Current JAA pilot marrying an American and moving to the States

[skiptoit]

Hi there,

I'm currently flying Jetstream 31/32 for a European airline with 600TT of which 300 is on type. I'm getting married to an American this summer and she is keen for me to move to the USA. I've looked at the likes of Comair etc and they do seem to be hiring and I meet the requirements (once I've got my green card and converted to FAA). I was just wondering what my chances of landing a job out there were in the current environment with my experience, or should I just convince her to move over here so I can stay put?

Many thanks in advance.

[Der absolute Hammer]

Okay...probably nil chances of a flying job in the USA at the moment.
Look at your alternatives. 600TT/300 on that filthy Jetstream. Your experience, with respect, is very limited and this means that you would have to stay for some years in Europe to even get close to a command or a jet job?
Now you have the opportunity to go to the USA during a recession. But their recession will end before Europe's has even got to the bottom. So there lies the main chance!
Thunder and lighteneing...go to the USA. Work as a hot dog boy, any trade,study and pass the US ATPL exams and be ready there, green card done, for the upturn. Oh, and while you are about it, become a naturalaised American.
Europe is a dead duck for a decade.
(You can let your JAA ATP lapse and renew it within, I thinkso, five years from expiry.)

[MarkerInbound]

Don't know when you looked around, Comair has about 300 on furlough. The only ones hiring that I know of are Great Lakes, they want 750 TT and only pay 1200 ($16x75) a month, and Cape Air (min 800TT), they're paying F/Os $9.00 an hour! I'm getting 1620 on unemployment and get to set my own hours. I made 7 bucks an hour sitting right seat in DC-3 29 years ago.

[fernytickles]

We moved here from the UK 8 years ago. It took 3.5 years to get a green card, and I was not allowed to work until that came through. Not sure how long yours will take, but I'd base your planning on that. At least that way you can keep current in the UK whilst earning and building hours whilst going through the process of getting the card. And, while all that is going on, you can get your FAA ATP written out of the way, then do a condensed course for the checkride once you get here.

Also location is very significant - if you are moving to the north of North Dakota or the south of southern Alabama, there won't be so many jobs. If you are moving to Chicago or Miami or San Francisco or New York or Detroit, so long as you are willing to try different parts of aviation - instructing, charter, corporate, etc as well as airline flying, you would have a better chance of finding work. Have a look at propilotworld.com - its a useful forum to build contacts and observe comments on the health or otherwise of the aviation industry.

Good luck - hope all goes well with the wedding too.

[Kenny]

I've been here 10 years and I'm just about to pull the plug; The industry is more extreme and brutal here than anywhere else on the planet. Personally, in terms of your career, I think you'd be nuts to do it. You'll spend half your time wondering when it's all going tits up again and the other half wondering why you get paid sh!t.

As far as what Ferny said about working, I don't know on what basis he applied for a GC but I applied for mine because I was marred to a US citizen, I submitted a Work Authorization application as part of my GC application and got my work permit the next day. So, I'm not sure why he couldn't work.

Think very long and hard about it; this is not the promised land with regards to aviation.

[B2N2]

Green card through marriage shouldn't take 3 years, more like 3-6 months.
I hate so say it but 600 TT is not enough.
Charter (135 IFR ) requires 1200 TT and 500 XC
Large corporate (Flexjet, Netjets etc) several thousand PIC.
Small corporate whatever their insurance requires.
Most Regionals have several hundred furloughs
Majors are not hiring and usually require a couple of thousand hours jet time.
Get as much time on your present job as possible prior to moving.

[ducdriver]

skiptoit

Stay where you are. With your time you would be lucky to get a flight instructor job.
I'm furloughed, with 5000ish hours, 3500 jet with 2000 as a jet Captain. I have sent out 70+ CV and the only places to call me back are in the M E.
So I say again stay where you are.

[fernytickles]

For starters, Kenny, he would be a she.

I'm married to a UK person, so had to wait for their greencard to come through.

