SWA Interview Prep

[SWAPrep]

Hi to all, my name is Craig Thornton, I run a company called PrepAir, (some might know us as SWAPrep). After numerous members of this site have suggested, I am posting some info for the masses.

As most of you probably know, SWA has become a "Obvious Choice" of carriers to apply for. The flood gates opened 12 Jan 04 with the application process (electronic) begining again and the new hire classes starting. As you might imagine, the "Rumor Mill" floodgates started up just as fast. Remember...Believing things that are too good to be true probably are just that.

I started this Prep service way back when because I really enjoy helping people polish their skills, and seeing their smiles and excitement when they get hired is reward in itself! However since 9/11 the volume of people that want to join SWA has swelled to enourmous preportions to say the least. It is so hard for me to answer all the questions and rumors that you all hear and have that I have decided (with the gentle force of my wife) to add a "Recent News" link to my website, SWAPrep.com in hopes to answer some of the questions and/or rumors.

On the same note, our phone has been ringing off the hook, my wife tells me that while I am on the road she thinks she is answering a request line at a radio station! So I ask all of you to please e mail me ([email protected]) with any and all questions you may have. E MAIL AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WISH, I enjoy helping and am glad to answer (if I can) as many questions as you have. Please call only if you are ready to schedule, we would really appreciate this. I will keep up the "Recent News" link on a regular basis and respond to all e mail at least twice a week. Thanks for continuing to be such wonderful people to work with!

Sincerely,

Craig Thornton

 

[Dennis Miller]

I was under the impression that an interview at SWA required no prep. The only worthwhile prep I remember was the broad in Alaska that would prep the potential NWA pilots on how to beat the psycho test. Had friends that swore by her work. It's sad that with hiring starting up again some of these so called Preppies are coming out of the woodwork and down from the mountaintop with the word from the maharaja on how to trick some worn down version of Matlock from Hiring that you are the second coming of Yeager.

These people are about as bad as the Televangelists that profess to show no favor to any particular denomination, but just watch their eyes light up at 10’s and 20’s.

 

[satpak77]

Chill out

Hey Dennis

that ain't cool man, this is American, if someone has a business idea then its that persons right to try to make it work

If this person wants to offer interview "prep" than good luck to him.

chill

 

[Cyclone]

maybe, maybe not

The best advice anyone can give you going to an interview is to just be yourself...and to be ready to share flying-related stories that will help the interviewer get to know you.

The airlines use the SAR (situation action result) method and score your answer based on how you answered the question.

If you're the type of person who doesn't get flustered and has the gift of gab...then dennis miller is right. Just show up, be yourself, smile, tell your stories and you'll get hired.

If you're the type of person who is inclined to "wig" at the interview...or you're just apprehensive because of a fear of the unknown (e.g. haven't ever done a job interview) then it makes sense to get help. There are coaches out there who really do try to help you...not just teach the test. It's all about the delivery.

Gary Player (famous golfer) once said "the more I practice the luckier I get." You can practice with your spouse, friends, etc...but a professional coach will help too. The thing to decide is "how will it help me and is it worth a few hundred bucks?" Absolutely yes if it boosts your chances; the biggest thing it will do for most people is help with your confidence.

 

[CorpFlyBoy67]

Craig,

I think it is great that you offer this service. But check your spelling before posting. On your website it says that you do resumes and cover letters. It kind of ruins the credibility of you putting together resumes when several words are not spelled correctly in your post.

Just my 2 cents

 

[SWAdude]

I really don't think this is the arena to advertise. I'm surprised the monitor hasn't pulled this "ad".

I am in favor of interview prep. Not by an insider. I believe it is a conflict of interest.

I must add that being over prepared does show in an interview and casts doubt on who you are.

Just my opinion.

