Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AUS
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Hey guys,
Firstly a BIG MASSIVE thank you to every single one who helped me from the start. You all know who you are, Ill leave your names out, apparently it’s a sin on pprune to try and help someone and I don’t want you guys being attacked by arm chair warriors for helping a bloke out.
From online application to job offer took me just over two weeks. Like I said before, the help from HR and the folks on pprune who helped me (Aussie and Americans) made the interview process and Visa process smooth sailing.
If there is any other Aussies out there looking into this option I can also now confirm, like many others have before, NO DEGREE required for E3 Visa. We have also now confirmed the MECIR chestnut.
Enjoy the weekend
Firstly a BIG MASSIVE thank you to every single one who helped me from the start. You all know who you are, Ill leave your names out, apparently it’s a sin on pprune to try and help someone and I don’t want you guys being attacked by arm chair warriors for helping a bloke out.
From online application to job offer took me just over two weeks. Like I said before, the help from HR and the folks on pprune who helped me (Aussie and Americans) made the interview process and Visa process smooth sailing.
If there is any other Aussies out there looking into this option I can also now confirm, like many others have before, NO DEGREE required for E3 Visa. We have also now confirmed the MECIR chestnut.
Enjoy the weekend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Perth
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This is the wording on the letter from the FAA regarding doing the FAA ATP checkride based on a foreign license. It doesn't say specifically that the MECIR has to be current, but the Airplane multi-engine class rating has to be current. Open to interpretation I guess. I had my MECIR current at the time of my Type rating/ATP checkride just to make sure.
Good news is that your CASA class 1 medical doesn't have to be current if you have a current FAA medical certificate which takes 15 minutes to do, and cost much less. Infact, the FAA doesn't even charge you for the medical certificate unlike CA$A, nor does the FAA charge you for the plastic credit card ATP license once you get the full license (or 'certificate' as they call it here). The FAA will issue you the license and medical for free.
Good news is that your CASA class 1 medical doesn't have to be current if you have a current FAA medical certificate which takes 15 minutes to do, and cost much less. Infact, the FAA doesn't even charge you for the medical certificate unlike CA$A, nor does the FAA charge you for the plastic credit card ATP license once you get the full license (or 'certificate' as they call it here). The FAA will issue you the license and medical for free.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AUS
Age: 35
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Hi DSJ,
Luckily my MEA class rating is till current for another year and I did my FAA medical as well was pretty straight forward, the only new thing is the "near vision" test with the FAA medical. Cant recall ever doing that with the CASA medical.
Luckily my MEA class rating is till current for another year and I did my FAA medical as well was pretty straight forward, the only new thing is the "near vision" test with the FAA medical. Cant recall ever doing that with the CASA medical.
This is the wording on the letter from the FAA regarding doing the FAA ATP checkride based on a foreign license. It doesn't say specifically that the MECIR has to be current, but the Airplane multi-engine class rating has to be current. Open to interpretation I guess. I had my MECIR current at the time of my Type rating/ATP checkride just to make sure.
Good news is that your CASA class 1 medical doesn't have to be current if you have a current FAA medical certificate which takes 15 minutes to do, and cost much less. Infact, the FAA doesn't even charge you for the medical certificate unlike CA$A, nor does the FAA charge you for the plastic credit card ATP license once you get the full license (or 'certificate' as they call it here). The FAA will issue you the license and medical for free.
Good news is that your CASA class 1 medical doesn't have to be current if you have a current FAA medical certificate which takes 15 minutes to do, and cost much less. Infact, the FAA doesn't even charge you for the medical certificate unlike CA$A, nor does the FAA charge you for the plastic credit card ATP license once you get the full license (or 'certificate' as they call it here). The FAA will issue you the license and medical for free.
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Outback
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night hours?
For someone who has minimal night hours, does anyone know if a large amount of night landings count towards credits towards night hours? It doesn't make sense to me but have been told this may be an avenue to those who don't meet night hour requirements for the ATP? Any advice is much appreciated
I was under the impression that 25 full night takeoffs and landings can be used to credit one additional hour each time to your night total for the issuance of an FAA ATP.
You can only use 20 - 25 full stops, not 19 or below, or 26 and above.
The scope and size of aviation in the USA is just totally beyond my comprehension. With the amount of interviews being done at Skywest, and some of the new hires spending little time on reserve, one wonders how many pilots they need until they are happy.
I suppose the new guys are coming in from the bottom just as quickly as the people moving onto bigger things are leaving, but its still insane to think about the actual size of the operation going on over there. I wonder how apparent a pilot shortage is. Would any guys over there already care to comment on whether it is a noticeable problem?
I suppose the new guys are coming in from the bottom just as quickly as the people moving onto bigger things are leaving, but its still insane to think about the actual size of the operation going on over there. I wonder how apparent a pilot shortage is. Would any guys over there already care to comment on whether it is a noticeable problem?
