Southwest currency requirement

[LUV FLYING]

From the website:Experience must include active flying in two of the last five years.

The whole dod budget discussion has actually scared me into planning for a scenario of being let go at the 16-year point from the military. Might be prudent to get out now if I could get hired. Has anyone been interviewed recently at SWA while having a lengthy period of non-flying. Basically, had anyone been out of flying for three years with the most recent flying done during the 4th an 5th years ago. My guess is that would put someone at the bottom of the pile and probably not get the nod for an interview.

As of June 2012 I'll be at 15 years and out of the cockpit for 2 years. With no shortage of highly qualified people interested in SWA, I might be wasting my time putting in an app with 18 months out of flying and worst case spending money on private multi-engine time to get current again. Not sure if that Cessna time for example is of any interest to SWA. Appreciate any thoughts and advice on this.

 

[scoreboardII]

Private multi time means nothing to SWA, they only count 121 or revenue operation time, and of course military time.

 

[LUV FLYING]

Awesome, exactly the info I needed. How does SWA look at CFI time? I wouldn't want to expend resources toward that if it wouldn't matter. Thanks.

 

[texman]

I would go fly gov contact in a king air before doing the cfi thing. I think you know what I am talking about.

 

[ArcadiaMaxima]

if you don't put your app in you know your chances of getting the job.

 

[scoreboardII]

CFI is nothing. You need revenue time. Do anything and everything to stay current at someplace that pays you to move people or freight. Heck, do it for free even, but stay current (yes, I know if you do it for free your not getting paid but yes you are: flight time).

 

[Whataburger]

Currency? I think all we accept is the American Dollar. Volaris gets our pesos.

Based on who the People Dept are hiring, it would be a long shot. BUT, being prior military will help A LOT. Give it a shot.

 

[BlueandWhite]

If you didn't already meet the mins prior to your desk job, private multi or CFI won't help very much. If you were already over the mins and are just trying to maintain some currency, you definitely have a shot - especially if you are willing to take the risk and go get a 737 type. SWA has hired military guys coming off the staff in the past. Don't count yourself out too early.

 

[UALjan15]

A lot of our UAV guys have the same problem, and those that have airline ambitions are going with any guard/reserve unit that will hire them and get them current/building time. Might work for you, too. Pay would be way better than a regional as well. Other options you are considering seem like they won't get the job done.

Speaking as someone who got out after 14 yrs, I am very happy that I kept the reserve thing going. Got me through 2 furloughs, and next year I will earn my active duty retirement while still keeping a line number.

 

[landlover]

Heck, do it for free even, but stay current (yes, I know if you do it for free your not getting paid but yes you are: flight time).

this is the worst advice ever given.

 

[scoreboardII]

Except that the two guys I know who didn't follow it didn't get hired. Did I say do it 24/7? All you need is 200hrs over I think it's two years, you can do that riding side saddle in a buddies caravan logging training time once month on weekends, keeping your day job.

 

[landlover]

Except that the two guys I know who didn't follow it didn't get hired. Did I say do it 24/7? All you need is 200hrs over I think it's two years, you can do that riding side saddle in a buddies caravan logging training time once month on weekends, keeping your day job.

doesn't matter. no one should ever work for free. the OP should go get a job that will have him as a legitimate crew member. just because he gets "current" doesn't mean he will get the job at SWA, all the while he lowered the bar and now has no self respect and poor ethics.

 

[LUV FLYING]

I have the hours but no ATP yet; I am thinking of just throwing down the cash and getting the type and ATP at HPA. Thanks for clarifying that CFI time and private multiengine time would not be helpful, that's hundreds of dollars saved right there. 18 months out of the cockpit is a long time and that will become two years this June. My window is short and I kind of need to act now by getting the type and applying. Also looking at other airline currency requirements. Has anyone had to explain why they had a 737 type with no time? And does anyone feel like they didn't get an offer from places like Delta, FedEx, Continental, Spirit, Jetblue, Hawaiian, etc. due to having a 737 type with no time in type? I see it as a sure sign where someone's dreams/goals are focused. Thanks all. Really appreciate the advice.

 

[LUV FLYING]

On the topic of a reserve job, yes absolutely. Can't let 15-16 years go to waste. A reserve retirement would be great. Absolutely better than "no retirement."

 

[scoreboardII]

doesn't matter. no one should ever work for free. the OP should go get a job that will have him as a legitimate crew member. just because he gets "current" doesn't mean he will get the job at SWA, all the while he lowered the bar and now has no self respect and poor ethics.

And you would be wrong to think staying current by any means available is lowering the bar or somehow remotely related to ethics. This isn't crossing a picket line.

 

[ERfly]

And does anyone feel like they didn't get an offer from places like Delta, FedEx, Continental, Spirit, Jetblue, Hawaiian, etc. due to having a 737 type with no time in type? I see it as a sure sign where someone's dreams/goals are focused.

Yes! I am firmly convinced that I did not get hired at JetBlue and Atlas (and it might have even been the reason at Virgin America) because I had the 737 type. Didn't get hired at SWA, either.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yes! I am firmly convinced that I did not get hired at JetBlue and Atlas (and it might have even been the reason at Virgin America) because I had the 737 type. Didn't get hired at SWA, either.

So, your 737-type came as a surprise to those outfits during your interview???????

 

[landlover]

And you would be wrong to think staying current by any means available is lowering the bar or somehow remotely related to ethics. This isn't crossing a picket line.

If a pilot works for free they are removing a paid job from the aviation community. I have been on the wrong side of guys working for free to get current and get time in type. Trust me this is just as bad as scabbing. It's your short coming if you can't see this for what it is.

 

[Whataburger]

Yes! I am firmly convinced that I did not get hired at JetBlue and Atlas (and it might have even been the reason at Virgin America) because I had the 737 type. Didn't get hired at SWA, either.

I personally know pilots hired at Jblue, AirTran, Atlas, and Virgin America that have a 737 type.

 

[UALjan15]

And does anyone feel like they didn't get an offer from places like Delta, FedEx, Continental, Spirit, Jetblue, Hawaiian, etc. due to having a 737 type with no time in type? I see it as a sure sign where someone's dreams/goals are focused.

It's a great question, one I wondered about when I was interviewing. I interviewed at AWA with a 737 type, and I think it came up. Boils down to how well you can convince them that you are just covering all of your bases, but really want to work for their airline due to X, Y, and Z.