Australian pilots can work for US regionals.

[lee_apromise]

Go even further.

Stop learning how to fly in Australia. Just pack your bags up, go to US flight schools with F1 visa, instruct to get 1500 hrs to get into regionals. Whilst doing so, keep applying for greencard lottery.

Or do flight training in Canada, work 2 years as instructor and get Canadian PR and apply for jobs at Canadian regionals at 1000 hrs.

When it's time to come back to Aust, head over to NZ and do ATPL Air Law + Flight Test and do Trans Tasman to get Aust ATPL.

Why would anybody wanna learn how to fly in Australia at overpriced flight schools is just beyond me.

[Zeta_Reticuli]

Originally Posted by neville_nobody

The question that should be asked is why was it a key stepping stone?? If anyone is seriously tossing up between going up north to do GA or going to the USA then really it's a no-brainer. Even GA in the USA is probably better flying experience than GA in Australia with about 1000% more opportunity to advance.

GENERAL AVIATION in AUSTRALIA
LOL, that's all I have to say! What a stuffed, worn down sad excuse of an industry it is today...

[Derfred]

Originally Posted by DUXNUTZ

Not to mention prob 1000% less angst and lower blood pressure poling a jet round the states than Oz.

Why is that? Domestic jet aviation in Oz is the lowest stress jet gig I can imagine.

Unless of course you get rostered to fly into Ballina. If you do, just call in sick. I’d rather do night crop dusting than fly a jet into Ballina.

[freshy1234]

Originally Posted by neville_nobody

If anyone is seriously tossing up between going up north to do GA or going to the USA then really it's a no-brainer. Even GA in the USA is probably better flying experience than GA in Australia with about 1000% more opportunity to advance.

I agree. If the opportunities are there to fly right hand seat corporate, company paid meals, clean hotel with 250 hours or fly a clapped out 210 in the bush for the same or less pay, I'd have taken it. I went the Aussie bush route, no regrets but in the current environment I'd have done whatever I could to jump the pond.

Aussie GA and US GA are not even remotely comparable in quality of flying, aircraft, maintenance, and progression. Check out the FBO network. GA here is truly a pleasure. The airlines here are a different game completely from Australia. I'm not heading back to Aus anytime soon unless it's to my future holiday home in Torquay.

[Australopithecus]

Originally Posted by Derfred

Why is that? Domestic jet aviation in Oz is the lowest stress jet gig I can imagine.

Unless of course you get rostered to fly into Ballina. If you do, just call in sick. I’d rather do night crop dusting than fly a jet into Ballina.

You'd have to try it to understand. ATC that works, airports that work, no oztranauts, training v. checking, a focus on getting the job done instead of a focus on trivia.

I agree with you on Ballina.

[DUXNUTZ]

Originally Posted by Australopithecus

You'd have to try it to understand. ATC that works, airports that work, no oztranauts, training v. checking, a focus on getting the job done instead of a focus on trivia.

I agree with you on Ballina.

Yep. Add in CTA steps, “depart xxxx at time xxx”, non punitive FDAP, the 49 items req for a visual approach. It goes on and on!!!

[dr dre]

Ok great responses guys but I wasn't really looking for the benefits vs downsides of a career in Australia vs the USA, but more on what the majority opinion of those Australians currently in the US is? For those in the US currently is the general feeling amongst the Australians there to seek to come back to Australia ASAP, as in do they have or will put in applications with airlines in Australia as they begin to recruit? Or will they aim to remain in the US, seek commands at regionals and then maybe flow through to the majors or cargo or other operations, or stay with those regionals longer term?

[Climb150]

Nobody I know in the USA right now has any interest in returning to Australia in the next 5 years.

Renew your multi IR then pay for an MCC course just to apply at Qlink or Network? No thanks

[DropYourSocks]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Ok great responses guys but I wasn't really looking for the benefits vs downsides of a career in Australia vs the USA, but more on what the majority opinion of those Australians currently in the US is? For those in the US currently is the general feeling amongst the Australians there to seek to come back to Australia ASAP, as in do they have or will put in applications with airlines in Australia as they begin to recruit? Or will they aim to remain in the US, seek commands at regionals and then maybe flow through to the majors or cargo or other operations, or stay with those regionals longer term?

​​​​​​

I think this depends more on what there is to come home to...

Qantas 787 SO or 737 FO for 15 years
Virgin at a 25% pay cut from their last contract
Rex for award rates
Jetstar

No commands in sight even before covid, sky high cost of living, and a housing crisis worse than the US.

