SWA Application question

[Av8tor X]

Unfortunately I get to check yes (and explain) several of the questions on the Suppl. Pilot Application:

-have you ever recieved a letter from FAA?
-Have you ever damaged an aircraft?
-Have you ever been involved in an aircraft incident?

the question for anyone out there that knows is:
should I ONLY use the blank line on the application to give
as brief an explanation as possible or do I include all
supporting data with the SWA Supplement application?

My thoughts are to submit all supporting paper-work so that as many questions about the problem areas are answered at the time my packet is reviewed prior to being called to an interview. This is because I would like to have as much time as possible during the interview answering HR type questions so that SWA can get to know Me-as apposed to spending a lot of precious time discussing problem areas.

I'm not trying to avoid anything, I'm just trying to plan and utilize precious interview time wisely.

Thoughts?

 

[Bake]

I had an aircraft incident on my report. I had an engine failure in a single engine airplane and landed on a highway in the middle of the night. What I did on the application was type in "See supplement". I typed up exactly what happened and what I learned on the computer and added it to the application. They only asked me one question about it in the interview. Please realize that I did NOT receive anything from the FAA and I did not get violated because it was a mechanical engine problem and I did not damage any persons or property. YOur situation may be different but i would handle it in a similar way. Let them know everything you can and be sure you tell them what you learned.

Bake

 

[KC-10 Driver]

Av8tor X,

My opinion is that you should give them as much information as possible on the incident. That way, when you get to the interview, you can also show them that you have learned, recovered, and moved on after the incident.

Bake suggests a good technique. On the app, write, "See supplement". Then, on a separate page type up all the facts, and include any aditional documentation that you feel necessary. You may also want to end your statement with a brief summary that explains how you have learned and recovered from this incident. This follows the standard SWA interview protocol -- SAR (Situation - Action - Result).

I obviously don't know what happened in your case, but almost any bad situation can have a positive result if you learn from it.

Also, by providing as much information as possible, the situation will be less of an unknown to the interviewers. As you said, they can then hopefully spend less time talking about this unpleasant thing, and more about positive stuff.

In fact, by being upfront on the app, it may even make it more likely for you to get the call for an interview in the first place. If there is incomplete or vague information about an incident, SWA may be less likely to spend the time and money involved in interviewing you.

I should stress that I am not an interview expert. But, I have been through several airline interviews, and have gotten job offers from each one. And, the approach I suggest is endorsed by people I know who are well-placed at SWA. So, hopefully this is good advice. If anyone has another opinion, please speak up.

Good luck!

 

[ivauir]

another suggestion ...

These are great ideas, I'd like to add that you may want professional help here as well. Have someone who knows what they are doing go over your paperwork and also how to handle it in the interview. If you go in with the assumption that it WILL be asked and you have a plan to deal with it you'll be ok. Rob Beeks does a great prep, but I don't have his info handy, if you do a search of this site you'll find it.

Best of luck

 

[KC-10 Driver]

ivauir is exactly right. I used Rob Beeks, and he was an incredible help preparing for SWA. His email address is:

[email protected]

If you are serious about SWA, he does a great interview prep. And, he sends you software that makes it a snap to fill out the forms they send you pre-interview.