SWA Reference Check?

[The Clash]

Question for you SWA folks:

A friend of mine interviewed at SWA about 2 weeks ago. I was one of his letters of rec. No one has called me about him, and he said that his other recs haven't heard anything either. Others in his interview group have had their recs called. Is this a bad sign? Can someone get past the DB without having references called? Or is this a sign that he didn't do well? He is starting to get down. Thanks for any opinions and answers.

The Clash

 

[canyonblue737]

sadly, in general, it is a negative sign. there have been some very rare cases where no one was called and you get hired, or where your references get called weeks after the other people in the class get theirs called but usually a story like this tends to end badly.

cross your fingers and perhaps some of his references did get called but they haven't told him yet.

best wishes...

 

[Phil O'Sopher]

A fair indication can be had from his recommendations. If he had a number of internal (SWA) recommendations, then they may not call his external references and there is still reason to be hopeful. If none of his recommendations were from SWA, then things are somewhat bleaker, but never give up and he can re-apply.

 

[canyonblue737]

A fair indication can be had from his recommendations. If he had a number of internal (SWA) recommendations, then they may not call his external references and there is still reason to be hopeful. If none of his recommendations were from SWA, then things are somewhat bleaker, but never give up and he can re-apply.

true, but again in that case his INTERNAL recommendations will be called. in 99.9% of the cases where someone gets hired at SWA for a pilot position, SOMEONE will be called to verify references. hopefully this is just a situation where perhaps one of his references didn't tell him he got the call yet.

 

[ivauir]

They could just be a little behind getting to call them too ... You never really know until the phone call or the letter.

Best of luck

 

[The Clash]

Thanks for all the replies!

I appreciate all the info. I called him today, and he said that he is trying to call his SWA buddies who said they would do an online rec for him. Hasn't heard from them yet either. He thinks that maybe he somehow pooched the interview. I told him just to keep waiting - you never know what will happen. But, as pilots, he has THAT feeling about the interview (not the good one either). Oh, well. There is still time.

 

['LUVIN LIFE]

Canyon,

So do you know what a rough percentage is of guys who get hired if their references are called? I know going into the interview I've heard that it's around 20-30% get hired. Post interview, post references called I have not heard any numbers.

Also, if a current employee writes a letter of rec, is it necessary to do an on-line also? Or does the board just look at that as too repetitive from the same guy and would rather have different inputs?

Thanks! (and patiently waiting!!!)

 

[walden]

'LUVIN:
5 out of 7 of my references were called within 5 days of my interview. Internal/external; all had positive things to tell me when they called to notify me of them being contacted. I got the letter.
As to the LOR v. online, all my internals who wrote me a letter also put one online. Just shows that they were willing to do whatever it takes to get me hired. I am very grateful to all who helped me with the process. Maybe next time.

 

[ivauir]

Just shows that they were willing to do whatever it takes to get me hired.

This should be your acid test for who to recommend you.

 

[Phil O'Sopher]

true, but again in that case his INTERNAL recommendations will be called. in 99.9% of the cases where someone gets hired at SWA for a pilot position, SOMEONE will be called to verify references. hopefully this is just a situation where perhaps one of his references didn't tell him he got the call yet.

I don't profess to know what will happen in 99.9% of the cases and unless someone works for the people dep't, I don't think they should either. I had 3 INTERNAL references and 3 external references, with a grand total of ZERO references called. I was hired 2 months after my interview. I also know of at least 1 other guy whose references weren't called, and I wasn't even asking.
There is always a chance, though maybe a slimmer one. Tell your friend to reapply and good luck.