Hi everyone,
I have been watching the thread closely, reading all the comments, good, bad and indifferent.
I am about to leave the country and begin flying as an F/O with Skywest. I am not going to get into a debate over pay, conditions or anything else. I will address that quickly now, far as the pay, I have worked hard here in the Australia GA scene and I am in a financial position to be ale to support myself and my partner for the length of my initial Visa. The conditions in America have been assessed and from speaking to multiple people actually over there flying, it is worth the jump over to the US to experience something different. A career in aviation can take you anywhere, why restrict yourself to Australia.
I will just simply make note of a few reasons why I have opted to take up that role over a position here with a regional airline.
Mainly, it was the speed in which Skywest moved with that were the key decision points for me. Here is a timeline comparison between Skywest and the Australian Regional.
Aus Regional
Initial Application - 28/11/2016
Application Inquiry - 1/2/2017
Second Application - 20/2/2017
Interview Invite - 21/3/2017
Interview - 21/4/2017
Successful Interview Notification - 8/5/2017
Hold File Review - 24/8/2017
So thats, 9 months, 6 days without any insight to whether or not I will be actually be starting there.
Enter Skywest.
Skywest (USA)
Initial Application - 6/6/2017
Interview Invite - 7/6/2017
Interview - 13/6/2017 Interview was debriefed and was told I would be recommended for employment.
Job offer - 17/6/2017 I could pick my own start date as soon as 17/7/2017. I opted for 16/9/2017 to give me time to organise my Visa and security checks etc.
So, thats 11 days from initial contact to job offer in hand. There was a lot of small steps that needed to happen between receiving the job offer and now but the airline made it simple and straight forward with constant communication. This whole time, no contact from the Australian Regional.
When it comes down to it, that is the reason I have opted for to try Skywest. From the very beginning I have felt that my experience level and skills have been appreciated and they have made me feel welcome.
Now, yes, some of you may be right, it may all be an act, it may be the worst decision ever. But when you think about it, the worst case scenario is if I don't like it, I return with a +30 tonne jet type rating, experience in that jet with airline operations, I have travelled the US and I can say, at least I tried it. It will be hard work and it will be overwhelming at times.
The adventure is worth the risk I think and as Amelia Earhart once said "the adventure is worthwhile in itself."