SWA training info

[fiel12]

Just curious as to what initial training pay is at SWA.
Is there any per diem paid while in initial training?
Oh, and one more thing. What is first year FO pay?

Thanks for any info!

 

[jhill]

Just curious as to what initial training pay is at SWA.
Is there any per diem paid while in initial training?
Oh, and one more thing. What is first year FO pay?

Thanks for any info!

First year pay rate is $44.15 per trip. A reserve line pays 84 to 96 trips. Most reserves end up with over 100. I don't know exactly but I think they pay you 84 trips a month while in training but no per diem. I'm sure someone with more recent knowledge will chime in. Health coverage starts immediately. Its a basic plan but the plan you choose starts in 30 days. There are at least 3 different plans you can choose from.

After you get on line (about 6 weeks) any open time you pick up pays second year rate which is $74.49. So basicly if you want to work at it you can do alright your first year or you can just fly your schedule and get 90 or more trips at $44.15. Its a livable wage and you have lots of control if you need more.

 

[fiel12]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Reebo]

First year pay rate is $44.15 per trip.

After you get on line (about 6 weeks) any open time you pick up pays second year rate which is $74.49.

Current rates are $45.90 1st year and $77.45 2nd year

 

[Burt Reynolds]

what constitutes a trip?

 

[Alcatraz]

what constitutes a trip?

A "trip" is short for "Trip for Pay" (TFP). It's the unit of pay for SWA pilots and flight attendants. If you're comparing SWA pay to nearly everyone else, figure 1.1 trips equals one 1.0 block hour of credit. That's why you'll see talk of a conversion on www.airlinepilotcentral.com, and why the hourly pay rates there don't match our "trip" pay rates exactly.

The credit value (trip value) for any given city pair is based on the mileage between those cities. I forget the exact numbers but I think the first 243 miles is one trip, then every 40 subsequent miles is another 0.1 trip. The first trip isn't prorated, so the minimum pay for any leg (like DAL-AUS, DAL-HOU, or MCO-RSW) is 1.0 trips. Longer legs pay more, obviously.

There's way more to our pay than the credit value of each leg (such as duty rigs and minimum pay per duty), but SWA pilot pay is based on mileage, not block. Yes, we get paid extra if we overfly much over our scheduled block, but we're always paid at least the trip value of a given city pairing even if we consistently under block. We're not really paid by the hour, and so we're not worried about "preserving the block" like other carriers I've worked at.

 

[328dude]

45.90 trip pay X 1.13=per hour rate.

Pay while in training went something like this for me. They gave you a flat $2,000 advance for the first 3 paycheck. They take back part of the advance on the fourth. Got online in Dec and my lowest trip count for the month was 97 because I didn't pick anything extra up and gave some stuff away. The highest was 131 after picking up a 3 day (77.45 rate) during my 10 day break. I've seen some guys in the 40's and 50's.

 

[canyonblue]

45.90 trip pay X 1.13=per hour rate.

Actually, X 1.1393

 

[328dude]

Thanks blue. Couldn't remember all of it.

 

[Iced_up]

Not to change the subject or hijack the thread. Does anyone know which hotel the new hires stay at? Have an interview coming up soon and prefer to stay at the same place.

Thanks!

 

[REK]

A couple of months ago all new hires were staying at the Holiday Inn Select at Love Field.

 

[fugghedabowdit]

The Renaissance is a good place to meet people too.

 

[k3mbbc]

I start training next month and we are staying at the Holiday Inn Select.

For the interview I stayed at the Renaissance....nice visit. Met with a lot of interviewees in the bar, as well as other SWA pilots who were back getting check rides. This seems to be the hotel of choice for interviews.

 

[Iced_up]

I tried calling the Renaissance but said they didn't have a SWA corporate rate. They quoted me $249/night. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow and see if I can get a better rate. I'd much rather stay there than the Raddison or Holiday Inn Select.

 

[BVT94]

I tried calling the Renaissance but said they didn't have a SWA corporate rate. They quoted me $249/night. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow and see if I can get a better rate. I'd much rather stay there than the Raddison or Holiday Inn Select.

