Southwest Sim Instructor v. Flushback

[flyingitalian]

If you ever want to work at swa i would take the sim job. swa is not big on people who had an opportunity to work for them and turned it down. its a lot to overcome in a future interview.

 

[J3CubCapt]

AA_FlushBack

I see this topic has suffered from Thread Creep.

To get back to your question, I was a Capt. for Midway airlines and I was applying for SWA until 9/11. I was made aware of the SWA IP opportunity and made the desision to take the 3 year commitment. I have just recently transitioned to line.

The IP position is a very nice job, great support from those in the training dept. A wonderful opportunity to meet all of the "right people", Dir. of Training, Chief Pilots, etc.

There is a 3 year obligation, but the time goes by fast. You will have to pass the complete interview process. We have had a 70% pass rate for the IP's.

The time spent in the TC makes the line training a breeze, I have to admit though, getting back in the "Saddle" after a few years off has been a bit of work, it's coming back but a little rusty. Everyone on the line has been very supportive and helpful.

With the planned growth over the next few years we need more qualified IP's, although the turnover in the TC is a concern. If you know of anyone who may have long term thoughts of working in the TC please have them make contact.

I hope this information helps you make your decision, I'm not sure if you are fully aware how different and wonderful this company is. It's worth it!

J3

 

[Cheeze]

J3CubCapt

Do you have contact info to share? If not public then please PM me.

Thank you

Cheeze

 

[BoilerUP]

What are the requirements to be a sim instructor for Southwest? Are they the same as for a regular newhire? I didn't see any posting on southwest.com

Very interested in a training career, PM if necessary, thanks for the info

 

[J3CubCapt]

I'm not sure is the are any "SET" requirements. Previous 73 time is perfered, but not reguired. It is very competitive, and there is a number of retiring SWA Line Pilots applying. There is no posting because SWA is currently hiring from within, but with this position the company often has to look outside. I will check and see if I can get the scoop. There are a small muber of people in a pool for the TC at this time, but there are possible needs of the horizion with the 9 month training cycle and any other large scale training reguirments that may arise.

J3

 

[T-prop]

Like 500 total/100 ME with a letter from the Dean at your pilot college?

C'mon, man. There may have been some Cecilites hired with low time because their daddy is an AA captain, but 500 hrs????

The sword cuts both ways. I do appreciate, however, the background on the 3000 hr requirement. I didn't realize that was the reason.

Hag

Competitive time for an eagle interview is 1200 ttl 200 multi. There are a few (8-9/year) that are hired with 600/100 but they went to Riddle or UND and got an internship at the Eagle training dept. 1 year ago 2000/500 was competitive.

Minimum times dropped recently to 1000/100 because no one in their right mind wants to come here (flowbacks= 9+year upgrade). Eagle will be scraping the bottom of the barrel shortly. I applied to eagle only because they were hiring and took the job because they were gave me a class date before any other company did. I shoulda been a whore and flown a 1900 for $15/hr so I'd get the "almighty" 1000 T-PIC in less than 11 years.

The fact is, the flow-through only put 150+ eagle guys at AA if there was room for them. Now APA is shoving 500+ Flushbacks down AE's throat and displacing 5 year CA's that have been with the company for 7+years.

Put yourself in one of the displaced CA's shoes. They are being forced to take a 40% paycut and sit next to a person that took their seat. And that person may have never logged turbine PIC before they were hired at AA.

It doesn't matter how you cut it, there will be bitter feelings. Flushbacks are not wanted at AE but they shouldn't fear it either, most Eagle guys are professional about it, however there are a few that will be openly hostile if the subject is brought up.

Personally, I am not and have no right be sore at the flowback situation, I can't upgrade for at least another 2 years anyway, I/we hope by then the flowbacks all have their AA jobs back. As you can tell most of my knowledge comes from over 400 hrs of listening to displaced jet capt's that are flying the ATR until they get displaced to FO again. Hopefully, I've helped explain the other side of the story.

Take the SWA job if you don't have to resign AA recall rights. You'll be home every night and won't have to work in a hostile work environment.

P.S.

There are a lot of T-prop captains who are thankful that APA thought their pilots are too good to flushback to the left seat of the mighty Saab or ATR, too many gosh darn levers and such.

 

[FlyinHigh737]

Like J3cub, I second the opportunity to go to the Training Department at SWA. You will learn from the from the best, with regards to B737 training, you will learn the FOM and have a head start for your transition to the line. You will meet outstanding pilots (from FO's to Check airmen) that will help you every step of the way, and never forget every oustanding employee at SWA. The time does go fast, but most important you will be home every night with your family (if applicable), if you have kids this is an opportunity to watch your kids grow up. And then, go to work for an OUTSTANDING pilot group.

Good Luck