Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
Notwithstanding the incoherent ramblings above, for anyone who is actually watching and considering the move, multiplying monthly guarantee by hourly rate is the lowest you can possibly be paid, and seldom actually happens.
Most make much, much more, as there is a big difference between credit hour and block hour.
This month I'm flying 23 actual hours, 6 days total, and making 75 hours for the trouble. Granted it's an outlier and I still can't believe I'm gonna pull it off, but it's a good example.
Most of the time at most places, you fly way less than what you credit, and make way more than MDG.
Most make much, much more, as there is a big difference between credit hour and block hour.
This month I'm flying 23 actual hours, 6 days total, and making 75 hours for the trouble. Granted it's an outlier and I still can't believe I'm gonna pull it off, but it's a good example.
Most of the time at most places, you fly way less than what you credit, and make way more than MDG.
A question for the guys who are over there - what position in Australia would you trade your spot in the US for, or if you already had it, would you not consider going to the US?
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
A question for the guys who are over there - what position in Australia would you trade your spot in the US for, or if you already had it, would you not consider going to the US?
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
How long do you want to stay?
If you decide long term, do you end up at a legacy.
Regardless of where you end up, if you stay, how many years do have before retirement?
What responsibilities do you have tying you to Oz? Kids, wife, home…..
etc, etc, etc.
Im not going to get into specifics because I can’t be bothered with those that will assume I’m simply trying to advertise the size of my d!ck but from a financial POV, getting hired at a legacy in the US was financially, the smartest thing I’ve ever done. After 7 years here, I’m now earning 3x what I earn’t as a 73 FO at VA. The only reason that’s not 5x is because I’m delaying my 73 command because I have small kids and I’d rather spend more time at home. And by the time I retire, I’m planning to have 4-5 times in my 401k, than I would’ve had in my Super.
Now personally, the cons are long..Not least of which is that my kids have American accents and I have to continually correct their grammar. Well that and the aforementioned lack of sausage rolls.
Last edited by Kenny; 18th May 2022 at 21:41.
This would extremely tricky for anyone to answer with any accuracy. Simply because there are so many variables……
How long do you want to stay?
If you decide long term, do you end up at a legacy.
Regardless of where you end up, if you stay, how many years do have before retirement?
What responsibilities do you have tying you to Oz? Kids, wife, home…..
etc, etc, etc.
Im not going to get into specifics because I can’t be bothered with those that will assume I’m simply trying to advertise the size of my d!ck but from a financial POV, getting hired at a legacy in the US was financially, the smartest thing I’ve ever done. After 7 years here, I’m now earning 3x what I earn’t as a 73 FO at VA. The only reason that’s not 5x is because I’m delaying my 73 command because I have small kids and I’d rather spend more time at home. And by the time I retire, I’m planning to have 4-5 times in my 401k, than I would’ve had in my Super.
Now personally, the cons are long..Not least of which is that my kids have American accents and I have to continually correct their grammar. Well that and the aforementioned lack of sausage rolls.
How long do you want to stay?
If you decide long term, do you end up at a legacy.
Regardless of where you end up, if you stay, how many years do have before retirement?
What responsibilities do you have tying you to Oz? Kids, wife, home…..
etc, etc, etc.
Im not going to get into specifics because I can’t be bothered with those that will assume I’m simply trying to advertise the size of my d!ck but from a financial POV, getting hired at a legacy in the US was financially, the smartest thing I’ve ever done. After 7 years here, I’m now earning 3x what I earn’t as a 73 FO at VA. The only reason that’s not 5x is because I’m delaying my 73 command because I have small kids and I’d rather spend more time at home. And by the time I retire, I’m planning to have 4-5 times in my 401k, than I would’ve had in my Super.
Now personally, the cons are long..Not least of which is that my kids have American accents and I have to continually correct their grammar. Well that and the aforementioned lack of sausage rolls.
Thanks for the reply Kenny, I appreciate that there are many variables.
So let’s say someone mid career, a kid or two, and (maybe I assume incorrectly) at the moment an E3 has no realistic prospect of joining a major so would top out with Spirit or the likes.
I would think that if you’re young and uncommitted it’s definitely the way to go. Also if you haven’t got much seniority and the family is keen. Mid career and on a decent, though deteriorating wicket, it’s trickier.
The temptation for me is that the hits to our contract and QoL in Aus are coming harder and faster. In a few years it’ll be too late - opportunity is knocking.
Thanks for the reply Kenny, I appreciate that there are many variables.
So let’s say someone mid career, a kid or two, and (maybe I assume incorrectly) at the moment an E3 has no realistic prospect of joining a major so would top out with Spirit or the likes.
I would think that if you’re young and uncommitted it’s definitely the way to go. Also if you haven’t got much seniority and the family is keen. Mid career and on a decent, though deteriorating wicket, it’s trickier.
The temptation for me is that the hits to our contract and QoL in Aus are coming harder and faster. In a few years it’ll be too late - opportunity is knocking.