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Perth
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The size of the operation is hard to comprehend if you're coming from outside of the US. SkyWest as a regional is bigger than some of the majors such as Alaska/Virgin America. The ERJ175 fleet alone has a fleet of 106 aircraft with an additional 25 just announced for 2018 for the Delta and Alaska partners. The combined ERJ/CRJ fleet is over 400 aircraft and SkyWest operates 2300 flights per day.
The pilot shortage is real. I had a United Captain jumpseat on one of our flights and he was saying United alone, will be recruiting 1200 pilots in 2018. I would guess the other majors, Delta, American and Southwest will be needing pilots on a large scale too and they will be hoovering them up from the regionals such as SkyWest and their wholly owned subsidiaries.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Lower 48
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you're right, i had to re read the reg sorry. Basically If you've performed more than 20 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop, you can count each additional takeoff/landing pair as one hour of night flight time, up to 25 hours of total night credit. So really 75hrs + 45 takeoff/landings to full stop at night is the minimum requirement
Unless the FAA minimums were updated in the last week, I never saw that written anywhere.
I was under the impression that 25 full night takeoffs and landings can be used to credit one additional hour each time to your night total for the issuance of an FAA ATP.
You can only use 20 - 25 full stops, not 19 or below, or 26 and above.
I was under the impression that 25 full night takeoffs and landings can be used to credit one additional hour each time to your night total for the issuance of an FAA ATP.
You can only use 20 - 25 full stops, not 19 or below, or 26 and above.
Join Date: Apr 2017
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I thought that might have been the case I just wasn't 100% sure. Appreciate all the help. I've also heard that hours during your training may count towards some night hours as well. Anyone aware if that's true or not?
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Perth
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Yes, that's correct, but it's usually those who are short of multi time who are using the sim sessions to top up. Night sim exercise is only around 2 hours so if you're really short of night time, the 2 hours you do in sim is not going to help that much.
Hi Havick,
Could you please send me a private message when you get the chance?
I have some questions about Envoy (rosters etc.) and it would be great to chat to someone who is actually there.
Thanks
Could you please send me a private message when you get the chance?
I have some questions about Envoy (rosters etc.) and it would be great to chat to someone who is actually there.
Thanks
What a fantastic opportunity and kudos to those who have a crack.
If you have the hours and are happy to leave Oz, what a great opportunity.
So you get -
Airfares covered for relocation
ATPL paid for
Type rating paid for
Wage while all of that happens
Sign on bonus depending on which airline and how long you commit
NO BOND
Decent wage and fantastic flying with a real opportunity to updgrade in a decent time.
Or
Stay in Aussie GA, pay for the next rating, or be lucky and get a nice gig with it all paid for. Will your ATPL be paid for, the next type rating paid for salary sacrifice or bond?
Negatives I'm sure there are many including -
Return to Oz join the QF, JQ or V and to the bottom of the seniority pile you go, not to mention you will probably have to do the Aussie ATPL written exams ��.
So many pro's and con's one must weigh up personally how it works for you.
Don't forget after doing this you could enter the contact world of China where the serious money is, certainly not for everyone though.
Good luck and fook the Aussie tall poppy wanka syndrome for giving it to those that have a crack!
Alas it only works if you have a sense of adventure and WANT to leave Oz!
If you have the hours and are happy to leave Oz, what a great opportunity.
So you get -
Airfares covered for relocation
ATPL paid for
Type rating paid for
Wage while all of that happens
Sign on bonus depending on which airline and how long you commit
NO BOND
Decent wage and fantastic flying with a real opportunity to updgrade in a decent time.
Or
Stay in Aussie GA, pay for the next rating, or be lucky and get a nice gig with it all paid for. Will your ATPL be paid for, the next type rating paid for salary sacrifice or bond?
Negatives I'm sure there are many including -
Return to Oz join the QF, JQ or V and to the bottom of the seniority pile you go, not to mention you will probably have to do the Aussie ATPL written exams ��.
So many pro's and con's one must weigh up personally how it works for you.
Don't forget after doing this you could enter the contact world of China where the serious money is, certainly not for everyone though.
Good luck and fook the Aussie tall poppy wanka syndrome for giving it to those that have a crack!
Alas it only works if you have a sense of adventure and WANT to leave Oz!
They need as many as it takes to keep the wheels turning. That number is unknowable and can change radically by tomorrow...stay tuned.
As for how apparent the "shortage" is, it depends on the segment of the av industry...and, yes, it's HUGE here. The term "shortage" is undefined in most discussions which makes discussing/understanding it difficult since we can all be talking about different issues without a definition of the subject.
I say there's no "shortage". :-P
Last edited by bafanguy; 13th Sep 2017 at 21:52.
Join Date: Apr 2016
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Are Hawaiian airlines hiring on E3's?
Hey guys, thanks for posting some great info about working in the US.