I agree with B2N2 on the minimum requirements. As for my experience, I took the first job I was offered upon getting the greencard, working as a shop assistant in an antique mall. Within 2 months I'd moved to a Part 135 (charter) operator, flew for them for 3 years. I now fly Part 91 and believe it is the best job I will ever have, no matter what I do in the future, I have landed fairly & squarely on my feet. But, and this is the kicker for you, I already had 5000+ hours with a couple of type ratings, so was not restricted from that perspective.

I have friends locally who are slaving away, instructing and trying to build hours to get to the 1200hr mark, and other friends who have over 1200hrs, but the charter market is so slow just now, they are getting about 1 flight every two months, and living on umeployment benefit, or anything else they can get.

On the other hand, another friend with 2500hrs already has a Citation type rating (no, he didn't pay for it himself) and has just got a job flying a King Air. He has a fantastic attitude and must have interviewed really well. It really is the luck of the draw.

I think what it boils down to, is stick tight where you are for a couple of years, build up the hours, if your wife can be patient, then come over with at least 3000hrs under your belt. That will give you a much better starting point from which to look for work.

[Kenny]

Ferny, please accept my sincerest apologies for that particular faux pas...

[fernytickles]

S'not a problem, you weren't to know ...

[Anonymus6]

Stay where you are and build you flight time. you will not have a chance in US. It takes long time to get into a 737 or Airbus 320 in states. Belive me much faster in Europe.

I left after 7 years living in US.

[BelArgUSA]

Getting married and moving to USA (to be a pilot) should be no problem, under normal circumstances and employment. But no need to repeat again a description of today's situation in the number of pilot's job openings, either USA or the rest of the world.
xxx
Getting married, fine and dandy, easy way to get the "green card", and 3 years later, be eligible for USA citizenship. Then think about getting your FAA pilot certificates, maybe you have one already... but no job available. My first suggestion is that you keep your overseas employment until things get better.
xxx
Have you thought about US taxation laws (IRS)...? Probably not...
Once you obtain a green card ("USA Resident") you are subject to federal and state taxation. It may not be to your advantage. All of the couple's combined US and foreign income is subject to USA taxation. I would suggest you see a good tax accountant before getting married, and signing the piece of paper.
xxx
You should maybe consider staying "single" and keep that job overseas (and log more hours as a pilot), and when in the USA, visit with a tourist visa as often as you can, and not be subject to income tax.
xxx
As your tax advisor will tell you, there might be other solutions. As example, getting married overseas (no requirement to declare) and wait until a pilot job is obtained in USA for legal marriage, then apply for "green card". Some other suggestions might be separate income tax returns. I am not a tax advisor.
xxx
I know the above problems quite well, European born, I got a green card in USA, then became USA citizen, later moved again, to South America, got married there, got another citizenship, and became aware of very serous tax problems with the USA.
xxx
Did you know as an example, that a "green card" holder, or a USA citizen is always subject to USA taxation, even if he/she resides and works permanently overseas. Not many countries subject their citizens to such obligation. That green card might cost you, a few thousands of dollars every year. Is it worth it, while you have no job (yet) in the USA...?
xxx
:*
Happy contrails

[trot]

it might be of any help.

getting a job in the US- tough luck, you will compete against hundreds of pilots with 10000000s of hours. last ALPA magazine talked about 2600 pilots on furlough from various ALPA carriers, plus many others from differnt outfits.

after being married:
- before you wait for the green card, you may apply for a work authorization. at least back in '95 i got one, then after all the interviews with the INS i got the green card 6 months later. 2 years after that i apllied for the naturalization, hence got the US passport.

regarding taxes:
- once married and getting the US resident status, you are required to file combined income taxes with the IRS, regardless where you work or live.
if you would stay in europe, you still pay taxes with the IRS, but there is a foreign income credit that is a bout 87000$/year. add some other eligible credits and you could earn as much as 120000$/year as foreign income and not pay a dime to the IRS. though you still have to file.

my advice is to stay put, just based on the US jobmarket.

cheers and good luck

[CR2]

I am a Brit married to an American.

