Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
Don't forget your TSA fingerprinting prior to the start of class. ( You don't strictly need it for Indoc or Ground School but definitely for sim.)
https://www.thupthupthup.com/fingerprint.htm
Best to come over with your Australian medical and IPC still valid.
PRIA forms.
FAA Restricted Radio Licence
Review the FAA ATP practice exams, Gleim or Sheppardair are good.
You need to do company pre-employment drug testing. Your company will nominate a lab for you to attend.
Social Security Number. When you arrive in the US, get it asap!
US bank account, you will need one for your payroll.
Moving and living in the US depends on you and your budget. Large cities are expensive, crowded, and sometimes sketchy. Smaller towns and regional cities are cheaper but you may have to commute to work.
Much like Australia, recruiting pilots will see straight through you if you start with a new company then bail then six months later. Show some loyalty to your new employer, after all, they are paying for your E3, ATP-CTP, Type Rating (bond free) and Accommodation. Most likely you will also be paid a Starting Bonus. If you leave early, you will have to pay the bonus back either pro-rata or the whole pre-tax amount, it depends on the company. If you really only intend to stay for a short period of time it would be best not to take the bonus check (cheque) at all.
Budget enough to get yourself a car.
Expect 5-7 days of company Indoc (Induction). Ground School and sims will either be AQP or an old-school TR with a jeopardy-type ride at the end. Any training failures are permanently recorded on your ATP license. You are required to disclose any training failures if you apply for another here job in the US. It will be picked up on PRIA anyway.
Training culture is different here. Come prepared, know your flows and scans, and memorize your emergency recalls and aircraft limits. Be humble, listen and learn from your instructors. Please don't invoke any Oztronaught "we did it this way" BS and you will be fine.
If you make it through training, company dependent, expect 50 hours OE with a check airman.
You may then be placed onto a reserve schedule, or you may be able to hold a bidding line depending on the company. Either way, you will normally be paid 75 hours of credit plus per diems (tax-free) if you fly.
Good Luck!
https://www.thupthupthup.com/fingerprint.htm
Best to come over with your Australian medical and IPC still valid.
PRIA forms.
FAA Restricted Radio Licence
Review the FAA ATP practice exams, Gleim or Sheppardair are good.
You need to do company pre-employment drug testing. Your company will nominate a lab for you to attend.
Social Security Number. When you arrive in the US, get it asap!
US bank account, you will need one for your payroll.
Moving and living in the US depends on you and your budget. Large cities are expensive, crowded, and sometimes sketchy. Smaller towns and regional cities are cheaper but you may have to commute to work.
Much like Australia, recruiting pilots will see straight through you if you start with a new company then bail then six months later. Show some loyalty to your new employer, after all, they are paying for your E3, ATP-CTP, Type Rating (bond free) and Accommodation. Most likely you will also be paid a Starting Bonus. If you leave early, you will have to pay the bonus back either pro-rata or the whole pre-tax amount, it depends on the company. If you really only intend to stay for a short period of time it would be best not to take the bonus check (cheque) at all.
Budget enough to get yourself a car.
Expect 5-7 days of company Indoc (Induction). Ground School and sims will either be AQP or an old-school TR with a jeopardy-type ride at the end. Any training failures are permanently recorded on your ATP license. You are required to disclose any training failures if you apply for another here job in the US. It will be picked up on PRIA anyway.
Training culture is different here. Come prepared, know your flows and scans, and memorize your emergency recalls and aircraft limits. Be humble, listen and learn from your instructors. Please don't invoke any Oztronaught "we did it this way" BS and you will be fine.
If you make it through training, company dependent, expect 50 hours OE with a check airman.
You may then be placed onto a reserve schedule, or you may be able to hold a bidding line depending on the company. Either way, you will normally be paid 75 hours of credit plus per diems (tax-free) if you fly.
Good Luck!
Last edited by Abroad145; 20th Jun 2022 at 14:24.
