Zapp Blows SWA Interview: Story at 11.

ZapBrannigan said:
Ah well. Kept me busy for 3 months and gave the wife a break from my perpetual search for a new car or a cheap/unique vacation destination. (when you can't nonrev airfare is expensive!) A little disappointment, but no regrets. :)
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God always answers prayers. That is what some people don't understand, but He does. It's just that sometimes the answer is a resounding "No!". Point is, you seem to have a great attitude about it and there is a really good chance that this may work out in your benefit. Grew up around my grandpa and a bunch of TWA pilots - back when that was a big deal. Great guys, but there was this air about them - almost like the only other airline in the world was Pan Am...but TWA was still better because they were the "Pilots airline" etc. Talk about the brass ring - TWA or Pan Am and you were set. You should have seen how many times Grandpa gave thanks at retiring in 12-1984 prior to Icahn buying the place in 1985. Those buddies of his that were immortal - many of them got to suffer the indignity of the American slap-down. Your current employer is viewed as an overwhelming behemoth by everyone, and an outright villain by many due to its sheer size and market force. I bet few here remember (or were even alive) when Sears was the most powerful retailer on earth. NOTHING could stop Sears ever - they were huge and villainous and you couldn't avoid them. Retail, Dean Whitter, Allstate...some big office building in Chicago...they were absolutely invincible. No way a bunch of rednecks from AR would ever be able to overtake them - that was just laughable. Wal-Mart had more in common with Ben Franklin stores than a global power like Sears. Now look at things. SWA will have difficulties at some point. I have no idea what, or where, but they will face an extreme business challenge and get their ass kicked (it is the nature of the beast, it will happen) and you may well look back and say "Wow...thanks for that not working out".
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Ah well. Kept me busy for 3 months and gave the wife a break from my perpetual search for a new car or a cheap/unique vacation destination. (when you can't nonrev airfare is expensive!) A little disappointment, but no regrets. :)
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What kind of car you looking for?

Also, from when I lived in LIT, this is a pretty reasonable and fun weekend away. http://www.turpentinecreek.org/ Would be fun with the kid. We rented the treehouse cabin for an evening and it was pretty cool. Neat waking up in the morning and hearing lions growling.
 
Cool! Thanks. I've heard of it but we've never been. Looking at Big Cedar near Branson for July. It's owned by Bass Pro and has a lot of great outdoor stuff for families.

We are going to FL in June ... Originally had hoped to see a shuttle launch. Now that it looks to be pushed back to July I guess we'll visit KSC, Universal Studios, and hang at the beach.

As far as a car the wife and I can't come to an agreement. I want a crossover SUV with 4WD that gets >20 mpg. (think GMC Terrain or Subaru Outback) My bride, on the other hand, wants an SUV that can hold 7 (despite the fact that we have only 1 child and a dog), has at least 3000 lbs towing capacity and is shaped truck-like (she has a Jeep Wrangler fetish) - must have the aerodynamics of a telephone booth.
 
Every experience in life, good or bad, is a learning experience if viewed in the right light and you certainly seem to be doing that. I'm glad you are counting your blessings. Many of us fail to do that and it does put disappointments into their proper perspective.
 
Whatever the case with your employment, a lot of guys on JC think you're not only not-a-jerk, but a pretty good guy. Now, on one level, that's worth about what you paid for it, but on another, it's gold. Not because what anyone thinks about you makes your life better or worse, but because people who other people generally think well of are (99.9% in my admittedly unscientific survey) well-adjusted, sane, relatively happy human beings. Now, I'm 100% aware that being liked doesn't bring home the bacon, and I'm generally not the sort to emote about the trevails of others, but I deeply suspect that someone of your apparent (ok, granted...Internet-Derived) character is going to wind up just fine wherever they land. I'll put it to you this way...I'm a huge SWA fanboi, and that's not likely to change, but in this case, I think they might have made a boo-boo. More's the pity...for them.
 
Boris Badenov said:
because people who other people generally think well of are (99.9% in my admittedly unscientific survey) well-adjusted, sane, relatively happy human beings.
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Nothing against Zap, but personas and interaction on the internet aren't always directly correlated with that same thing in real life. I know plenty of guys whom I really like in real life, but come across as total toolbags during their internet interactions. On the other hand, I've also interacted with some folks on the internet (and whom I rather liked) and turned out to be quite different when I met them later for real.

Just because Zap is well liked and regarded on JC is no sure bet that he's not a complete asshat in real life. I'm guessing that's probably not the case, but unless you actually know the man it's tough to use what you've posted as actual evidence.
 
