Hi Mr. Woolf,
Maybe I'm not reading his responses in the same color as you, but I didn't see any blatent "Brit" bashing done by SAS, other than showing some cynicism toward the CAA (which has been displayed to a certain degree by others here as well). Nor, did I see anything herein that appears overly critical or challenging toward the US by anyone else. Please, if I missed something here, tell me - I mean, it's another Friday night and I'm kicked back on the front porch with my laptop, sipping coffee, wishing like heck I had a date instead of talking about helicopters - again, so maybe my focus is a bit off. (Maybe that'd be a good one for Agony Aunt?!?)
Anyway, several of the responses have brought up a question that I've previously had, but never asked, regarding employment in other countries. Steve76 had his negative experience, SL seems to have had his, I don't know about any others per se, however I've had my share. I have to admit, looking at it from my perspective (I've done my share of hiring, firing, training and checkrides in the past to know where people come from) there seem to be a lot more pilots filtering into the US from "outside" than the other way around.
GIVEN: the US has the majority of the jobs, more aircraft, more opportunity, blah, blah, blah. Assume that issue's been addressed so let's not expound upon that point.
QUESTION: Everything being equal, do other countries/ employers do more to protect their own nationalistic interests (in this case, people) than the U.S.?
I tried for a couple of years, '97 through '99, for some advertised positions in OZ, NZ and Europe to no avail. Granted, it could have just been me they didn't want, which is OK - things worked out for the best and I'm happy and content. Just curious.
Anyway, the shooting stars are awesome tonight (four I've seen so far)
C Ya