Respectfully

SWAdude

 

[ArchieF16]

I don't think there's anything wrong with what he's doing.....Albie does the same thing for FedEx and jetBlue....it's not like they're giving away the answer to tests, I think it's just an overall understanding of how the system works, ways you can prepare yourself for the interview and perhaps conduct some practice interviews.....I know from Albie's prep, having never interviewed in my life, I went in with much more confidence--which is half the battle I think......just my opinion......This is an interview board and any info that can help our bros out I think is well worth it and more than appropriate for this board.........

 

[SWAdude]

This is an ad plain and simple. And if you believe in this site one should expect someone to pay for its service. As well as everyone pays for Craig's service.

 

[ArchieF16]

So if someone else had recommended the site instead of him doing it himself, that would be okay with you? I don't get it. There are guys out there trying to get on with your airline and, like you when you interviewed, everyone wants to go in as prepared as possible. That doesn't mean over-prepared, but going in with confidence, and that WILL show.


Are you against Albie and all of those who talk his services up?

 

[SWAdude]

So if someone else had recommended the site instead of him doing it himself, that would be okay with you?

Yes it would....I think someone should pay for services. The people who manage this site deserve just as much as Craig deserves to be compensated for his. Its a matter of ethics. Craig has one anly one post on here. Don't you wonder why??

Are you against Albie and all of those who talk his services up?

No i'm not. Read my initial post again. I believe an insider has information that an outsider wouldn't have. We try very hard to try and choose the best employee not only for our futures but for the futures of every SWA employee and their families. It becomes increasing more difficult to make those types of decisions when one has more inside information on items of the interview that are intended to be confidential.

Is this so difficult to understand??

 

[Yahtzee]

Clarification...

SWADude,

I spoke to Craig this am before he made this post. He asked where I had heard about him. I told him flightinfo.

He had never made a post before today, and with the rumor that Rob Beeks was getting out of the prep business, I think he has been getting a lot of phone calls. I believe he made this post to simply have fewer phone calls in hopes people might contact him through e-mails.

Other reputable SWA folks have made posts listing his website and that's how I found him.

I'm not trying to be over prepared, but rather well prepared. It's been 12 years since I've had an interview and I believe I could use some help...where it's Craig or someone else.

I'll take the heat for opening this can of worms. Sorry.

Yahtz

P.S. I've also contacted some non-airline professionals looking for interview prep but have not gotten any responses.

 

[SWAdude]

Yahtzee,

It was Craig's decision to post. Not yours. I can see nothing wrong with what you have done or going to do.

I mentioned the over prepared as free advice. There is such thing as being under prepared and that isn't good either. People often over look the over prepared aspect in evaluating their performance. Coming off as "canned"
is just as bad as being under prepared. Their is a huge in between to work with.

Good luck!!

SWAdude

 

[HOUMAN]

I won't comment on somebody using this board to advertise their business. But being "over prepared" or "under prepared" is unique to everyone. I know some people who have done "nothing" to prepare for interviews (or so they say) and have no problem. On the other hand there are others who need to study, prep and feel good about themselves to perform in the un-natural enviroment of the interview room. I say, if you want that "magic feather" that an interview prep gives you, then go for it. It just might help you. Good luck everyone.

 

[AlbieF15]

Who would you rather get help on an interview than someone who has successfully navigated the same waters you are charting?

One reason I haven't waded into the SWA business is I didn't go through the application process. On the other hand, I think being hired by an company and knowing its quirks and strengths make insiders like Craig or Rob an excellent option. I don't know what Craig or Rob did prior that might make them good coaches, but their clients speak highly of them and I think that is the most valuable testimony.

As for being "canned", I don't know about Craig or Rob's approach, but unlike some "other" large, impersonal groups out there I would never try to make anyone into a clone or copy of another candidate. You simply cannot polish a Viper driver into looking like an F-15 pilot . no matter how hard you try. (Okay...thats a joke for my side stick buddies...) Seriously...if I tried to make a GIV driver sound like the last regional captain who copied the last military heavy driver who got good gouge from a fighter pilot he knew...well...you get the idea. The interviewers are simply too sharp, and you won't do your best if you are being phony. What a good coach can do, however, is help you explore your own experience for the examples that show why you would be a great fit for the company. My favorite clients to polish are the guys who have done a bit of it all--civilian, military, and 121, because they can relate to so many interviewers. However, the important thing is knowing what you want people to know about you that makes you unique and would indicate you would be just an awesome potential employee at ______.

