SWA Interview Prep

[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