tbender518

Yes, I am in the 13 Jan class and just received an email on this...

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Tdub

I'm wondering if a guy has a shot with zero internal recs? I know they aren't taken into account until after the interview, but do you think it is a huge issue?

RadarColor

Yes! When it comes to the DB...

FLY6584

I think so, but let me share my experience. I interviewed and had a couple internals from non-pilots, but had not flown with any current Southwest pilots. A couple days after my interview a Chief Pilot called me because he was in the process of finalizing my package for the DB, but having a hard time getting ahold of a couple of my references who were out of the country and wanted me to have a couple more references call him directly. After we accomplished that he told me I had a great package and he couldn't guarantee anything, but I really shouldn't worry. He then said the only thing I was missing was an internal from a pilot and was I sure I didn't know anyone? I said well we have a longtime family friend who is a Captain, but I have not flown with him and I was under the impression that you had to have flown with someone based on the pilot credentials application. He said that wasn't the case and told me to have him submit a recommendation so that's what I did and it all worked out for me. Best of luck!

Tdub

I've been in the same Guard squadron for 14 years and haven't flown with any SWA guys. Hopefully that will be taken into account.

navigatro

you need to get into a better Guard unit.

Just kidding, good luck!

Buford

Anyone know if there is a decision board scheduled before the end of 2015? I interviewed at SW about 7 weeks ago and I know there are people who interviewed two weeks ahead of me still waiting to hear. The wait is really killing me....

getmeout

Four to six weeks seems to be the norm. I guess Christmas adds some complexity to this, so you should breathe easier any day now. I remember reading about a guy who was contacted and told to stand by some more...not sure how it panned out for him.

Opelmanta

What's Southwest looking for in applicants now? Seems heavy on military. How does one crack the code as a normal regional guy?

ZapBrannigan

Most of the civilian guys (prior regional, OAL, corporate, 135, 91K) I've run into have been check airmen, instructors, chief pilots, standards pilots, director of ops (insert quasi-management position here). But there have been plenty of line pilots hired too. Pure civilian pilots are at a disadvantage because some military pilots go to the regionals first, then interview at SW. The union published a chart a few months back that showed a 50/50 civilian military split, but then a second chart showed that about 1/3 of the civilians were prior military. Another third came from second and third tier airlines like Allegiant, Frontier, and some of the cargo and Middle East guys. The last third was split between business jet operators and regionals - heavy on the Skywest.

Will see if I can find and figure out how to post the graphs.

Hope that helps!