Originally Posted by
tossbag
Ask any younger Australian with the requirements for an E3 what is better for them: 1500-2000 hours of Multi-Crew jet time, possible command in two to three years or continual kicks in the balls until they can get that prized 7 year SO then 15 to 20 year FO gig. I've heard it mentioned in some circles that anyone choosing this path is cheating. Pathetic.
This thread has been running since 2015. Obviously the pandemic disrupted recruitment in Australia, but there should've been at least some who went the US path to get a couple of thousands hours of jet time, and possibly some command time. Did anyone manage to get that "prized" position in Australia? Because most recruits I saw in the few years leading up to 2020 were all seemingly ex Oz regionals, cadets or GA, and the only ex US Regionals I knew of I could count on less than one hand. The next year or so will be interesting to see if those in the US now in the regionals apply to return to Australia, or if their time in the US gives them an advantage in recruitment.
But you've also to think of the longer term. You may be a Captain in a US regional but where to from there? Going to spend your adult life in the US? You may find that SO gig in Australia pays just as well, and the wait time to FO isn't that much.