Unofficial
You may wish to contact the PD directly to get the answer but I've heard this question asked & answered by the PD & I believe the following is part of the answer.
I've heard the PD will be sending out a letter shortly to all those who have apps on file notifying them of this new "electronic app". In the letter will be directions on how to indicate to the SWA PD how the applicant can clearly indicate through the electronic app process they have applied before. Their records will be flagged to indicate they had applied BEFORE the new 12 jan '04 date. NOTICE: This is the time to make sure SWA PD have your current address or otherwise this letter will not reach you.
While I don't have the details on the precise "electronic application" questions on the form I would think the simpliest way to make this all happen is for a line on the form to have a question simply asking, "Have you applied to SWA before?" With this simple question or some other simple series of questions, the files could be flagged as being those of folks who have applied in the past.
While those who have monitored this website or others are now aware that new apps will be accepted beginning 12 Jan '04, those who may have other jobs or who have lost interest in SWA have moved on. If some of these have submitted in the past but now elect to not apply, this will be clear indication to SWA who is "really out there" in terms of old applicants...no sense calling them for an interview if they aren't keeping up with things, i.e. the new app process. Lets face it, some/many have moved on & the sooner the PD can relieve themselves of the workload of handling paper apps, the better. However, folks who don't "re-new" their app with an electronic app will have no impact on who gets called for interviews....remember, total person concept. Yes some of them may have qualified before others but since they are no longer around, it becomes moot.
For those who maybe hanging on the hope that having applied previously via the "old" system will give you some phenomenal advantage over those who have not applied before 12 Jan '04, well yes & no. The new process for choosing applicants will be based upon "best qualified" I've been told. I've had it explained to me by the PD this means the entire picture of the applicant will be looked at; hrs, recency of flying, quality of flying, flying positions, progression, type(s), hours, etc. I'm sure those who have heard the PD speak lately this all sounds pretty familiar.
Again this is only my opinion & we know how many of us have worthless opinions, but if you were a strong applicant/candidate for an interview & you have an application on file & you had; lots of hrs, good record, good job progression, recency of flying, types, clean record, etc. then I would assume that stacked against similar folks who apply after 12 Jan '04, then the earlier one will get the call for interview before others who applied later.
However, if an earlier applicant had "just the minimums" for applying & applies via the electronic app process, then this applicant (again only my opinion) will most likely not stack up well against other new applicants or current apps. Will they get a call for an interview? Yes. Will they be among the first 500(or whatever number one wishes to use) applicants called? Probably not. But they will get the call at some point but it maybe quite some time & others applying after this person may be "more qualified" than the earlier applicant.
The good thing is that with the electronic process this same "minimum qualification" person can now update his application as often as they wish & can continuously improve their chances of getting called before others who ALL have the MINIMUM quals met. The old paradigm that when one applied will determine when one is called for an interview is probably out the window. At some point the PD will have a pool of applicants who's applications will be only those submitted after 12 Jan '04 but not anytime soon. When that happens will the date of app be a factor? I doubt it but again it is only my opinion.
SWA is looking to interview folks who are the best of the pool of pilots who are out there at one time. To do anything else would be rather shortsided and not good for our customers/shareholders. Again, if you were a strong candidate before, you'll be a strong candidate now.
One of the features of the new system will be the advantage the PD will have in putting out burst e-mails to EVERYONE at the same time on what is happening. While the draining of the pool will be slow initially along with the interview numbers, this is only the beginning & the pace will only begin to steadily increase (assuming things remain OK around the world). Eventually the pool will drain, time from app to interview to being on property will go back to what it once was (Mar app for me, July interview (could've been Jun), Oct on the property). This won't probably won't occur for another 18-24 months but if things accelerate, who knows. Good luck & begin getting those LORs, checking your credit/driving history, training records/log books in order, etc.
One other good piece of info I was told is the new app will eliminate the "supplemental info" that was sent out just prior to the interview to be filled out. All of this info will be included on the new electronic app which is good.
Sorry for the long answer but this will hopefully ease some of the stress some maybe filling. Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year....Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!
Best wishes to all,
