SWA Interview March 15

[Cool Hand Luke]

Howdy,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a furloughed USAirways pilot. I got the "call" last Monday for an interview with SWA. I look forward to sharing my interview experience with anyone that might be interested.

 

[Pig]

Would you mind posting all your hours as they appear on the SWA web app. It looks like you have a ton of hours but it could still be helpful for others to see how they stack up.

Thanks

 

[Pig]

And congratulations!

 

[reepicheep]

Cool Hand Luke,

Just a guess but I bet you did the MetroJet captain thing and the PIC time got you the interview. Otherwise no PIC for 15 years and you're probably on the outside looking in. Congratulations and do all us USAir folks proud!

 

[ukipilot]

Hey cool hand,
Did you have an app. in back in 2002? or did you just put it in and they gave you the call? Just seeing if they started to call people that did not have an app. in back in 2002.

Thanks

 

[CODs4ever]

My unit XO got a call last Friday (Feb 13th) for an interview on March 17th. He could have picked an earlier day in March if he wanted. No paper application on file prior to Jan 12th 2004. He is a Navy pilot with mostly P-3 and C-12 time, somewhere around 5,000 hours turbine with over 2,500 PIC turbine. Also has a 737-type. Looks like they are calling those with brand new apps in the system now as well.

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

I first applied to SWA in January 03. I heard from SWA back in early January. In the letter I was told I would have to submit a new application online.

I never flew as Captain at USAir. My turbine PIC came from my previous job and my current job.

Here is break down of my hours as they appear on the applicationas of 01/04)

Total Flying Hours: 10,793
Total time last 36
months: 1,487
Jet PIC Hours: 1,523
Turboprop PIC: 440
SIC Jet: 7,079
Total Turbo/Jet 9,042

I hope this answers all of your questions. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement.

Cool Hand Luke

 

[SWAdude]

Cool Hand Luke,

Congratulations and good luck!!

You have a fantastic resume. A bunch of time and alot of types. Please don't assume that will put any weight on whether you have a better chance of getting hired than lower timed individuals. Your experience got you the interview. Your attitude will get you the job at SWA. Many, many commuter pilots have been choosen over pilots with much more experience because they plainly had better attitudes.

At SWA the old saying of " You can teach someone how to fly, but you can't change their attitude." is the way we hire. I personally interviewed plenty of well qualified individuals that really thought they were a " shoe in " because of their qualifications.

I am sure they were shocked when they recieived their letter.

Again....good luck and hope to see you on the line!!!

SWAdude

 

[UFO]

Cool Hand

Congrats on your upcoming interview. Does your 737 type rating have the circling vmc only limitation? If so how did you handle that on the online app.? I have the 737 type, but it lists the circling limitation and I'm not sure which box to check on the application. Thanks for the info.

 

[Launchpad]

I've been told that they want an unrestricted type, as it says on the app. I think if you were to put otherwise and then show up with a restriction, it might be a negative.

Just what I heard....

 

[Bill Nelson]

I think if you were to put otherwise and then show up with a restriction, it might be a negative.

A negative? How about a disqualifier!

 

[Bruin-Flyer]

Cool Hand

Congrats and best of luck to you!

SWAdude: Although I am nowhere near a SWA interview (or a regional for that matter), but I was hoping if you could elaborate a bit more on the "good attitude" aspect of an interview. I am sure that everyone is attempting to put on their best face and appear positive during the course of the interview......but is it fairly easy to seperate those that are being "phony" and those that are being sincere and have the intangible qualities that SWA looks for? Of course, as everyone here agrees, Cool Hand has excellent experience/hours with regard to flight time/aircraft flown, but what are some things that SWA looks at that cannot be put on any application/resume?

I ask you because in your previous post you mentioned that you sat on interview boards and seem to be very knowledgable on what SWA looks for.......not to mention I would luv to fly for SWA someday and would find this very informative.

I would appreciate any feedback that you may have on this.

Thanks

 

[UFO]

Thanks Launchpad. I selected no on the application in regards to unrestricted 737 type, but hope this doesn't preclude any chance for an interview. I guess time will tell.

 

[freakout]

Anyone heard from SW

Hello,

I am lucky enough to have an interview on 9 March. Has anyone received any information from Southwest in the mail. I was told that they send out packages and I have not seen one.

Here is my problem, I am leaving on a trip on Friday for 2 weeks out of the country (USAF Reserve). I am trying to think of anything that I would need for the interview and get it together. If anyone has gotten a package yet and could give me an idea of what info I need to collect and organize I would apreciate it.

Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[thebluto]

Similar issue

I am moving next week and asked LL about that. She said the packets will go out this week.

 

[Launchpad]

Does anyone know how many interviews are being conducted each week. I've heard March 9 and 15 and some other dates so far, is it like 34-40 a week? 100?

Just curious.

 

[SWAdude]

Historically we interview 24 a day and usually 4 days a week.

