Originally Posted by CriticalMach

Thanks for the response. What’s the training pay like? Also, how much of extra flying is available to pick up on days off?

Originally Posted by TiredSoul

Only if you sign every bogus duty extension and don’t write up the airplane and are a good little mushroom overall.

Originally Posted by PICsf340

Anyone care to share the details on Swift’s retirement plan?

Originally Posted by randomroute

Swift Air is a supplemental 121 carrier. That means they need to have security programs similar to the TSA at any location they operate from. The Captain as the GSC is responsible for overseeing the screening of passengers, while the First Officer and Flight Attandants are responsible for using the “wand” and patting down passengers. The security training is much more in depth than any other company indoc lesson. This hinges largely on the fact that the security trainer is a program administrator and not a pilot. This does not mean that theres a lack of systems or indoc training, it means the security program is taken very seriously. If you dont like the prospect of touching your classmates as the TSA would during a screening or if you dont like the idea of being a passenger screener at the FBO...make that apart of your employment decision...



...You will be assigned approximately 50-60 hours (actual hours in front of a computer screen) of CBT prior to class. There is a $990.00 payment for those who complete all of this training prior to class starting...



...Sims are managed and operated by a vendor using Swift Air instructors who train to Swift’ evolving standards. There is a third party training program that is provided to help understand 737 systems operation and prepare you for your oral...



...Hotel and travel accommodations are taken care of by the company and you can keep any award points/miles. There is no travel home on the weekends. There is no travel home provided by the company unless you are starting or finishing a required training program. The ground school instructor is a retired American Airlines pilot and he will make sure you know what you need to know to get through Indoc. He is a standup guy, good sense of humor. He new manager of training is also ex-AA. The sim instructors are great. Ex-initial cadre SWA and legacy Continental. The head of standards is ex-UAL. There is a wealth of experience available to new hires and yes they all know Swift is going through growing pains and understand there are some procedures that could be updated but all in all they are subject matter experts and will make sure you are capable of flying the fleet safely and coherently. FOQA is coming and will further advance the training and standards experience.



Pay



Swift pays what is indicated on the latest table on the profile page. OVERTIME IS ONLY PAID ON DAYS A PILOT ELECTS TO WORK WHEN HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE OFF. THERE IS NO PAY MULTIPLIER ONCE THE GUARANTEE IS EXCEEDED. If you want to make 150%, you need to work on your day off. If you want to make money, you need to work your on your day off. You may fly __ hours a day...it’ll be at straight time, UNLESS it is on your day off. This is not the typical pay standard that you may be used to...make that a part of your employment decision...



...There is a bonus to attract more pilots, it is only offered to new hires and is paid out according to the plan indicated on the Swift Air APC profile...



Upgrades



Swift has a good mix of pilot backgrounds, some have qualifying 121 hours, others do not. Upgrades at this time APPEAR to be at the discretion of the Chief Pilot, and the green light of check airmen that may fly with you. Swift needs pilots, but in particular pilots that come from structured 121 operations and have been typed or experienced in other complex operations that require safe and logical decision making. No one greenlights illegal decision making. If someone tells you to rob a bank, you’d refuse and be able to cite a host of reasons why you wouldn’t. If someone tells you to fly to an airport at night without lights or visibility reported on a METAR, you should able to explain why you can’t/wouldn't. They have plenty of pilots that have come from 36th street wild west operators and they have realized that is no longer a viable option. Subsequently some of those pilots have been removed and/or demoted. Smart pilots, particularly captains, that have good judgement and working knowledge of industry standards can turn this place around operationally and prevent some of the more obvious and inexcusable types of accidents/incidents from occurring...Swift needs good leaders, are you ready to lead? Without ACARS? Without a check airman? With a pilot that maybe flying his first jet in the right seat? Into any of the WORLD’s airports? Have you ever flown in a non-radar environment at night without CPDLC or decent HF clarity and had to deviate for weather?...This isn’t a regional, domestic, continental carrier, you have a worldwide database on your ipad....make that a part of your employment decision...



