FAA versus JAA
Well.
I have been flying and working on a FAA licence since 1998. All of it contract work.
Iwant to work in Europe. Thus I will need to get a JAA licence. There is no way around it, unless you are willing to fly on a validation and fear about changing rules and requirements all the time.
As far as cost is concerned, FAA might be cheaper to start with. But remeber you have to spend a while in US and licing expences, depending on the location, can be horrendous.
At the end of the day you will still need to get your JAA ATPL and this is an added expence. Then if you work ing on contracts you will be out of work for a minimum of 6 months. Add the loss of salaries and out of currency. Multiple proficiency checks when you return to work. EXPENCIVE
Why not go the JAA way in the first place. If you then want to get an FAA ticket, there should be no problems of doing this (DOJ ??).