There are plenty of guys who walk in cold and get the job--I did it twice--at JetBlue and FedEx. However, looking back, I could have done even better with some polish. I think in this tough market a guy who wants the extra margin of help is not going to come off as a "clone" of previous successful candidates, but instead (like Archie) will have take a dynamite set of credentials into the interview knowing he or she can express themselves in such a way that will play to their respective strengths. No..its not rocket science...but if you ask former clients they will generally tell you the time and money spent was well worth the effort. And...like you said...its a free country. But when you walk into your JetBlue or SWA interview, you better understand that there are likely a dozen or more folks who have spent hours and hours honing their act with guys like me, Craig, and Rob, and they are definately going to have their "A" game on. If you don't use a pro, you better at least practice practice practice. My guys and gals averaged 93% (14/15) on this last group at JetBlue, and have gone about 88% overall through the phase I process at JetBlue. There are also quite a few well waterlogged FDX poolies I helped into the water. There is a strong case many could have made it through without any help...but they decided it was worth the extra time, effort, and travel. How many blue darts or letters on chief pilot's desk do you want to burn on the way to your dream job? I think guys like Craig and Rob are cheap insurance, and I'm free if you don't make it...so I'd hardly call any of us a bad investment.

 

[ArchieF16]

No i'm not. Read my initial post again. I believe an insider has information that an outsider wouldn't have. We try very hard to try and choose the best employee not only for our futures but for the futures of every SWA employee and their families. It becomes increasing more difficult to make those types of decisions when one has more inside information on items of the interview that are intended to be confidential.

Is this so difficult to understand??

I understand, we'll just have to agree to disagree.....I don't think anyone is giving away inside information....I think it's about understanding how the process works and getting the most out of each person who is interviewing and allow them to be confident when they do interview..........no one is giving away interview questions.....it's about preparation for some people who have never interviewed for any job in their entire life, let alone an airline interview........these people are the good guys SWA.......they're not out to dilute your company with people who don't deserve to be there...the interviewers can weed out those easy enough....

 

[Falconjet]

Real issue

Albie and Craig: yes it is a free country and we are all free to do what we want. I think some of the folks on the board (myself included) just get a bit of an uneasy feeling in our stomach when someone who works for an airline is using their "insight" into the process to make a profit off it by "advising" potential interviewees. Its kind of like porn, you are supposed to know it when you see it, and the insider prep business is awfully close to porn. When you use a free internet site to "advertise" your services, it gets even closer to hard core porn.

I don't know what the particular airlines think of their employees hiring themselves as pros in the interview prep, but I guess they give tacit agreement because they know some of their pilots are doing it (at least SW). I do remember signing a piece of paper during the FedEx interview that I agreed that the info during the interview was proprietary in nature and shouldn't be disclosed, but of course that wouldn't apply to general interview prep strategies.

Some folks used to call the Federal Telephone System (FTS) in the CG the 'family telephone system' because they would use it on occasion to make personal phone calls and such. Most people kept it to a minimum and true abusers would usually be disciplined. I never had much of a problem with the infrequent calls to girlfriends, family or what not, but sometimes guys would use the system to make business or financial deals for profit. That to me crossed the line of occasional personal use into abuse.

Perhaps that is what some of the backlash is about, the perception that the interview "pros" are using this forum for advertising a service that some feel is a little inappropriate in the first place.

You can debate the pros and cons of the interview prep all day, but those with a financial stake in the outcome maybe should take a pass.

These are just some thoughts, none of my business probably, but perhaps worth some consideration.

Peace.

FJ

 

[SWAdude]

.they're not out to dilute your company with people who don't deserve to be there.

Of course not,,,they are there to make money.

the interviewers can weed out those easy enough.

