NB - Work permits are employer specific (ie non transferable)
- They cost a few thousand and take a few months to get
- No US employer I know of would sponsor a foreigner,
especially at the moment!
"Right of abode" a'la UK does not exist, there is either a Work visa, a student visa or permanent residence (the "green card").
The only real "back door" is to go to a big school like "Comair" etc and do your licences & a "CFI" ticket, then angle for an instructing job. Many big schools can get you a combined study / work experience type visa so you can build up some US time and industry contacts legally. Then try using one of these contacts as a sponsor............ Anyone who thinks they can apply against US citizens without a green card is dreaming! (You could always go to a bar with a few bucks and head for the ugly tree!).
As for converting an OZ ATPL - try reading my previous posts in this topic. There is no such thing as a "conversion" in the US now. You must do the theory exam, medical and flight test.
Things are still ******ed airline wise but it is turning around slowly. Instructing jobs seem to be around from time to time.