Hello Everyone. I had my first air experience in 1966, a ride in a Bell 47D helicopter. In the 1980s I learned to fly and acquired a PPL licence in 1991. I still fly on a very rare occasion with an instructor. I logged time in a variety of aircraft types; Cessna C150/152/172, Grumman AA5-A Cheetah, Piper PA-18, Piper Cub, Harvard T6, Tiger Moth, Extra300, Bulldog, etc. In 1990 I obtained a City & Guild Certificate in Aviation Studies at Farnborough Technical College. In 2014 I completed the RPQ-s training for using a drone for professional purposes and in 2015 the CAA confirmed issue of my PfAW Permission for Aerial Work (now replaced with the Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO)). I was a volunteer director and the webmaster for the Daedalus Aviation & Heritage Group based at Solent Airport (EGHF) for several years, and I’m the administrator for the Student Pilot Community group on Facebook, which now has in excess of 69,000 members, and the recently launched Aviation Careers community here on Skool with the intention of guiding young people into the many roles airborne or ground based in aviation.

❤️ Southwest Airlines Announces 850+ New Hires in 2026! Here's What You Need to Know SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - THE COMPLETE INSIDER'S GUIDE Company Overview: - Fleet: 815+ aircraft (all Boeing 737, largest 737 operator in the world) - Bases: ATL, BNA, BWI, DAL, DEN, HOU, LAS, LAX, MCO, MDW, OAK, PHX, AUS (coming in ‘26) - Pilot Group: ~10,500+ pilots - Culture: "LUV" culture, employee-first, unique point-to-point model LIFESTYLE REALITIES Scheduling System: Line Bidding - Unique trip-trading culture with the company ELITT (Electronic Line Improvement Trip Trade) system including reserve and amongst pilots (Trip Trade Give Away) - More control over your schedule than traditional line bidding - Ability to move your vacation left or right up to 3 days  - Junior pilots: 17-19 days off, reserve likely for the first year - Senior pilots: 18-22 days off possible with efficient trip trading - Key difference: Can trade trips with company and other pilots freely Base Quality of Life: - DAL (Dallas Love Field): Large base, senior-friendly, central location - HOU (Houston Hobby): Major base, lower cost of living, Texas tax benefits - DEN (Denver): Lifestyle base, growing rapidly, mountain access - BWI (Baltimore): East Coast hub, expensive area, senior base - MDW (Chicago Midway): Major base, weather challenges, all 737 variants - PHX (Phoenix): Fast growing, excellent weather, lifestyle destination - LAS (Las Vegas): Lifestyle base, ETOPS/domestic flying, growing, moderate seniority - LAX (Los Angeles): CA base, ETOPS flying, high cost of living - OAK (Oakland): CA base, ETOPS flying, Bay Area access, expensive to live, high cost of living - MCO (Orlando): Newest major base, theme parks, humid climate - ATL (Atlanta): Smallest base, predominantly former AirTran pilots - AUS (Austin): Opening March ‘26 Pay & Progression: - Industry-leading Year 1 pay - Year 1 FO: ~$126/TFP (~$150K annually) HIGHEST Year 1 in industry  - Topped out FO ~$258/TFP (~$310K annually) - Year 12 Captain: ~$343/TFP now, ~$368 beginning 2028. (~$410 - $500 annually) - Profit sharing: Historically strong (6-8% of annual earnings) - 18% 401k match with a spillover Monthly Based Cash Balance Plan of 2% for any earnings above the IRS limit - TFP Note: in order to make an apples to apples comparison, multiply TFP by 1.15 to equal hourly pay rate  - Unique benefit: Free unlimited travel for employee + eligible passengers