Green card: everything is backed up admin-wise, figure on a good year before you get called for an interview. Get an immigration lawyer, it is worth the money. Your lawyer will advise you to apply for citizenship, this will take 3 years from when then green card is isssued.

Apply for a work-permit at the same time. This will come through in 4 months or so. As soon as you get that, go get a social security card (costs nothing :eek: )

Filing all the paperwork costs $1010 (ridiculous amount of dosh), medical figure another $250-$350 or so (Immigration will give you a list of quacks you can use in your area). My lawyer charged 4K for her time & work. These are New York prices (the 1010 remains the same though).

Hope of some use to you.

[Kenny]

You can not leave the country until you have passed the interview...!!

Without wanting to pee on anyone's bonfire here, that's not correct. You can apply for "Advance Parole" which will allow you to exit and re-enter the US numerous times, while waiting for your Green Card interview. It's what I did while I waited the 2 years for my interview.

[MungoP]

I did exactly what you're doing a short time ago. Found a decent immigration lawyer, applied for my Permanent Residency in Nov '07 and was awarded a Green Card in May '08. Was offered a job with a Part 135 operation (NY) flying the Beech 400 and BE20 bt ultimately decided against it due to the nature of the work... Decided that flying in the US was strictly for the birds... crap pay, crap conditions... unless you're very lucky. Now am in aviation but not flying....
Would suggest that you have a minimum (minimum mind you) of $10,000 to spare before applying for the Green Card.... oh yes... and don't live in NY :)
Throughout my career I've lived, worked and visited over 70 countries inc all of the middle east, most of Africa, Afghanistan and parts of Russia... NY is as close to a police state I've ever had to suffer.

[Tex]

Sorry, friend, but you aren't going to get a flying job in the US with your time. You may get an instructor job after you get your Commercial and CFI. ATP requirements in the US are 1,500 TT and over age of 23. Most in the US build time by instructing.

[DIVINE WIND]

STAY IN EUROPE for now! I quit 121 because the lifestyle was so bad. I currently fly 135 and love it but the competition for a job is tough right now. I work with two retired UsAir Captains with about 25,000 hrs each. They still fly because they lost their pensions!
Get more time where you are and wait out this sh!t storm we are in, this place (USA) is a mess at the moment.
Sorry for the bad news.

[BelArgUSA]

There are numerous questions and answers in Pprune forums for the subject.
The few of us who are knowledgeable (somewhat) try to help.
But believe me, each situation is different, laws are complicated.
A few answers in the forum cannot solve the simple questions you have.
xxx
Especially for pilots. Combine immigration and job prospects.
Takes a good immigration lawyer (and I mentioned good tax accountant) to assist you.
What your problem is, and what the other guy situation is are different.
Many of the answers above are quite correct.
xxx
Numerous books named "Immigrating to USA" exist, for sale at some $20.oo.
They contain up-to-date info, compared to "personal experiences" of some.
Then do not forget the pilot job market in the USA.
The grass is not any greener on that side of the ocean.
USA salaries are rather low, nil benefits, and few openings if any exist.
xxx
Yes I heard, there are pilots (i.e. Europe) flying 737 RHS with 500 hrs time...
It is unheard of in USA... Consider 1500/2000 hrs as the minimum experience.
That is, if/when there are airlines hiring...
Not with 5,000+ US pilots (or more) with good qualifications on the streets.
xxx
Welcome to the USA, for those of you who get the papers...
But keep your foreign job, wherever you are...
:ok:
Happy contrails

[skiptoit]

Thanks for all the advice guys. The matter has kind of taken care of itself in that I've just been offered an upgrade in my current airline to move onto a 16 tonne turboprop, with that in mind and taking the current market conditions on both side of the Atlantic into consideration both my fiancee and myself have decided that Europe is where we need to be for the timebeing. She has more opportunities over here than I would have in the States.

Thanks once again for sharing your experiences.