Southwest Pilot Recruiter Speaks

[Baby Cakes]

APC has posted an interview with the pilot recruiter for Southwest Airlines. Unfortunately I couldn't find a text version, so you'll be foreced to download the mp3. Go 2 www.airlinepilotcentral.com and click on Podcast

 

[Boogie]

It looks like the pool of 737 typed applicants is drying up. I'm glad they've opened up their interviews to those without the rating.

 

[737tanker]

SWA for the last few years hasn't required the type to get hired, only to get a class date.

 

[NEDude]

Now if they'd only call like they keep telling me they are going to.

 

[whalepilot747]

I have heard that SWA is having only one class in January. Are they still planning on 500 or so for the year? Just wondering what what the change was? Originally, 3 classes in Jan.. Now one. I figure the MDW incident and the productivity agreement. Anyone hear anything? Thanks

 

[SWA GUY]

Right now there is only one class for Jan, but two classes for Feb. Training is looking into whether they can put another class or two into Jan.

We'll see what happens.

 

[SWA GUY]

Training is looking into an additional class or two for January, we still have to hire 535 pilots to cover aircraft deliveries and age 60 retirements.

The folks on the interview team have said we need more than 535 however.

 

[Boogie]

SWA for the last few years hasn't required the type to get hired, only to get a class date.

That's correct, but Southwest the past years has ONLY interviewed those with the type. As Lindsey stated in the podcast, it hasn't been a "minimum" requirement, but until just recently only those with 737 types were being interviewed.
It's about time this pay-for-training before you are even guaranteed a job is done away with. Kudos to Southwest!

 

[canyonblue]

It's about time this pay-for-training before you are even guaranteed a job is done away with. Kudos to Southwest!

Don't worry, you are still a few years away based on your total flight time.

 

[PacoPollo]

It's about time this pay-for-training before you are even guaranteed a job is done away with. Kudos to Southwest!

What'you talking about?? You still have to pony up 8g's...
Ridiculous!

 

[Boogie]

What'you talking about?? You still have to pony up 8g's...
Ridiculous!

Yes, but now at least you have a job offer before ponying up 8g's. That's a much better deal in my estimation. Up until just a few months ago, you couldn't even get an interview without first paying some type rating outfit half a year's salary.

 

[DH2WN]

I have heard that SWA is having only one class in January. Are they still planning on 500 or so for the year? Just wondering what what the change was? Originally, 3 classes in Jan.. Now one. I figure the MDW incident and the productivity agreement. Anyone hear anything? Thanks

"We" voted on a side letter to give up a day off per month. It passed by a narrow margin of about 30% voting. Lowers the demand for more pilots.

 

[AAflyer]

"We" voted on a side letter to give up a day off per month. It passed by a narrow margin of about 30% voting. Lowers the demand for more pilots.

DH2WN,

Did you say only 30% of your pilots voted? Is that the norm, are there a lot of pilots not interested in union activities.? Just curious.

AA

 

[lifeguard]

They may interview people without a type rating but I would bet money that you won't get a job offer unless you have that type rating BEFORE your interview. Just my opinion.

 

[pedropcola]

It was my opinion that our union didn't sell the side letter agreement one way or the other. By this I mean we didn't get the usual pros and cons to help make an educated decision. Lots of banter and no real analysis of the agreement, so I think lots of guys sat out the vote not recognizing what we were really "testing".

 

[pedropcola]

We all know guys who have interviewed and got an offer without the type. A betting man would definitely put odds on getting an interview with the type, however. It costs nothing to apply though, so why not throw it in?

 

[SWA/FO]

I interviewed without the type, Southwest said if you get a type we will put you in class. I said OK.. This is the best way to do it, if you can pull it off and want to wait for the call.

My 8000 investment pays off on the 5th & 20th of every month. :beer:

 

[Chest Rockwell]

The pilots voted on a side letter that invokes a 6 month test on productiyity issues. To say that we each gave up a day off is incorrect. The Company will increase the average workday targets by a prearranged amount. I believe that it is close to .25-.30 days per month (.3 = 3 lines in 10 will have an extra day).