SWA application to Interview

[TriJet]

Hi there!

Considering if someone has a 737 type and meets every other requirement. How long does it usually take before they get the call these days?

Thanks.

 

[JetDude]

About 6 Months For Me

My info may be a bit dated for the current wait...but I submitted my app in Jan 04 (the day the web-based application site came up) and interviewed on June 15th.

 

[chase]

Trijet

In all honesty it is impossible to predict when one might get the call. The previous poster stated he applied on 12 Jan 04, the first day of SWA accepting online apps...there have been some that applied on the same date & haven't been called yet.

How I've had it explained to me is each month SWA uses a different set of parameters to determine who will get the call, i.e. military/civilian mix, part 121 vs 135 ops, furloughed vs. currently employed legacy carriers, low PIC time vs. high PIC time, the list goes on & on. The best you can do is update your resume every 2 weeks & hope that when the sort comes down for the upcoming month you'll be one of the lottery winners & get the call. The common thread that is hard to argue with these days is that folks with types vs. those without are getting called at a far higher rate...probably +90% of interviewees have their 737 types.

Not a specific answer but there isn't one when it comes to when you can get the call. Good luck & hang in there.

 

[ATRCAPT]

time to interview

I've had an app on file since 6/02. Got the type 1/03. Online app 1/04. 3500 pic 121 turbine (all turbo prop 20K pounds and heavier). Two lor's, one from a captain, one from an fo. Four year degree....and no call. To me SWA is worth the wait, but it is more than a little frustrating when folks get the call in just couple of months. I guess I agree with Chase. No one really knows.....

 

[milflyboy]

Two lor's, one from a captain, one from an fo.

You have more than two right? The minimum is 3

 

[ATRCAPT]

I was under the impression three letters from people who can attest to your flying abilities was required. I have those. In addition I have the two lor's from SWA people. Please tell me if I'm wrong. Thanx.

 

[Falconjet]

ATRCAPT: I'm pretty sure that you are correct!

 

[milflyboy]

All a matter of definition I guess. The three letters attesting flying skills are also LOR's per SWA definition:

"Letters of Recommendation:
At least three letters from any individuals who can attest to the pilot’s flying skills, by having observed them over a sustained period of time."

But you are correct that they do not all have to be from SWA people.

 

[ATRCAPT]

Thanx, You had me worried for a second!

 

[milflyboy]

Sorry

 

[airbus_jas]

I thought you could not input letters of recommendation until AFTER you have an interview scheduled?!

Please expand your statements.

Thanks

 

[chase]

Electronic LORs are only possible after one is scheduled for an interview. The system doesn't allow a person to submit an LOR for someone who isn't scheduled for an interview. Hope that helps,

 

[airbus_jas]

Chase:

If this is the case, where is the validity in the above statements concerning recommendations?

How does "ATR CAPT" have LOR's on file if he hasn't had an interview?

And while I'm at it, some venting....I know for a fact, that there is not some giant old time computer (like the ones taking up a whole room on Star Trek), pulling interviewees names out of an organized database.

I have two personal friends that were given an interview and hired because they knew somebody way up in the SWA flight ops dept. Unfortunately I don't have a high ranking connection, and even though I've got a type rating and 6000 hrs in the 737....I don't forsee an interview at SWA anytime soon.

My airline was supposedly using a giant old time computer also (like the ones taking up a whole room on Star Trek) when they were hiring pre 9-11. ...Except when the computer started to run out of females to put in their perfect- 2 corporate, 2 airline retread, 2 freight, 2 regional, 2 military, 2 females, 2 minority-classes. When they started to run out of females, they would ask a female they were interviewing, if she had any female pilot friends...and they would call the friend...right there from the interview and ask if she was interested in interviewing also. Forget about all the thousands of qualified angry males waiting for an interview. This is the first hand truth.

So as you can see, this whole convoluted process has got me down.

 

[ATRCAPT]

1st - clarification, 2nd - you said it brother!

