Why in God's name would you want to leave the most fantastic country in the world to fly an aircraft ?? is beyhond me.
If I'm not mistaken, EK is full of Aussies and it seems Fight Ops are run by Aussies, CX, SIA, I mean everywhere I go I seem to be bumping into Aussies which is the best way never to die of thurst but horrible if you're working the following day !
As to residency, well, marry a local, get the command of the local language and you'll be in the line like anyone else, citizen or not. In my outfit we've got Irish, British, a pack of Belgians, Italians, Algerians, most are EC passeport holders but if the Mrs is local and you can express yourself fluently in the local linguo you definitly have a chance.
As to marrying an american ??? I think I'd choose dancing on broken glass !