SWA Needs Type Rated Pilots

[splatt]

Lindsey Lange, from SWA's People Department came to Higher Power Aviation to talk about the airline's future pilot needs. She said SWA plans to double in size by 2010, has lots of age 60-forced retirements, they are ordering lots of new jets, getting rid of all their 200's, and will hire at least 500 new pilots this year and around 400 pilots per year over the next 5 years or so. She also said SWA needs pilots now... so they are focusing on Type rated pilots.

 

[AnimalMother]

Thanks rotorhead.

 

[Wankel7]

I thought you had to have a type rating before you went to work for them? What changed?

Of course the hiring info is great

 

[AnimalMother]

WTF, where did his post state you didn't need a type rating?

 

[falcon20driver]

Do they still require 1000 turbine PIC?

I have the 737 type but don't quite have 1000 PIC turbine.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

SWA has changed their policy a couple of times in the last year.

Currently, U don't need a type to get an interview.

U do need a type to start class.

It sounds like if U have a type, U will get an interview sooner.

Cliff
DTW

 

[Steve 737]

Do they still require 1000 turbine PIC?

I have the 737 type but don't quite have 1000 PIC turbine.

There are a lot of furloughed USAir people with 737 types and thousands of hours on the 737, however, due to a stagnant seniority list for the better part of 15 years most could not hold left seat and are short on the 1000 PIC requirement. To bad SWA does not realize this and change or drop the 1000 PIC requirement.

 

[chase]

Steve

The dilemma you described is truly unfortunate. The requirement for the 1000 PIC turbine has been in existance for a very long period of time and is a standard I don't believe SWA is willing to go below any time soon. To change the standard at this point after so many folks prior to you & many others were excluded from the process for this very reason is unlikely for many reasons. Unfortunately for folks like yourself the pool of "qualified" candidates is so large, this requirement while limiting many, doesn't present a large enough hurdle to finding qualified applicants as defined by SWA at this point in time.

Certainly having all those hours makes one qualified no doubt in the 737. I wouldn't begin to argue that having thousands of hours of being exposed to every type of capt around doesn't prepare you well for being a capt one day but I most folks who have sat in both seat would also not argue SIC is no replacement for PIC time. If your a company that hires for "capt experience" PIC is the benchmark, right or wrong. It is discrimatory but that's what the hiring process is all about. We lose the opportunity to have many good folks like yourself that is true but the tradeoffs from SWA's perspective make the practice an institution I don't see changing in the very near or far off future.

As the hiring demands increase through the years and the pool of qualified candidates shrink who knows what will happen. My best advice is (as you have heard before I'm sure!), search for the company that will allow you to get the PIC SWA requires and get to that position as quickly as you can. Career paths are rarely linear (as you well know) & in this business they are more of a zig zag fashion. Good luck in your pursuit of a aviation career, I wish you & your family nothing but smooth sailing in these troubled waters.

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Sorry to ask what might be a question with an obvious-to-some answer, but...

Is this "we need typed pilots NOW" thing from LL something relatively new? I know of at LEAST one typed applicant that's still waiting patiently for the call to interview.

I've got my fingers crossed that it will be very soon. Thanks again to all the insiders that are posting SWA info here!

 

[CODs4ever]

If they need typed pilots so bad, then why are they calling those without the type? As I sit here hoping for a call, and hear about guys with no types getting interviews, I wonder if my $8,000 was money well spent. In my humble opinion, anybody with 1500-2000 PIC turbine and a B-737 type, should get called before someone without the type.

OK, I admit it, I'm just jealous. Patiently waiting...

 

[JetDude]

I'm with you CODs4ever...

I'm typed with over 3,000 jet PIC hours and still waiting for the phone to ring...and waiting...and waiting...hold on the phone just rang......rats, wrong number!...and waiting............

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Thanks guys! Good to know I'm not the only one hangin' out. We'll all get the call soon, I think.

 

[herc17]

Maybe SPLATT works for Higher Power and is simply being a good business man and trying to get more customers.
HERC

 

[chase]

Some thoughts on getting the call

Over the last 3 months (including May) approximately 450 pilots have been called for interviews. Working on purely speculative numbers that is less than 10% of the total number of folks who have sent in applications.

Again working off of only historical ratios of typed vs. non-typed applicants the pool of typed folks is probably around a 1/3d of typed folks.

The make up of the interviewees is difficult to say with any precision......SWA uses the type as only one selection criteria but doesn't use if for everyone. I would expect the majority are typed at this point since the pool of candidates for entry into class is drained after June, therefore the folks who can get to class the fastest are those with types but some of these are folks who aren't eligible to come on the property until sometime later, maybe fall or even winter of this year or early next year (up to 1 yr possibly). Therefore the bias would obviously be toward those with types but not exclusively so. Again only my speculation & this has no endorsement from SWA or the PD.

