Southwest interview Question

[ChairFlyin]

First Post- here it goes-

Question for the Southwest people out there:
Before, when Southwest would use the old interview system, they heard there was a relatively low % of people passing the interview to get a job offer.
Now that they have a competitive system in place, I expect the rates to go up.

How high do you expect this to impact the entire process?

Thanks-

ChairFlyin-

 

[chase]

Good question

This is the connundrum that everyone is pondering these days. The correct answer is no one knows & won't know even after ther results of the first decision board is released 2-4 weeks after the first set of interviews. It can/may/will vary as the pool of candidates change each month.

An argument could be made as you have proposed that a higher selection rate will occur since selection for interview was based upon "best qualified". However, the variety of folks who are being called will reflect (IMHO) a cross section of experience (type/no type, 121, 135, 91) & background (mil vs. civilian). Does this make it no longer a "best qualified"? The argument could be it does. However, Southwest is the one to determine "best qualified" & once it does it could easily choose folks from a variety of backgrounds & experiences but still keep the selection rate at historical levels. But no one can't be sure either that 90% of the folks would be selected!!!! Wouldn't that be great but again I have NO CLUE!!! The candidates themselves will determine that.

As you can see the speculation can lead you to any conclusion you may wish to have. Attitude & methods to gauge that will be critical cogs in the decision matrix as the interview process & DB process plays itself out. What one needs to spend the majority of time doing in preparing for the chance to interview is to make sure all the things one can control are done in advance in order for each applicant to be relaxed & come across as themselves.

Selection rates aren't something any of us know or can control but making sure we have copies of our HS, college (if applicable) graduation certificates, driver's license, addresses of previous employees, 3 LORs, checked your credit ratings/background, driver's background, tickets, etc. & other requirements for the interview are the things I would be most concerned about.

SWA will no doubtedly miss a few on the interview process (as we have in the past) & not select some highly qualified folks. It is inevitable & how folks respond to that dilemma will set the tone on whether they will be stronger candidates the next time through (yes SWA has hired folks on their 2nd, 3rd & 4th try).

It is nice speculation on selection rates with this "new" system in place & the quality of candidates we have but so is speculating how many angels dance on the head of a pin!!!! I'm not trying to belittle your question but as I've suggested to many others put energies into the things you can control & leave the rest to a "higher power". Cheers & have a great weekend,

 

[sonicyouth]

I could be wrong, but it sounds like date of app is a big factor right now and also obviously having the type, from what I've been hearing. So that would not make it very "competitively based." I'm curious as to when they will run out of typed applicants to interview?

 

[SODA]

It is definitely not date of app. I know too many typed, 2001 apps with no call yet.

 

[sonicyouth]

If you don't mind me asking, are they at other major airlines now or furloughed?

 

[juan2go]

Not date of app.

When you applied no longer matters.

 

[airlinepilot]

What I was told is....

A close friend of mine (Capt at SWA) who helped do the interviews.... told me that the general feeling was that SWA was interviewing anyone who met the minimum criteria. However, for the most part they were hiring the more experienced guys.....with a few exceptions and that they needed to screen the resume's, experience, etc before letting people come interview who really were not competitive. Therefore the new process should increase the percentage the percentage hired of those interviewed.

 

[tmstewar2]

As a previous PD "insider" this is what I can tell you about the process.

Just about all applicants will get interviewed sooner or later - but -yes the more "qualified" (type rating, hours, education, leadership positions, etc.) will get the opportunity to interview earlier. However, what you have on paper and what you have in person are two different things. The interview is mostly about you as a person - are you the type of individual that SWA wants in front of their customers. If you should have both parts than your chances of getting hired are pretty good.

And! yes people do get hired their 2nd or 3rd time around. Some people are just nervous and don't know what to expect in the interview and bomb it. There are some keys to the process if you want more information please email me. [email protected]

Also SWA doesn't make any decisions based on numbers....
if they interview 9 guys in a day and they like all they will take all ... or if they don't care for any they won't take any.

SWA goal is to get the best person for the job. Who has what SWA is looking for in flight skills and fit with the company.

