then broke down the jet which was only 3 different airplanes.

Good luck.