First job overseas as an expat
Hi guys,
Just completed my CPL+MECIR very recently and about to finish off my ATPLs and have been reading these forums for a while.
I have heard and read "through the grapevine" that there are possibilities for low hour guys such as myself (say 250-300hrs) to work overseas on various turbo-props as first officers whether it be in Asia, Middle east or Africa even.
I am wondering what peoples opinions on this are?
(And if I could - please no wind-ups or rants from angry GA guys who think it's just another way for fresh CPLs to avoid flying bush, or "shiny jet syndrome", or who are hell bent on telling everyone GA is the only way to start etc. Just want legit information and opinions on an alternative start in the industry for someone who maybe is not interested in GA).
I have heard stories of lots of aussies going to Asia for example and getting first jobs in right hand seats on turbo props and even jets in some cases. Sure, they get paid the lower local wages, have to put up with whatever local conditions, better/worse safety, a/c, etc etc (the list can go on), however in some ways it's all an adventure and in some instances could even be comparable to working in a small community up north... plus its a start and a first job. Apparently they fly a lot and I have heard some guys taking anywhere from 1-3 years depending on a/c type to move onto the left hand seat and start logging command hours in foreign countries.
Now I've seen plenty of Jetstar Cadetship threads on here and I dont want to start another one. Everyone has their own opinions on that although most of pprune tends to oppose it. I am wondering - would this be the same in terms of a career move or is it different?
Obviously you'd be putting up with worse pay and conditions but you're young once and in some ways it's a good way to experience the world slightly differently through a different route than going north or becoming an instructor. So if that isn't an issue for a pilot - I am wondering where they stand in the longer run with hours / coming back to Oz in 5-6 years to work here again, log book being recognised, etc.
My confusion in regards to this topic is basically the fact that in some ways (pay & ts&cs aside) it is similar to the J* cadetship, and there are opinions on this - gaining command in the bush on a 206 is great experience VS going straight into a jet can be unsafe. However from what I understand in Europe and Asia a lot of first officers who start off in right hand seats are "cadets" or are straight out of flying schools with limited experience as many parts of the world dont have a large GA industry. I believe a lot of asian airlines even send students to do training in Australia and then go straight back home and are thrown on 737s etc.
If there's any guys who have done this - if you could send me some feedback even into my inbox privately it would be great.
Sorry for the long post,
Thanks in advance