SW decision board

[MK82Man]

A different perspective

First off, congrats to everyone who got hired via the March interviews and the April Board. I just wanted to add some “reasonableness” to the SW equation. Just a small sanity check for those who are riding the fence or are unsure. I had three great friends that did not make it -- they all got letters telling them thanks for interviewing. All with 737 type from HP and all Desert Storm veterans and all great guys. Any of them would make great SW pilots. Unfortunately they did not make the cut. Why not, nobody will ever know. My only point is to tell folks out there that this is a seriously competitive process. These three guys are your best friends, they do all the same some stuff you like to do, have the same family interests and pressures you do, and have the same hopes and desires, but they didn’t make it. My main point for everyone chasing one of the 400 LUV jobs is: have a plan B – do a realistic gut check on how you will handle SW saying no. All three of these guys had dozens of bro’s pulling for them, but in the end, it didn’t work. So think about American West or Frontier or some corporate job – heck maybe you don’t leave the AF or your civil flying job until you have the offer in hand. It was just very tough around here to know that three highly qualified USAF aviators didn’t make the cut. Make sure you aren’t mortgaging your family’s future for a 737 type rating if you really can’t afford it. Again, great deal for those that made the cut – I’m hoping to join you, but for those who missed out, I’m empathetic, and for those who are drinking the LUV Kool-Aid, just know that nothing is guaranteed.

 

[English]

I heard a great many applicants were "overprepared" and sounded canned.

 

[737800 Flyn]

Found out today that Southwest has started my background checks. Is this a good sign or do they do background checks for everyone? No skeletons in my closet so Im hopeful!

 

[Skater]

background check

Hey 737800flyn, when did you interview?

 

[737800 Flyn]

April 22

 

[TrumanSparks]

Every one that interviews gets some background checks done.

It is probably interviewers that are calling to talk to your references.

 

[poleavaitor]

Contact call ? for MK82MAN

MK82MAN, Sorry to hear your buddies did not get picked up but your advice is right on target, we all need backup plans. Do you mind telling us if SWA called your buddies' contacts after their interviews? Does anyone else know of any cases where interviewies' contacts were called and then they were not hired? I am just trying to get a grip on the statistics. Any opinions on what can de-rail an applicant after the interview and subsequent calls to contacts? Thanks in advance for answers/advice.

 

[poleavaitor]

????

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[learherkjay]

I am pretty sure everyone gets background calls. Part of the process. I know of people whose contacts were called and were not hired.

 

[MK82Man]

PoleAviator -- nope, SW did not call their background references. From what I understand, if they call your listed references, you are looking good post interview. Once they call and say "piss in the bottle", then it looks really good, expect a Chief Pilot call after that. If you interview and nobody calls, you are probably looking at a letter. My only reason for posting was to try to keep folks balanced. If indeed the March interview numbers were 120-140 and SW only hired 50%, then there were a lot of guys with 737 types that didn't make it (my guess is that SW interviewed less than 10 w/o a 737 type rating in the first round). Don't know how they could interview more and be true to the pressures on them for folks with the type. I've seen a couple of guys post lately that says they got called for May interviews w/o it, but I can't get called without one -- maybe I don't know the right guys. I'm paying for my 737 type completely on my nickel -- but there are lots of SW wantabees that may be taking on significant debt, etc to reach for a HP type thinking they are guaranteed to get hired. As long as the number is 50%, a certain measure of "reasonableness" needs to be maintained. Have a backup plan and don't mortgage your kids future. Good luck to you and everyone who wants to join the LUV bunch!

 

[poleavaitor]

Thanks Learherkjay. I know from this last decision board that many of the individuals who did not get hired never had any of thier contacts called, so, based on this information, it doesn't look like everyone gets background checks as many of the flightinfo posters seem to think. All my information is just anecdotal, but I've heard this from numerous sources in the last month. No calls to contacts and a subsequent letter. Based on what I've heard and what you are saying, I doesn't look like the converse is true and that makes sense. Thanks for the info. What years were you flying C-21s? Later.

 

[poleavaitor]

MK82MAN--Thanks. That is the same information I have been hearing. Again, sorry to hear about your buddies, but the whole call thing is important information that I know many people are currently very interested in. You are right on target with your advice as well. Best of luck to you and the rest of the guys who are awaiting decision board results or interview calls. Thanks again for the info. Poleaviator

 

[learherkjay]

poleavaitor

check your PM

 

[Yahtzee]

I've been blessed with the help of a lot of folks in my life including my family, great friends, and complete strangers who've became friends. Today I want to thank all the folks on this board who offered their friendship, wisdom and humor for the past two years. This morning I was officially added to the growing SWA pool.

Applied: 29 Mar 02
Type Rating: 29 Jul 02 with a plug for Higher Power
Interviewed: St. Patrick's Day '04

Best wishes to those still waiting for an interview and especially to those who didn't get to join the pool.

Yahtz

P.S. I would also like to thank the SWA PD.

Prv 3: 5-6

 

[learherkjay]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! God Bless