SWA questions

[azxj]

I know these questions have been answered a thousand times, but I can't seem to find them in my searches.

Any guesses as to the ratio of those interviewed to those hired?

I'm staying at the Renaissance for my interview, is this the preferred hotel?

Do they like you to bring additional letters of recommendation in? For instance I think I could get one from my Cheif pilot, but I have not flown with him. Do they think this is overkill?

Probably jumping the gun on this one but...what is the pay like in training, and do you get per diem? I'm not trying to make it all about the pay, just want to know how my bills will get paid.

I had about a thousand more, but can't think of them right now.

For those of you who have read these same questions way too many times, I'm sorry. Just getting a little nervous before the interview.

Thanks

 

[PTinbound]

Hey AZ, I just came over from Mesaba this year and here's what I can tell you.

Training pay is about 90 TFP (Trips for pay - how we measure pay, similar to an hour. A TFP is roughly 52-54 minutes of flying). First year pay is 42.14 per TFP. So you'll make $3792 a month in training, gross. Many of the deductions won't find you until toward the end of training. Similar to XJ, there is no per diem until after IOE. Per diem then is 2.15 an hour, and most lineholders are getting anywhere from 95 TFP's a month to upwards of 140 if you live in base, your family hates you, and you have no life. Most probably get 100-105.

Once you are on line, you can pick up extra trips that pay 2nd year rates, 71.11. By doing this, I'm making more now than I was as a six year Saab captain.

The Ren. in DAL is fine. Get a loan from your 401k if you want to eat at the steakhouse.

A letter from CP? If in DTW, say hi to SK for me. I guess this would help, just make sure you have at least 3 good ones from folks you have flown with. Use folks from your whole career, and don't forget about FO's or even FA's who can vouch that you are a good captain.

The ratio? My man Chase probably knows better, but I seem to remember lately it's been around 40% or better, certainly much higher ratio than in the past. Good luck!

 

[saabcaptain]

I know these questions have been answered a thousand times, but I can't seem to find them in my searches.

Any guesses as to the ratio of those interviewed to those hired?

I'm staying at the Renaissance for my interview, is this the preferred hotel?

Do they like you to bring additional letters of recommendation in? For instance I think I could get one from my Cheif pilot, but I have not flown with him. Do they think this is overkill?

Probably jumping the gun on this one but...what is the pay like in training, and do you get per diem? I'm not trying to make it all about the pay, just want to know how my bills will get paid.

I had about a thousand more, but can't think of them right now.

For those of you who have read these same questions way too many times, I'm sorry. Just getting a little nervous before the interview.

Thanks

I think 40-50% of the folks interviewed are hired. The percentage seems to have increased in recent months based on what I am hearing. The MDW chief pilot told me "more is better" but internal to SWA is "always better" when it comes to letters. Many came with 10 to 20, but IMHO that is overkill but not looked down on. I went in with 9 letters, 4 internal, 4 external (all 8 people i flew with) and 1 from my chief pilot. I don't think a letter from a management pilot who deals with you is a bad thing so long as you meet the minimum of 3 letters from folks who have FLOWN with you. To be honest I think if you do very well in the interview and have good experience, you will get the job even with 3 letters from people they don't know. The Renaissance is the primary hotel for SWA folks doing the interviewing to stay and you may very well run into them in the downstairs bar but it isn't a "secret" to a good interview. I stayed there but at the last minute decided to just rent a movie on the TV and get extra sleep... worked for me.

Good luck!

 

[commode Air]

Here's the hibidy skibidy on SWA. I work at a small airline. I interviewed 6 months ago at swa and was lucky enough to get hired. I had absolutly NO recommendation letters at the time of my interview from SWA pilots. I didn't get in touch with my friend who flies there until the day after my interview. And the other 2 days after I interviewed. That's when he gave me an online recommendation. I eventually had 2 SWA pilots hook me up online, BUT SWA only called one. I went into my interview with 3 reference letters. I was told first hand by the People department that they do not like a ton of letters. They will hire you with only 3 letters. They will read all the letters and if everyone brings 10 and theres 140 that interview, you get my drift. Another thing is a friend of mine is on the hiring board thre told me A MAJOR FACTOR IN GETTING DENIED IS YOUR REFERENCES STABBING YOU IN THE BACK, meaning this, ONLY get a reference from someone who will 10000000000% vouch for you. The more letters you have the more chances people will say something stupid about you!.

Getting back to what I first said I had 3 letters, 2 check Airmen and one line captain. I had 2 online recommendation from 2 FO's at SWA, and was hired. They could give a crap, if you have the best references in the world, they will still not hire you If you don't fit in. You have got to SMILE LAUGH and HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN SMILE SMILE ALL DAY **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** DAY!!!

There not looking for chuck Yeagers, I'm not saying you are but they want more than a pilot, someone who will donate money to families, fly extra trips to help the company out, sacrifice the glory to throw bags, clean the back of the airplane, listen to a crew member who is having marriage problems this is the stuff you have got to emphasize on in your interview. Think of all the good things you have done for people and bring it out. Remember you are the NEXT GENERATION for SWA. They want to be around 100 more years, show them you'll do your best.

Have fun! you will, it is a great place!

 

[Stash]

Finished training in Nov, got $2000 gross per check, netted $16something after taxes. The third one is pretty harsh, netted around $1100 or less, OUCH! Letters from company pilots hold more weight, my non-esteemed opinion only. I had one letter from my 737 type rating instructor and check airman (same guy) to describe the stellar way I perform in a 737. Just kidding, I just did that to show that I play well with others, SWA taught me how to fly the 737, well, once on the line I was taught, well, ok, honestly, I'm still learning...A LOT! My other letters were from guys I have flown with in my unit (prior military). One was from a SWA Capt that I taught to fly about 20 years ago, but, hey, he's a Capt and I raise his gear now. Of course, he's buying me beer at the bar now!

The Renaissance is a very nice hotel. Get the SWA rate, before check in if you can, if not, at check in. Tell them you are there for an interview, worked for me. You probably won't get the SWA rate for food, so, eat in the bar and you can leave that 401K alone.

For the interview: 1) Be yourself. 2) Don't slam anyone. 3) Don't ever lie. If you don't know, say, "I don't know." Good luck...