Try the Sheraton Suites across the street from the R...then you can just walk over to the bar if you want to network. Good luck.

 

[puddlejumper101]

while I think networking is a MUST...beware of this too. Most of the interviewers stay at the Renaissance and Holiday Inn Select. Your interview might begin the day before your actual interview. This can be good or bad...so becareful. When I went for my interview I got the same tip and decided to just stay as far from that scene as possible. I already had contacts inside SWA and I figured at this point (the night before the interview) being downstairs with interviewers in disguise was not a good idea. No big deal either way, I just don't think it's something to put emphasis on. I would not pay $$$ for the renaissance...it's not worth it, in fact it can bite you in the rear if not careful.

 

[Iced_up]

Hey puddlejumper,

Thanks for the advice. I was warned of the same thing to be careful the night before. I made reservations for the Holiday Inn Select but was told it's fairly loud due to the close proximity of LUV.

I managed to get a rate just now at the Renaissance for $72/night which is only a few dollars more than the Holiday Inn. I probably won't venture downstairs myself but want a comfortable place to stay prior to the interview.

I'm sure the interview process will begin when I get to the ticket counter to travel down to Dallas. The day is drawing near and my fingers are crossed!

 

[Falconjet]

Hey puddlejumper,

Thanks for the advice. I was warned of the same thing to be careful the night before. I made reservations for the Holiday Inn Select but was told it's fairly loud due to the close proximity of LUV.

I managed to get a rate just now at the Renaissance for $72/night which is only a few dollars more than the Holiday Inn. I probably won't venture downstairs myself but want a comfortable place to stay prior to the interview.

I'm sure the interview process will begin when I get to the ticket counter to travel down to Dallas. The day is drawing near and my fingers are crossed!

That is the key. The interview starts then and ends when you are in your car heading home from the airport. I would still be looking over my shoulder in the car on the way home.

If you aren't an anti-social dork who can't eat with his mouth closed and don't have a drinking problem there is no reason not to go down to the bar the night before the interview for some dinner and a beer or two. I wouldn't go crazy, but it can actually work in your favor for the interviewers to see you as you really are in a relaxed, social setting instead of the uptight nervous you in the interview room. After all, they are supposedly trying to get to know the real you to see if they could get along with you on a 3 day trip. What do yo think they do on those 3 day trips? They go eat dinner and have a couple of $1 beers.

Just keep in the back of your mind that you are being evaluated every second by everybody and act accordingly. That includes the gate agents, FAs, van drivers and hotel staff. Everybody.

Good luck.

FJ

 

[ASADFW7]

Dang, I agree to go downstairs and absorb what you can. Meet a few interview candidates and relax. It does make it much easier the next day when you know a few people to talk and relax. You cannot be afraid to screw up, you have to put yourself out there in life.

 

[Pilot's Wife]

My husband recently started with SWA and all new hires were at the Holiday Inn Select. That's also where they hold the new hire parties, which happened to be attended by a chief pilot. He was at the hotel for the DB. He sat and visited with all new hires, very nice. So if you plan to go downstairs and meet people, you certainly could be talking with a chief or assistant chief who will decide your future.

A little info I heard from the Dallas chief pilot a couple of weeks ago, the day after their March DB. They reviewed 200 applicants and offerred jobs to 95 of them. That's almost 50%. Also, an observation of my own, based on what I saw while I was there and what the Dallas Chief said - seems alot of military. He said the last 25 pilots that they offerred jobs to were all military, and my husbands class was heavy military also. I think it is just a coincidence, but I did notice it.

Everyone enjoy the experience. Those with class dates coming up, make every effort to include your spouse/significant other in the first two days. I learned information from my tour etc. that my husband didn't even know. They treat you like they have hired not just a pilot but a family. You also learn a lot about benefits etc. that many spouses take care of anyway. You also learn about the bidding process and at least one pilot in the class wanted his wife to bid for him since she knew the family's schedule. So if you want that, make sure you attend.

