Greg01

Hello:

I'm new here. I found this place from a buddy and thought it was an invaluable resource for those of us who want to go into the airline industry. Quickly, a little about myself: I received my PPL and IR on my 17th birthday. I still am 17. Now, I'm working on my commercial rating with plans to go all the way up to the ATP. I've been flying for abou 7.5 years and always had dreams of flying for the airlines.

I plan to go to college for an Aero Engineering degree while instructing and pursuing further ratings during the summer.

I know I'm a long way away, but lately this has be nagging me badly. I've always had a softspot for SWA, if you would. I know they're a B737 fleet and domestic flights only airline. However, that never seemed to turn me away. However, people have told me that I'd get sick of only domestic flying and just one type (no variety or int'l travel).

It's not just the pay (which I didn't know about until after I did some research), but I've heard that the management gets along nicely with the pilots (which can't be said for every airline) and the pilots really enjoy what they do (not that others don't, I only heard enthusiasm from SWA pilots on the radio).

I know I'm going to hear a lot of: it's my life, therefore whatever works for me is good. However, I want the advice of those involved in the industry.

Thanks in advance,

Greg

rickair7777

You're starting young, but it never hurts to get informed early...

- The aero-engineering degree is a good move...you need a degree, and it's a very good idea to have one that will allow to make a living if flying doesn't work out, or during furlough periods. There are a variety of non-engineering "Aeronautical Science" or "Aviation Management" degrees which are not much better than an english degree as far real-world jobs. I would suggest avoiding these.

- There are many good and bad reasons to prefer a given airline...emotional things like "they have a cool paint job" are bad reason...you should only consider Quality of Life, future opportunity, and pay.

- SWA is a rare commodity in that management and employees do have a good relationship, plus they get paid well. The relatively high pay is due to accidental economic cirumstances, but that doesn't make the money worth any less!

SWA would be a great career choice right now, but in your case you need to start following the comings and goings of the industry now, because changes are inevitable and you want to be fully informed when you are in a postition to make decisions. SWA may or may not be the place to be in 8-10 years.

Greg01

rickair,

Thanks, I appreciate it. I guess you can say that now I'm fond of SWA (and no, not because of the paintjob ). However, my options are being kept open.

Thanks,
Greg

FlyArmy

A few things from someone without too much experience, so take it with a grain of salt...

Get a degree that will serve you well if for some reason your flying career is suddenly no longer an option...like engineering.

Also, I had a friend who went straight from highschool to a flight academy to a regional and was flying for a regional while only a few years older than you. Sounded great at the time to me while I was still battling books in school, but looking back, now I'd much rather serve in the Air Force and then go to the airlines than go straight there. Even as an Army puke, my flying has been more fun and exciting than my civilian flying ever was, and learning to fly in the military is really good experience. I only bring up the military because you brought up possible boredom with domestic routes w/ SWA. 30-40 years of flying the same routes seems like it would get very boring.

Like you are doing, keep your options open. The airlines are kind of hard to predict, but SWA seems like the place to be today. That "soft spot" could go away very fast if things change for SWA a couple years into being with them and you have a family to feed and bills to pay. Or things could still be great. Just don't get too dead set on it years before you will even be applying.

C5Guy

I agree with the posts I've read so far. I know that flying on your own can get pretty expensive as you try to make it through this industry. I went to college on a ROTC scholarship and then had the AF pay for all my flight training. I'm not suggesting to sign up for military duty just for free flying, but like all the commercials say you do get to see alot and serve your country at the same time. By flying so many international routes I'm now real happy to just be flying in the US for SWA. Good luck with whatever you choose.

GauleyPilot

Like FlyArmy said, get a non-aviation degree as a back-up plan.

When I was a teenager and decided to learn to fly, I had visions of myself being a United pilot. I had no idea how the airlines operated, I just liked United. I also had no idea about corporate and charter flying.

After learning about the lifestyle of corporate and charter,as well as the diversity of operations, equipment, etc., I decided that kind of flying was for me. I decided to forgo the airlines for corporate/135 flying. I have been well satisfied with my decision.

Keep your options open.

7576FO

Get the 4 yr degree. Then apply everywhere. I had fun working at the Regional level. Ask yourself, if you never got the phone call from a major. Would you be happy at a regional? I would have.
Ask yourself if you like/can get up at 4am. Ask yourself if holidays are important.
Working red-eyes.

Be informed. i was and I wouldn't choose any other career if i had to do it over.

Very best wishes for all you do. SWA is a great airline to aspire to.

Greg01

Thanks everyone for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

I'm not very big in the military, however, I have been tossing the guard around in my head.

I would never go right into aviation alone, a 4yr degree has always been a part of my plan.

I'm probably going to get hit hard for this (I'm still too young to think about it...or...you never know what's going to happen), but I'm thinking about not getting married, at least at first. That way, my options are totally open...for a while.

Thanks again!
Greg

Slice

The guard IS the military and most of us don't want someone who wouldn't be willing to serve on active duty but would 'go to the guard' instead. Not saying that's what you meant but it's how it came across to me. My only words of wisdom are to have fun in college. You'll be working the rest of your life!

Greg01

My apologies, that did not come across right. What I tried to say was: I don't want to join the Air Force, but the Guard does interest mainly because it isn't as "hardcore" as the Air Force. I do understand that I could be called for active duty but that's part of the job.

Sorry I came off the wrong way.