Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
Not sure how much I saw. Working for a US legacy for 30+ years, flying my trips and going home doesn't mean I know much about the av world at large. It may mean I know less ! But pilot supply/demand has been something I've followed since the mid 1960s.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Location
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could be right, Bafanguy. XJT has just released that they are putting 36 extra 145's to work this year, which will be coming straight from TSA. XJT is now also getting rid of their 175's and consolidating their fleet to only 145's. Which means retraining all of their 175 pilots (those of which want to stick around, a lot will no doubt leave to other operators who have 175's). Also, all those TSA pilots need to go somewhere. This could create a backlog in training and a slow down in new hires, particularly for E3's. I did my interview in mid-late January, and I've been waiting 6 weeks for my LCA, something that is only supposed to take 5-10 days. Recruiting keeps telling me to hang in there and that it's being held up by the gov't not signing off on the LCA and it's out of their hands, but the delay ties in very well with the release of this news. I could be wrong and it might come through once this settles, but those considering right now, I'd look at Gojet as your #1 for the moment. Also, PDT are not taking e3's.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YSSY
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In that case, your decision is much more complicated.
Not sure how much I saw. Working for a US legacy for 30+ years, flying my trips and going home doesn't mean I know much about the av world at large. It may mean I know less ! But pilot supply/demand has been something I've followed since the mid 1960s.
Not sure how much I saw. Working for a US legacy for 30+ years, flying my trips and going home doesn't mean I know much about the av world at large. It may mean I know less ! But pilot supply/demand has been something I've followed since the mid 1960s.
Yep, I forgot. 
Not sure where I got the idea they did. Maybe they did at some point in the past ? This shell game is getting hard to follow.
XJT does ( or did) take E3s and has this deal for those who can be upgraded:
https://www.aviationpros.com/airline...pilot-captains
Not sure where I got the idea they did. Maybe they did at some point in the past ? This shell game is getting hard to follow.XJT does ( or did) take E3s and has this deal for those who can be upgraded:
https://www.aviationpros.com/airline...pilot-captains
Last edited by bafanguy; 25th Feb 2020 at 12:59.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Europe
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The regs are pretty specific. They require 1000 hours of part 121 time which is FAA part 121 opspec carrier. Has been done to death, no way around it.
PPSS,
Not being an expert, all I can offer is an opinion with which there will certainly be disagreement: I'm always skeptical when these airlines claim "pilot shortage" as a reason of poor financial/operational performance by the company. Maybe it is...maybe it's a cover for bad management. Republic was once bankrupt claiming pilot shortage as the reason (excuse). Look at them now.
I hold the same skepticism about the TSA case. Time will tell. I offer the following excerpts from the TSA memo posted above:
From the first page of that TSA memo:
“Last year was an exceptionally challenging financial year and early indications point to 2020 continuing down the same path.
“…we are facing a captain shortage (not "pilot" shortage) that will result in an inability to meet our increased productivity objectives and even our current contractual flying obligations.”
“The imbalance between Captains and First Officers is so extreme…”
Notice they didn't say "pilot" shortage. They've apparently got plenty of F/Os. It may be that lots of them don't have the 1,000 hours Part 121 time for upgrade but this is a time issue...not a supply issue. It may be that what the company offered in terms of pay, etc. wasn't enough to attract DECs in any numbers. These are management issues including manipulation by the regional mainline overlords and not industry issues.
Are the regionals that offer more attractive Ts & Cs having trouble recruiting/upgrading people ? Are other regionals closing the doors for lack of pilots ? I say the whole issue is much more complex that a simple pilot shortage.
So, I say get Up Here and get some of this if you have no better options Down There. Dumping the TSA pilots in the street may make it more difficult for new E3 applicants for a while but give it a try...even if you have to go to PDT.
And as for life here, you won't be shot and killed. I've lived here for 70+ years and haven't even had a gun pointed at me nor do I know anyone who has.
