Originally Posted by
bafanguy
The B727s were flown by SWA seniority list pilots; Braniff was an arch enemy. As for the FEs, I'm a bit less certain but think they were SWA mechanics who had the chance to fill that spot. Don't bet the grocery money on that part of the story but that's what I recall. I'm always prepared to stand corrected.
Mooncrest,
Did a bit more research about SWA, their B727 days and the F/Es. When they got the first B727, they trained 5 F/Es who were in fact mechanics. As time went on and a few more airplanes were added, they hired pilot/F/Es.