Airlines
Southwest Airlines lowers requirements for new pilots
In an effort to hire more pilots this year, Southwest Airlines Co. will cut the amount of prior flying experience required of candidates for the position by half.
Starting February 7, candidates would only need 500 hours of “turbine time,” as opposed to the 1,000 hours that were previously needed, the airline announced on Saturday. Southwest Airlines spokeswoman: “More highly-skilled aviators will have the option to pursue a career at Southwest Airlines as a result of the move, which was explained in a memo to pilots.
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Even while major airlines assert they have an abundance of pilots, the lower standards come amid a widespread industry chase for them. Regional airlines have been boosting salaries and providing other incentives as a result of the shortfall that has resulted.
According to Jordan, Southwest employed about 1,000 pilots in 2022 and has plans to hire over 1,700 more this year. As per him, the organization has a shortage of experienced pilots to operate aircraft due to various challenges with training capacity. But if the business does decide to bring on 1,700 more pilots this year, it would face fierce competition from other carriers.
The FAA’s 1,500-hour requirement for pilots to obtain their Air Transport Pilot certificate is not eliminated by Southwest’s criteria adjustment, but it does call for experience flying in jet or turboprop aircraft. Basically, this means that new Southwest hires will have had to fly for a regional airline, a freight company, or in some other professional role.
Southwest stated that their new hiring policies will continue to be in compliance with or exceeding FAA standards, adding that they “will continue to pick competitively-qualified, world-class aviators that demonstrate considerable flight experience, professionalism, and Southwest values.”
