Pinnacle Airlines hired a fair selection of foreign pilots years ago, whether Nederlands (lady), South African, Canadian, Middle East, Scandinavian or English (!).
The English guy had joined either the Army NG or Army Reserve before he earned his pilot licenses. He made a decision to join the military and work with helicopters, accepting potential physical risk, to hope for a long-term opportunity. I asked him about the higher-paying jobs in Britain on similar aircraft types, and he told me that the much higher British taxes and cost of living leave pilots in a worse financial condition than over here in the US. That surprised me.
At least many of these pilots were somehow 'sponsored', whatever that is. Some had instructed at an int'l aviation school which suddenly
and mysteriously filed for bankruptcy. I have a German friend who instructed "there" and then flew cargo but quit the freight-dog and flying business for good.
I met many of them and just flew today with one of them, who is Swedish, and he seems to speak a strange language on his cell phone. He said that he had the possibility years ago to interview with DragonAir in Hong Kong. My company now has pilots from many of those areas (even Trinidad) plus a French pilot, but I have no idea about other airlines. Just saw the French guy last night near a crewbase "wailing wall". Quite a number of Cabin Crew are also from other lands.
Whether marriage to an 'Ami' Chick was a factor, that I know not.
It is understandable and very frustrating to be a new pilot in a very bloated market and crave any flying job, in order to reach another career stepping stone. Can many of you guys/gals hope for an interview with a small company in the Pacific Rim? I wish you all good luck wherever, and safe flying.
Aeddi/adjo.