Southwest Airlines is hiring F/Os
 

If you fancy living in Dallas...
https://www.swajobs.com/ci20/index.j...SEQ=jobDetails

(just passing it on - not affiliated with Southwest, probably wouldn't be able to answer your questions)

Is it usual for US carriers to require 1000 hours of Turbine PIC for an FO job?

Yes. The TPIC requirement exists at almost every major US airline. It helps to prevent the crap we see in Europe with people buying hours on type in the hope of landing a job on an A320 or 737 right out of flight school. That being said, getting paid poverty wages (c. £14,500) in your first year at a US regional makes it feel like you're paying to fly anyway.

Southwest is a VERY senior airline, most pilots who join have well in excess of the 1,000 hours of turbine command time that is requested. It's nearly impossible to get in without at least one internal recommendation.

... at the edge of a second deep recession ... how long will it last?

As a Captain for Southwest Airlines Company, maybe I can clear up some of this...

Most US Airlines (Majors) don't require any TPIC. Southwest requires a minimum of 1000 TPIC. However, the successful applicants generally have many times the minima.

In addition, SWA requires the new hire to come to class already typed on the 737 (lowers our insurance to have both pilots typed).

While SWA has about a 50-50 Military/Civilian pilot group make up, we hire pilots from all backgrounds. I have flown with pilots that flew crop dusters and some who flew the Space Shuttle, and all types in between. We hire for personality, and train for proficiency.

As a side note: I don't recommend the Shuttle type entry into LAX, but I have seen it done.

How Long?
 

Non Zero





How long will precisely what last? Depends upon what you're referring to. So, gazing into the crystal ball as the clouds of ambiguity dissipate allowing the the sunbeams of enlightenment to shine through:


(1) How long will the recession last?... A long time.



(2) How long (in the USA) will the eminently sensible and correct requirement for substantial PIC jet experience prior to being employed by a major airline last?...Indefinitely.



(3) How long will the the present hiring cycle last?... As the 60 yr+ geriatrics are (admittedly under duress) crowbarred from the left seat those on the right will spill over the centre console to fill the vacant space. Subsequently, right seat opportunities are created for regional airline types holding the prerequisite 1000+hrs PIC jet experience. But in this airline version of musical chairs the seats rapidly fill and the employment merry-go-round soon clogs solid and comes to a grinding halt - for yet another decade or two.



It's an OK time to be a regional airline captain, a not the worst time to be a regional airline first officer, but sadly a bit on the hopeless side of things to have the ink still wet on a freshly minted pilot's licence.

cvg
... fair enough!

With respect, I fly for the biggest regional in the US. Maybe things have changed since you were applying to the Majors, but almost all now require TPIC. I personally spoken to several Major airline hiring departments at a job fair in Las Vegas earlier this year. I was informed that when they start hiring again there will be a 1000 TPIC requirement. I know that JetBlue are an exception to this rule, but otherwise it still seems to be the norm.

FOs over here at most airlines generally have an SIC type. They still go through a type rating course but the final checkride is not quite as comprehensive. However, an increasing number of airlines are now giving full types to those in the right seat as well as the left.

Would kill for this but I'm a UK citizen with JAA licences, all my time on the 737. Do I have any chance of a sponsored visa?

Nope, try the green card lottery.

Being a UK citizen you do not qualify for the Green card lottery. There's a list on the lottery website, which rules out citizens from specific countries. Uk is on the list.

I'm a UK and canadian citizen, but I'm married to an American.

SWA is my first choice in an ideal world, what with my wife already back in the US studying.

Just got to work hard now to obtain my command on B738, get the hours required along with the green card, and cross my fingers I get a chance to interview for a position I'm already in now-on the type I'm on now.

I'm Northern Irish, I qualify for the lottery. Slim and none though.

Fellows,
What is it so great about SWA? is it the work environment,the roster or the pay? Can you share some info,please?

I am interested to see ,what in your opinion would be the ideal airline in the US to work for.

BR,
cskafan