I must say its increasingly difficult to imagine WHY anyone with FAA licenses should wish to leave the US market where pilots are in critically short supply...
What is often neglected in this particular debate is the cost of converting a JAA license to FAA. Why is this? Is it because very very few people ever do so? Why could that be? Is it because qualified EU pilots can't get permanent work permits in the US??
In fact if you tried it the FAA ask you to undertake a number of examinations and flight tests. Admittedly they are not as expensive as the JAA equivalents but then again the whole system IS cheaper out there so one would not expect them to hike the prices specifically for the JAA license comvertee *just because* he was 'used' to higher fees.
Its a two way street. Until we enter and EU-North America free trade agreement this status quo will remain. Which happens to be good news for EU Wannabes who now no longer face competing for jobs with USA pilots sporting 2000 Multi Hours running bank cheques and the like - work opportunities that simply do not exist in Europe.
There is no mileage in debating which system makes the best pilot. The statistics speak for themselves. No difference.
Its *ALWAYS* been difficult to become a pilot. Its actually easier now than 10 years ago *and* cheaper. By some margin.
Plus you have this forum.
Good luck one and all,
WWW
[This message has been edited by Wee Weasley Welshman (edited 06 June 2001).]