SWA Turbine PIC requirement...in a Caravan?

[Morris]

Anyone at SWA or other 'majors' know what the recruitment department would think of a person who applied with the 1000 turbine PIC requirement in a Cessna Caravan? Yes it is a turbine aircraft...I just would hate to invest the next few years cruising around at 6000' going 150 kts, and then find out that everyone is laughing when they see my resume.
Anybody out there who has gotten a good paying airline job (non regional) with Caravan time?
Would it be better to start over at a regional and put in a minimum of 4 years to get the time? I hope not, but let me know what you think.
Thanks.

 

[RJones]

Flight Experience:
2,500 hours total or 1,500 hours TURBINE total. Additionally, a minimum of 1,300 hours in Turbine aircraft as the Pilot in command3, as defined below is required. Southwest considers only Pilot time in fixed wing aircraft. This specifically excludes simulator, helicopter, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO etc. NO other time is counted.3

3Southwest Airlines defines "Pilot in Command" for the purposes of application for employment as the Pilot ultimately responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight. The Pilot in Command should also be the Pilot who signed for the aircraft and who is the ultimate authority for the operation of that flight. For military personnel, Southwest Airlines will allow flight time logged as "Pilot In Command" (PIC) only if you are the Captain/Aircraft Commander, Evaluator, or Instructor Pilot. Primary time will only be considered PIC on a specific aircraft after an individual upgrades to Aircraft Commander in the appropriate aircraft. Time logged, as "Other Time" will not be considered. When converting taxi time a conversion factor of .3 or eighteen minutes, per leg/sortie should be used. These guidelines are imposed by Southwest Airlines for the purpose of standardizing the calculation of flight time.

Um, looks like Caravan time works.

 

[Quimby]

I know of at least one who got on with turbine crop dusting time. Give it a go.

 

[LJDRVR]

I wouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket. It is highly unlikely that anyone is going to hire you without any crewed aircraft flight time.The Caravan time most certainly counts toward your total, but you're simply not competitive for an interview with only single engine turbine time in your logbook. (Even F-16 guys end up with 200 hours of T-38 time.)

Edit 1- I see you have some RJ time in your profile. You've got a shot, but I'll tell you from my experience, the folks they are interviewing have a broader background and muchm more twin engine experience than that.

 

[FN FAL]

I just would hate to invest the next few years cruising around at 6000' going 150 kts, and then find out that everyone is laughing when they see my resume.

Obviously you are considering a Caravan freight job, otherwise you'd know that they wouldn't be laughing at you when they see your resume because they'd know two things.

one...single pilot Caravan flying is demanding flying.

two...they'd know that if they laughed during the interview, they'd dam better have their desks and file cabinets bolted to floor.

 

[PlanetK]

I actually talked to one of our CP's about this exact thing about a year ago, getting info for a friend. He made it clear that Caravan time ONLY is not competitive, though it technically meets the requirements. That is not to say there aren't former Caravan drivers at SW, or guys with some Caravan time, but now apparently you need some multi turbine if you're civ. Good luck with whatever path you take, Morris.

PlanetK

 

[skiandsurf]

(Even F-16 guys end up with 200 hours of T-38 time.)

.

Is this T38 time considered "crew time" or is it training time. I wouldnt consider my flight training in a 172 to be "crew time".

 

[Slice121]

Is this T38 time considered "crew time" or is it training time. I wouldnt consider my flight training in a 172 to be "crew time".

No, but it is a ME jet.

 

[RJones]

No, but it is a ME jet.

Is T-38 time considered centerline thrust multi-engine? I could see an F-14, but a T-38?

 

[JDriver]

Since the T-38s engines are practically next to each other right smack dab in the center of the airframe.......I think it qualifies as centerline thrust.

 

[RJones]

Since the T-38s engines are practically next to each other right smack dab in the center of the airframe.......I think it qualifies as centerline thrust.

Yeah, the point I'm trying to make here is the T-38 shouldn't count as multi time, though it is, and the F-14, in which the engines are farther apart truly is multi engine time.