Hacker15e said:
Just because Zap is well liked and regarded on JC is no sure bet that he's not a complete asshat in real life. I'm guessing that's probably not the case, but unless you actually know the man it's tough to use what you've posted as actual evidence.
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I understand that you're presenting a theoretical case, here. And I'm 100% with you, as a general rule. I'm very much not a Good Guy on the Interwebz, but I'm totally cool IRL (just ask me, and not those unfortunate enough to actually know me). With that said, I think knowing people on the internet (and having a pretty serious and long-term history with the subject dating back into the mists of time when even I was a kid) is generally a decent prognostication of what they're like IRL, with the extremely important proviso that they, themselves are experienced enough with the interwebz and self-confident enough to present themselves more or less "as they are". I'll put it this way: I'd be happy to meet you, "Hacker15e", not because I like everything you've ever said (or I think that's your Real Name), but because I know that presenting a false front of who you are over years upon years would make you a Super-Villain, and I've always wanted to meet a Super-Villain. For the most part, people are who they are, and appear to be. And if I'm right about that, and people believe me, I'd better start sealing off the doors in my Bunker. :)
 
Hacker15e said:
Nothing against Zap, but personas and interaction on the internet aren't always directly correlated with that same thing in real life. I know plenty of guys whom I really like in real life, but come across as total toolbags during their internet interactions. On the other hand, I've also interacted with some folks on the internet (and whom I rather liked) and turned out to be quite different when I met them later for real.

Just because Zap is well liked and regarded on JC is no sure bet that he's not a complete asshat in real life. I'm guessing that's probably not the case, but unless you actually know the man it's tough to use what you've posted as actual evidence.
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Boris Badenov said:
I understand that you're presenting a theoretical case, here. And I'm 100% with you, as a general rule. I'm very much not a Good Guy on the Interwebz, but I'm totally cool IRL (just ask me, and not those unfortunate enough to actually know me). With that said, I think knowing people on the internet (and having a pretty serious and long-term history with the subject dating back into the mists of time when even I was a kid) is generally a decent prognostication of what they're like IRL, with the extremely important proviso that they, themselves are experienced enough with the interwebz and self-confident enough to present themselves more or less "as they are". I'll put it this way: I'd be happy to meet you, "Hacker15e", not because I like everything you've ever said (or I think that's your Real Name), but because I know that presenting a false front of who you are over years upon years would make you a Super-Villain, and I've always wanted to meet a Super-Villain. For the most part, people are who they are, and appear to be. And if I'm right about that, and people believe me, I'd better start sealing off the doors in my Bunker. :)
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I'm pretty sure Zap is an asshat in real life. Plus, he works for Wal-Mart which is an evil company. And he lives in AR. I'm not sure the question is whether or not Zap is an asshat...but rather, why there is a question at all.
 
I've known Zap in real life long before I "met" him on JC.

Despite all of the deficiencies Waco pointed out, he's not an asshat in real life.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Good morning everyone,

I wanted to share with all of you that I wasrecently invited to interview at Southwest Airlines. If the internet speculation is correct over 7000 people applied, a few hundred were invited to interview and, ultimately, they will have hired about 100. Unfortunately, I have received word that I was not selected. :(

I spent several months studying and preparing for the interview, reading "Nuts" (several times) and polishing up to interview for the first time in around 7 years. I went in feeling confident and well prepared -- so, although I am dissapointed in myself, I am comfortable in the knowledge that I did my best and that there were other candidates who were either better qualified, who presented themselves better, or were just a better fit. I'm ok with it. The men and women I interviewed with were terrific people and SWA will be fortunate to have hired any one of them.

The experience in Dallas was terrific. They treated all of us extremely well. The interview was laid back and comfortable... more like hangar flying than an actual "interview".

So for now, I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I still have a great job as a corporate pilot with a terrific company. I make a fair wage and am able to support my family. I was not desperate for a job, or needing to put food on the table. I went to the interview as much to interview them... as to have them interview me and I was not dissapointed by what I saw. SWA is a fantastic company and I can see why it has become the gold standard for airline pilot job-seekers.

I share this with you guys today because, well many of you have become good friends over the year and in a way JC seems like an extended family of sorts. But also because part of "pay it forward" is sharing both the good times and the bad in the industry. Talking about how we deal with those highs and lows, how it makes us feel, and what our plans are to move forward in a career that is seldom "stable".

There is a sense of relief after an interview is over and the months of preparation and worrying have come to a close. Even finding out I wasn't selected is in some small way a relief... I wont have to cancel summer vacations or miss my son's birthday due to initial. I think it takes guts to apply and to interview somewhere. The longer you work in a place the more comfortable you become and the harder it is to consider the alternative -- especially if that alternative includes less pay, commutes, and other intrusions on work/life balance. I felt -- and I still feel -- that in this case it would have been worthwhile. I sincerely appreciate SWA for inviting me to interview, and all of my friends on JC and in the "real world" who thought highly enough of me to write letters of recommendation on my behalf. I am honored and humbled by their friendship.
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Sorry to hear that. Do you have any clue as to why you didn't get picked? If you could go back and do it again, what, if anything, would you have done different?

