SWA/Degree?

[crjdude]

Day late/dollar short.

Just read somewhere on here word on the street is you need "1500-1700
turbine PIC" and the 737 type to get the call right now from SWA.
I've got 1700 turbine PIC and I've been 737 typed for over 2 years.
Still waiting....<sigh>

But I only have a 2 year degree.
Anyone know whether SWA would hold that
against me? Is the lack of a 4 year degree killing me here?

thanks.

 

[SWA GUY]

I doubt the lack of a 4 year degree is holding you back. I bet you get an interview very soon.

Good luck!

 

[pilotyip]

No degree required

From what I have seen, SWA does not let a piece of paper stand in the way of making an offer to what they consider a good pilot candidate.

 

[enigma]

I was told by the People department (Ms Stephanie Scaggs) five years ago, that getting a four year degree in addition to my two year degree would make me much more competitive. This was after I had made it through the interview and background checks but still didn't make the cut at the DB.

BTW, Now I have the degree and am not competitive to even get the interview call in todays environment.

Good Luck to ya, and go get the degree. It was worth it to me, even if I never get a job that requires it.

enigma

PS, my degree was definitely NOT in grammer or spelling

 

[hoya saxa]

From what I have seen, SWA does not let a piece of paper stand in the way

Except perhaps for an ATP... Yes, a college degree is nothing more than a "piece of paper." The debates can rage about whether a real degree is a necessary pilot qualification, but let's not try to pretend it's not a useful means of developing the whole person. Education is just overrated I suppose...

 

[cxcap]

A degree is nothing more than a piece of paper? I wish someone would have told me earlier. I could have saved myself four years and about $50,000.

 

[Jim Smyth]

I only have a 2 year degree FWIW.

 

[enigma]

With all respect to Jim Smyth, what percentage of SWA newhire's in the last two years, have been hired without a bachelors degree? I think that having the bachelors is statistically a necessity.

enigma

 

[Hooch]

FWIW,

I had a guy in my class with NO college at all. He did however, have a great deal of flying experience. (air carrier 737 Capt) He may be the exception rather than the rule.

I think what shined during the interview process MOST importantly is that he is just a great guy. The guy you could just come off a four-day with and say "see ya in a couple days" and actually look forward to it.

With all that said, if you have the ability to put another checkmark on the resume, I would. That goes for anything "career broadening". LORs, Understanding of what makes the company diffferent, differrent aircraft, etc. I hate it when in life I have had to say to myself..."I wish I had done XYZ"

This truly is the best job on the planet, I for one am thankful.

Good Luck,
Hooch

 

[Jim Smyth]

With all respect to Jim Smyth, what percentage of SWA newhire's in the last two years, have been hired without a bachelors degree? I think that having the bachelors is statistically a necessity.

enigma

enigma, I fly with alot of different guys all the time because we have alot of flexability with our schedule. I am not the norm but I have flown with a fair share of new FO's that dont have a degree either. So dont let that get you down. We tend to give personality traits a higher grade so to speak.

 

[Mugs]

From what I have seen, SWA does not let a piece of paper stand in the way of making an offer to what they consider a good pilot candidate.

A college degree is nothing more than a piece of paper to SWA huh? Well then what do you call that certain rating that they want you to pay for on your ATP ticket? Now that is nothing more than a piece of paper. Also, if SWA turns you down it is a completely worthless piece of paper especially for those with no time in the airplane anyway (by far the majority). The type rating school will always luv ya though.

 

[ATRCAPT]

The importance of the four year seems to vary with the state of the industry. Back in the late '90's the degree didn't carry as much weight as it does now. Today it is just another tool to separate the "it would be nice to work for XYZ airlines" people from the "I must work for XYZ airlines at all costs" people. When/if the indusrty starts booming again and pilots are in demand the four year degree will go out the door. So far my 4-year has got me exactly squat!

 

[enigma]

enigma, I fly with alot of different guys all the time because we have alot of flexability with our schedule. I am not the norm but I have flown with a fair share of new FO's that dont have a degree either. So dont let that get you down. We tend to give personality traits a higher grade so to speak.

Jim, I don't disagree, but from what I see here and in the crew room gossip circles, the vast majority of SWA newhires do in fact have a four year degree. I know that SWA will interview pilots without the degree, they interviewed me, but that was years ago. I would like to see what the current stats are for the percentage of non-bachelor degreed interviewees.

enigma

 

[semperfido]

If you have one, you are more competitive. simple as that.

 

[Jim Smyth]

enigma, I dont think you will get any specific numbers here with reguards to how many have or dont have the 4 year degree. I would guess most do have the degree but it isnt and end all to getting an interview or a job for that matter. I had alot of flight time and was a prior 121 Captain flying a 737 before getting on with SWA so I am sure my Flight time and other Qualifications made the 4 year degree a mute point. The only people that would have those percentages, and thats if they are even kept on file would be our people (personal) department.