 

[klr1395]

I can't agree enough with the people who say that the interview starts early. I believe it starts when you make the call to arrange your must ride pass to DAL. When I got to the airport at MSY for my travel the ticket counter agent asked if I was going for a FA interview despite the fact that it said right on my letter/ticket that I was going for an FO intervew. probably just to gage my reaction and or discover and pre determined attitudes and prejudices towards how I would treat other crew members. Maybe I am just paranoid but I don't think so in this case. I stayed at the Renaissance and was glad to have done so. Only people I bumped into were two fellow interviewees in the bar and we swapped a few stories. Unless you are a social clown I think it would be good to do. In my case did not get any brownie points with interviewers, but did give me the comfort of seeing a couple of familiar faces the next day and that helped to relax me. During the interview I probably did all the things that a pro like Albie F15 would tell you not to. I crossed my legs and probably fidgeted with my hands and used them to help tell the stories. Before we went in the PD people said to just relax and act like you are having a converstaion in a hotel bar, hence the previous posters' notion that they are evaluating the liklihood that they would want to kill you after a 3 day trip. I did just that, relaxed and let them see who I was to the best of my ability and it worked for me.... Best of luck to anyone and if any ?'s pleasse feel free to PM me. I had some good help from the inside when it came to the DB (I was considered on the March DB). Cheers, klr

 

[OK3]

A point of clarification. No one is actually taking notes on you (other than the interviewers). Just treat people like you want to be treated and you'll be fine. SWA doesn't waste a penny on anything, do you really think the overworked ticket agent/FA/cafeteria worker is going to take time out of their day to track down who you are and write something up?
Having said that, I did ride over from the Renaissance the am of my interview with three of the guys giving the interviews. Glad I always tip. Good luck to all.

 

[afhercdriver]

Apr 25 Class

Gina from the PD called today and offered me a 25 Apr training class. Anyone else?

 

[WNFO]

Gina from the PD called today and offered me a 25 Apr training class. Anyone else?

Nothing here yet. When did you interview and what DB were you in?

 

[canyonblue]

......... do you really think the overworked ticket agent/FA/cafeteria worker is going to take time out of their day to track down who you are and write something up?

Don't worry, that only happens once you get hired. :angryfire

 

[afhercdriver]

Nothing here yet. When did you interview and what DB were you in?

WNFO,

I interviewed on Jan 17 and was called on Feb 22.

Jim

 

[THEPRFCT10]

Other Hotel Options...

FWIW, I stayed at the Sheraton Suites--great place! SWA rate $49/night, free transpo anywhere w/in 5 mile radius and a quick 10 min walk to the Rennaissance. Huge suites king bed, quiet. Highly recommend it!

 

[BVT94]

deleted......

 

[Dude]

Pay is approx. 3k/month in training depending on your tax info and other junk. After a couple of months it really shoots up if you are willing to make the best of your off days. I tried to work my way out to OAK and work my way back if I could. Second year pay, just to commute. Sometimes it worked and other times, not. You can easily make 70k your first year if you want to work. Some folks really like their time off, I don't blame them, but I wasn't used to time off when I started either. There is plenty to pick up in the 7 bases and if you want to fly, then you can. Straight pay, 1st yr. no extra, is about 4k/mo.(after the IRS steals from you) and about 6k for year two. What a pleasure it is to go to work here. Quality of life is gooooood. Min days off are 15 and you will easily get to 17-18 in year one.

Training is laid back and a little frustrating. You won't be used to the pace or the method, but it's great. Most civilians from regionals and military guys are familiar with having to build the a/c and we don't do that here. You're an operator, not an engineer. Much gouge available and you don't have to show up ready for the PC. Keep your opinions to yourself, do what they ask, and give the training a chance to sink in. Most importantly, be prepared to have a good time in DAL. Welcome.

 

[bravodude]

i think some of you are a little to paranoid. I stayed at the holiday inn select. wen't downstairs had a few beers and will be starting class on apr. 18. If you are concerned about where to stay so you don't make an as$ of your self then you don't belong here anyway. just relax(i know its hard) and be yourself.