Hi all.
I rarely spend time in this forum, although recent events at my airline have increased my curiosity a little! I am slightly surprised by the quality of the discussion, as I honestly expected a small re-run of some of the threads I read here in the last year relating to foreign crews (and I include myself here) operating in the UK. I know WWW had a bit of a letter writing campaign a year or so ago about it.
I really don't think the issues involving Ansett will have that much of an effect on the UK market. As Reddo pointed out many will find employment in Australia once the industry restructures, many don't have access to working rights in the UK and of those who do many won't think the aggravation involved in moving to another country is really worth it.
It isn't easy to contemplate such a major move - especially in the current climate. Although my Grandmother provides me with a four year working visa to the UK, meeting the requirements for a permanent stay is difficult, and the cost involved in transferring to a JAA licence (as Reddo knows) is somewhat prohibitive.
One of the requirements to change a four year visa to a permanent stay is that the applicant remain employed throughout the initial four years. Now if it takes six months to a year to transfer my Oz licence to a JAA one - I don't know, even if I obtain immediate employment, I (or any other Australian in the same situation) could be considered to meet that requirement.
I have about 7300 hours total, 5400 of that on jet aircraft (about 500 on the 737 and 3700 on the BAe 146). I have had an indication from some friends in the UK that that experience makes me a strong candidate for UK airlines, however obtaining a position would be difficult, I would imagine, if I can only guarantee three to three and a half years to an operator before I am forced to leave the country.
Should a major operator in the UK go under (fingers crossed that doesn't happen) then the market in the UK may become so poor as to tip the balance against risking the time and money required for the move.
Now, this still requires a bit of research for me to even determine if the option is viable - so I really wouldn't worry about "hoards of Aussies" launching themselves upon the UK market.
[ 18 September 2001: Message edited by: Checkboard ]