Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
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Confirmed PDT not accepting E3's any more. Once a regional ups their game regarding pay and QOL they have a lot less issues recruiting talent it seems and then no longer require new E3's.
XJT had a net loss of over 200 pilots in 2019, so their recruiting will for sure be ramping up into next year. Time to upgrade decreasing significantly more than previously reported as well.
XJT had a net loss of over 200 pilots in 2019, so their recruiting will for sure be ramping up into next year. Time to upgrade decreasing significantly more than previously reported as well.
E3 update. There are now Australians confirmed working at Atlas/Southern. The opportunities are slowly increasing. I don't have much info on them, but I'm sure others out there might have some good insights.
Fly safe.
Fly safe.
Turbine PIC time being what it's alleged to be in the hiring game, it may be that getting some at a regional would be a better choice ? Hard to make blanket statements but it's nice to have additional options available.
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Would it be possible to get an E3 Visa for a 415 FO job in the USA? This would be my dream job, but I guess the E3 is for Regionals only?
Thanks,
https://www.aviationjobs.me/2019/12/...Ic8nA8INZ7fv6Y
Thanks,
https://www.aviationjobs.me/2019/12/...Ic8nA8INZ7fv6Y
Would it be possible to get an E3 Visa for a 415 FO job in the USA? This would be my dream job, but I guess the E3 is for Regionals only?
Thanks,
https://www.aviationjobs.me/2019/12/...Ic8nA8INZ7fv6Y
Thanks,
https://www.aviationjobs.me/2019/12/...Ic8nA8INZ7fv6Y
The fixed wing fire carding process in the US is quite onerous (don’t have them in front of me right now), but you need X number of drops, X hours in mountainous terrain, X number hours PIC on type etc etc.
So even someone with a bunch of hours and a bunch of multi float time probably won’t even hear back unless they can contractually slot straight in as a Captain. They can organically grown FO’s locally so no real need to hire an FO on a 415 on an E3.
Last edited by havick; 3rd Jan 2020 at 18:47.
There’s a bunch of Aussies on E3’s flying on fires in helicopters and some on 802 Air Tractors in the Aussie off season. Fire operators only really take experienced pilots that meet all the contract minimums on E3 that can slot straight in and get carded by USFS/DOI as a Captain as that’s what they would be short on (if they are short at all).
The fixed wing fire carding process in the US is quite onerous (don’t have them in front of me right now), but you need X number of drops, X hours in mountainous terrain, X number hours PIC on type etc etc.
So even someone with a bunch of hours and a bunch of multi float time probably won’t even hear back unless they can contractually slot straight in as a Captain. They can organically grown FO’s locally so no real need to hire an FO on a 415 on an E3.
Could be possible? Worth a shot, good luck.
BAz
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Requirement to possess an FAA ATP to be considered
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There’s a bunch of Aussies on E3’s flying on fires in helicopters and some on 802 Air Tractors in the Aussie off season. Fire operators only really take experienced pilots that meet all the contract minimums on E3 that can slot straight in and get carded by USFS/DOI as a Captain as that’s what they would be short on (if they are short at all).
The fixed wing fire carding process in the US is quite onerous (don’t have them in front of me right now), but you need X number of drops, X hours in mountainous terrain, X number hours PIC on type etc etc.
So even someone with a bunch of hours and a bunch of multi float time probably won’t even hear back unless they can contractually slot straight in as a Captain. They can organically grown FO’s locally so no real need to hire an FO on a 415 on an E3.
Most of these companies rightly need a few seasons on the 415 from FOs before upgrading them, so nobody is going to be slotted streight into a Captain Seat no matter their qualifications, unless already a 415 Captain - and there just aren’t many of them floating around. Even for FOs, it’s increasingly increasingly difficult for companies to find suitable candidates - not many people around with multi-engine seaplane time (it’s a very different beast on the water compared to a single engine seaplane) mountain time, Ag rating and so on. Even the 415 operators in Canada are advertising for FOs, which is amazing as it used to be a closed shop. But of course as you say they’ll always give preference to local pilots, and want to hire people they can upgrade in minimum time (same as the Regionals I suppose). Anyhow, that’s all a bit beside the point...Just wanted to know if the E3 would cover the job, sounds like a possibility. Thanks again.
Thanks for that. I have the qualifications: (FAA ATP, Multi-Engine Seaplane time, Ag Rating, Low Level Experience, Mountain Time) - I know what qualifications they need, I was just wondering if the E3 can be used for aviation jobs outside the Regionals - sounds like it can be.
Most of these companies rightly need a few seasons on the 415 from FOs before upgrading them, so nobody is going to be slotted streight into a Captain Seat no matter their qualifications, unless already a 415 Captain - and there just aren’t many of them floating around. Even for FOs, it’s increasingly increasingly difficult for companies to find suitable candidates - not many people around with multi-engine seaplane time (it’s a very different beast on the water compared to a single engine seaplane) mountain time, Ag rating and so on. Even the 415 operators in Canada are advertising for FOs, which is amazing as it used to be a closed shop. But of course as you say they’ll always give preference to local pilots, and want to hire people they can upgrade in minimum time (same as the Regionals I suppose). Anyhow, that’s all a bit beside the point...Just wanted to know if the E3 would cover the job, sounds like a possibility. Thanks again.