Any insight would be great to hear.
 
staledog said:
Sorry to hear that. Do you have any clue as to why you didn't get picked? If you could go back and do it again, what, if anything, would you have done different?

Any insight would be great to hear.
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When they asked him what changes he would like to see with SWA he said:

1) assigned seats
2) multi-class seating
3) baggage fees
4) getting rid of the "fun" vibe and replacing it with a more serious, elegant vibe.
5) Delta-type double breasted suit uniforms instead of leather jackets.
 
Polar742 said:
I've known Zap in real life long before I met him on JC.
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So he is able to confirm my status as an asshat first-class. And if you don't believe him, i'm sure my wife will second the assertion. Either way, thanks for the good thoughts.

Also. I've met JTrain in real life and found him to be exactly the same as he represents himself on the internet.... so take that however you wish. :yup:
 
ZapBrannigan said:
So he is able to confirm my status as an asshat first-class. And if you don't believe him, i'm sure my wife will second the assertion. Either way, thanks for the good thoughts.

Also. I've met JTrain in real life and found him to be exactly the same as he represents himself on the internet.... so take that however you wish. :yup:
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I aim to please :)
 
staledog said:
Do you have any clue as to why you didn't get picked? If you could go back and do it again, what, if anything, would you have done different? Any insight would be great to hear.
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I think that first and foremost the competition was extremely impressive. The company had not hired for several years, they had literally thousands of pilots applying for a very few spots, and as such they were in the enviable position (for an employer) of being able to be very selective.

So, if I look at those people who I interviewed with and who were selected -- not only did they have impressive qualifications -- but they were genuinely good people who were fun to talk to and easy to get along with! Southwest made the right choice selecting them. No question about it.

I don't know specificially why I didn't get selected. Of course you always give a better interview in the car during the drive home. This interview was no exception. I spent a lot of time over the last several weeks thinking back over that interview and trying to decide what I could have done or said differently in order to better sell myself to them.

I know that they spent a lot of time questioning the decisions I made early in my career. Why did I leave a regional to go to an LCC? When furloughed from that LCC I was re-hired by the regional... but only for a few months before going to work for US Airways. They seemed very concerned with why I made the move from that regional to US Airways (which seemed like common sense to me, so I didn't have a particularly well thought-out answer). After being furloughed by US Airways I made several moves (some arguably lateral) and each was questioned.

They asked why SWA? and they asked why I want to leave my current employer? I told them that I would not leave my present employer for just any airline, but that SWA was unique. I explained that I loved my current job (I do) and that I was extremely pleased with my current employer and the many and varied opportunities they have provided me (I am). As the interview went on I continued to sing the praises of my current employer and the work that I do there ... perhaps to the point of overplaying that hand a bit. But none of it was dishonest. I really DO love my job that much. That doesn't mean that there aren't things I would like to change, or that there aren't reasons to look out into the industry and see what else is out there ... or even to find other employment. I gave SWA the opportunity to sell ME on their company, their culture, and the job I was interviewing for even as I tried to persuade them that I was the right person for that job.

They did not dissapoint.

So would I do anything differently? I think I would better prepare explanations for each of the choices i've made in my career. My resume is complicated and not easy to explain. (You don't end up with an 11 year old Golden Retriever named "Furlough" without some unique circumstances that led to it) But I doubt I would change my enthusiasm of my current job or my current employer. The experience I've gained working here has become a part of who I am. It would be disingenuous for me to downplay the value that I feel it has added to my resume or my character.

As I've said. I'm dissapointed... not so much that I didn't get the job, but that I wasn't selected. We all like to think that we have a lot to offer and I had hoped that my experience set me apart from the competition. But I can't argue with the fact that Southwest hired some great people who, at the end of the day, were better candidates than I was. I'll probably try again in a year and just hope that on that day my competition isn't quite as fierce. ;-)
 
WacoFan said:
I'm pretty sure Zap is an asshat in real life. Plus, he works for Wal-Mart which is an evil company. And he lives in AR. I'm not sure the question is whether or not Zap is an asshat...but rather, why there is a question at all.
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How do you argue with logic like this? ;)
 
If Zap works for Wal-mart, he has to be a good guy. Going off all the other cool people I met from their flight department.
 
ASpilot2be said:
If Zap works for Wal-mart, he has to be a good guy. Going off all the other cool people I met from their flight department.
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When CTAB and I had dinner a couple weeks ago we discussed kidnapping T-cart when his season is done and then descending on Bentonville unannounced and making Zap give us a tour of Wal-Marts flight department.
 
Happy to do it if I'm around! If it's a day off I could be persuaded to buy you a round of barley malts as well.
 
Zap, Thanks for your post, and better luck next time. On the car front, have you looked at a Toyota? Some Highlanders can seat 7 and tow >3,000#s; might be boxy enough, and still get over 20 mpg. Better luck next time!
 
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