Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – A local airline has lowered a key requirement for its new hire pilots.
Southwest has cut in half the number of turbine engine hours needed in an effort to make the hiring process easier for pilots that have flown professionally .
The Dallas-based carrier is hoping the move wll speed up pilot recruitment to keep up with scheduling demands. SWA officials explained that the rationale behind this decision is the “willingness to increase opportunities for an airline pilot career to more skilled pilots,” according to Simply Flying.
Southwest had previously required pilots have 1,000 hours of flying time on a turbine engine or a turbo-prop planes. That number is now 500 hours, effective today .
Airlines nationwide are still dealing with a pilot shortage triggered by the COVID shutdowns.
(Copyright 2023 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. The report contains material from Simply Flying.)