How are so sure about this? I am talking from inside the circle that many of us interviewers comment on these issues.

.it's about preparation for some people who have never interviewed for any job in their entire life, let alone an airline interview

I'm not against preparation, just an apparent conflict of interest. I am very much in favor of preparation. It shines brightly on a candidate. I'm at a lost at where you think i'm not in favor of preparation.

Where exactly do you want to agree to disagree?

SWAdude

 

[ArchieF16]

we just agree to disagree whether it's appropriate or not to post their services on this board.....

 

[AlbieF15]

As usual, FJ has some good points...which is why he is in demand at a couple of companies!

I do not discuss the FDX testing, sim profile, or specific scenarios in the SBI not only because of legal reasons, but because about all that info is already out there on aviationinterviews.com and other sites. Selling someone info that is already out there is Kit Darby's gig, not mine...

What I provide is detailed coaching on how to do your best in the targeted (tell me about time) interview format. Every person has individual strengths and weaknesses, and those are the areas we focus on magnifying and improving. FYI...this format has been growing in vogue in the HR world and is also used outside of aviation. My wife recently hired some teachers for a grant funded program she manages at a local community college, and the board used the same type questions that you face at jetblue, FDX, or SWA. In my opinion, if you can nail that interview at jetblue you can probably do very well at FDX or SWA too. (Just don't forget to bone up in a sim before you go to Memphis, or the plane ride back a day early will stink!)

I don't want the message boards to turn into an Amway sales site either, so I'll keep my hole shut unless directly asked from here on about the prep side. However, if you don't want to work with someone "inside" Rob Beeks has helped a lot of folks at FDX prep up for their Memphis marathon.

 

[man-down]

Some of you are really hard on Craig here. I wonder how many of you who calim that he is taking advantage of a situation have given money to kit darby?


I did not use a pay service to help me prep: but I did talk to active SWA employees to help calm my nerves. Chase was one of them, thanks! It worked, somewhat and I was lucky enough to be sucessful. I personally would feel much better getting a prep from someone at the company that knows what I will be going through for the interview and if I get the job, rather than a generic prep.


I also would want to stop as many unnecessary calls to my home (even if only for my wife's benefit). Putting a post here is fine in my book, after all it is an interview site.


m-d

 

[Falconjet]

Craig's Post

I didn't want to be too hard on anybody, so I went back and re-read Craig's post and I can understand his desire to cut down on extraneous phone calls to his house. The obvious answer to his dilemma is to use some of the money he makes from his consulting business to hire an answering service or invest in a second, separate phone line with an answering machine for when he is on the road.

I'm all for members of the forum sharing their experiences and recommendations on interview prep companies on flightinfo. I for one am giving Craig the benefit of the doubt that he was trying to pass along some info to the many folks who hear about him through this forum on how to best contact him.

Both Craig and Albie provide prospective interviewees with a valuable product, and they have many fans on this board. If their posts past muster with the moderator's rules I have no problem with their using it to inform and help others. From the reviews of their services that I have read on here they must be doing a great job, and a money back guarantee is hard to beat. If I were interested in a job at jB I would be looking for Albie's help myself.

Hopefully they will continue to participate in the message boards just like always and continue to stay on the soft-porn side of the line!

Perhaps the analogy wasn't perfect, but it was meant to lighten things up a bit.

Peace.

FJ

 

[AlbieF15]

Well FJ...I certainly took no offense.

And porn is such a harsh word. How about video and multi-media marital aids? See...that's what a good spin doctor is for...

Watching porn at home is no fun when your wife keeps telling you to go the gym and Enzyte shows up "anonymously" in the mail..

 

[chase]

Craig needs no defense

A little story:

A little over a 3 years ago I got a PM from a guy out west who was interested in SWA....had been VERY successful in several other aviation business ventures & was now interested in applying to SWA. He had read about SWA on this website & had seen some of the posts that I & others had posted on here. I had the pleasure to finally meet him after many hours of chatting & e-mailing back & forth. He was like many of the other hundreds of folks I have conversed with. After the full SWA process this gentleman was hired by SWA & added to the strength of this company IMHO as did all of the other folks who we hired along with him. This young man was Craig.

