Southwest Airlines Amends Its Pilot Hiring Process

Southwest Airlines has piloted its course to success for 28 years by maintaining the highest standards and remaining flexible to the changing needs of its Customers. As Southwest Airlines considers its internal Customers (Employees) just as important as its passengers, the carrier has made some changes in its pilot recruitment efforts which better reflect today's job market.

As of June 15, 1999, pilots may apply to Southwest Airlines without having a Boeing 737 type rating. (Southwest has required a 737 type rating at the time of application for nearly 20 years.) Pilots without a type rating who successfully complete all phases of the hiring process will be given six months to obtain a type rating. Only after their type rating is completed will the applicant be assigned a training class date.

"The competitive climate from which we draw our applicants is changing due to airline industry growth, pilot retirements, and military recruitment," said Paul Sterbenz, Southwest's vice president of flight operations. "We are confident that with this modification in our hiring process, we will continue to attract the very best aviators in the industry."

Many pilots desirous of a position with Southwest Airlines were spending thousands of dollars on a type rating in hopes they will successfully complete the interview process and receive a training class date. In a less competitive job market with relatively few pilot seats available, many of these applicants spent their money in vain.

"Because of our policy, we were turning away many talented pilots," Sterbenz said. "We are looking to hire 344 pilots during 1999. We feel our new policy will help us reach our goal, without compromising our standards for excellence."

Pilot applicants must still possess the Federal Aviation Administration's Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, have 2,500 hours total or 1,500 hours turbine total, a minimum of 1,000 hours in turbine aircraft as the Pilot in Command, a current FAA Class 1 medical certificate, and have passed FAA mandated drug testing. Southwest Airlines has always defined "Pilot in Command" as the pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight. Southwest will allow flight time logged as "Pilot in Command" only if the applicant is the Captain/Aircraft Commander or Instructor Pilot. The sharing of flight time is not considered "Pilot in Command" time.

Pilots who would like to apply to Southwest Airlines should request a "supplemental pilot information sheet" by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Southwest Airlines People Department, Attention: Cindy Hamilton, P.O. Box 36644, Dallas, TX 75235-1644.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), the fourth largest domestic carrier in terms of Customers boarded, currently serves 53 cities in 27 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 2,400 flights a day with a fleet of 288 Boeing 737s with an average age of 8.5 years--one of the youngest pure jet fleets in the domestic airline industry. Southwest Airlines begins service to Raleigh Durham June 6, 1999.