Best of luck to you.
Not being an expert, all I can offer is an opinion with which there will certainly be disagreement: I'm always skeptical when these airlines claim "pilot shortage" as a reason of poor financial/operational performance by the company. Maybe it is...maybe it's a cover for bad management. Republic was once bankrupt claiming pilot shortage as the reason (excuse). Look at them now.
I hold the same skepticism about the TSA case. Time will tell. I offer the following excerpts from the TSA memo posted above:
From the first page of that TSA memo:
“Last year was an exceptionally challenging financial year and early indications point to 2020 continuing down the same path.
“…we are facing a captain shortage (not "pilot" shortage) that will result in an inability to meet our increased productivity objectives and even our current contractual flying obligations.”
“The imbalance between Captains and First Officers is so extreme…”
Notice they didn't say "pilot" shortage. They've apparently got plenty of F/Os. It may be that lots of them don't have the 1,000 hours Part 121 time for upgrade but this is a time issue...not a supply issue. It may be that what the company offered in terms of pay, etc. wasn't enough to attract DECs in any numbers. These are management issues including manipulation by the regional mainline overlords and not industry issues.
Are the regionals that offer more attractive Ts & Cs having trouble recruiting/upgrading people ? Are other regionals closing the doors for lack of pilots ? I say the whole issue is much more complex that a simple pilot shortage.
So, I say get Up Here and get some of this if you have no better options Down There. Dumping the TSA pilots in the street may make it more difficult for new E3 applicants for a while but give it a try...even if you have to go to PDT.
And as for life here, you won't be shot and killed. I've lived here for 70+ years and haven't even had a gun pointed at me nor do I know anyone who has.
Best of luck to you.
Basically they say yes to everything and then try work out how to make it work after the fact. It happened with their AA flying that they ended up losing, and now the same thing with their UA flying.
The company blames the pilot shortage, which is true to some degree, but ultimately it’s bad management. They bit off more than they can chew, and couldn’t back it up with staffing, maintenance etc.
Could be right, Bafanguy. XJT has just released that they are putting 36 extra 145's to work this year, which will be coming straight from TSA. XJT is now also getting rid of their 175's and consolidating their fleet to only 145's. Which means retraining all of their 175 pilots (those of which want to stick around, a lot will no doubt leave to other operators who have 175's). Also, all those TSA pilots need to go somewhere. This could create a backlog in training and a slow down in new hires, particularly for E3's. I did my interview in mid-late January, and I've been waiting 6 weeks for my LCA, something that is only supposed to take 5-10 days. Recruiting keeps telling me to hang in there and that it's being held up by the gov't not signing off on the LCA and it's out of their hands, but the delay ties in very well with the release of this news. I could be wrong and it might come through once this settles, but those considering right now, I'd look at Gojet as your #1 for the moment. Also, PDT are not taking e3's.
CJO came through 15 minutes after the SKYPE interview mid Jan.
Still waiting for company support letter / LCA. just this morning got an email from recruiting saying hurry up & wait.
" I am still waiting on that from my legal department " All the E3s are in the same boat apparently.
The timing is ominous.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YSSY
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Same boat with XJT.
CJO came through 15 minutes after the SKYPE interview mid Jan.
Still waiting for company support letter / LCA. just this morning got an email from recruiting saying hurry up & wait.
" I am still waiting on that from my legal department " All the E3s are in the same boat apparently.
The timing is ominous.
CJO came through 15 minutes after the SKYPE interview mid Jan.
Still waiting for company support letter / LCA. just this morning got an email from recruiting saying hurry up & wait.
" I am still waiting on that from my legal department " All the E3s are in the same boat apparently.
The timing is ominous.
Same boat with XJT.
CJO came through 15 minutes after the SKYPE interview mid Jan.
Still waiting for company support letter / LCA. just this morning got an email from recruiting saying hurry up & wait.
" I am still waiting on that from my legal department " All the E3s are in the same boat apparently.