It has been my pleasure to know him & realize he has helped many folks through his services, as did Rob Beeks, Albie & others. I've also had the pleasure to help a few folks also as have I'm sure many of the other SWA folks who post on here regular, snoopy58, Swadude, etc. (my apologies to those I've missed).

I didn't do a prep & got hired. Was I lucky? Looking back yes & no. But I certainly prepped myself with what the info I was presented by many other folks. Did I have to pay for it? No but I also had many folks working on my behalf to help me. Is that available to everyone out there? Certainly not as I see many folks every week who wish to work at SWA but have very little information on SWA. A paid service provides some degree of assurance for those who may not have the skill sets or contacts in which to collect the necessary information that could possibly help someone get hired. I certainly don't have the magic formula for hiring & CT, RB & Albie or others don't advertise that they do.

Craig's desire was to pass along information to those who maybe interested in using his services to refrain from calling so much. If you don't wish to use his services, fine but knowing Craig I fully understand his intent behind his post. I too have a wife that tires of phone calls at times.

As for those critics who say he shouldn't profit from his status as a SWA employee in providing assistance to those who wish to become SWA employees well I would have to disagree. One of the things SWA has encouraged its employees in the past to do is to become entrepreneurs. We have many employees who have started businesses that sell items to other employees, literally hundreds, my wife being one of them & she isn't even an employee! This isn't like the military where there were chain of command, fraternization & implied pressure issues which prohibited selling or profitting from working for the military. That bias is hard to erase if that is one's background IMHO. It was hard for me as well along with my wife when my fellow employees purchased her products. Without the support of fellow SWA employees her business wouldn't be as successful with outside companies & there are many others who have walked the same path. They've encouraged her to continue her business & our relationship with the company through her business.

Sorry for the long dissertation but as a strong believer in the capitalistic system I believe the demand is there & as Albie said, why not have folks provide meaningful feedback to those wishing to come to SWA by folks who have been through the process & yes, even for $$. Its a free country but to have one's integrity/judgement questioned because of it, well its a free country so go ahead but I don't think it applies IMHO. SWA's system of hiring has remained solid and I don't think a poor candidate with good coaching can fall through the cracks.

p.s. I'm sure SWA legal folks have looked at this & have deemed it outside their realm of influence (or else they would've have pursued it) & have focused on issues that are much more critical to our profitability, thank goodness

 

[OakRBust]

Chase

I hope to meet you on an overnight. You always shoot from the hip, and always say things better than I could or do. I owe you a beer or 5.

See Yaaaaaaa

OAK

 

[JayhawkDude]

It wasn't an unreasonable post. Give the guy's wife a break. Where else can he get out this info to the masses?

 

[avoidingmyboss]

Chase thanks for the great post. I need to give you a call to let you know how my progress is coming its been a few months since we’ve talked but I have been busy flying and studying for the type. By the way do you or anyone else know how many are typed?

I am one of the ones who will use a prep service. The way I look at it I have spent tons of money on ratings and other things. I have taken lots of low paying jobs to build time. I am now in a position to buy the type. IMOP what’s anther $400-600 bucks if that makes a difference than I will gladly spend the money. I come to this web site to find this sort of information. I am one of the ones who don’t know a lot of people at SWA and will need every advantage I can get. Thanks Rob and Craig I will be in touch.

 

[spanky2]

Rob Beeks also does EXCELLENT interview prep / consulting work.

 

[SWAPrep]

CHASE WRITES:
A little over a 3 years ago I got a PM from a guy out west who was interested in SWA....had been VERY successful in several other aviation business ventures & was now interested in applying to SWA. He had read about SWA on this website & had seen some of the posts that I & others had posted on here. I had the pleasure to finally meet him after many hours of chatting & e-mailing back & forth. He was like many of the other hundreds of folks I have conversed with. After the full SWA process this gentleman was hired by SWA & added to the strength of this company IMHO as did all of the other folks who we hired along with him. This young man was Craig.
==============================================
Chase,
You KNOW me, I'm not one who posts very often at all, (like once every 3-4 years) But...Leave it to you to drag me out of the closet!

