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SWA Removes B737 Type Requirment

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Shhez....more lotto winners. What's in it for me? I got nothing out of this deal
 
Good move.

I do not know why SWA would be anyone's first choice as a new hire.

-Stagnant seniority list. Not any hull growth in sight.
-Contract quickly falling behind Delta, AA, United
-CEO who's legacy will be transforming SWA into a Legacy airline
-Low retirement rate compared to the above mentioned airlines.
-have to pay $7000 for a type rating to qualify for a less desirable job.

I think these are the reason Flight Ops changed the policy. I know and respect Craig but the reasons he stated was way down the list.
 
What did they say about the "current hiring environment" ?:

The number of applicants accepting interviews has dropped ?

The number of those accepting a job and showing up for class has dropped ?

People on the bottom are leaving in disturbing numbers ?

What are "other things" ?

Without seeing the email first hand, we interested observers can only ask questions.

It seems that changing a 40 year, hard-and-fast employment requirement is a significant event. There must be a story there...

Just curious. I'm not looking for a job. :D
I won't quote a company memo on a forum, but if you want to see the actual memo it is posted in an identical thread on Airline Pilot Central.

P.S. It's about time and good riddance.
 
I won't quote a company memo on a forum...

HB,

Understand. I was just remarking that those of us in the Peanut Gallery don't have the best info. I wasn't really expecting to see the memo itself but thought SWA would make a public statement about it.

I thought there might be "...a link to the official statement of the change...".

The change in policy can only help your headhunting. :cool:
 
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HB,

Understand. I was just remarking that those of us in the Peanut Gallery don't have the best info. I wasn't really expecting to see the memo itself but thought SWA would make a public statement about it.

I thought there might be "...a link to the official statement of the change...".

The change in policy can only help your headhunting. :cool:

The email put as much info. on the Type requirement as it it did the light weight jacket
 
Now if only they will drop that pointless FAR 1.1 PIC time and join the rest of the aviation world and count 61.51....

I'm not an SW pilot, but I actually agree with the use of the FAR 1.1 definition of PIC time. It allows a clear delineation portraying that the person concerned was the one actually responsible for the operation of the aircraft. Any yutz with a rating can be a "sole manipulator."

"Pilot in command means the person who:
(1) Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight
."
 
Long over due. The catalyst to making this happen was the training of nearly 1000 non typed pilots in house. Improvements to the training department (AQP). No real insurance benefit anymore. And yes. The competitive landscape of the industry was a major factor too in the update. It will be looked upon favorably to anyone who makes the investment.

They actually said a 737 type would be looked upon favorably and as another "feather in the cap" if you have one. This cracks me up. If it were me doing the selecting I would be wondering if someone who showed up with a type they paid for needs to have their head examined....but that's just me. I'm sure all my new coworkers at SWA would disagree.
 
They actually said a 737 type would be looked upon favorably and as another "feather in the cap" if you have one. This cracks me up. If it were me doing the selecting I would be wondering if someone who showed up with a type they paid for needs to have their head examined....but that's just me. I'm sure all my new coworkers at SWA would disagree.

Probably to make the folks who recently bought one feel better. You know your pissed if you just bought type in the last month or two.
 
In my que, the thread after this was Japan raises the retirement age to 67 (and if you didn't know, some years back, Canada dropped their retirement age altogether).


So, what does SWA dropping their long-time 737 type requirement and Japan raising their retirement age to 67 have in common???
 
In my que, the thread after this was Japan raises the retirement age to 67 (and if you didn't know, some years back, Canada dropped their retirement age altogether).


So, what does SWA dropping their long-time 737 type requirement and Japan raising their retirement age to 67 have in common???
The college is also becoming preferred at many places as the pool of well qualified applicants thins out.

EGADS! to be 33 and getting out of the Navy now instead of 1977 when everybody and their brother was a 3000 hour military pilot:eek:
 
RH: I am thinking about moving to Saigon.
 
The college is also becoming preferred at many places as the pool of well qualified applicants thins out.

EGADS! to be 33 and getting out of the Navy now instead of 1977 when everybody and their brother was a 3000 hour military pilot:eek:

I'm calling bullsh!t. Which major airlines have recently switched to making college preferred?
 
I'm sure the company doesn't want its internal memos posted publicly, but ....
....I don't care.

Found this on APC:

"The B737 Type Rating
As you all know, we have a very long history of requiring that Pilots aquire the B737 type rating prior to starting a new hire class. This has served us well over the years. After a very thorough review of the Southwest Airlines Pilot job description, we have decided to remove the B737 type rating requirement. This decision came after seriously considering that our pool of qualified applicants has dwindled over the years, initial training is more systems comprehensive than the old days, insurance is no longer an issue, and the fact that we are overlooking thousands of qualified pilots who exceed our requirements but do not possess the type rating.

Going forward, the B737 type rating will continue to have value as a desired skill, similar to a college degree or other specialized training. In other words, for those applicants who have a type rating, it will serve as another ?feather in the cap? during the selection process. All pilot applicants must still possess the Multi-Engine ATP rating. The proposed initial AQP training has made it much easier to administer a type rating during the initial training syllabus, and those Pilots who are hired without a B737 type rate will receive the rating prior to IOE."
 
