To get typed, or not to that is the ?

[texanpilot]

Bullocks,
Also in "Nuts" it states that taking a crazy risk might have substantial rewards. That seems to be the way that SWA planted their cornerstone in aviation. I believe having the type and taking the risk not only gets you the interview faster, but will definetly help in the selection board. You never know. Good luck to all.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Texanpilot,

You indeed raise a very valid point, however financial, personal and the state of the aviation economy preclude me from taking such an undertaking of getting a type rating on the hope of getting an interview. A point I expect is also shared by many other interested SWA applicants.

As far as the hiring decision at SWA is concerned I would suspect that with the exception of a type rating seperating two identical candidates, the "nice guy" will always prevail!

I wonder how many great candidates SWA had missed out on in the past because of the no type no interview policy it used to have?

 

[Swerpipe]

To Type or Not to

I have talked to PD people over the last two years and they have never said that having a type makes you competitive enough for an interview.
They did say that having the "Southwest spirit", being able to fit into the company culture, having quality flight experience, leadership skills, and ATTITUDE!!!will get you into the company. For someone with flight experience ,# of type ratings, etc.. towards the lower end of the spectrum a type rating will probably be more significant than someone with 10 type ratings and lots of PIC 121 time. With people with similar qualifications, the type rating may be the factor that gets you called first. Just look at your numbers in the left column: Two military guys with about 2500, college degree, similar type of equipment and experience and one with the type rating... Well guess what, he may be called first. Are you OK with that?
The type rating however will help you answer the following questions during the interview: "Why do you want to work here", "Why Southwest?","Why should we hire you and not someone else?" "Why didn't you consider Southwest before?", "Are you only considering Southwest now that you are furloughed?" "Why and when you got the type rating?" Guys that are waiting for the employment to get the type may not be able to do as well when answering these questions but may be you are the smoothest talker, better than Tony Robbins and you will.
The last factor is that if you are typed and others aren't the day of the interview, those guys will have a few hundred numbers of seniority less than you, perhaps half a year with the speed of hiring. Is that what you are willing to sacrifice? I am typed so it doesn't matter but guys who aren't should think about that.
The sound of this thread is almost as if getting a type is bad investment but don't be decieved. Some of the folks that got the type and were hired may not know if they would have done as well in the interview without it. After all, they hire you for your attitude. Having a TYPE can make you appear yo have a great ATTITUDE about working for Southwest. Don't let anyone fool you...

 

[texanpilot]

Good points.
However, the type wont get you the job, but it will get you the interview provided you have the minimums. Even a complete moron can look fantastic on paper, then I am sure the People Dept will know real quick that pilot should go home. 8000 is a TON of money, but I believe if you are hell-bent on getting a job at SWA, there is really no reason not to get the type. Senoirity is everything. Period. The type enables you to get that provided SWA will hire you. Plus put yourself in the interviewers position - this candidate took 3 weeks out of his/her life and 8000 dollars to get the CHANCE to have a job here. That is what it is all about. And, if you get shot down, the rating never expires. It seems SWA is gonna hire for the next 6 years at least. 8000 dollars devided by 48 months means you need to save $170/month to get the type in 4yrs. Start now. Then if SWA hasnt hired you by then, get the type. Ya never know.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Texanpilot,

Thanks for your reply, I cannot disagree with any of the points that you make however, I am so poor that barring winning the lottery I am not gonna have $8000 to spend on a type so I am resigned to having to wait for better economic conditions and a sh*t load of luck!

 

[Falconjet]

Type Rating has other benefits

Another thing to consider, depending on your background and experience, is that there are other benefits to getting the type rating. Never having flown a Boeing product, it was quite an eye opener for me to learn that the overhead panel switches that I had turned one way for on and the other way for off for my entire career was completely opposite of the Boeing overhead. That may sound trivial but I assure you when you look up to postition a switch from off to on and your eyes tell you its already "on", (but in actuallity is off) its tough to reach up there and turn it "off".

I also had never been exposed to the FAA type checkride and oral (except for the ATP ride, which was pretty similar but not as in depth perhaps) so it was also beneficial to experience that before being on the line with a carrier as well.

I also gained some confidence from having passed the checkride (however barely!) and I think that helped with subsequent interviews (I had already interviewed at SWA). That being said I might have already been in class had I gotten the type sooner instead of waiting in the pool for 2 years. I waited until I heard the good news from the people dept before I typed and it cost me at least 100 numbers in the pool.

I also paid for my own type and was able to write it off on my taxes for that year (still a $5500+ hit), so I know that taking such a significant hit in the wallet is painful and only you can decide if you can justify the expense. I would strongly reccomend getting the type if at all possible for anyone interested in SWA for the numerous reasons already discussed above.

Its kind of like the interview prep services in my opinion. Can you get an offer without the prep, yes. (I didn't have any formal prep). Will you feel like you did everything possible to get your dream job if you are unsuccessful and you didn't get the prep? Only you can answer that question for yourself. Can you live with the ramifications of your choice? You roll the dice and take your chances, how do you like your odds without the type? (or without a prep course?)

SWA is going to grow big time and maybe be the dominant domestic carrier in 3-5 years. The best way to get on with them is to get your type, build the time and experience they like, and get in line. The sooner the better!

 

[knelson]

Thanks for the info on the tax issue, I will give it a shot. Good luck to all with the interview process!

Kevin