SWA Degree

[crjdude]

Well I've decided to do it. Headed next month to get typed. Really don't have the $ but I have to at least give it a shot. Southwest has been a goal for quite awhile now so no time like the present.

My question is: How important is a 4 year degree to SWA?


I have a 2 year degree, feel qualified flight time wise, and soon I'll have that B737 on my ticket. But is it all worth nothing because I never had the opportunity to complete a 4 yr degree?

Got my fingers crossed anyway.

I appreciate all responses. Especially the encouraging ones. .

 

[qxeplt]

"Hire for Attitude, train for skill"
"Hire for Attitude, train for skill"

and again, and again...

I've heard people getting hired from no degree and on up.

When I interviewed they spent no more than 15 seconds talking about my degree. I'm sure a great attitude is far more important to them then any degree.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Good luck with the type and your future with SWA.

 

[Dieterly]

Don't think any of the commuters out there care if you have a degree or not, good luck.

 

[swaforme]

Call Hawthorne University, Salt Lake City. 801-485-1801.

They helped me fill the box for "4 year degree". I know many others that have done the same and are now here with me at SWA.

Good Luck.

 

[PSL]

As a person who has 3 pieces of 'paper on the wall', I can offer this observation.

A 4 year degree (or more) attests to a few things: (1) You could afford to go to college and (2) You finished the degree requirements. For how it relates to what kind of pilot you are; I don't see any direct correlation.

As far as my SWA initial class, we had two folks (out of 22) who did not posess a 4 year degree. The two men who did not have the degree had in excess of 5000 hrs of FAR121 experience and more than a few years in the left seat.

Our class was devoid of 'civilian/military/old/young... or whatever' cliques. We were (and continue to be) very close.

ATTITUDE and EFFORT are everything at SWA. We fly the B-737 in our own unique way.

Rule #1 ... Leave your ego at home (or in my case the golf course) and bring a full bag of effort and flexibility.

Best of luck ...

You will LUV it here ...

 

[Simon Says]

I usually leave the SWA posts alone because of SWA requirements (Type rating). I have nothing against SWA I just want to work for Alaska......but can anyone explain why SWA requires a type rating. When you get hired there you get training on how SWA want you to fly there 737's. I am sure a type rating gives you knowledge on the 737, but there are 101 ways to fly an airplane and I am sure SWA want there pilots to fly it there way. Not the way that you were initially taught.

 

[F/O]

Simon

I was in a SWA jumpseat a while back and a capt told me their insurance rates are lower with both pilots typed.

 

[tredding@swa]

crjDude-

If what you want out of life is to be a SWA pilot, then go for it, degree or NOT!

I am in the pool of future newbies @ SWA... I have 24 hours remaining toward the coveted BS degree, but have not yet completed it. Life had a way of getting in the way of my regular attendence at college.

Much like yourself, I had only ONE airline in mind to work for, LUV! I went to the interview with one goal in my thick skull - show my enthusiasm and deep desire to be part of the team in DAL. WIth that, and mucho preparation (w/ much needed help from Craig Thornton... [email protected]) I was successful woithout the degree. I was also typed prior to interviewing. I have always believed that you should be as qualified as possible for the job you are seeking. There is a lot of competition.

Good Luck in your quest to become part of a GREAT airline!!
Have a great day! KB

 

[radiofly er]

Great airline or the only airline?

If it's because of insurance purposes then again theres another thing pilots have to sacrifise for Southwest. It seem like Southwest is more interested about profit and saving money than thier pilots or future pilots. Those days should be in the past for Southwest.

Just do what they want you to do, spend the money.

 

[qxeplt]

Type Rating

Why they require it:

When I went through my interview they told us at one time they were offered big insurance discounts when both pilots in the cockpit were typed. Today that's not the case but out of respect for the already 4200 pilots give or take, that had to type themselves and most that had to do it just to get an interview. That's one reason why they require it, among other reasons.

No getting around it fellas...

 

[StarrBuck]

Hey QXE,

I've been holdin' my breath for you this weekend, I figure if we have 100 percent of the pool accounted for, you outta be hearing something real soon!!!

S.B.

 

[qxeplt]

I wish...

SB,

Last time I spoke with JB, she didn't think I'd make the the first class when they stated up again but maybe the second or third. I think slug got told the same thing by her too. I did see we got boots in there so thats good. I'm suring they're trying to get those stop loss boys to class, they've been tardy. Hang in there we are all very very close.

 

[Simon Says]

Thanks for the answer on the type rating.

 

[Caveman]

If the logic behind requiring the type is for insurance reasons it would be easy enough to turn the initial checkride with the company into a type ride.

The best logic I heard regarding the type was that it enabled SWA to condense their training somewhat and also pretty much assures a 100% pass rate the first time through the initial training. Both of which saves the company money. If thats the case it lends some credence to the claim that requiring the type may be a form of PFT.

 

[8sm]

Here's what I know:


1. Saves on training
2. 100% pass rate
3. Shows commitment to SWA, not stepping stone to other airline


You get in return

1. You can plan the rest of your/families life, no furloughs
2. When you retire your profitsharing account will be HUGE
3. Well managed, great place to work
4. We take care of our own

I know of a few SWA pilots that did not have degrees when hired. Most on the avg. had 5000+ total time and lots of 121 PIC.

Most of the interviews when asked have told me, by the time pilots reach SWA requirements their flying skills are not in question. It's the right attitude they are looking for. SWA pilots fly in an enviroment that is a bit different than other airlines. It take someone that gets along well with everyone and is very very flexiable.
SWA takes care of their pilots, perhaps they are not the highest paid, but by the end of a great career, they would have made more than the agv pilot and are living very well after 60.

Good luck with your career with SWA, you've made the right choice.


regards 8sm.......20+ years with SWA (not a pilot)

 

[reepicheep]

As an aspiring Southwest pilot, I would rather see them require the type rating as a screening device than go to the "LOR Required" Old Boy Network system that airlines like Alaska, UPS, and FedEx use. At least you have control over something like getting a type rating; I have no control over whether a friend I work with gets hired by one of these other airlines.

 

[qxeplt]

Me no nobody...

I didn't know a soul there and I managed to get hired with no problem.

 

[swaforme]

We don't do scheduled 10 min turns anymore. The shortest scheduled turn is now 20 min with most longer than that. 25 to 30 is the norm.

 

[tredding@swa]

not 4 everyone....

Radiofly er...

Everyone has a place on the planet...

personally for me - 32 years with not even a baggage handler laid off, a corporate culture that promotes free thinking and getting the job done, great management (take a HARD look at ANY other major on this one!), looking forward to going to work because almost everyone has a great attitude & WANTS to be there... upgrade in 4-5 year (8+ at the other MAJORS).... and last ,but not least, commitment. $7500 for a 737 type is "nothing"... after all it's only $350/yr over a 20 year career, I'll pay that for the peace of mind and the opportunity to part of the SWA team, gladly.

WHerever you work, I hope you LOVE it, can't wait to get up every day just to go to work, and that you will retire a happy, well adjusted person who never had to be furloughed. That's not much to ask from your career, is it!?!?

Have a great weekend!! K

 

[Slug]

Well Said

Well said, Tredding