Looks like Red Wing Aviation is doing a a webinar on Thursday 23rd at 11am AEST. They're advertising captains and FOs. Here's the link to the zoom meeting.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86770496632#success
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86770496632#success
Be interesting to see if anything comes of this. Think it's the first time someone from the ALPA has written directly the DHS about E3's.
Fellow Spirit ALPA Pilots,Today, ALPA President Joe DePete and I sent a joint letter (attached) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressing the misuse of E-3 visas. The MEC is concerned that Spirit is seeking to misuse this "specialty occupation" visa designation to artificially suppress pilot compensation and displace qualified U.S. workers.
The MEC has spoken to management time and again about our concerns over attrition and offered solutions - namely opening Section 6 negotiations early to improve our pay rates and work rules to allow Spirit to attract and retain qualified U.S. pilots.
The Company has chosen not to pursue contract improvements through bargaining at this time, but instead is investing its time on a recruiting trip to Australia in July, with the intention of filling open pilot positions through the E-3 visa program.
Over the past several years, some U.S. airlines have attempted to use this E-3 visa scheme to avoid market pressure to improve wages and working conditions, exploit labor standards, and undermine collective bargaining. The SPA MEC and the full weight of ALPA National stand firmly against this anti-labor scheme.
In our letter to Secretary Mayorkas, we asked him to adopt past agency decisions as precedent establishing that airline pilot jobs are not a "specialty occupation" and coordinate with the Department of State to ensure that E-3 reviewers apply that precedent consistently.
We will continue to watch this issue closely and advocate not only for the jobs of all Spirit pilots but for all U.S. pilot jobs.
In Unity,
Captain Ryan P. Muller
SPA MEC Chairman
The MEC has spoken to management time and again about our concerns over attrition and offered solutions - namely opening Section 6 negotiations early to improve our pay rates and work rules to allow Spirit to attract and retain qualified U.S. pilots.
The Company has chosen not to pursue contract improvements through bargaining at this time, but instead is investing its time on a recruiting trip to Australia in July, with the intention of filling open pilot positions through the E-3 visa program.
Over the past several years, some U.S. airlines have attempted to use this E-3 visa scheme to avoid market pressure to improve wages and working conditions, exploit labor standards, and undermine collective bargaining. The SPA MEC and the full weight of ALPA National stand firmly against this anti-labor scheme.
In our letter to Secretary Mayorkas, we asked him to adopt past agency decisions as precedent establishing that airline pilot jobs are not a "specialty occupation" and coordinate with the Department of State to ensure that E-3 reviewers apply that precedent consistently.
We will continue to watch this issue closely and advocate not only for the jobs of all Spirit pilots but for all U.S. pilot jobs.
In Unity,
Captain Ryan P. Muller
SPA MEC Chairman
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They need 1000s of pilots at all carriers. I can’t see the government stepping in and stopping E3’s because a LCC is hiring maybe 20 or 30 FO’s. The Biden administration is so inept. They let 10000 illegal immigrants in weekly I don’t think a few Aussies are going to cause a stir. Plus we have reciprocated visas with our government. You’ll be a 10 year captain before this gets traction
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Hi folks
I have 3 LCA's on hand and a Spirit Airlines interview coming up. My earliest E3 Visa appointment is NOV 1st. And emergency request for an earlier interview was rejected even though I have the letter from the company requesting urgency. Any ideas chaps on where even another country should be the fastest place to get an E3 visa consulate appointment?
I have 3 LCA's on hand and a Spirit Airlines interview coming up. My earliest E3 Visa appointment is NOV 1st. And emergency request for an earlier interview was rejected even though I have the letter from the company requesting urgency. Any ideas chaps on where even another country should be the fastest place to get an E3 visa consulate appointment?
Fiji is out. I've heard Hamburg is in, Singapore is in, Honk Kong is in but would probably come with some pretty tight restrictions on your travel. I think South Africa, but not sure which city there.