 

[Afterprop]

Two engines = ME. On the other hand, when the AF guys pick up their commerical MEI at the end of pilot training (after passing the FAA written) their tickets are restricted to centerline thrust only. FWIW, or not

Not sure which civilian ME turbine aircraft are centerline thrust.
'Props

 

[agonyairfo]

Good question about the Caravan time. I have been a regional FO for 7 years and had descent time even before that. Can't manage to upgrade and I am still years away. I am exploring all avenues for making myself competitive (logging PIC), except going to a low pay contract regional. (JB won't even call.)

Intstead of the Caravan, plenty of operators will higher you as a Shorts, Metro or Bandit PIC...definetly M.E. and turbine. I would think if you were willing to fly a Caravan, then flying one of the other a/c would be the same type of pay and QOL and then there would be no question.

I've thought long and hard about a busy 135 jet operator.

 

[Launchpad]

For what it's worth, I interviewed while flying a Caravan. It meets the letter of the law for the Turbine time requirement, but I don't thinks it's competitive regardless of what you have in your logbook.

Just my opinion, fly something bigger. You'll be the only one in the room flying a 208, trust me.

Launchpad

To add insult to injury.... Interviewer #2 actually asked me if a Caravan was a Turbine! I pretty much knew where I stood at that point!

Good luck-

 

[skiandsurf]

To add insult to injury.... Interviewer #2 actually asked me if a Caravan was a Turbine! I pretty much knew where I stood at that point!
Good luck-

(assuming this was a SWA interview) you should have asked "is southwest even a real airline? Do you have flights to hawaii or london?"

 

[RJones]

(assuming this was a SWA interview) you should have asked "is southwest even a real airline? Do you have flights to hawaii or london?"

Do flights to London or Hawaii consinder an airline a real airline?

 

[skiandsurf]

Do flights to London or Hawaii consinder an airline a real airline?

I Dont know. Does flying an F14 off a ship make you an airline pilot?

 

[RJones]

I Dont know. Does flying an F14 off a ship make you an airline pilot?

Ooh, not going there!

 

[bugchaser]

Just to let you guys know. I just got called for an interview with my only turbine PIC being in turbine Air Tractors. I now am an FO at a regional and have about 8500 total time with about 1600 PIC turbine in the crop dusters. We will see how it goes. I do know one other guy that got on with very similiar times. I'll let you all know what happens.

 

[FN FAL]

Do flights to London or Hawaii consinder an airline a real airline?

Consinder? Are you trying to obfuscate the issue with clerver words?

 

[HA25]

Not to hi-jack the thread, but does anyone know if they'll call you for an interview without the Type.. I know the app says so, but what's really been happening... I'm torn as to whether to do a recurrent in my current type and get some contract flying in, or do the 737 type and place all my chips on the SWA table..

sorry again for the hi-jack

 

[Slice121]

According to APC, 80% of interviewees have the type. I was called 5 weeks after my type. I interviewed in just under two months post type. My app was online for a year prior to the call. So, it helped in my case. 5300TT, 1400TPIC.

 

[HA25]

thanks, I hate to waste money if they're don't call.. Wish I had a crystal ball!

again, thanks.

 

[Whiskerbizkit]

According to APC, 80% of interviewees have the type. I was called 5 weeks after my type. I interviewed in just under two months post type. My app was online for a year prior to the call. So, it helped in my case. 5300TT, 1400TPIC.

What the % of interviewees get the job?

 

[TabExpressF/O]

Do they count safety pilot time in a King Air?

 

[Slice121]

What the % of interviewees get the job?

Can't say for sure...numbers I hear are 25-30% on the first try. However, this is from reading a few aviation boards and polling friends that have been through the process.

 

[SizzleChest]

Or you can be like me with 8000TT, 6000 121 turbine PIC, check airman for 5+ years with type and no calls.....

 

[TurboS7]

SWA is all about attitude, if you meet the requirements and have a type or one on the way you are competitive. How do you handle yourself with people, and do you really care about people way more important that what you have flown.