Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
I certainly don't know but would be surprised if there were contractual stipulations affecting only E3s. They're too few in number and too odd a variation on a theme to be contractually addressed. Contracts are laborious processes.
Now company policy is another matter. E3s work on the willingness of the company to continue playing ball. As soon as the company takes their ball and bat and leaves, the game is over. And ALPA likely won't jump to their defense.
Skywest seem to be the most financially prudent regional over there, and having Australian pilots is obviously now costing them money that they no longer wish to spend. If I was still there I would be planning an exit strategy, just as a precaution.
They didn’t announce it when they stopped hiring us, and they will do the same when they stop renewing us.
The “she’ll be right” attitude doesn’t work over there.
They didn’t announce it when they stopped hiring us, and they will do the same when they stop renewing us.
The “she’ll be right” attitude doesn’t work over there.
E3s are the property of the employee. They are not sponsored visas. Australians are employed in exactly the same capacity as everyone else. They can't just "not renew" them, because it wouldn't be a valid reason for termination.
Just have to hope for some good will towards the employees from the employers when the time comes for the people who wish to remain here to renew. But with all things aviation and economy related, who knows what will happen.
Enjoy the ride and make the most of it while you can is my view!
Aussies cannot participate in the United CPP unless they find themselves a greencard. The difference when compared to an AA wholly owned flow is that the CPP doesn't contractually guarantee you a job.
Re: the potential for E3s to not be renewed. It is possible that it might happen, but once an Aussie is on property they cost no more than a US pilot. The renewal is simply a letter, and the Aussie pays the ~$150 fee at the consulate.
Personally I don't think the music will stop anytime soon, all you have to do is look at the mandatory retirements on the APC site. I heard from a buddy that AA will hire 1000 pilots next year.
Re: the potential for E3s to not be renewed. It is possible that it might happen, but once an Aussie is on property they cost no more than a US pilot. The renewal is simply a letter, and the Aussie pays the ~$150 fee at the consulate.
Personally I don't think the music will stop anytime soon, all you have to do is look at the mandatory retirements on the APC site. I heard from a buddy that AA will hire 1000 pilots next year.
It'd take a crystal ball to know for sure. The first thing that comes to my mind is the general slowing of the US economy and the ripple effect on the airlines, top to bottom. If the majors slow down hiring (even in light of the large age-outs in the mid 2020s), fewer regional pilots will move up and regional hiring will slow down. This will give the few regionals taking E3 Aussies an excuse to not take any more...or even not help renew the ones they have now. It won't even require the cubicle droids of the Imperial Federal kakistocracy to do anything.
We'll see...I sure don't know what's coming but LostWanderer's advice to move on it now is probably a good idea if one is inclined. You might get something out of it to help your career long term.
Last edited by bafanguy; 26th Dec 2018 at 06:30.
DropYourSocks are you suggesting that Bridge US are working for free? Australians are most certainly costing Skywest more money when compared to hiring an American pilot.
As I stated before, if I was still there I would be planning an exit strategy.
As I stated before, if I was still there I would be planning an exit strategy.
Any idea how much each E3 costs Skywest in admin costs ? And do all regionals accepting E3s use Bridge US ?
I guess I unconsciously assumed that once the process was set up with professional help it could be run in-house by the regional. Apparently not ?
I don’t know exactly what the costs are however initially Skywest was managing the immigration legalities in house. Later when the numbers increased they outsourced the management of the entire process to Bridge US who are still currently looking after it. My personal dealings with Bridge led me to believe that they were highly incompetent but that is another story.
Joe,
I said once an Aussie is on property they cost no more than a US pilot. I don't know what Skywest does, but here is the process:
Airline spends money for lawyer to draw up the labor application, which takes a few weeks to be approved. It is then sent to the recruit.
Aussie goes and interviews at the consulate at his own expense and obtains visa.
Aussie is flown to the US at airlines expense (not always the case mind you, but it is where I'm at)
From here the Aussie and US pilot are costing the same. Both require ATP CTP, hotels, ground school etc.
In 2 years when renewal comes around, lawyer again to draw up labor application at companies expense. Does this cost more than not renewing you and training a brand new pilot who won't upgrade to your captain seat for at least another 18 months? Who knows.
This is why in my opinion the Aussies on property already are *safe enough*, particularly as they start to upgrade. Everyone here can see first hand the shortage of Captains in particular.
As Bafanguy correctly states though, for any number of reasons it could all come grinding to a halt. In fact the news about UA buying Expressjet could very well mean in the near future Aussies will no longer be hired at C5. All I'm saying is that those already here that have been invested in are unlikely to get turfed.
Your mileage may vary though, and having a plan B is wise.
Well said.
And more so, guys who are reaching the education/industry experience levels to qualify for an E3, can I just say from talking to some recent guys...don't quit your job right away if you don't have everything you need eg; industry experience or if you don't have evidence. Wait til you have approval issued.
I touched on it earlier but it appears proving your work experience in lieu of an aviation degree with written back up from previous employers is becoming more standard. This poor lad I met was un-employed for many months after being offered a job in the US and then having to go chasing up all the documents the consulate decided he had to show to get an E3. Written statements documenting you were an actual employed commercial pilot on company letter heads he told me he had to get - not an easy task if you leave somewhere on bad terms or the company has ceased operation.
I gather they were extremely thorough checking it out as well. I know people might have different experiences but I have heard this now from more than a few people so be wise, plan on it happening if you don't hold a degree and want to rely on the industry experience road. It can still be done, but sounds like doing it smart is the way to go.
And more so, guys who are reaching the education/industry experience levels to qualify for an E3, can I just say from talking to some recent guys...don't quit your job right away if you don't have everything you need eg; industry experience or if you don't have evidence. Wait til you have approval issued.
I touched on it earlier but it appears proving your work experience in lieu of an aviation degree with written back up from previous employers is becoming more standard. This poor lad I met was un-employed for many months after being offered a job in the US and then having to go chasing up all the documents the consulate decided he had to show to get an E3. Written statements documenting you were an actual employed commercial pilot on company letter heads he told me he had to get - not an easy task if you leave somewhere on bad terms or the company has ceased operation.
I gather they were extremely thorough checking it out as well. I know people might have different experiences but I have heard this now from more than a few people so be wise, plan on it happening if you don't hold a degree and want to rely on the industry experience road. It can still be done, but sounds like doing it smart is the way to go.
You'd certainly need an FAA ATP. I doubt Hawaiian is taking E3s but suspect they take green cards and dual citizenships. Competition is likely just as stiff as any other career-destination carrier:
https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/abo...lot-recruiting
Last edited by bafanguy; 31st Dec 2018 at 17:31.
Hawaiian has no trouble at all getting pilot applicants. Absolutely no E3 pathway and is highly competitive for locals with significant 121 command time, my understanding is they also tend to heavily favour Hawaiian residents/locals. But with all things, probably best to go directly to the company and ask recruitment. Good luck!
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