I hope this has helped - I know there is a lot of talk now that interviews are starting back up. Just remember to BE YOURSELF!!! Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[sonicyouth]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Trojan]

Today I had the opportunity to speak with SWA Capt. Lang (yes, LL's dad). He is Asst Chief Pilot in PHX, and former interview committee member. He politely answered a few questions for me, like "Which boxes on the app give you the most points for an interview?" All applications are viewed by both a computer and a human to determine worthiness. In no particular order, because the weighting is a company secret - Big items are 737 type, turbine PIC, career progression (hrs vs years, acknowledging military and corporate pilots get less time), career leadership positions. Previous app would only break a tie. If hired without a type, you don't get in line for a class date until typed. Furloughees are just fine, he was a Braniff furloughee when hired by SWA. The 100 guys called for interviews so far this month are VERY qualified. 400 pilots to train this year, 500 next year. SWA to double in size of planes and pilots by 2010.
That's about all I can remember.

T

 

[MK82Man]

Thanks

great post Trojan!

 

[Trojan]

So, what is VERY qualified?
Word has it a TWENTY year USAir 737 FO (recently downgraded Cpt) has an interview next week. Talk about currency and qualifications! For those saying why hire guys like this over hard working, eager young military and commuter pilots, SWA is obviously going for maximum qualifications since they are in the position to do so. With the amount of hiring they plan though, the rest of us should get a shot at some point.

T

 

[Falconjet]

Other reasons

Some might argue that teaching an old dog new tricks is very difficult, so a pilot with 20 years of experience of doing it another carrier's way may not be the best one for the job. Another reason MIGHT be that they like to hire some older folks because they know that they will have to pay that pilot less over his/her career. Obviously they have to weigh the training costs involved, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that more is always better.

The bottom line is the company (SW in this case) is probably looking at individuals who they (for whatever reason) think will be the best fit for their operation. Their hours and experience levels will vary quite a bit. Qualifications are good, but don't let rumors like that deter you from pursuing your dream job. Like they say, if the mins weren't good enough, they wouldn't be the mins! If you've got the mins, apply, and then network like crazy to get your chance at an interview.

Good luck.

FJ

 

[canyonblue]

he was a Braniff furloughee when hired by SWA.

Braniff is furloughing?

 

[Trojan]

FJ,

I couldn't agree with you more.
I was just passing along good intel 'from the horse's mouth'.

T

 

[Gumshoe]

Logging fighter time

I think I know the answer to this but does Southwest consider T-38 time (fighter). I have both F-15 and T-38 time and just wanted clarification.

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[shootr]

I did ask LL this question for some friends. Any Military A/C that starts with a "T" does not count as fighter/bomber. It must be designated as a fighter or bomber to go under that category. She said this includes T-34, T-37, T-38, T-44, T-45, T-2, T-1...you get the point.

Good luck,
shootr

 

[Judge]

"Any Military A/C that starts with a "T" does not count as fighter/bomber. It must be designated as a fighter or bomber to go under that category. She said this includes T-34, T-37, T-38, T-44, T-45, T-2, T-1...you get the point.

Good luck,
shootr"



So an AV-8B Harrier which fights and bombs would not be considered either since it starts with an "A". The 300 hours I got last year fighting BFM in the T-45 1 hour at a time doesn't actually count as fighting/fighter stuff...
Don't get wrapped around the axel here.
I think T-38, T-45, etc. fits the bill for a fighter type of aircraft, even if they don't do it very well.

 

[BobbyB]

So I guess I will count the T-45 or T-38 as Cargo/Transport. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[shootr]

Take it for what it's worth. It's not your application, it's SWA's. If you want the real answer, ask the PD yourself. BTW, they got rid of the "cargo/transport" part after military prop/jet for just this reason (look at your app, again). I think it's pretty obvious that AV-8B's and A-10's count as "fighter/bomber".

But really, if you don't believe some guy on the internet (I wouldn't), I'm sure LL or anyone else in the PD would be glad to answer your questions about their pilot application.

Oh, and I've heard that "fighter/bomber" is not necesarily worth more points on an application. Just another way to pick and choose candidates and maybe even sort them out.

Good luck,
shootr