 

[crjdude]

Thanks everyone for all the great intel/opinions.
I guess I better get back to the books and get this thing finished
up once and for all. I'd prefer to at least swing the odds just a
little bit more in my favor.

Good luck to everyone.

crjdude

 

[chase]

CRJDude

You've taken exactly the right approach...you are doing the things you can control to improve your chances, i.e. working toward the 4 yr degree. I see folks often times worrying over the things they can control & wondering if not doing these things will hurt their chances....who knows but if one eliminates the issues then as someone said earlier, the box is checked & it becomes a non-issue....the attitude should be in my humble opinion....do these things to "improve my chances"....this & other things improve one's chances I believe & you have full control over it....

1. Obtaining special ratings, IP, check airman, training CA
2. Getting a type (doesn't necessarily improve one's chances of getting hired but it does improve one chances of getting called sooner rather than later for an interview)
3. Go into every checkride prepared in order to do your best....yes we hire many folks who fail checkrides, type rides but if you can walk in with a clean record that just eliminates some of the stress possibly......some will argue you can guaranttee success everytime & I would agree but go in as prepared as one can be
4. Keep your nose clean from here on out....we have had folks in the past who have messed up royally in the 9th inning because of buffonery beyond belief....again you control it, be careful & be smart.
5. More PIC time vs. broader experience in a more complex jet...talk to folks, make an informed decision but continue up the ladder when the opportunity avails itself to you

Yes I'm stating the obvious but your dilemma is one many experience...it won't come overnight as you are working hard to get the degree....good on ya...keep it up & when your turn comes you can look back on the experience with a great story to tell...shows perserverance & persistence....a strong desire to do what is necessary to accomplish a goal....why wouldn't they hire you after that effort, right?? Good luck & Happy New Year.

 

[P3 Tweek]

Turb PIC

CRJ Dude;

`The word on the street' is slightly wrong about 1.5K - 1.7K Turbine PIC. `Swerpipe' has over 2K and I have a little over 1.9K - no interview calls for either of us. We both have 4 yr degrees and B-737 Type Ratings.
I do think that calls are probably coming for us not too far down the calendar in 2005.

Tweek

PS. Hang in there CRJ Dude especially if you are young and can make a good long term career with the best - SWA!

 

[flying@swa]

SWA Future Hiring....

For what it's worth... rumor control sez we will need to hire about 3,000+ pilots in the next 7-8 years.

I have to believe that anyone who has an application on file with the B-737 rating (and the other SWA mins.) will be getting an interview call in the next 36-48 months.

FYI - I interviewed Jan. 2002 with no 4 year degree. However, I did have a constant, upward, solid progression in my (then) 18 year aviation career.

Good Luck to all - it truly is the best job I have EVER had, not drinking too much Kool-Aid.... just enjoying life as a SWA pilot.

Ciao' - Flyin'

 

[Yahtzee]

Clarification...

Just read somewhere on here word on the street is you need "1500-1700 turbine PIC" and the 737 type to get the call right now from SWA. I've got 1700 turbine PIC and I've been 737 typed for over 2 years. Still waiting....<sigh>

CRJ Dude, 'The word on the street' is slightly wrong about 1.5K - 1.7K Turbine PIC. Swerpipe' has over 2K and I have a little over 1.9K - no interview calls for either of us. We both have 4 yr degrees and B-737 Type Ratings.

Here's a post that I made which crjdude may have been referring to:

Also with 4 LOR from SWA pilots, is there any chance of getting a call from SW with only 1000PIC and no type? There is always a chance but at the moment those chances are probably remote with only 1000 PIC and no type. Word on the street from the People Dept is approx 1500 to 1700 hours PIC with a 737 type is the min to be competitive at this time...but then again things are always fluid. It is rumored that SWA has somewhere around 5000+ apps in their database who meet the mins and more who do not. Of the 5000 meeting the mins, it is guessed that 1000 or so have a 737 type.

The "words" I got were straight from the PD Recruiters at SWA...so as of last month these numbers were accurate. If CRJDude was referring to my post, I believe he simply missed the key word "min" and the message was altered from it's orginal context.

So what does this mean to those waiting for a call from SWA? Some pilots will be called even though they have less time than others. It also means not everyone will be called when they reach X hours, whether that number is 1500, 1700, or 2500 PIC. There are plenty of folks who can verify this....but remember if they are only interviewing 140 or so per month with an estimated 5000 qualified apps on file even if SWA stopped taking new applications, it would take 36 months at 140 per month just to interview this many folks.

Like Chase as written before, all you can do is try to make yourself as competitive as possible while you're waiting for the call and prepare yourself now so you will not be surprised when it does come.

Best Wishes to those waiting for a call in 05...including P3Tweek, Swerpipe and Enigma and yes even some of you Auburn fans.

Yahtz