Most of these companies rightly need a few seasons on the 415 from FOs before upgrading them, so nobody is going to be slotted streight into a Captain Seat no matter their qualifications, unless already a 415 Captain - and there just aren’t many of them floating around. Even for FOs, it’s increasingly increasingly difficult for companies to find suitable candidates - not many people around with multi-engine seaplane time (it’s a very different beast on the water compared to a single engine seaplane) mountain time, Ag rating and so on. Even the 415 operators in Canada are advertising for FOs, which is amazing as it used to be a closed shop. But of course as you say they’ll always give preference to local pilots, and want to hire people they can upgrade in minimum time (same as the Regionals I suppose). Anyhow, that’s all a bit beside the point...Just wanted to know if the E3 would cover the job, sounds like a possibility. Thanks again.
Regionals can’t really be compared with a non regional job here. You have to remember regionals have very little expectation, you’re just another number in a big system, nothing more nothing less. They literally will take pretty much anyone that meets FO mins.
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Thanks...good points. I did apply to the 415 job, but tend to think I’d have to turn-up in person and knock on the operators door to be considered. I doubt they’ve even heard of the E3 visa, and hence my resume with ‘Australian’ on it will likely go straight into the bin. A road trip to 415 operators in the USA is a good excuse for a holiday anyhow, so hopefully I can get around to that sometime and see how it goes from there!
Last edited by Jerry Springer; 4th Jan 2020 at 02:56.
Thanks...good points. I did apply to the 415 job, but tend to think I’d have to turn-up in person and knock the operators door to be considered. I doubt they’ve even heard of the E3 visa, and hence my resume with ‘Australian’ on it will likely go straight into the bin. A road trip to 415 operators in the USA is a good excuse for a holiday anyhow, so hopefully I can get around to that sometime and see how it goes from there!
I’m not suggesting your plan couldn’t come together at all, just expect a lot more resistance than the regional route is all.
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Yes thanks...as I mentioned, I have an FAA ATP, plenty of float time (6,000 hours on floats) multi-engine float time, Ag rating, mountain time (I have what they need for the advertised position) but yes, the negative is Regionals would be far easier to get into just because of the number of jobs and the precedent of E3 hiring...on the plus side what they’re after in terms of qualifications for the 415 is somewhat specialized - there just aren’t many people around with Multi-Engine seaplane time combined with Ag rating and so on....Anyhow, I do realize it’s a very long-shot, but can only throw my hat in the ring and see what happens! No loss to try and fail! Thanks again.
Interested to hear if the Aussies are part of the Union. Kinda undermines the position of every other pilot working there trying to get better working conditions.
I'd guess union membership would be the same for Aussies as anyone else. It'd get sticky for non-joiners when a picket line was set up. Not sure what the non-members are required to do in that case but that's pretty far off in the weeds.
Are you saying Aussies as a group wouldn't be inclined to join ? Sorry if I've misunderstood your post.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_shop
Last edited by bafanguy; 4th Jan 2020 at 12:15.
The number of Australian pilots working in the US is so insignificant that they wouldn't be jeopardizing anyones job security. All US based pilots working for unionized airlines (as far as I know) are paid up card carrying members.
I don't have stats for the percentage of nonmembers at unionized airlines but remember at my carrier at the time agency shop was implemented (admittedly some time ago), the non-member, non-dues-paying level was about 9%.
There's a reason for agency shop: nonmembers are getting the benefit of the union's efforts and should rightly pay something in return. (Trying to avoid some moral discussion.)
The effect of agency shop will change demographics over time. I'd be curious to know how the nonmember stats look today. I suspect you're very close to correct in saying that "all" pilots are full members these days.
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Be careful what you wish for because If US airlines higher up the 'food chain' than the regionals started taking E3s then you might suddenly find yourself not competitive.
Plenty of Aussies in the Middle East and Asia with US ATPs and 10,000 hours heavy jet.
Also don't kid yourself - you are scabbing on American pilots, particularly if being used to undermine conditions at places like Atlas or Southern.
Plenty of Aussies in the Middle East and Asia with US ATPs and 10,000 hours heavy jet.
Also don't kid yourself - you are scabbing on American pilots, particularly if being used to undermine conditions at places like Atlas or Southern.
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Also don't kid yourself - you are scabbing on American pilots, particularly if being used to undermine conditions at places like Atlas or Southern.
Be careful what you wish for because If US airlines higher up the 'food chain' than the regionals started taking E3s then you might suddenly find yourself not competitive.
Plenty of Aussies in the Middle East and Asia with US ATPs and 10,000 hours heavy jet.
Also don't kid yourself - you are scabbing on American pilots, particularly if being used to undermine conditions at places like Atlas or Southern.
Plenty of Aussies in the Middle East and Asia with US ATPs and 10,000 hours heavy jet.
Also don't kid yourself - you are scabbing on American pilots, particularly if being used to undermine conditions at places like Atlas or Southern.
By your criteria, ANYONE who takes a job with a regional or the likes of Atlas/Southern/ATI/Omni/Swift/National/Western Global/Miami Air/Sun Country, E3 or US citizen, is a "scab" ? Really ? Scab ? You might want to seek out a dictionary and some historical context before using such an inflammatory term.
Explain how people are going to go from being a 1500 hour CFI to UAL, AA, DL, SWA, FedEx,UPS, JB, Spirit, Frontier without a career-building stop somewhere along the way. These stops have ALWAYS been less than ideal and will always be less than ideal. It's been endlessly debated and decried to no avail...as it will be here.
You might want to properly use the term, scab, rather than just lobbing a fuzzy, emotional, intellectually dishonest hand grenade into a conversation.
Last edited by bafanguy; 4th Jan 2020 at 23:55.