To each there own, but for me the career outcomes in Aus vs the US aren't even close to comparable. Pre covid, I was also able to get back to see the family at about the same rate as I did when living in a capital city, so being in the US is really not that much different in that regard.

[tossbag]

I certainly won't be coming back. Greencards are the next offering.

Better lifestyle, much better. Better career prospects, much better.

Flying in an airspace system that is user focused, better resourced.

And a country that values freedom and fights for it.

[havick]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Ok great responses guys but I wasn't really looking for the benefits vs downsides of a career in Australia vs the USA, but more on what the majority opinion of those Australians currently in the US is? For those in the US currently is the general feeling amongst the Australians there to seek to come back to Australia ASAP, as in do they have or will put in applications with airlines in Australia as they begin to recruit? Or will they aim to remain in the US, seek commands at regionals and then maybe flow through to the majors or cargo or other operations, or stay with those regionals longer term?

most of the guys replying are working flying in the US now. So it’s exactly the information you are seeking.

[neville_nobody]

No commands in sight even before covid, sky high cost of living, and a housing crisis worse than the US.

Then if you're still not convinced compare the tax rates.

[DUXNUTZ]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Ok great responses guys but I wasn't really looking for the benefits vs downsides of a career in Australia vs the USA, but more on what the majority opinion of those Australians currently in the US is? For those in the US currently is the general feeling amongst the Australians there to seek to come back to Australia ASAP, as in do they have or will put in applications with airlines in Australia as they begin to recruit? Or will they aim to remain in the US, seek commands at regionals and then maybe flow through to the majors or cargo or other operations, or stay with those regionals longer term?

Originally did what you suggest; came here to get experience then applied (and worked) for VA. Am back in the States now and should not have left. I would only consider going back if there was something similar to the original V Australia startup again and I was in my latter years looking to retire back in Oz ($$$ would prob be crap though and ugh Australian aviation and management &#129326.

[the_rookie]

Isnt regional pay fairly average though? Even as a captain it's not that flash, also with no chance of going to a major unless you marry over there. Going off the airline pilot central scales, a QF SO is well in front. Although cost of living etc over here is more expensive

[umop apisdn]

Originally Posted by the_rookie

Isnt regional pay fairly average though? Even as a captain it's not that flash, also with no chance of going to a major unless you marry over there. Going off the airline pilot central scales, a QF SO is well in front. Although cost of living etc over here is more expensive

You're right that the regional pay sucks but it's only going to keep going up as the LCCs, which pay more and fly 320s, start to be a viable option for skipping regionals. My friend has flown about 200 hours in a regional and already has a start date with Spirit.

You can also get a green card through the lottery and through EB2 / EB3, which I believe Commutair are doing. More will follow soon.

Australians on E3s, especially those who already have a bit of time, don't have to stay at regionals for long now either. You can fly heavies at Atlas or 320s at LCCs on an E3.

To be honest I'm a little surprised Australia even has any pilots left considering the opportunties that exist over here.

Only a few years ago I was stagnating with the old conundrum of too much single time, couldn't get a break into any twin, and now I'm probably (hopefully) upgrading on a 320 next year, or going to a legacy.

[neville_nobody]

Only a few years ago I was stagnating with the old conundrum of too much single time, couldn't get a break into any twin, and now I'm probably (hopefully) upgrading on a 320 next year, or going to a legacy.

That's good news because Australian Pilots really have taken a battering for the last 20 years at almost every level in terms of pay/conditions and opportunities.

[Mr Proach]

Originally Posted by neville_nobody

That's good news because Australian Pilots really have taken a battering for the last 20 years at almost every level in terms of pay/conditions and opportunities.

And what do you think is the reason for that?

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by tossbag

I certainly won't be coming back.....

Better lifestyle, much better.

Any expansion on which part of "lifestyle"? It can be very encompassing and subjective, I've met Americans who are very happy to be living outside of the US for "lifestyle" reasons too.

[Climb150]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Any expansion on which part of "lifestyle"? It can be very encompassing and subjective, I've met Americans who are very happy to be living outside of the US for "lifestyle" reasons too.

Well I know some people who live near a lake so water sports in the summer and then a 1 hour drive to the ski slopes in winter.
As to freedoms, the USA didn't deny re entry to the country for its own citizens.

[neville_nobody]

Originally Posted by Mr Proach

And what do you think is the reason for that?

Fundamentally there has always been too many pilots in Australia.