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
Last edited by SAR driver; 14th Sep 2017 at 10:34. Reason: Grammar
You guys are young and energetic so you can go to school twice without difficulty. ;-))
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...vember-441063/
Hey guys, thanks for posting some great info about working in the US.
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
I recently enquired with Island Air in Hawaii as they were hiring captains and FOs for the Q400.
They said that you need your FAA licence and they would not provide any conversion. Safe to assume no Visa provided either.
Hey guys, thanks for posting some great info about working in the US.
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
I've been thinking about making the jump for a while now but would probably only be able to sell the idea to my wife if I could work in Hawaii.
Does anyone know if any Hawaiian airlines are hiring Aussies?
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Chicago
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Just throwing my 2 cents worth in - I was already in the USA on an E3 visa at a flight school. Applied to Piedmont and SkyWest and got accepted by both.
Piedmont was my first choice however they were struggling with the E3 visa process (sent me LCA's that weren't even submitted to the labor department etc). SkyWest is now a well oiled machine and had the LCA in my inbox 3 days after the interview. I waited for over a month and multiple phone calls / emails to PDT before I pulled the plug and got the E3 with SkyWest. Not a dig at PDT, just teething issues. With the E3 sorted and training program catching up with new sims, I would probably go to PDT if I was making the decision today because I did want to live in Philly and get the AA benefits.
I am happy at SkyWest, I have used the United travel benefits to get to and from Sydney from Chicago multiple times without issue, only issue has been ORD-LAX leg with a couple of jumpseats etc. The international leg has always had 30+ economy seats, I've had business twice and the other times I have had a 3 seater to myself in 'comfort economy' (just extra leg room - but only cost $22.50 in taxes so not going to complain lol). Family have used the benefits as well. Probably 10 return trips and so far made every flight (touch wood).
Looking back on my decision I am happy, I am sure I would have been happy at PDT as well. My last count was over 10 different regionals now offering the E3 visa. If I were picking a regional right now, I would go with either a WO or SkyWest and choose based on the base you want and flying you want to do. All are great companies, the WO do have better travel benefits but for AUS travel I think SkyWest is better if you land the Delta, AA and United benefits (maybe not business but it'll get you there with options and don't forget ZED after 6 months).
Within the USA SkyWest benefits are terrible compared to WO who load on at a higher category but hey its still free and sometimes as I have learned you have to go south to get north or east to go west (ORD-DTW-LAX)!!!
For those unhappy with the Aussies here 'taking US jobs', suck it up. We are not taking jobs from Americans, we are stopping planes being parked due to lack of pilots (Horizon?) and once the boom stops the E3 visas won't be renewed and we will all be out of your hair. This has happened in reverse with Americans coming to AUS on the 457 visa when the aviation industry here was in a bad place.
For those worried about people saying stuff for commission (bonuses) simple solution - ask them to split the bonus and you both win
Piedmont was my first choice however they were struggling with the E3 visa process (sent me LCA's that weren't even submitted to the labor department etc). SkyWest is now a well oiled machine and had the LCA in my inbox 3 days after the interview. I waited for over a month and multiple phone calls / emails to PDT before I pulled the plug and got the E3 with SkyWest. Not a dig at PDT, just teething issues. With the E3 sorted and training program catching up with new sims, I would probably go to PDT if I was making the decision today because I did want to live in Philly and get the AA benefits.
I am happy at SkyWest, I have used the United travel benefits to get to and from Sydney from Chicago multiple times without issue, only issue has been ORD-LAX leg with a couple of jumpseats etc. The international leg has always had 30+ economy seats, I've had business twice and the other times I have had a 3 seater to myself in 'comfort economy' (just extra leg room - but only cost $22.50 in taxes so not going to complain lol). Family have used the benefits as well. Probably 10 return trips and so far made every flight (touch wood).
Looking back on my decision I am happy, I am sure I would have been happy at PDT as well. My last count was over 10 different regionals now offering the E3 visa. If I were picking a regional right now, I would go with either a WO or SkyWest and choose based on the base you want and flying you want to do. All are great companies, the WO do have better travel benefits but for AUS travel I think SkyWest is better if you land the Delta, AA and United benefits (maybe not business but it'll get you there with options and don't forget ZED after 6 months).
Within the USA SkyWest benefits are terrible compared to WO who load on at a higher category but hey its still free and sometimes as I have learned you have to go south to get north or east to go west (ORD-DTW-LAX)!!!
For those unhappy with the Aussies here 'taking US jobs', suck it up. We are not taking jobs from Americans, we are stopping planes being parked due to lack of pilots (Horizon?) and once the boom stops the E3 visas won't be renewed and we will all be out of your hair. This has happened in reverse with Americans coming to AUS on the 457 visa when the aviation industry here was in a bad place.
For those worried about people saying stuff for commission (bonuses) simple solution - ask them to split the bonus and you both win