Update: Southwest currently has 804 aircraft. They have orders for up to 615 more

Dustin Benker

Jan 12 (edited) • Newsletters

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

Career Timeline:

Upgrade to captain: 7-8 years (base dependent)
Most senior bases: MCO, DAL, HOU, PHX
Fastest upgrades: LAS, LAX, BWI
All flying is 737 (no widebody career progression)

THE SOUTHWEST DIFFERENCE - CULTURE

What Makes Southwest Unique:

One aircraft type: Every pilot flies 737 (MAX 8, 800, 700, MAX 7’s on order)
Point-to-point flying: More legs per day, less layover time
Assigned seating: Beginning January ‘26
LUV culture: Famous for being fun, but professionalism is paramount
Employee ownership: Strong profit-sharing culture
Customer service focus: "Low fares, nothing to hide"

THE SOUTHWEST INTERVIEW PROCESS - DEEP DIVE

Application Stage:

Online via Southwest careers portal
Minimum requirements: 1,500 TT, ATP, First Class Medical, 500 TPIC time preferred
Email from HR requiring additional pr-employment tasks prior to interview invitation
Interview invitations typically received ~1 week after tasks are completed

How to Get a Recommendation:

Network at aviation events where Southwest pilots attend
Join professional organizations (WAI, OBAP, NGPA)
Connect on LinkedIn with Southwest pilots professionally
Attend Southwest career events
Never ask for recommendation in first contact - build relationship first

Interview Invitation:

Email invitation
4-6 weeks notice
In-person at Dallas headquarters (DAL)
Typically a 2 day process with the first day being a must ride flight to Dallas. Two interview sessions per day - am/pm

INTERVIEW DAY

PART 1 - Logbook Review (One pilot interviewer):

Bring your Medical, ATP, FCC and ALL Logbooks (tabbed as directed)
Your logbook hours should match both your application hours and your Review Form, be prepared to discuss/explain any discrepancies
Know or be able to easily find:
Be prepared to discuss any checkride failures and how you came up with your hours (military conversion is not only accepted but expected)

PART 2 - HR (Panel of 2, HR professional and pilot interviewers)

TMAAT Questions - Southwest-Specific Focus:

“Tell me a little about yourself.”

You are interviewing for a pilot position so your focus should be on aviation
This is more of a personality interview so it should also include something personal about who you are, your interests,

"Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer."

Southwest is obsessed with customer service

"Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer."
"Describe a time you had to deal with a difficult coworker and how you resolved it."
"Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a major change."
"Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you handled it."
"Why Southwest specifically?"
"Describe a time when you showed your sense of humor at work."
"Tell me about a time you disagreed with a company policy but had to enforce it anyway."

PART 3 - SBQ - A CRM Exercise in Decision Making (Panel of two pilot interviewers)

What They're Evaluating:

Your thought process, not your technical knowledge of the 737 or Southwest operating procedures
Teamwork, collaboration and coordination at the appropriate levels
Communication skills
Keeping passenger safety at the forefront of decisions
Leadership without being overly authoritative
How you handle disagreement

Common Scenarios:

Changing/deteriorating weather conditions without a clear good alternate
Medical emergencies
Disruptive passengers
Fuel contamination
Abnormal engine or pressurization indications

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

Trying to take charge aggressively
Not soliciting feedback
Dismissing others' ideas
Not making a decision

THE SOUTHWEST CULTURE FIT - CRITICAL

Southwest rejects technically qualified candidates who don't fit the culture. What they're looking for:

✅ Warrior Spirit: Passionate, hardworking, willing to go extra mile ✅ Servant's Heart: Putting others first, team before self ✅ Fun-LUVing Attitude: Can have fun while being professional ✅ Team Player: No egos, collaborative, helps others succeed ✅ Positive Energy: Enthusiastic, upbeat, resilient ✅ Genuine Personality: Authentic, not putting on an act

How to Show Culture Fit:

Smile and show enthusiasm (but be authentic)
Share stories that show you help others
Demonstrate humility
Show you can have fun professionally
Be warm and personable with everyone you meet
Tell stories about teamwork, not individual heroics

⚠️ Red Flags That Kill Southwest Interviews:

Taking yourself too seriously
Ego or arrogance
Negative attitude or complaining
Not smiling or showing personality
Speaking badly about previous employers
Domineering behavior in situational based scenario
Can't give examples of helping others

POST-INTERVIEW PROCESS:

Decision timeline: 2-4 weeks typically
Conditional Job Offer (CJO) via phone call (then email confirmation)
Background check: 4-8 weeks
Medical clearance and drug screening
Class date assignment: Can be 2-3 months out (Southwest has longer lead times)

SOUTHWEST-SPECIFIC INTERVIEW NUANCES

Dress Code:

Business professional required (suit and tie for men, business suit for women)
Despite the casual culture, dress formally for interview
Well-groomed, polished appearance
Conservative is better than trendy

The Recommendation Factor:

Your recommender's reputation matters
They may be contacted for additional insight
Never exaggerate your relationship with them
Express genuine gratitude for the recommendation

The Long Game:

Southwest hiring process is slower than other majors
Don't be discouraged by longer timelines
Stay in touch with your recommender
Keep your application updated if timeline extends

TRAINING & PROBATION:

Initial training: 6-8 weeks in Dallas (AQP)
737 type rating included
High pass rate but academically challenging
Probation period: 12 months
Culture fit evaluated throughout probation

QUALITY OF LIFE INSIGHTS

Pros:

Highest Year 1 pay in the industry
Excellent trip trading flexibility
Free travel benefits (unlimited)
Strong company culture
Stable company (no bankruptcies ever)
Profit sharing historically strong
Employee ownership mentality

Cons:

All 737 all the time (no variety)
More legs per day (less layover time)
Point-to-point flying can be tiring
Smaller international footprint
No widebody advancement opportunities

WHO THRIVES AT SOUTHWEST:

Pilots who value schedule control over aircraft variety
Those who prefer domestic flying
Pilots who thrive in team environments
People who genuinely enjoy customer interaction
Those who value company culture and stability
Pilots comfortable with high-frequency flying

WHO MIGHT NOT FIT:

Pilots who want widebody/international flying
Those who prefer long-haul with extended layovers
Pilots uncomfortable with the "fun" culture expectations
Those who want traditional legacy carrier structure

SOUTHWEST INTERVIEW PREPARATION CHECKLIST

☑️ 6-8 Weeks Before:

Get employee recommendations if able
Start preparing TMAAT stories, write them down
Research Southwest culture and history
Watch YouTube videos of Southwest operations

☑️ 4 Weeks Before:

Refine TMAAT stories using STAR-L method as a framework but DO NOT come across as scripted or rehearsed
Study Part 121 regulations

☑️ 1 Week Before:

Confirm interview time and location
Prepare interview outfit (try it on!)
Print multiple copies (10) of resume on quality resume paper
Get good sleep

☑️ Interview Day:

Arrive 30minutes early
Bring notepad and pen
Smile and be personable with everyone
Stay positive and energetic throughout
Send thank-you notes within 24 hours

❓ QUESTION: What aspect of Southwest's interview process interests or concerns you most—technical evaluation, group activity, or culture fit assessment?

📚 Southwest Airlines Interview Study Guide - Complete Southwest-specific preparation and quick reference guide

📚 Aviator Intelligence Masterclass - Complete Digital Course - $1,000+ of value for $499. Complete Southwest interview preparation module with culture fit coaching and group activity practice

📝 Resume Training with Templates - Build your Southwest-ready resume

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