People



This is perhaps the most relative/subjective category that can exist at any operator. The Chief Pilot is a character and a pilots’ pilot. He has your back and wants you to call him if you’re in a bind. The recruiting team is accommodating and fair. They dont paint pretty pictures and lie about the future-unlike other carriers. Swift is rapidly expanding and the existing body does as much as they can to meet demand. You may fall through the cracks but at its current size you are more than just a number (for the time being)...make that a part of your employment decision.



Aircraft



They are airline ordered and retired 737’s. They will have some faults but are maintained as best as an “in-demand” and “on-demand” fleet can be. Mechanics are aboard most flights to maintain operational integrity. Ive flown brands new corporate jets and clapped out CRJ’s, at the very least Swift provides mechanics that can address any write ups on the spot. If something is unsafe, don’t agree to it’s repair. Make that a part of your employment decision...



...Swift operates the 737-300/-400/-800. Training is based around the classic -300/400 models with differences of the NG series taught after the check ride as LOFT. Theres different numbers for all 3. Deal with it, if a Delta pilot can fly the 757/767, and a SWA pilot can fly (up until retirement) the -300/-400/-700/-800/Max, then what excuse do you have to not know a few numbers?...make that apart of your employment decision...



In conclusion the pilots Ive met are great. Theres no real egotism or God-like superiority demonstrated-If there is call the Chief Pilot, he wants to know and will rectify any suspect behavior to continue healthy grwoth. Can you say the same for where you’re at? And please dont be presumptuous and assume I’m a company man, Im just a guy like you trying to find a slot in the cog that is American Aviation. Theres no guarantee for anyone, but rather than stick around and wait for a call and be apart of the massive crowd that is more like a rat race, Ill stake a claim (permanent or temporary) in the lot that has the best soil. Hourly wage and popularity will always change so it’s best to use other assessors.



If you want to be a Delta pilot, dont come here.

If you want to be a United pilot, dont come here.

If you want to work for AA/FedEx/UPS/etc. Dont come here.

If you think you can get a quick type and leave-please dont come here.

However, if you feel like your experience and training and skillset is finely tuned and has culminated to a point that you have something valuable and lasting to offer, apply. This is one of the few airline operators that is growing exponentially and in need of leaders and those who can help make it a company that has not yet existed in the supplemental market share.

Originally Posted by randomroute

Swift Air is a supplemental 121 carrier. That means they need to have security programs similar to the TSA at any location they operate from. The Captain as the GSC is responsible for overseeing the screening of passengers, while the First Officer and Flight Attandants are responsible for using the “wand” and patting down passengers. The security training is much more in depth than any other company indoc lesson. This hinges largely on the fact that the security trainer is a program administrator and not a pilot. This does not mean that theres a lack of systems or indoc training, it means the security program is taken very seriously. If you dont like the prospect of touching your classmates as the TSA would during a screening or if you dont like the idea of being a passenger screener at the FBO...make that apart of your employment decision...

...You will be assigned approximately 50-60 hours (actual hours in front of a computer screen) of CBT prior to class. There is a $990.00 payment for those who complete all of this training prior to class starting...

...Sims are managed and operated by a vendor using Swift Air instructors who train to Swift’ evolving standards. There is a third party training program that is provided to help understand 737 systems operation and prepare you for your oral...

...Hotel and travel accommodations are taken care of by the company and you can keep any award points/miles. There is no travel home on the weekends. There is no travel home provided by the company unless you are starting or finishing a required training program. The ground school instructor is a retired American Airlines pilot and he will make sure you know what you need to know to get through Indoc. He is a standup guy, good sense of humor. He new manager of training is also ex-AA. The sim instructors are great. Ex-initial cadre SWA and legacy Continental. The head of standards is ex-UAL. There is a wealth of experience available to new hires and yes they all know Swift is going through growing pains and understand there are some procedures that could be updated but all in all they are subject matter experts and will make sure you are capable of flying the fleet safely and coherently. FOQA is coming and will further advance the training and standards experience.

