Bealzebub. I thank you for your time and substantial reply. Ill respond to some points raised, for clarity.
That rules out airlines that require you to be type rated or have basic levels of on type experience. It rules out many airlines with cadet programmes. It rules out most European airlines and depending on the definition of "whatever" possibly many others as well.
Indeed it does rule out a lot. I hear and read of many many jobs the world over requiring 500 hours on type, 1000 hours total time or similar. I guess the question im asking is, where are the airlines that don't require experience on type ? I mean, for those job where do people get that INITIAL experience ?? Are they simply after ex cadets ?
No you don't, because there is no such thing. You will have an ATPL issued by a specific country or supranational authority. ICAO doesn't issue licences. Almost every country in the world is a signatory to the ICAO, and of the handful of nations that are not, few (if any) issue pilots licenses. If you read the cover of your licence it should tell you which country or supranational authority issued it. You can then start your search there, or look at the validation/conversion requirements of other authorities if you need to apply for such.
I'm sorry for the confusion. I thought most would understand what I meant with the term "ICAO ATPL" as it is used the in documentation & information from airlines, aviation authorities and job advertisements all over the world. It is simply an shortened or abbreviated way of saying; "Airline Transport License issued by An ICAO Member State."
What I mean is that I have an Airline Transport License issued by An ICAO Member State, though not a JAA or EASA version. It is reasonably simple (well from my research so far) to convert this license to most other ICAO member state licenses EXCEPT JAA/EASA as that is well and truly outside of my financial abilities at this time.
I'm well aware of the country that has issued my license as I have done the majority of my flying there. I have spent my entire career searching for further job opportunities and progression in this part of the world. Unfortunately it is extremely slow and limited (comparatively), hence my posting of this thread asking for advice on where I could go if I get the hell out of here.
That is true of most of the world. You only have to spend a little time reading these forums to be painfully aware of that reality. There are however areas where the lack of a large indigenous national pilot workforce makes opportunities for foreign pilots and sometimes low houred pilots possible. Southern and East Africa are quite popular (have a look in the African forum.) Opportunities also pop up in the Middle East on occasions.
Ok thats worth knowing. Thank you. I have spent a fair bit of time over the years reading this forum and others and what I do come across a lot is whining like: "I've got 600 hours on the A320 and 800 total and Emirates won't accept my experience !" and many many similar experiences. I get the vibe that once you have your CPL, frozen ATPL, MCC and a type rating you are all good for a narrow body jet. Thence a lot of bitching because jobs are limited and some can't get these jobs with these hours.
If this is not the norm in a lot of these countries then thats good to know, it was just the impression I get from reading a lot on here.
I will certainly do some serious digging in the direction of Southern and Eastern Africa as you say. Thanks
That is a good philosophy. The problem is that countries tend to want to reserve training for their own nationals, and when they need to buy in skilled labour it is often significant experience they are looking for. Obviously competition for any job is going to be keen and for the few hotspots where "Low experience" is acceptable, even more so.
Many countries will only issue work visas if there is a proven demand for labour that cannot be sourced from within that country. That tends to rule out most of the developed nations other than those with relatively small indigenous skilled populations, or those that are developing quickly.
That sounds reasonable. Question is, where are these countries and any specific operators ?
Don't put any weight on the "ICAO pilot" thing. Every pilot with a valid licence is in that club. Look at the experience you have, and look at where you can realistically sell that experience. Do those target markets operate heavier prop or jet equipment that would provide career advancement opportunities? Without knowing where you live or what authorities licence you hold it is always going to be difficult for anybody to offer you specific advice.
Yes, this is basically what I am trying to do, find out where I can go with my experience that may offer some progression or advancement.
I hold a New Zealand issued ATPL and an Australian issued ATPL.
Thanks for your help so far.