Swa

[DLconnection]

1. How are the schedules at Southwest?

Do most of the crews tend to go and out of domicile/region or do u go all over the country and then return to domicile?

2. Are there any concerns for those who have made Southwest there career airline that Southwest's costs will catch up to them down the road, making them not as profitable down the road?

3. Which domiciles are more senior/junior?

4. What type of people is SWA currently hiring (background, educ., experience)?

 

[Cyclone]

DL Connection

What are your choices? Do you want to be a pilot? Why?

This industry isn't the best as far as stability or predicting the future. If that is a concern to you, then you should give serious thought to pursuing another profession. If you are passionate about flying as a professional aviator then you have to accept that the industry has inherent flaws you are willing to put up with "for the love of the game."

Where else would you rather work? Hey, how about Delta, 777 Captain? How old are you?

Here's the reality. Very few majors are hiring. This makes it very competitive for the many pilots looking for the few jobs. The LCCs are currently doing well...this can change but they're profitable (and their pilots are well-compensated compared to regional pay).

Will SWA costs catch up with them down the road? The smartest minds in the industry and the best and brightest on wall street have no clue what the answer to that question is. If they do...they will be very very rich. SWA has a good track record and a great brand name. The future cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty...go back to paragraph one.

SWA is not currently hiring any one particular "type of person." They have approximately 200 in their pool and will probably resume interviews this Spring-Summer. They have thousands of qualified applicants. If you want to know the type of people they are looking for you should read "NUTS." In past they have hired a mix of civ/mil; people with college/people without; everyone has to meet the hours requirements (go to the website southwestairlines.com and it's listed).

 

[TR4A]

Do most of the crews tend to go and out of domicile/region or do u go all over the country and then return to domicile?

Most trips are 3 days, some 4 days. There are of few 1 or 2 day trips. Some trips will have you flying around your domicile like all west coast. Then some will have you going all over the country. You can selectively bid those if you want and your seniority can hold it.

2. Are there any concerns for those who have made Southwest there career airline that Southwest's costs will catch up to them down the road, making them not as profitable down the road

No. SWA has been around for almost 33 years and have controlled costs.

3. Which domiciles are more senior/junior?

For FO's
Most junior OAK
Most Senior DAL
FO's upgrade so there is always movement. Seniority tends to be close to other bases.

Capt's
Most junior BWI then MDW, OAK
Most Senior DAL then HOU
Captain seniority tends to stagnate. DAL is our first base followed by HOU and PHX