Oil Captain:
It's true that the last 2 years or so have been good for hiring on 121 operations. The Canadian/Mexican route to US GC is easier because of the aforementioned trade agreement. Once legalised, you can apply for a TN visa.
Ireland is also another country to keep an eye on. Although there are no official trade links as such yet, there have been considerable ties closer to the USA, culturally and socially within the past two years.