The timing is ominous.
CJO came through 15 minutes after the SKYPE interview mid Jan.
Still waiting for company support letter / LCA. just this morning got an email from recruiting saying hurry up & wait.
" I am still waiting on that from my legal department " All the E3s are in the same boat apparently.
The timing is ominous.
With a few regionals now closing down and the majors consolidating flying to the rest happening it may take them awhile to figure out what they are needing to do staff wise. Quite a few guys out on the hunt for work now I'd imagine. It may take time but it will improve again!
On a side note, Im not sure who still is actively hiring Aussies but XJT is probably one of the safer bets when things start happening again.
GoJet I would potentially be a little wary of, they are part of TSH...the same parent company who run Compass and TSA...probably not the greatest odds of longer term survival statistically, but who knows.
My understanding is GoJet don't own most if not all of their jets so potentially could end up in another TSA situation where UA/DL can pull the planes at short notice and give them to another operator and force closure, which is exactly whats happened to Compass and TSA. Also keep in mind, a lot of these airlines will keep hiring and tell you how peachy things are right up until the moment they email everyone and announce they are shutting down...Obviously no one can predict the future and I hope everything works out for everyone but I'd tread carefully at the moment while things are somewhat uncertain.
Truly hoping the Aussies who are flying at TSA find work. I think there were quite a few of them from what I had heard...tough to have to start at the bottom of the seniority list again, especially when the pool of E3 operators is shrinking, a bunch of US citizens are on the market looking for a new gig and a potential flu epidemic on the doorstep.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YSSY
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's looking like it might be turning into a rough time for aviation in Australia and the US...Corona virus fears, tourism downturn, operators going out of business/failing to turn a profit, majors slowly cutting more of their flying - which also slows hiring - which also slows movement at the regionals...things can sure change fast.
With a few regionals now closing down and the majors consolidating flying to the rest happening it may take them awhile to figure out what they are needing to do staff wise. Quite a few guys out on the hunt for work now I'd imagine. It may take time but it will improve again!
On a side note, Im not sure who still is actively hiring Aussies but XJT is probably one of the safer bets when things start happening again.
GoJet I would potentially be a little wary of, they are part of TSH...the same parent company who run Compass and TSA...probably not the greatest odds of longer term survival statistically, but who knows.
My understanding is GoJet don't own most if not all of their jets so potentially could end up in another TSA situation where UA/DL can pull the planes at short notice and give them to another operator and force closure, which is exactly whats happened to Compass and TSA. Also keep in mind, a lot of these airlines will keep hiring and tell you how peachy things are right up until the moment they email everyone and announce they are shutting down...Obviously no one can predict the future and I hope everything works out for everyone but I'd tread carefully at the moment while things are somewhat uncertain.
Truly hoping the Aussies who are flying at TSA find work. I think there were quite a few of them from what I had heard...tough to have to start at the bottom of the seniority list again, especially when the pool of E3 operators is shrinking, a bunch of US citizens are on the market looking for a new gig and a potential flu epidemic on the doorstep.
With a few regionals now closing down and the majors consolidating flying to the rest happening it may take them awhile to figure out what they are needing to do staff wise. Quite a few guys out on the hunt for work now I'd imagine. It may take time but it will improve again!
On a side note, Im not sure who still is actively hiring Aussies but XJT is probably one of the safer bets when things start happening again.
GoJet I would potentially be a little wary of, they are part of TSH...the same parent company who run Compass and TSA...probably not the greatest odds of longer term survival statistically, but who knows.
My understanding is GoJet don't own most if not all of their jets so potentially could end up in another TSA situation where UA/DL can pull the planes at short notice and give them to another operator and force closure, which is exactly whats happened to Compass and TSA. Also keep in mind, a lot of these airlines will keep hiring and tell you how peachy things are right up until the moment they email everyone and announce they are shutting down...Obviously no one can predict the future and I hope everything works out for everyone but I'd tread carefully at the moment while things are somewhat uncertain.