First,I should probably clarify my previous post. I have the "three letters from people who can attest to your flying ability" which are required. In addition I have the two SWA folks who will write the electronic LOR when/if I get an interview call. I mistakenly referred to them as lor's. Sorry, I didn't mean to cause an uprising. Second, airbus_jas I don't want to believe what you're saying, but I'm starting to think you're right about the much fabled "computer." A friend of a friend who has less total, multi, turbine and turbine PIC than I have is already on line at SWA. He applied after I did, did the 737 type after I did, and has yet to complete his four-year degree (although he is very close, he may have it by now). The point is this guys dad is an upper level mucky muck. Don't get me started on the female/minority thing! Anyway, good luck to you, and here's to hoping the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** computer breaks!

 

[CRJ Driver]

........wonder how many female pilots get turned down by SWA? My guess is none.

 

[English]

........wonder how many female pilots get turned down by SWA? My guess is none.

Not true...I know at least one.

But then again, I don't know that many female pilots.

 

[chase]

Replies

airbus_jas,

I believe the confusion was cleared up in the post above, if not pls repost your question about LORs again.

As to this issue:

I know for a fact, that there is not some giant old time computer (like the ones taking up a whole room on Star Trek), pulling interviewees names out of an organized database.

I have two personal friends that were given an interview and hired because they knew somebody way up in the SWA flight ops dept. Unfortunately I don't have a high ranking connection, and even though I've got a type rating and 6000 hrs in the 737....I don't forsee an interview at SWA anytime soon.

The computer is much smaller but they do a sort initially. There are also inputs from the PD & flt ops to the process to massage names. I believe this is what you may object to. To say your scenario never happens at SWA or any company would be unrealistic. I don't know that it does but trust the folks to select a solid cross section of folks using common sense & the computer. One can judge the fairness of this system over others but that debate doesn't change the system. I will rely on the end product, we're hiring good folks in my opinion, that is what matters.

As to this assumption about SWA:

My airline was supposedly using a giant old time computer also (like the ones taking up a whole room on Star Trek) when they were hiring pre 9-11. ...Except when the computer started to run out of females to put in their perfect- 2 corporate, 2 airline retread, 2 freight, 2 regional, 2 military, 2 females, 2 minority-classes. When they started to run out of females, they would ask a female they were interviewing, if she had any female pilot friends...and they would call the friend...right there from the interview and ask if she was interested in interviewing also. Forget about all the thousands of qualified angry males waiting for an interview. This is the first hand truth.

Your scenario has been told about many airlines & other companies. How do you or I dispute your story since neither of us know 100% sure? I will give you my honest, informed opinion (no disrespect but I've been monitoring the process closely for over 5 years from inside & outside) versus a view from yourself, I would say your scenario above DOESN'T HAPPEN AT SWA. If it had any legs at all the pilots of SWA would be all over management. Knowing the folks who run the operations personally I know they wouldn't be a part of any such operation to favor one group (minorities, gender, flying group) over another for final selection.

Southwest does associate itself with two excellent organizations (among the many it associates itself with), Organization of Black Airline Pilots & Women in Aviation. I'm proud SWA does this & works closely with these organizations in selecting candidates who apply for their annual scholarships for a 737 type. I believe the program benefits all parties. Applications are open to any members as far as I know. Visit their websites for more information.

If you're not happy about being called, I'm sorry. I would also add that to say there are persons with your general qualifications who have been interviewed & therefore you should be also is to demonstrate you aren't aware of how SWA goes about selecting interviewees, no insult intended. It is frustrating I'm sure & don't wish to marginalize your frustration....all you want is a chance. With 7K applicants, 2K with types, to think you would be called immediately after someone with similar stats is unrealistic in my opinion.

I'll be happy to answer any specific questions but felt your post needed a quick response in order to help you understand how the system at SWA works....to compare it to your previous employer is not applicable I believe. Thanks for your interest in SWA & good luck.