You state "a little over 3 years ago", let's see, I start year 5 in a couple months, we met at least a year before I got on. It's OK, just the first signs of Old Age (Ouch! I,m right behind you!) So having said that....THANK YOU for calling me "Young Man" at a ripe 3 years older than me! I LUV YOU ROY!

 

[SWAPrep]

I LUV YOU ROY!
SWA Brotherly LUV at it's best!

 

[tredding@swa]

SWAPrep happy customer

When I decided on a career with SWA back in Dec. of 2000, I started my own personal preparation.

I printed out the last 3 years of 10-Ks (SEC req. annual reports), the previous 4 quarters of 10-Qs(SEC req. quarterly reports) and a copy of "NUTS!".

I then searched back for 1 year of Southwest Airlines related articles from "Forbes.com", "Fortune.com", "Business Week.com" & "WSJ.com", also Yahoo!Finance.

I paid the Darby guy for his data heap too, $300 worth of books & other get hired by an airline related stuff.

I read EVERYthing I could get my hands on that had to do with SWA!! I also read everything possible on interviewing & airline interviewing.

I believed my chances of getting hired would be greater if I interviewed with a 737 type rating. So, I started my research on "737 Types-R-Us" companies. This is when I found FlightInfo.com.

I called all of the usual suspects and decided that Higher Power Aviation had all of the correct answers to my long list of questions. Bobbie Northcut was always available, or returned my calls promptly. And she never once seemed to be put off by my direct questioning about the "professionalism" of their school/product. After all, if I was going to spend $7000-8000 I wanted to be fairly certain that I was getting good training, not just a 737 type. (I know I am rambling, but it all will come together soon, be patient.....)

When I booked my training date, Bobbie asked me if I had interviewed at SWA, or was I planning on doing so. I told her that I had applied to SWA and was hoping to get my rating before the call to interview came. She gave me Craig's phone number and mentioned that several HPA customers had used Craig's interview prep services to help them get ready for a SWA interview. I had not considered using a "Prep" service. After all, SWA just wants to sit down and chat with you to get to know you.... what value could there be in PAYING for a prep for this kind of interview?????

Funny what small a world it is.... prior to this call, I had not seen or heard from Craig in 7+ years. Craig and I had worked together in the 135 charter world back in the late '80s, early '90s. After a brief "reunion" and catching up with each other the conversation turned to the SWA interview.

I'll make this real short now. Craig's approach to preparing you for your SWA interview does not expose ANY deep "Top-Secret" SWA interview methodology, nor does he have a way to short-cut the system to give his customers any "Insider Info" advantage.

Craig's strength is his uncanny ability to see your strengths and then personally coach you to bring out those strengths during your interview. You will not appear to have been "prepped". However, you will be ready for this interview.

Regardless of how great a guy or gal you are, this interview WILL stress you out!!

I reviewed my personal background, all of my personal "dues" paid + $8000 for a 737 type + one chance to interview (more if you wait 2 years between them) for what I believe is the best flying job in the universe. FOR ME, I considered it to be pretty cheap insurance/investment to spend a few days and $500-800 to go through Craig's process of interview prep. WHy chance it was my personal reason for using Craig's service.

I believe that had I not been through Craig's process of interview practice/coaching I may have bolo-ed my interview.

Craig is a good guy. He is NOT an opportunist. He has been through what you are all wanting to go through. He is insightful, professional and wants to see more good, qualified, professional folks get hired at his airline. He has been down the road and paid his dues like all of us have, and really does not deserve to have any mud slung in his direction for posting his info here at the request of many.

Good luck!

Very happy to be here and looking forward to 1000's of qualified, happy individuals to join me here at SWA!!

Tred