I think there's a facebook group that discusses this but don't know the name of this group, maybe someone will PM you.
I think there's a facebook group that discusses this but don't know the name of this group, maybe someone will PM you.
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Hi folks
I have 3 LCA's on hand and a Spirit Airlines interview coming up. My earliest E3 Visa appointment is NOV 1st. And emergency request for an earlier interview was rejected even though I have the letter from the company requesting urgency. Any ideas chaps on where even another country should be the fastest place to get an E3 visa consulate appointment?
I have 3 LCA's on hand and a Spirit Airlines interview coming up. My earliest E3 Visa appointment is NOV 1st. And emergency request for an earlier interview was rejected even though I have the letter from the company requesting urgency. Any ideas chaps on where even another country should be the fastest place to get an E3 visa consulate appointment?
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airline pilot jobs are not a "specialty occupation"
One wonders why some many US airlines are not able to recruit the 'vulgar' employees that they are in need of ?
One also wonders if Spirit would fulfil all the 'Section 6' suggestions that SPA MEC recommends that would really fix the issue ?
They are only processing requests for Fiji nationals. Not E3 requests, that's only for Australians, but other requests. (A mate went there but got caught out by this)
Oh ok, I asked the visa help line and there was no indication that they wouldn't process non nationals Suva for non immigrate visas.
So what's the go with Port Moresby, do you pay online in advance and then book an interview for the Tuesday and have your passport back end of the day? Stay two nights in Moresby?
Is it the same for Singapore pay online and book the appointment in advance and then turn up, and a process time of 7 days?
So what's the go with Port Moresby, do you pay online in advance and then book an interview for the Tuesday and have your passport back end of the day? Stay two nights in Moresby?
Is it the same for Singapore pay online and book the appointment in advance and then turn up, and a process time of 7 days?
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I got told from Singapore consulate that they don’t want to do an E3 as they don’t understand the process for non resident of Singapore ( as in their pre requisite, employment and conditions based on E3) which I find tham a bit unsure of processing an E3 and they are suggesting I need to do it here in australia . So I think this option is out for me . PNG is not a bad option . Will someone care to detail the process here from start to finish would be very useful and also any other avenues closer to australia.
thanks
MD
thanks
MD
Recent example, Moresby appt 14th June, in morning. Picked up passport following morning with E3 in passport.
prob a good idea on arrival to tell customs that you just visiting png rather than going to US consulate to get visa. They can get a bit sensitive.
prob a good idea on arrival to tell customs that you just visiting png rather than going to US consulate to get visa. They can get a bit sensitive.
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Consulate appointments
Hello Fellow Aviators
Anyone who made an appointment outside of Australia apart from PNG or just recently got their E3 approved?
If someone could please shed some light on the consulates where appointments are available within 2-3 weeks and 2-3 day turnaround.
As rumours have it… SIN, Fiji and Japan is not wanting to entertain E3’s anymore.
TIA all
Anyone who made an appointment outside of Australia apart from PNG or just recently got their E3 approved?
If someone could please shed some light on the consulates where appointments are available within 2-3 weeks and 2-3 day turnaround.
As rumours have it… SIN, Fiji and Japan is not wanting to entertain E3’s anymore.
TIA all
Last edited by Another Pilot; 30th Jun 2022 at 08:52.
Hello Fellow Aviators
Anyone who made an appointment outside of Australia apart from PNG or just recently got their E3 approved?
If someone could please shed some light on the consulates where appointments are available within 2-3 weeks and 2-3 day turnaround.
As rumours have it… SIN, Fiji and Japan is not wanting to entertain E3’s anymore.
TIA all
Anyone who made an appointment outside of Australia apart from PNG or just recently got their E3 approved?
If someone could please shed some light on the consulates where appointments are available within 2-3 weeks and 2-3 day turnaround.
As rumours have it… SIN, Fiji and Japan is not wanting to entertain E3’s anymore.
TIA all
[email protected]
Good luck