So let’s say someone mid career, a kid or two, and (maybe I assume incorrectly) at the moment an E3 has no realistic prospect of joining a major so would top out with Spirit or the likes.
I would think that if you’re young and uncommitted it’s definitely the way to go. Also if you haven’t got much seniority and the family is keen. Mid career and on a decent, though deteriorating wicket, it’s trickier.
The temptation for me is that the hits to our contract and QoL in Aus are coming harder and faster. In a few years it’ll be too late - opportunity is knocking.
Now, going by what my mates that are CA’s at LCC’s tell me, they are making more than enough and they’re happy. So, it’s not all bad, if you don’t get to the majors. Personally, the financial reward at United, Delta or American is simply due in large part, to the extent they’re affected by any and all geopolitical situations that may or may not happen, at any time around the world. It doesn’t take much for things to go to sh!t and thousands get furloughed for a year or more. It’s happened before and at some stage, will likely happen again.
Let me put it like this. I have an Aussie mate, mid 40’s, ex CX skipper who quit and up-stakes to the US within days of getting his GC via the lottery. No kids but he is as happy a pilot as I’ve ever seen. And we are not the easiest bunch to keep happy.
Last edited by Kenny; 18th May 2022 at 22:34. Reason: Seppling
The most interesting contrast. between the two countries pilot cohorts:
For some insane reason, Australian pilots are agreeing to reduced terms to keep jobs with one of the biggest recruiting drives on the doorstep.
For some insane reason, American pilots are agreeing to increased terms due to one of the biggest recruiting drives on the doorstep.
Most of the regionals have increased their terms in an attempt to stabilise the pilot ranks, it's not working unfortunately, due to one of the biggest recruiting drives in history.
For some insane reason, Australian pilots are agreeing to reduced terms to keep jobs with one of the biggest recruiting drives on the doorstep.
For some insane reason, American pilots are agreeing to increased terms due to one of the biggest recruiting drives on the doorstep.
Most of the regionals have increased their terms in an attempt to stabilise the pilot ranks, it's not working unfortunately, due to one of the biggest recruiting drives in history.
A question for the guys who are over there - what position in Australia would you trade your spot in the US for, or if you already had it, would you not consider going to the US?
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
For example if you had a JQ command? JQ 78 FO? QF mainline LH FO? Mainline command?
I’m trying to gauge how high up the Australian aviation tree you’d have to be before you decided the US wasn’t worth it anymore. Personally I think it’s a no brainer for many, but the decision gets trickier the further you’ve advanced.
Am a somewhat senior A320 FO - I’d hazard a guess at ~5 years max to command, 787 FO within next 2 years (unless I wanted Sydney which would be right now).
I and at least 3 captains I fly with are seriously looking at Spirit and Atlas at this stage. And to an extent Breeze but not properly done the figures.
Would make more at either after 4 or 5 years there as an FO than I ever will as a Captain where I am. If I somehow managed to score a green card (don’t think wife would approve of me marrying into one..) then the opportunities are endless. Even if I didn’t, once you have an E3 approved with a company there’s a few extras you can move into with it in hand (Frontier for example).
Life isn’t all about money, but we’re getting to the pointy end here. Do I want to do it for the rest of my career (~30 years) and be pushing shit up an industrial hill every few years? I don’t think so. I love the job I do and the people I work with, but is that enough to satisfy me the rest of my career? Also probably not. My logic is I better strike while the iron’s hot. Then if it all doesn’t work out I’ll try my best to return to the back seat of some QF metal.. or even return here, honestly don’t feel like at this stage am giving up all that much to give it a crack much to many of my colleagues chagrin (an Australian narrowbody command opportunity, you’re nuts!!!)
QF Captain or long haul FO I wouldn’t be going anywhere. I’d be pushing 45+ by the time I even had a look in at those positions though.
Life isn’t all about money, but we’re getting to the pointy end here. Do I want to do it for the rest of my career (~30 years) and be pushing shit up an industrial hill every few years? I don’t think so. I love the job I do and the people I work with, but is that enough to satisfy me the rest of my career? Also probably not. My logic is I better strike while the iron’s hot. Then if it all doesn’t work out I’ll try my best to return to the back seat of some QF metal.. or even return here, honestly don’t feel like at this stage am giving up all that much to give it a crack much to many of my colleagues chagrin (an Australian narrowbody command opportunity, you’re nuts!!!)
I’ve always thought the US was insulated from the economic realities of an ever-increasingly expensive world, simply because of economies of scale and that it’s at least 10 years behind the rest of the developed world, when it comes to cost of living. The current economic issues facing the world have sped that up and it’s a lot more expensive here at the moment but I do wonder just how bad I’d find it if I was living is Sydney right now.
I will leave you with this though, it can be easy to leave, it’s not that easy to return. And it can be damn near impossible when your options are as limited as they are, in Australia.
