Hi. Noted the comment that they are desperately short of pilots. Last year I saw the contract the US pilots had to sign. Unless it has changed since then, the recruitment company virtually owns your career while there and for three years after you leave, even into retirement.
After the initial three years (of no pay increases), you were on a rolling one year contract, which could be terminated at will by them. If you left, you could not work for any aviation entity, which they dealt with, for the subsequent three years. It was so broad a statement, that you could not legally work in aviation for that period of time. It was a one sided contract, which didn't recognize the skills and experience brought to the company by the pilots, and in particular, those with wide body, international experience.
There was no medical coverage for family members, and no retirement provision. I know several people who are well qualified, and who wanted to go there until that contract got passed around.
If you want to work at another airline in the US, you will need to buy yourself out of this contract. Do your research on the contract, as it is quite common in the US for companies to take legal action in these cases.
Should you wish to return to Europe, you can bid to do so after the three years has expired. However, the openings will be based on your seniority. As it stands now, LGW seems to be the most junior base, and as many FO's and Relief Captains have been hired in the interim, and will upgrade, openings may take a while.
This information is from late last year.
Last edited by sonoma; 9th Aug 2018 at 08:29.