- Jun 12, 2014
- 12,920
- 32,558
Founding Member
Airlines are looking at such a drought of qualifed pilots in the future that they are starting to train their own pilots from scratch, rather than simply hiring pilots who already have all the necessary flight time and qualification when they apply. These programs are called ab initio programs, taking the student right from the street into the very basics of pilot training and through the process of building all the necessary qualification and flight hours to achieve the necessary ratings to be an airline pilot.
Here is an example of one of these programs. This one is called "Destination 225", and if you can read a compass you know that 225 degrees on the compass rose is southwest. The program is brand new and is finishing up the first batch of students.
Program cost as of summer 2022: $101650 (loan available). Lodging is extra…an additional $11,000 for 13 months of rent during training/instructing.
SWA Advisors check in on the candidate virtually @ once/month for the first 13 months.
Become a Certified Flight Instructor/Multi-engine instructor (CFI/MEI), then instruct at same place for 6-9 months until hitting 500 hrs.
Then work at one of the program-designated 135 carriers or Skywest for 2 yrs minimum. Attend a 2-day SWA event in DAL HQ.
After 2-year minimum at the regional the candidate is guaranteed a SWA First Officer slot (pending a procedural pilot review board).
15 out of 16 have passed program.
What if you fail a checkride during the program? 3 strikes and out policy. (One was allegedly removed recently though for a DUI.)
Math: For a 19-year-old non-college graduate, to get on with SWA at 23 years old equates to a potential career earnings (at today’s contract rates and projected 7-year captain upgrade) of about $14 million. All from a $112K investment.
Something maybe for your kids or even perhaps our younger posters to consider.
Cheers.
Here is an example of one of these programs. This one is called "Destination 225", and if you can read a compass you know that 225 degrees on the compass rose is southwest. The program is brand new and is finishing up the first batch of students.
Program cost as of summer 2022: $101650 (loan available). Lodging is extra…an additional $11,000 for 13 months of rent during training/instructing.
SWA Advisors check in on the candidate virtually @ once/month for the first 13 months.
Become a Certified Flight Instructor/Multi-engine instructor (CFI/MEI), then instruct at same place for 6-9 months until hitting 500 hrs.
Then work at one of the program-designated 135 carriers or Skywest for 2 yrs minimum. Attend a 2-day SWA event in DAL HQ.
After 2-year minimum at the regional the candidate is guaranteed a SWA First Officer slot (pending a procedural pilot review board).
15 out of 16 have passed program.
What if you fail a checkride during the program? 3 strikes and out policy. (One was allegedly removed recently though for a DUI.)
Math: For a 19-year-old non-college graduate, to get on with SWA at 23 years old equates to a potential career earnings (at today’s contract rates and projected 7-year captain upgrade) of about $14 million. All from a $112K investment.
Something maybe for your kids or even perhaps our younger posters to consider.
Cheers.