Truly hoping the Aussies who are flying at TSA find work. I think there were quite a few of them from what I had heard...tough to have to start at the bottom of the seniority list again, especially when the pool of E3 operators is shrinking, a bunch of US citizens are on the market looking for a new gig and a potential flu epidemic on the doorstep.
Not sure for GoJet?
For XJT, Time from application to interview for me was 4 weeks.
This was my choice, time to prep, could have been sooner I'd wanted.
You can schedule interview slots Mon - Fri 09:00 or 15:00 EST (bear in mind this is Atlanta GA local not AEST)
Notification and CJO email 15 minutes after successful SKYPE interview (interview 45 minutes).
Still waiting for LCA, I started the initial application early December.
As for advise, do your homework, just be yourself and don't bullshit. The interview was very friendly and low stress.
Oh and know how to confidently brief an US Jepp plate, if unsure YouTube is your friend!!
Good Luck
BAz
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YSSY
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPSS,
Not sure for GoJet?
For XJT, Time from application to interview for me was 4 weeks.
This was my choice, time to prep, could have been sooner I'd wanted.
You can schedule interview slots Mon - Fri 09:00 or 15:00 EST (bear in mind this is Atlanta GA local not AEST)
Notification and CJO email 15 minutes after successful SKYPE interview (interview 45 minutes).
Still waiting for LCA, I started the initial application early December.
As for advise, do your homework, just be yourself and don't bullshit. The interview was very friendly and low stress.
Oh and know how to confidently brief an US Jepp plate, if unsure YouTube is your friend!!
Good Luck
BAz
Not sure for GoJet?
For XJT, Time from application to interview for me was 4 weeks.
This was my choice, time to prep, could have been sooner I'd wanted.
You can schedule interview slots Mon - Fri 09:00 or 15:00 EST (bear in mind this is Atlanta GA local not AEST)
Notification and CJO email 15 minutes after successful SKYPE interview (interview 45 minutes).
Still waiting for LCA, I started the initial application early December.
As for advise, do your homework, just be yourself and don't bullshit. The interview was very friendly and low stress.
Oh and know how to confidently brief an US Jepp plate, if unsure YouTube is your friend!!
Good Luck
BAz
Actually I havent done much research regarding any of the regional carriers. Only recently started looking into it. The sign on bonus for GoJet seems pretty handsome compared to any other reginal jet. Buy I wouldn't mind knowing what the consensus in general are regarding the major ones that accept E3. I believe its Gojet, Expressjet, Commuteair and Atlas..
Cheers Baz
A CJO is a Conditional Job Offer. It means they've interviewed you and finding you a proper candidate, a job is offered pending further admin stuff like background check, drug testing, etc.
LCA is a Labor Condition Application:"The first step in the process is done by your potential employer. They must file what is called a “Labor Condition Application” (LCA) to start the entire e3 visa processing routine."
e3 Visa Processing - How to Get an e3 Work Visa for Australians
LCA is a Labor Condition Application:"The first step in the process is done by your potential employer. They must file what is called a “Labor Condition Application” (LCA) to start the entire e3 visa processing routine."
e3 Visa Processing - How to Get an e3 Work Visa for Australians
Getting told your potential employer is waiting for the government to sign off on the LCA is BS.
Who knows if skywest will ever take back E3s. Now with 25 more 175s to suddenly crew, who knows? Might be worth asking.
Who knows if skywest will ever take back E3s. Now with 25 more 175s to suddenly crew, who knows? Might be worth asking.
" I’m sorry, SkyWest does not offer any type of work sponsorship. We used to sponsor E3, and discontinued that in September 2018. "
Today's update from Atlanta HR is business as usual, no impact on E3s current or future.
More planes from UA = more pilots to fill em at least that's the official word. Hopefully they offer the TSA guys a transfer?
All the best to those affected
BAz