Pay

Swift pays what is indicated on the latest table on the profile page. OVERTIME IS ONLY PAID ON DAYS A PILOT ELECTS TO WORK WHEN HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE OFF. THERE IS NO PAY MULTIPLIER ONCE THE GUARANTEE IS EXCEEDED. If you want to make 150%, you need to work on your day off. If you want to make money, you need to work your on your day off. You may fly __ hours a day...it’ll be at straight time, UNLESS it is on your day off. This is not the typical pay standard that you may be used to...make that a part of your employment decision...

...There is a bonus to attract more pilots, it is only offered to new hires and is paid out according to the plan indicated on the Swift Air APC profile...

Upgrades

Swift has a good mix of pilot backgrounds, some have qualifying 121 hours, others do not. Upgrades at this time APPEAR to be at the discretion of the Chief Pilot, and the green light of check airmen that may fly with you. Swift needs pilots, but in particular pilots that come from structured 121 operations and have been typed or experienced in other complex operations that require safe and logical decision making. No one greenlights illegal decision making. If someone tells you to rob a bank, you’d refuse and be able to cite a host of reasons why you wouldn’t. If someone tells you to fly to an airport at night without lights or visibility reported on a METAR, you should able to explain why you can’t/wouldn't. They have plenty of pilots that have come from 36th street wild west operators and they have realized that is no longer a viable option. Subsequently some of those pilots have been removed and/or demoted. Smart pilots, particularly captains, that have good judgement and working knowledge of industry standards can turn this place around operationally and prevent some of the more obvious and inexcusable types of accidents/incidents from occurring...Swift needs good leaders, are you ready to lead? Without ACARS? Without a check airman? With a pilot that maybe flying his first jet in the right seat? Into any of the WORLD’s airports? Have you ever flown in a non-radar environment at night without CPDLC or decent HF clarity and had to deviate for weather?...This isn’t a regional, domestic, continental carrier, you have a worldwide database on your ipad....make that a part of your employment decision...

People

This is perhaps the most relative/subjective category that can exist at any operator. The Chief Pilot is a character and a pilots’ pilot. He has your back and wants you to call him if you’re in a bind. The recruiting team is accommodating and fair. They dont paint pretty pictures and lie about the future-unlike other carriers. Swift is rapidly expanding and the existing body does as much as they can to meet demand. You may fall through the cracks but at its current size you are more than just a number (for the time being)...make that a part of your employment decision.

Aircraft

They are airline ordered and retired 737’s. They will have some faults but are maintained as best as an “in-demand” and “on-demand” fleet can be. Mechanics are aboard most flights to maintain operational integrity. Ive flown brands new corporate jets and clapped out CRJ’s, at the very least Swift provides mechanics that can address any write ups on the spot. If something is unsafe, don’t agree to it’s repair. Make that a part of your employment decision...

...Swift operates the 737-300/-400/-800. Training is based around the classic -300/400 models with differences of the NG series taught after the check ride as LOFT. Theres different numbers for all 3. Deal with it, if a Delta pilot can fly the 757/767, and a SWA pilot can fly (up until retirement) the -300/-400/-700/-800/Max, then what excuse do you have to not know a few numbers?...make that apart of your employment decision...

In conclusion the pilots Ive met are great. Theres no real egotism or God-like superiority demonstrated-If there is call the Chief Pilot, he wants to know and will rectify any suspect behavior to continue healthy grwoth. Can you say the same for where you’re at? And please dont be presumptuous and assume I’m a company man, Im just a guy like you trying to find a slot in the cog that is American Aviation. Theres no guarantee for anyone, but rather than stick around and wait for a call and be apart of the massive crowd that is more like a rat race, Ill stake a claim (permanent or temporary) in the lot that has the best soil. Hourly wage and popularity will always change so it’s best to use other assessors.

If you want to be a Delta pilot, dont come here.
If you want to be a United pilot, dont come here.
If you want to work for AA/FedEx/UPS/etc. Dont come here.
If you think you can get a quick type and leave-please dont come here.
However, if you feel like your experience and training and skillset is finely tuned and has culminated to a point that you have something valuable and lasting to offer, apply. This is one of the few airline operators that is growing exponentially and in need of leaders and those who can help make it a company that has not yet existed in the supplemental market share.

Originally Posted by JungleJetDriver

Now that’s the kind of description we’re looking for on all these forums. Thank You.