❤️ 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

2026 is lining up to be one of the strongest hiring years in aviation history - is your resume ready? The Resume That Gets Interviews Most pilots believe their resume is a formality. Airlines don’t. Your resume is a screening tool, and for many carriers it determines whether a human ever looks at your application again. This is why, in our interview-coaching program, clients are required to use one standardized resume format and match it exactly across all application documents. Not because it looks pretty — but because it survives airline screening. The 10-Second Screening Reality Across the industry, the initial resume review often lasts seconds, not minutes. That means your resume must be: - Immediately readable - Instantly verifiable - Consistent with every other document the airline sees Your resume is not your career biography. It is a marketing document designed to earn an interview. The Million Dollar Resume Mistake The most common reason qualified pilots are rejected has nothing to do with flight skill. It has to do with inconsistent data across documents. Airlines cross-check: 1. Application 2. Resume 3. Logbook hours, dates, certificates, ratings, and checkrides 4. PRD (Pilot Records Database) If numbers or dates don’t match exactly, the application is often discarded without follow-up. This is not a theory — it happens every hiring cycle. What the Airline Is Assessing They aren’t judging stick-and-rudder skills yet. They’re asking: - Does this pilot meet our minimum qualifications? - Does this pilot pay attention to detail? - Are the flight hours and information provided trustworthy? - Will this pilot follow procedures? - Can we rely on the pilot’s documentation? One inconsistency is enough to raise doubt. The Four-Document Rule (Non-Negotiable) Your flight times and employment dates must be identical across: - Application - Resume - Logbook hours, dates, certificates, ratings, and checkrides (as of submission date) - PRD (Pilot Records Database)

📰 INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK HIRING UPDATES 📈 DELTA AIR LINES - Currently interviewing: 100-150 pilots/month - 2026 projected hiring: 1,000+ pilots - Applications: OPEN - Timeline: 4-8 weeks from application to interview invitation - Strategy: Apply now for Q2 2026 class dates 📈 UNITED AIRLINES - Currently interviewing: 200+ pilots/month - 2026 projected hiring: 2,500 pilots - Applications: OPEN (continuous flow) - Timeline: 6-12 weeks from application to CJO - Strategy: Strong military and regional flow candidates moving quickly 📈 AMERICAN AIRLINES - Currently interviewing: 125-175 pilots/month - 2026 projected hiring: ~2,000 pilots - Applications: OPEN - Preference: Envoy, Piedmont, PSA flow candidates prioritized - Timeline: 8-12 weeks application to class date 📈 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - Currently interviewing: 75-100 pilots/month - 2026 projected hiring: 850+ pilots - Applications: Application window currently closed - Timeline: Slower process, 12-16 weeks typical - Strategy: Internal recommendations carry significant weight 📈 ALASKA AIRLINES - Currently interviewing: 90+ thru first quarter ‘26 - 2026 projected hiring: Nothing projected beyond first quarter ‘26 - Applications: OPEN - Timeline: 6-8 weeks - Strategy: West coast domiciles, strong culture focus REGIONAL CARRIERS - RECORD BONUSES 💰 SKYWEST - Signing bonus: $7,500 for previously typed new pilots - First year pay: $90K+ - Guaranteed interviews at Delta, United (partnership) - Bases: All major hubs 💰 ENDEAVOR AIR (Delta Connection) - Signing bonus: Up to $40,000 depending on experience - First year pay: $110K - Flow to Delta: 24 months (guaranteed) - Bases: MSP, DTW, NYC 💰 ENVOY (American Connection) - Signing bonus: Up to $15,000 - First year pay: $85K - Flow to American: 24-36 months - Bases: DFW, ORD, MIA 💰 PIEDMONT (American Connection) - Signing bonus: Up to $100,000 for direct entry captains with experience - First year pay: $80K - Flow to American: 24 months (fastest flow) - Bases: PHL, CLT

📞 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

THE INTERVIEW STARTS AT THE AIRPORT ✈️ YOUR INTERVIEW BEGINS THE MOMENT YOU BOOK YOUR FLIGHT The Hidden Truth About Airline Interviews I need you to understand something critical: - your interview doesn't start when you shake hands in the conference room. It starts the moment you interact with anyone connected to that airline. 💰 THE $15 MILLION CAREER DECISION Let's be clear about what you're interviewing for: over a 30-year airline career, you'll earn approximately $15 million in total compensation. This single interview determines whether you get that opportunity or not. Would you show up to a $15 million business deal unprepared? Would you submit a proposal with errors? Would you wing it? The investment required for interview success is tiny compared to the return. Professional interview prep, resume services, and masterclass training starts with as little as $500. The first paycheck and your new job will more than cover that investment. Don't gamble with a $15 million career to save a few hundred dollars. THE AIRPORT TEST You're at the gate waiting for your flight to interview headquarters. A gate agent is dealing with an irate passenger. How you react is being observed—possibly by a commuting pilot, a jumpseating crew member, or even an off-duty HR employee. Real story: A candidate was removed from consideration after being rude to a gate agent during irregular operations. A deadheading captain witnessed it and mentioned it during the interview debrief. The candidate never knew why they didn't get the offer. YOUR 72-HOUR INTERVIEW WINDOW ✈️ Airport Arrival - Be courteous to every airline employee - Don't complain about delays or service - Dress business casual minimum (even if interview is tomorrow) - Avoid alcohol at airport bars 🏨 Hotel Conduct - Treat hotel staff with respect - Keep noise levels down - Be professional in hotel restaurants/bars - Go to bed early—fatigue shows in interviews - Don't party with other candidates