Falconjet
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2002
- Posts
- 1,586
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!
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!