So what's the bottom line...one can get worked up over not getting a call (you're in the majority...90% of applicants)...continue to prepare yourself for the call (can you have all aspects of the interview ready within a 2 week or 10 day notice? If not I'd put my energy toward that vs. worrying about when the call will come, no slam, just some friendly advice ....move onto the other more important things & life & be surprised when the phone call comes....choice one & have at it.

Yes everyone thinks they're special & deserves the call tomorrow...doesn't happen that way so don't let your blood pressure taint your attitude which could impact your overall interview prep or actual interview. Just some thoughts. If I've offended anyone with my advice/candid comments then my apologies in advance. Cheers & good night.

 

[dlredline]

Chase,

Not really on topic, but I wanted to thank you for all your very thoughtful and informative posts to the SWA hopefuls. Much of your wisdom can be transferred to the JetBlue hopefuls as well. I really enjoy reading your thoughts.

Red

 

[FatesPawn]

Re: Some thoughts on getting the call

Over the last 3 months (including May) approximately 450 pilots have been called for interviews.

Man, that's a pretty big number. With the rumored success rate of 50% that means there's already 225 filling the pool nicely.

 

[LUVdaVIKING]

Thanks Chase for your sound advice and always informative comments. I too am waiting "patiently" for the phone to ring while continuing to log flight time and update my application on a regular basis.

For those of you in the Norfolk/VA Beach area, SWA & HPA are coming to town on June 4th & 5th for a FREE informal presentation/meet & greet targeting transitioning military pilots, civilian pilots are welcome as well. Contact information below for HPA, they'd like to know how many to expect, or pm me for more information.

"Just wanted to let you know, Southwest Airlines will be in Virginia Beach, June 4 and 5 with Higher Power Aviation. Southwest has huge growth planned and is actively seeking qualified pilots to apply for career employment. Currently, Southwest has 4,117 pilots and projects that the pilot headcount will approach 10,000 by 2012 due to growth and attrition. This is a chance for you to hear about the latest opportunities at Southwest Airlines and have your questions answered. If you have any friends in the area that are interested, please pass on our invitation to them as well. If you'd like more information about this informal event, give us a call 800.JETCREW and ask for Meghan or just reply to this email. We look forward to seeing you soon. All our best,"
Meghan Blinn
Higher Power Aviation
972-641-4661
[email protected]

 

[chase]

Not so fast

To date there has been 1 decision board, resulting in about 60ish folks being called. The 2nd decision board met yesterday. No one knows the number of how many are getting contacted. The third month is going on right now & that decision board won't meet until next month...so to recap

- 60ish hired all with different start dates stretching from ASAP to some to early next year possibly (these folks don't have company IDs yet either...detailed background checks can uncover issues that may disqualify folks...it has in the past & probably will in the future so this number is far from "guaranteed a job"...that is why the term "don't quit your day job" is the term they use for the call from the PD after the decision board)

- "old" pool drying up by June with "new" pool candidates entering now...the 60ish but again not all of them are available now & as the caveat above says, the final number that enters the pool may vary depending on what background checks uncover...don't get paranoid for those waiting...if you're record is clean it's no big deal...if you failed to disclose something & hope it will slip through, we'll you're probably sweating somewhat about now

So don't think we have 200+ folks already selected...a big jump

I wouldn't presume the next group will have any particular selection rate based upon what has happened in the past...it simply puts false expectations out there....no guarantees or certainities until you show up on the property.

As of right now no one has any guarantees.....remember, patience is the key phrase along with honesty.

Just wanted to add my $.02 so folks don't start interpolating too much info & work yourself into a coronary!!!!

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Thanks again, Chase, for the great info and encouragement you always provide.

 

[AlbieF15]

Met a CA pilot jumpseating with me on the way in to St Louis yesteday...

He was young, just getting started in his career. My advice to him was the same I find I'm giving out a lot now, especially as I see a lot of great US Air folks (and others) on the street from majors but without the all important 1000 PIC turbine: "Don't leave for another right seat somewhere if you can get that 1000 hours within a year..."

How many poor guys who "grabbed the brass ring" at US Air are now unable to apply at JB, FDX, or SWA? It is a nasty situation, and I'm not second guessing anyone. However, it does seem like getting some PIC, be in in a King Air, a Lear, or a JetStream prior to bailing for that right seat on an CRJ, ERJ, or whatever might just be a good long term investment.

Standard disclaimer...I may be wrong....