Low-Time Pilots Welcome In Mentorship Program
by ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas
There
was a time in aviation when, if you didn't have the required amount
of flight time, the airlines didn't even want to see your resume.
Things have changed, we now have the kinder and gentler
airlines.
Southwest Airlines is sponsoring a Takeoff Social at the Women
in Aviation Conference Friday, from 1600 - 1700 in the Towne Room.
In a new stance, Southwest wants to meet and help you if you don't
meet their minimum time requirements. Sure, they still want
qualified pilots -- but Southwest has created a pilot mentor
program for below time pilots who see Southwest as their future
employer.
People Department, flight Ops recruiter Lindsey Lang, was at the
Southwest booth telling folks about the mentor program and hawking
the social. "We want to hear from them all" says Lang "If they're
somewhere along the way, either just getting their private pilot or
they're at a regional and they're accruing PIC time."
The program started in 2000, but Lang admits "we've been hiring
like crazy so it probably hasn't had the biggest focus that we
would like it to have." Now, with the pilot shortage, the
mentorship program has received renewed attention. Southwest tries
to match the mentee with a Southwest pilot. They try to match
backgrounds and career paths for the best fit. The pilots coach the
mentees down the path to getting their minimum time.
Lang and the People Department sponsor socials like the one
today for prospective pilots. There will be a panel of current
female Southwest pilots that will answer questions. The success of
the program is only now making itself known, Lang points out "we're
just now starting to see individuals through the mentor program
interview with us and we've hired many."
"If Southwest is where you want to fly, we want to be able to
bridge that gap and stay in touch with you as you're reaching that
goal," said Lang.
The Adopt-A-Pilot program reaches fourth and fifth graders.
Celebrating it's 10th year, over 1,000 Southwest pilots
participate. The pilot is adopted for four weeks and they visit the
classes and maintain contact with the class during trips.
A "Flight Plan" or curriculum is provided by Southwest to the
classes, focusing regular classroom subjects -- science, geography,
and math -- on aviation-related activities.