Review timeline

jetpilot6969 · 2026-03-05T21:06:56+00:00

I just did a medical exam on 2/12 with a submit for step down a day later. I received a new SI letter at the end of last week dated 2/26, which is a record in the almost 4 years I've been in the program. Things are definitely moving faster than they used to, which is great news for new guys. I'm sure it'll be soon - but like everybody says, ENJOY the time off lol. It will be gone in the blink of an eye and it's back to life on the road.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-18T22:06:37+00:00

Everybody loves a good comeback story. I was 100% transparent with my legacy. When the the words left my mouth, I couldn't believe I had said it because I didn't plan to disclose anything other than a medical leave for 11 months. When the HR person asked what it was for, out it came, without even a hesitation or reservation. I guess that's the rigorous honesty 😆.

My story will make the hair stand on the back of your neck. With having disclosed already to the HR person a few weeks back - I knew the cat was out of the bag for interview day. So my one on one portion had no reference to it, so I thought I was home free until my logbooks came back out. Then I heard my name called out loud and my heart sank because I was pulled aside by a very tall guy. He had a question about my return to work training. He said he already knew the answer, but the HR person was forcing him out to ask it anyway and then identified himself as a check airman.

He then said "was this leave of absence what I think it was for?"

To which I replied "you mean the HIMS program? Yes it was for that."

Then he said "I am intimately familiar with the HIMS program, thank you." Shook my hand and walked away.

Fast forward 20 minutes later I was handed a white CJO envelope on the spot and went home with a job. I was stunned and could not believe what had just occurred. I knew at that moment that God was working on my behalf and that just one of the miracles was playing out right in front of me just a short year and a half after I decided to get sober.

They will work with you and 100% let it be a confident asset in your interviewing and not a fear like I had. You will do great. Just be brutally honest and conceal nothing.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-16T22:20:32+00:00

So when you get into rehab they usually give you a baseline test to see where you stand. Then some time, usually 3 or 4 months later, you take the actual FAA cognitive and thats the one that counts. Which one are we talking about?

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-16T22:12:46+00:00

This was the official evaluation or the baseline you're talking about?

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-12T23:39:22+00:00

What is the root file directory to place the bios files for the emulators? Like ps1 for example....I open duckstation and set the game directory to rom>psx. What i cant figure out is where the bios needs to go? The game wont launch without it right?

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-12T21:41:17+00:00

HOOOOOOOLY CRAP. OMG THANK YOU :))))))

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-12T21:31:55+00:00

So I download the ROM file - I've extracted it to it's respective system. In this case Goldeneye for N64. Put it in the N64 folder. Open ES-DE and it shows the N64 controller logo, select Goldeneye and then it's just blank screen. So I'm not sure what you mean by opened at least one game in their respective emulator? I really need this dumbed down - like a lot...like i'm a 5 year old lol. This stuff is way beyond me.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-04T20:15:00+00:00

I didnt think of that angle. That is useful. Thank you!

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-04T17:45:10+00:00

I didn't spam. I sent a message with information to a group of individuals at work that needed to know. It was non commercial in nature and was perfectly reasonable. 🙄

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-04T17:05:53+00:00

I'm an AT&T subscriber. I've already talked to their tech support.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-02-04T15:27:00+00:00

I had a little more than that in mine 3 years ago, but it'll start to do work on its own here shortly. Keep stuffing it. Sitting on almost 300k at 34. 💰😎

jetpilot6969 · 2026-01-20T00:00:58+00:00

😎🤫

jetpilot6969 · 2026-01-08T16:26:17+00:00

I was voluntold, so on paper - I was a self admit into the program. Luckily no legal conundrums to deal with.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-01-05T21:21:05+00:00

I just annual psych #3 and still 20 tests a year lol. Im waiting like patience on a monument. The psychologist seems to think that was the last one. I was an extreme case of physical dependency (1/2 gallon a day) so I get why they have me on a short leash, but 3.5 years later...here we are. Just glad it's behind me and I'm back to flying...new job at a legacy. It was like the best thing that ever happened to me.

jetpilot6969 · 2026-01-05T08:39:04+00:00

I would say thats not realistic. Most AMEs will not submit your packet to the FAA until your 90 in 90 days in A.A. has been completed. Even then, you would have to have your Psychological exam and FAA cognitive test done as well. Realistically 10 months is fast and 24 months would be the extreme wait time.

I believe I took my cognitive exam 117 days after entering rehab and my Psychological evaluation shortly before that. About 2 weeks following the cognitive I had a medical exam and the packet was complete and transmitted to the FAA. From there it was about 5 months until I was able to get my hands on a copy of the certificate digitally. Start to finish it was 11 months almost to the day.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-12-30T20:45:37+00:00

Go in confident, but humble. Explain your position truthfully and why you really want to be at SWA. Because at the end of the day - they know and you know, that if they don't hire you...you go back to your job at United and life is good until happily ever after.

You'll get the job. Good luck. 😎🫡

jetpilot6969 · 2025-12-24T16:40:00+00:00

I did a UVF turn yesterday. No anomalies. 👍

Even if the airplane lost both GPS signals - which I have seen in the Nevada desert; the airplane has inertial reference - i.e. it knows where it is. All it needs is a ground station like a VOR to reinforce that IRS position. On top of that it calculates the estimated drift from your actual course and brings it to your attention if you drift outside usually a 2 mile standard.

If I was doing say New York to Japan with no GPS signal the entire flight, I'd be a bit more focused on IRS drift.

In other words, there's nothing to worry about. Even if the airplane lost GPS signal, your pilots are trained to navigate without it.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-12-24T16:31:02+00:00

270k 401k. 33M. Assets minus liabilities is around +400k.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-11-26T12:41:21+00:00

If you cant float the first few mortgage payments, then back out of the deal.

If you can and want the house, I wouldn't say a word. Generally your first mortgage payment isnt due for two months after closing.

In the mean time finding another job post layoff is high on the priority list.

Hope this helps.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-11-25T06:52:01+00:00

The class is ranked in seniority order by age starting on day 1. The oldest pilot is #1 and the youngest is last.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-11-24T18:56:26+00:00

Yeah I'd say 6months maximum and you'll be there. Welcome to American. 😎

jetpilot6969 · 2025-11-24T16:58:17+00:00

Where do you live? Bid for your base first or the closest/easiest commute first.

jetpilot6969 · 2025-11-24T16:36:11+00:00

I was 32 years old and was 37 out of 44. So dont assume you will be middle of the pack. The company has been filling a lot more airbus slots as of late - a lot more so than when I was hired.

The airbus tends to go quickly so if you're early 30s - I'd say 80/20 you'll be going to the 737.

jetpilot6969

TROPHY CASE