Southwest Crew base...

[Flyguy801]

So, I hear there is going to be a crew base in LAS in October...

If so, will it be a Junior base? How soon should I apply if I want to be based in LAS?

For current SWA Flight attendants, how do you like it?

Thanks!

 

[SKYWAITRESS]

Apply today! I don't know what the turnaround time is for applying, interviewing, and class dates. The sooner you get onboard, the sooner you will have seniority. Seniority helps when bidding each month and bidding for vacations. I have been at SWA for over a decade and yes, it is STILL a great job.

 

[CHQFA00]

The whole process can take up to a year. I applied last August, lucky to have had a group interview and one on one interview in one day in October (not the norm, some people will do there one on one a month AFTER there group interview), and I'm FINALLY headed to training in a few weeks after waiting nearly 8 months after the interview. Others have waited longer. Although I'm not 100% certain, I keep hearing that LAS will be junior as it's hard to commute into LAS and there is probably not a lot of people that live there. This being my third and LAST airline (knock on wood), I have not heard one bad thing about SWA. Which is weird, and I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop after all the BS I've had with previous airlines. All I can say is start the process now, one day of delaying can cost you a class date and senority number!

 

[huronip]

Can any of you give a pilot new to the airline industry going to work at SWA any advice from your perspective?

 

[Flyguy801]

Why does it take so long?? SkyWest, Mesa, United and some other carries seem to be getting people in to classes with in a month or two of applying..

 

[CHQFA00]

Not sure, and believe me, there were plenty of times where I was about to tell them where to put the training date (insert here).

The fact of the matter is, as far as QOL, pay, retirement, profit sharing, THEY are the number one airline. Although you can never say never, they have not furlough one employee since they have opened the doors.

I'm not too thrilled about looking like a camp counslor going to work. But I rather wear the ugly pants and be happy, than wearing a uniform designed by Kate Spade and being miseriable.

Apply now, it's worth the wait.

 

[CHQFA00]

Can any of you give a pilot new to the airline industry going to work at SWA any advice from your perspective?

The advice I gave my husband:

You have won the lotto. Don't F%ck up
:beer:

 

[BizAvFA]

LAS junior? I dont work commercial but I find that hard to believe.
I would have thought that everyone would be dying to get out of places like Chicago and Baltimore.

 

[CHQFA00]

LAS junior? I dont work commercial but I find that hard to believe.
I would have thought that everyone would be dying to get out of places like Chicago and Baltimore.

Can I ask where you live? Obviously it's got to be 10 times better than Chicago and Baltimore (do you sense my sarcasm?).

Obviously you don't fly SWA much, if you did, you would noticed we have older FA's that are married with kids. Not that easy to pack up the family and say "we're headed to vegas".

Time will tell how senior or how junior LAS will go. You worry about your corporate job where you have home basing, and I'll worry about commerical job that has set bases. Deal?

 

[FlyUnited]

I'd guess it's like this. Some like Chicago, some like Vegas. Some like 8 legs a day domestic, some like one leg international. I could never fly for SW simply because they don't fly international, others couldn't stand being out of the country and want to be home more. That is the beauty of the airline jobs.

 

[firstthird]

problem with vegas is the problem with many cities that benefited from the real estate run up, it is too expensive to buy a house compared to other places one could live. So, if a pilot or FA isn't already living in Vegas, they aren't likely to want to move there. But we'll see. I think that Vegas will displace OAK as the new hire base for pilots (although MCO has gotten some of that lately too, same reason, who wants to spend 500,000 for a crappy 3/2 in Orlando?)

 

[BizAvFA]

I still say LAS will not go junior. Chatauqua girl, you sound like a real peach!

 

[Flyguy801]

I still say LAS will not go junior. Chatauqua girl, you sound like a real peach!

BizAvFA, where do you live??

MDW, BWI and LAS are not cheap to live, the cost for a new home in Vegas is about 320k and the house is small.

For one, I commute now to SLC from Vegas, what I pay for a room at my crash pad is nothing compared to what I pay for my morgage in LAS.

I dont see how you can also compare BWI, MDW to LAS....all have it "perks" of living.

So.....for anyone who works for WN, do you think LAS will be a Junior base?

Thanks!

 

[pw4000]

The advice I gave my husband:

You have won the lotto. Don't F%ck up
:beer:

Vomiting

 

[pgcfii2002]

I love F/A's.

 

[cwe84]

It will be like any other opening. You will have your sorta senior people that will go because it is a shorter commute and then some will go to experience something new and then back fill with all the new people. Then when the dust settles a few more senior people will come...

 

[cwe84]

Oh and CHQFAOO is a real peach...

 

[Flyguy801]

So...I got my letter to go to the open house for SWA end of this month, is there any advice that anyone can give me so I can get to the one on one?

 

[SKYWAITRESS]

Be yourself. Make sure you are dressed in business attire, even though SWA is a casual airline. Be pleasant. Smile. Make sure you know something about SWA. Some examples are: founded by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King in 1971, first three cities were DAL, HOU, and SAT, only fly one airplane 737 three versions 300, 500, 700. Stuff like that.... if you need more info, read NUTS or Hard Landing. Oh, yes, be enthusiastic. Make good eye contact. Let the interviewers know SWA is the ONLY place you want to work. Be friendly. Have fun! When I interviewed many years ago, the interview was very simple....they asked me how to spell my last name, what I was currently doing, and what my most embarrassing moment was? Then, they wanted to see how well you mingled with each other. The second interview was more customer service oriented. Again, this was over twelve years ago so the questions--I am positive that it has changed. Just be yourself and let them know how much you really want to work for SWA. I have also heard of them doing the open house and one on one interviews in the same day. Be prepared to stay. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Flyguy801]

So I did get to the one on one, they had me fill out my application, they did fingerprinting and the DOT drug forms....so is that a good thing?

 

[SKYWAITRESS]

I think that everyone has to do that stuff NOW, post Sept. 11.

 

[Flyguy801]

Well, we don't fingerprint people till they are hired on. It cost money to fingerprint someone, like $250 per person. But since WN does it electronitlly, its differant.

 

[swait]

Fingerprinting

It costs them nothing extra to take the prints. They won't submit them unless you pass the interview and they plan to hire you.

 

[Loosediamondfl]

Re:swa Open House

Hi,
I am so happy I just got invited a Southwest Interview Open House..YES!! I am smiling cheek to cheek...I have read what everone is saying to know, and what they want to hear..ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? I am excited, but also a little nervous too. Is this normal?
Loose Diamondfl

 

[Flyguy801]

So, its been 2 weeks now and stlll have not heard back from them....Should I lose hope?

 

[CHQFA00]

I went through the same thing. You have to remember, this is NOT a typical airline. Don't expect to go to training with in two weeks like the other airlines do. This is the beginning of a at LEAST 6 month process. If you didn't pass, you will get the "Thanks, but no thanks" letter by the second week (after your one on one). If you don't, your in, pending your background check. I know it sucks, but this is how SW operates. Here's a good website for you:

www.swa.flightattendants.org

Lots of info for new hires and those that are in the pool.

Good luck!