About This Role
Southwest Airlines is recruiting current U.S. military pilots for its First Officer Military Aviator Program, targeting aviators with projected availability between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028. The program supports military-to-civilian transition through ongoing communication, mentorship, and guidance while participants complete military service and prepare for potential future employment. First Officers will operate Southwest’s Boeing 737 fleet, support safe and efficient flight operations, work closely with Captains and other operational personnel, and represent Southwest’s customer-service culture. Participation does not guarantee employment and remains subject to eligibility, final validation, hiring requirements, business needs, and successful screening.
Duties & Responsibilities
- The First Officer safely operates Southwest’s Boeing 737 aircraft and complies with all applicable FAA-approved and FAA-accepted manuals, Operations Specifications, federal regulations, FAA directives, airworthiness directives, manufacturer recommendations, and company procedures. The role provides friendly service, maintains positive relationships with internal and external customers, and works cooperatively with the Captain, Flight Attendants, Dispatcher, and ground personnel in a highly coordinated environment. First Officers must follow the Captain’s directions, complete quick 15- to 20-minute aircraft turns under tight time constraints, report irregularities and incidents, and immediately notify the Base Chief Pilot or Assistant Base Chief Pilot of discrepancies affecting safety, compliance, or fiscal responsibility. When assigned, the First Officer may direct the flight crew
- if the Captain becomes incapacitated, the First Officer performs as Captain. Additional responsibilities include handling emergencies, monitoring ramp and air-traffic hazards, communicating through radio and other systems, assisting passengers when appropriate, and taking necessary action to resolve safety or compliance issues.
What We Offer
Starting pay is $125.90 per trip for pay (TFP), with opportunities for contractual wage increases and additional pay for specified flying.Benefits include free travel on open seats across Southwest’s network for employees and eligible dependents, an 18% non-elective B-Fund contribution to the employee’s 401(k), ProfitSharing contributions, competitive health insurance, the opportunity to purchase Southwest common stock at a 10% discount, company-paid loss-of-license coverage, flexible scheduling, competitive narrow-body pay rates, substantial days off, favorable work rules, and Southwest’s culture and employee benefits programs.
Requirements
- Applicants must be current U.S. military pilots with more than six months remaining until their projected availability, must meet applicable Southwest Airlines Pilot Hiring flight-experience requirements, and must hold a current military medical recommendation for flying. A high school diploma or GED is required
- a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Preferred qualifications include 500 hours in fixed-wing turbine aircraft, recent fixed-wing turbine flying during the last three years, turbine pilot-in-command experience, applicable 121 airline, military, or U.S.-based flight experience, a B-737 type rating, leadership experience in a flight department of more than 10 pilots, and a demonstrated history of operational excellence. The posting does not specify a required total-flight-time minimum. An unrestricted USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, FAA First Class Medical Certificate, FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit, valid U.S. driver’s license, unrestricted U.S. work authorization, valid passport, CREW badge eligibility, and other stated employment conditions must be satisfied before final MAP validation or employment as applicable. Applicants must be at least 23 years old, communicate effectively in English, meet physical and attendance requirements, consent to Pilot Records Database access, and be able to work rotating shifts, overtime, and frequent travel.