WWW: YOU SAY it should do wonders for the pilot shortage, but how many of the recent new-hires (non-military) in Europe have done some training or hour-building in the US? iF THE ANSWER is "a lot", then shutting down this avenue will create an acute pilot shortage in Europe, cramping airline expansion. I just can't see the Euro's reducing their costs, so the number of applicants will probably tail off, too. Maybe the JAA carriers would then be forced to hire from outside the JAA (shock-horror). Not what you wanted.....
Who ever waffled about Americans working in BA versus Brits in the US carriers, it's purely a matter of getting the work permits. Just the same in the UK - NO WORK VISA - NO JOB. I'm saying that as a Brit working for one of the US Majors (where I've been made to feel most welcome, and NEVER heard a bad word about Brits - I'm ashamed by a lot of the jingoistic cr@p that a lot of my fellow countrymen spurt forth on this site. I can only assume that a lot of it is ignorance or jealousy).
BEags: good postings. As you point out, the two systems are very different. You've probably spoken to colleagues that have done exchange tours; it's like comparing the RAF with the USAF. Two different worlds, especially in customer service.
Ronchonner: I suspected from earlier rantings before this thread that you were angry because you'd failed to get that big break over in the US with a Major carrier. No millions for you. Bummer. I guess you secretly, desperately, wanted to stay. Oh well. No green card, mate, no airline jet-job. Get over it. It was your decision to spend thousands in the US doing your licences, and then instructing. It's not AA's, UA's or Delta's fault, and to be honest, you're still not competitive. No shortage of applicants to the biggies, despite McCain's mis-information campaign.