When we are interviewing at full speed it usually is three to four weeks a month.

SWAdude

 

[LUVdaVIKING]

Here is another good website for SWA hiring info that addresses some of the questions asked above:

http://www.swaprep.com/news.htm

Latest update says:

This News is information gathered and posted for you, the faithful "Wannabees" & "Poolies" by numerous "reliable" sources.

Why? Because we know your out there! And..."Waiting is the hardest part."

The PrepAir Daily Journal
Wed, February 4, 2004

"At least" 393 Scheduled New Hires for 2004, Jan class has 20, leaving 373 to go. According to my math, that's 24 a class, two classes a month for 8 of the next 10 months. No classes in Feb due to the new checklist being put into circulation, this way the new hires (all except the Jan 04 class will learn the new checklist). March classes are scheduled for March 1,15 and 29. 47 New aircraft in 2004, 17 -200's retired for a net gain of 30. Jan 2005 the last 5 -200's go. 82 Retirements in 2004. The company is looking for New or Used aircraft above and beyond the orders from Boeing. Latest word is that Interviews will commence sometime between April and June!


The PrepAir Daily Journal
Sun, February 8, 2004

Announced class dates! March 1, 15 & 29. April 12, 26. May 10, 24. June 7, 21. July 5, 19. Aug 2. All classes 24 in each class, except the last two classes will have 20 in each. Sources tell us they suspect more classes to be added later in Summer or Fall. Makes sense, seeing as these numbers add up to 300 Pilots (including Jan class) and the word is "at least" 393 this year!
(Our Guess, look for 4 more classes to be added closer to Fall '04).

Latest "estimate" for the remaining "Poolies" is between 130 and 165. Also sources tell us that the company wants to keep a pool of about 100 after this surge of classes, so look for some aggressive interviewing to begin SOON!

(Our Guess, March, April at the latest.)

The PrepAir Daily Journal
Tue, February 10, 2004

Interview Invitations have commenced! The words out! The calls for interviews have began! Several pilot candidates have already received

"The" Call! Ok, here's the skinny... So far the company has 2 teams of recruiters (Interviewers) in place. (Rumor is that they are trying to put a 3rd team in place). Each team interviews 6 candidates per day, (OK, let's do the math) 12 pilots per day, 4 days a week, 3 weeks a month. Answer=144 candidates per month, here's the good news... "Until further notice!" Looks like the advance notice from "The Call" to actual interview date is not going to be too terribly long. Our guess, somewhere in the
vicinity of 3-4 weeks notice. But...Who cares! You've been waiting a looooooooong time for this call! Good Luck!

The PrepAir Daily Journal
Wed, February 18, 2004

Getting your Ducks in a row for your Interview? Just a reminder that "Letters of Recommendation" from SWA Pilots/Employees are a huge addition to your package. The company has made it clear that "Internal LOR's" will carry significant weight and that employees should be ready to back what they write. So, do not plan on getting letter(s) from a person you just met in an airport or have a short past history with, they will probably decline to assist you. However, if you have flown with a pilot and known
them for several years, or know an employee for several years, we encouraged you to contact them.

Wondering when your gonna get the call? It appears so far, the majority of invitations have gone to typed applicants. However, "Inside word" tells us that the "order of invitations" are being decided by SEVERAL factors, not just being typed. Some of the factors (not in any order) include, PIC Turbine Time, Currency, Ck. Airman or Examiner experience, Large transport category A/C experience. They (the company) have emphasized the point that they are looking at "The Big Picture" or "How Competitive" you are. Not necessarily any particular category mentioned above. As of this morning the official word is that the "Pool" is just under 200. If the hiring process continues to go as planned you can expect to be in the pool (present poolies or future) no more than 2-3 months! The company has received "Thousands" of applications since 9/11 and even more of an onslaught after 12 Jan 04 when the electronic process began. "Don't get discouraged" is the word from the People dept. "The projected number of pilots we need in the next 10 years, we will hopefully interview all of you".

New Interview Process? The interview process remains the same as before with the exception of the newly added "LOI" or Line Oriented Interview.

We are told that the all day format will include (at least for now) two groups of candidates, AM and PM interviews, doing 3 interviews as before than swapping the other half of the day to the Training Center into a Paper or Mock simulator. You will be given a scenario in writing, have 7 mins to act upon it and explain what you would have done with the scenario given to you. As the people Dept. has mentioned, "We are just adding a little decision making scenario to the process". Our Advise, Do as you would do
in an actual air born situation, as a professional aviator and act accordingly.

***DISCLAIMER***
PrepAir and / or SWA dose not guarantee or endorse any of this Journal.

 

[SWAdude]

but what are some things that SWA looks at that cannot be put on any application/resume?

Attitude, Attitude, Attitude.

And in my opinion you got it or you don't.

SWAdude

 

[juan2go]

Interview dates for March

8,9,10,11
15,16,17,18
22,23,25,25