The Irish invite US pilots to work in Europe...

[captjns]

Originally Posted by haughtney1

I have not suggested that safety is being compromised (that is your own extrapolation), I am certain the US crews are adequately trained.

Other expats that came over with me ha an average of 25 years airline experience on 75 ton and greater aircraft with at least 12,000 PIC on such type of equipment. The airline I work for does have high standards as far as DECs are concerned. I was not extrapolating any hypothesis, merely wondering what the general consensus was among pilots here... albeit the negative press that Ryanair has been getting.

Uprooting ourselves to come over to Europe for better opportuities was a very hard decision to make. It was a matter of economics and survival. Expats are contract pilots, and not employees of the companies they fly for. We will be the first to be layed off when and if the time comes. Hopefully I will be retired when that day comes.

The US experienced a similar shortage in the '80s and '90s, during major expansions, which came to a halt even before 9/11. The same rapid grwoth is occurring in Europe now... lots of planes, and nobody to fly them. After all airlines don't make money with their aircraft sitting on the ground... thus the need for ready current qualified crews that are eligible for a quick conversion course. Asian carriers are just beginning to experience the growth at this time... particularly in China.

LCCs are jockeying for position to be the survivors when the competition balloon bursts... resulting in lower wages and furloughs.