Southwest Application Window?

Good question, I'd guess that he's tired of living in Arkansas :). My dad tells me that he flys with FO's who left cush corporate gigs where they were making $150,000 all the time. He'll say, "why the hell did you leave there?" The answer is generally stability.

I always wanted to work at SWA because of how cool I thought it was when I was a kid. Herb knew my dad's first name and would pose with us for pictures at holiday parties. Every time we non-reved at least one FA would know who my dad was, they'd usually reply with a southern drawl "Oh we just love Jack!" I'd get to sit in the jumpseat on ferry flights and watch the pilots fly in Hawaiian shirts. I think I'd still love to work there but I know it's not the same as it was.
 
They're only going to hire a hundred or so, so i'm kind of looking at it like a lottery ticket. I probably won't even get an interview and if I do, I doubt i'd be hired. But if I don't at least try, i'll always wonder "what if".

I'll be the first to admit that I miss the airline lifestyle. I miss having control over my schedule (even as a junior pilot there is at least some semblance of control in that I can bid specifically for those days off that are important to me). This in contrast to being subject to a days-off rotation that may or may not coincide with days that I might need off for family events, etc. I don't care much for spending days and days in a hotel between flights. If i'm going to work, I want to work productively.

And yes, living elsewhere in the country is a draw, especially as my son gets older. As you suggested though, Waco, leaving just for the sake of leaving is not smart. There is a financial hit nomatter where I go right now, so you have to look critically at how long it will take you to return to your current level of income. I simply could not afford to leave here and go to work for Virgin America (though it sounds like fun) or Allegiant, or -- at this point -- even back to US Airways (if they would even re-hire me!) There are a very few airlines where the short term sacrifice is rewarded by long term income that far exceeds what I could expect to earn here.

And, though I hate to admit it, some of the very reasons that I left the airlines are now appealing. Specifically a seniority number. I left the airlines because I was tired of being junior and being furloughed over and over again. What I failed to realize at the time is that that seniority number was always valuable -- even when you're on the street. If you can't find another job flying you could go work at a fast food restaurant for 10 years and when your number is up they are obligated to recall you and train you to proficiency. Not so in corporate. When they let you go... you're gone. And finding another job may be a challenge.

Don't get me wrong. I have a great job and one that I am very thankful for. I feel like i'm in a great position to look for other opportunities because if I'm not successful then I am still gainfully employed at a place that I love. But at the end of the day I really did love flying for the airlines and SWA has always seemed just out of reach. They are the best of the best. Why not give it a shot? At least then i'll never wonder "what if"...

PS - THANK YOU for being discrete regarding specific employer names, etc.
 
Just read that due to technical glitches the window will not open Monday morning. No timeline given as to when it will.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
They're only going to hire a hundred or so, so i'm kind of looking at it like a lottery ticket. I probably won't even get an interview and if I do, I doubt i'd be hired.
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You've gotta think positive, man! I've always thought that if I was offered an interview, the job is already mine (just don't jack up the interview..)

If they call you for an interview, they're already interested. You just have to seal the deal.
 
kellwolf said:
True. Then again, my company doesn't reimburse me for mine, but it's still deductible since it's required for the job.

The tricky question is....is the 737 type rating deductible as a job search expense?
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Any training, education or otherwise for a job is deductible. (for the most part.. not tricky at all.)

Two choices.. American Opportunity Credit up to 2500 credit if you do it before southwest, or if you do it after offered a job, it would be considered training expenses not reimbursed, and you can deduct it.
 
WacoFan said:
Just asking what kind of thought goes into that matrix. Are there some airlines you would jump for (SWA, FedEx, UPS) but some you would not (USAir, AA, JetBlue)? How would your personal rankings work?
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I think it's really about stability. Some companies offer stability that probably can't be matched at other places. SWA, UPS, FDX, etc. are those kinds of companies. You know that even if you get furloughed, you'll be back soon, and the company won't be going anywhere. Personally, even though working at SWA has never been something that I've wanted, now that it's going to happen, I can't possibly justify leaving. The stability is too good, and the pay would take too long to recoup if I left and started over, even at FDX or UPS.

staledog said:
You've gotta think positive, man! I've always thought that if I was offered an interview, the job is already mine (just don't jack up the interview..)

If they call you for an interview, they're already interested. You just have to seal the deal.
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Not really true at SWA, unfortunately. Because of their policy of interviewing so many people, they only end up hiring about 1 out of every 15-20 people that interviews.
 
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