Zebra, I go to great pains not to make moving to the US seem as if it’s paved with gold, or even that it’s not without its pitfalls but you sum up the conundrum perfectly. I was 43 when we left Sydney and VA. I knew what I was getting myself as I’d lived in the US for the 11 years prior to VA, flying an RJ with one of the best Regional Airlines in the US, at the time. Money isn’t everything but as my mum would say, it sure makes life easier. The problem is that an Australian narrow body command, simply isn’t going to pay that much. Not when you factor in the tax you’ll pay on that salary, not when you factor in the cost of living in the lucky country and certainly, not when you factor in the cost of buying a house. I’m not even talking about having having a couple of newish German cars in the garage or taking the family on holiday somewhere nice every year.
I’ve always thought the US was insulated from the economic realities of an ever-increasingly expensive world, simply because of economies of scale and that it’s at least 10 years behind the rest of the developed world, when it comes to cost of living. The current economic issues facing the world have sped that up and it’s a lot more expensive here at the moment but I do wonder just how bad I’d find it if I was living is Sydney right now.
I will leave you with this though, it can be easy to leave, it’s not that easy to return. And it can be damn near impossible when your options are as limited as they are, in Australia.
I’ve always thought the US was insulated from the economic realities of an ever-increasingly expensive world, simply because of economies of scale and that it’s at least 10 years behind the rest of the developed world, when it comes to cost of living. The current economic issues facing the world have sped that up and it’s a lot more expensive here at the moment but I do wonder just how bad I’d find it if I was living is Sydney right now.
I will leave you with this though, it can be easy to leave, it’s not that easy to return. And it can be damn near impossible when your options are as limited as they are, in Australia.
Australia is a lost cause at this rate
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Breeze face to face interview
All of the questions are honestly on aviatiointerviews.com and are all up to date. You have to pay for the full gouge.
The following Q’s are from an Aussie in Hong Kong who did this 4 days ago.
Two interviewers via Microsoft Teams
Very nice people…(one pilot one and cabin crew manager) no question is designed to catch you out.
No technical questions
No ATPL theory questions
No, so why do you want leave your company Q’s
generally a discussion to remove the ******** factor. It’s a nice company.
Questions regarding breeze core values:
one of each
Safety, Kindness, Integrity, Ingenuity & excellence (SKIIE)
TMAAT- Tell me about a time
TMAAT When you displayed each of the key values and what was the outcome.
Tell us about why (if any) are their gaps in your resume. COVID, lay-offs, gap year, resignation or Jail.
Why Breeze ?
research the company, CEO and his history, their plans
Questions for the interviewers as in what happens next.
They’ll let you know within 7 days
You’ll then be passed to the other team who manage onboarding and then the
Company lawyers who will sort emergency E3 appointments
The earliest they could have you (with visa in hand) on day 1 groundschool ATP/CTP/SEP type training is 6 weeks from CJO letter.
Conditional joining offer.
You can request Embraer or Airbus as preference but will be given based on company needs.
Basing also - where the company needs you first but you can bid thereafter.
Good luck
The following Q’s are from an Aussie in Hong Kong who did this 4 days ago.
Two interviewers via Microsoft Teams
Very nice people…(one pilot one and cabin crew manager) no question is designed to catch you out.
No technical questions
No ATPL theory questions
No, so why do you want leave your company Q’s
generally a discussion to remove the ******** factor. It’s a nice company.
Questions regarding breeze core values:
one of each
Safety, Kindness, Integrity, Ingenuity & excellence (SKIIE)
TMAAT- Tell me about a time
TMAAT When you displayed each of the key values and what was the outcome.
Tell us about why (if any) are their gaps in your resume. COVID, lay-offs, gap year, resignation or Jail.
Why Breeze ?
research the company, CEO and his history, their plans
Questions for the interviewers as in what happens next.
They’ll let you know within 7 days
You’ll then be passed to the other team who manage onboarding and then the
Company lawyers who will sort emergency E3 appointments
The earliest they could have you (with visa in hand) on day 1 groundschool ATP/CTP/SEP type training is 6 weeks from CJO letter.
Conditional joining offer.
You can request Embraer or Airbus as preference but will be given based on company needs.
Basing also - where the company needs you first but you can bid thereafter.
Good luck
I was wondering if that is true, and it doesn’t seem to be in either Australia or the USA. Lawyers caution against asking about criminal history on the application, but it is evidently fair game in the interview. In any event a security background check is required for the position. Almost certainly for the visa too.
I listened to a webinar from Spirit today and the rep (Australian guy) said that while nothing is confirmed yet, he's pushing for them to start sponsoring green cards and is optimistic that it will get approved. He said they'd probably only look at people who'd been there four years or so. No idea about any of the others.
PSA have mentioned in a few E3 webinars that their lawyers are looking into the details of potential greencard sponsorship.
Nothing confirmed also, but have heard they will be looking at it more seriously next year. They are waiting to see how successful their E3 program is before going to the next level.
Nothing confirmed also, but have heard they will be looking at it more seriously next year. They are waiting to see how successful their E3 program is before going to the next level.