....I don't care.

Found this on APC:

"The B737 Type Rating
As you all know, we have a very long history of requiring that Pilots aquire the B737 type rating prior to starting a new hire class. This has served us well over the years. After a very thorough review of the Southwest Airlines Pilot job description, we have decided to remove the B737 type rating requirement. This decision came after seriously considering that our pool of qualified applicants has dwindled over the years, initial training is more systems comprehensive than the old days, insurance is no longer an issue, and the fact that we are overlooking thousands of qualified pilots who exceed our requirements but do not possess the type rating.

Going forward, the B737 type rating will continue to have value as a desired skill, similar to a college degree or other specialized training. In other words, for those applicants who have a type rating, it will serve as another ?feather in the cap? during the selection process. All pilot applicants must still possess the Multi-Engine ATP rating. The proposed initial AQP training has made it much easier to administer a type rating during the initial training syllabus, and those Pilots who are hired without a B737 type rate will receive the rating prior to IOE."


So those of you in la la land can forgo getting your degree but good luck with that.
 
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So those of you in la la land can forgo getting your degree but good luck with that.

I'm calling bullsh!t. Which major airlines have recently switched to making college preferred?

None. He's talking out of his ass again.
Only know what I read in the funny papers

Quote Originally Posted by Staticwick View Post
Yesterday, a co-worker with ties to FedEx, told me they just dropped their turbine requirements to 500 hrs and college is about to be optional. American Airlines, no company physical-A buddy got interviewed at American- he figures when he is my age he can retire (young and able to play with my retirement money instead of working till I am unable to enjoy it). United internal recs/college desired but not required. Watch the big one, Delta...they are gonna feel the pinch too once they get their diet going of age 65's.
 
So in other words, nothing has changed and you're full of sh!t. Thought so.
 
Only know what I read in the funny papers

Quote Originally Posted by Staticwick View Post
Yesterday, a co-worker with ties to FedEx, told me they just dropped their turbine requirements to 500 hrs and college is about to be optional. American Airlines, no company physical-A buddy got interviewed at American- he figures when he is my age he can retire (young and able to play with my retirement money instead of working till I am unable to enjoy it). United internal recs/college desired but not required. Watch the big one, Delta...they are gonna feel the pinch too once they get their diet going of age 65's.

I know a former World 747 Captain with types in everything from 737 to MD-11, LCA, all the big boxes filled... his phone hasn't made a peep since World folded. He has no degree. It's not happening.
 
So in other words, nothing has changed and you're full of sh!t. Thought so.
From UAL Job site

Certification requirements:

  • Unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with airplane multiengine class rating
  • Current FAA first-class medical certificate
  • FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)
Flight time requirement:

  • Minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time
General requirements:

  • Current, valid passport
  • Legal right to work in the United States
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Bachelor?s degree from accredited college or university is preferred
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
We appreciate your interest and we encourage you to frequently check back with us for updates on our hiring needs

From AAL job site

Qualifications
Here is what it takes to be a successful pilot at American:

? Excellent communication skills and quick and accurate decision making

? Close attention to detail

? Minimum age of 23

? Ability to work varying hours of the day or night, on weekends and holidays

? Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or Customs security badges

? Fulfillment of FAA criminal background checks

? Ability to learn and work with PEDs

? Distance vision corrected to 20/20 and near vision corrected to 20/40 or better in each eye

? Current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating (multi-engine) or a valid ATP written test

? Valid FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator permit

? Valid First Class Medical Certificate

? Flight time in accordance with all FAA requirements

? Must be able to fluently speak and understand English

? Must have the right to work in the United States

? Additionally, we require all of our pilots to have a valid passport and documentation allowing for entry into
the United States after an international flight.



Don't see anything about college here
 
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That's not a change, yip. It's always said that. And it's always been next to impossible to get hired there without it. "Preferred" really means "you'd damned well better have it."
 
I know a former World 747 Captain with types in everything from 737 to MD-11, LCA, all the big boxes filled... his phone hasn't made a peep since World folded. He has no degree. It's not happening.

There are many jobs abroad for 747 skippers..., a few with bases in the US even.
Air China, Korean, NCA to name a couple, all have either pilot bases or reverse rosters from the US.
 
There are many jobs abroad for 747 skippers..., a few with bases in the US even.
Air China, Korean, NCA to name a couple, all have either pilot bases or reverse rosters from the US.

DP,

Would age or being well out of currency be an obstacle for someone in this guy's position ?
 
There are many jobs abroad for 747 skippers..., a few with bases in the US even.
Air China, Korean, NCA to name a couple, all have either pilot bases or reverse rosters from the US.

He interviewed with Korean. Came home and said "not a chance in hell I'm working there."
 
Someone at Higher Power just started crying uncontrollably.

a big "Eff you" to higher power.

It's like those that run the sham business airline pilot apps site- profiting off unscrupulous practices in this industry is a horrible way to make a living.
 

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