Pinned
Feb 25 •
Application Ready in 2026
For those of you who weren’t able to attend Ernie’s webinar on February 24th, attached is the recording. Let me know if you have any questions or are interested in scheduling a call with a member of our team.
Pinned
Dec '25 •
Comprehensive Airline Interview Preparation Guides
Check out our latest content in the Classroom Tab! Interview Study Guides and Quick Reference Sheets built for each of the airlines. Right now we just have it for the majors but be on the lookout for content on the regionals coming out soon!
Pinned
Jan 12 •
Update: Southwest currently has 804 aircraft. They have orders for up to 615 more - you do the math.
❤️ 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
Dec '25 •
Behind the Scenes Look at the Southwest Interview
Do you have an interview coming up? Are you curious to see what happens behind the scenes to make the interview happen? Take a journey with Ernie on a trip to Dallas for a round of pilot interviews and find out for yourself. If you’d like that level of insider’s perspective to help prepare you for your interview then send me a message. https://youtu.be/gj0taDDl7IQ
Jan 8 •
Your Aviation Career Insider - 2nd Edition
📞 THE KEYS TO NAILING THE PHONE INTERVIEW The Reality: Many airlines conduct phone screenings before inviting you to in-person interviews. These 15-30 minute calls eliminate 30-40% of applicants. WHO DOES PHONE SCREENINGS: Always: - Regional airlines - Cargo carriers (FedEx, UPS) - Corporate flight departments - Some international carriers Sometimes: - Major airlines (for non-traditional candidates) - When application raises questions - High-volume hiring periods Never: - Strong flow candidates - Internal recommendations with clean records - When you're specifically recruited WHAT THEY'RE EVALUATING: ✅ Communication Skills (40%) - Clear, concise responses - Professional phone manner - Appropriate tone and pace - No filler words ✅ Interest and Preparation (30%) - Knowledge of their company - Genuine enthusiasm - Thoughtful questions - Career clarity ✅ Red Flags (20%) - Unprofessional background noise - Poor attitude or negativity - Badmouthing current or former employers - Inconsistencies with application ✅ Basic Qualifications (10%) - Verify hours claimed - Confirm availability - Check citizenship/work authorization - Medical status THE PHONE SCREENING PROCESS: When They'll Call: - Sometimes with little or no advance notice - Business hours (9 AM - 5 PM their timezone) - Could be any day within 2 weeks of application - Sometimes from restricted/unknown number Who's Calling: - HR recruiter (most common) - Pilot recruiter - Chief pilot office - Staffing coordinator Duration: - 15-30 minutes typically - Longer if issues need clarification - Shorter if obvious rejection THE PREPARATION PROTOCOL: From the moment you submit your application: 📱 Phone Readiness: - Answer ALL unknown numbers professionally - Voicemail must be professional - Phone charged and working - Good signal strength at home/work - Check your email daily for additional information, don’t forget your spam folder
1-30 of 175
skool.com/aviator-intelligence
Helping pilots navigate their aviation careers. From CFI to the majors, and every step between, we guide you through the journey to your dream job.
Leaderboard (30-day)
1
+22
2
+4
3
+4
4
+4
5
+4
Powered by