Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
A lot of people give America grief about MuH FreEdOm, but there's no denying the fact that if an American doesn't want to do something, it's very difficult to make them. That, and America didn't leave tens of thousands of it's citizens stranded overseas to fend for themselves. I have to admit, I was pretty damned disappointed in my people and country the day that happened.
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Just reading the last few pages of this thread, I'm salivating at the opportunities you Aussies have in the states. If only they took kiwis 😂 where do I sign up! It really does sound like the land of milk and honey, The American dream for Pilots especially.
Take the leap boys, do it for us 😢
Take the leap boys, do it for us 😢
One of the differences between the US and Aus remuneration wise, when things are going well in the US, pilots get to share in the spoils. Check the freely available pay rates. Some of them are eye-watering. Some pilots have earn't over a mill in a year.
Whilst Australia may have had better job security, you have now seen furloughs and next time, now that they know how and when to do it they won't hesitate. Whilst Australian pilots are negotiating 25% pay cuts and pay freezes, American pilots are in the box seat.
While Australian FO's who have already put in 10 years at their current employer are destined for another 10 years in the right seat or career FO status, Australian pilots are getting jet commands in two years in the States.
It will be very interesting to see what the Australian airlines do when they don't the 'quality' of applicant they have in the past. you know, at least 5 Lunar Module Dockings, 3 Command Module Re-entries OR 2 International Space Station Dockings OR 3 Space Shuttle Landings.
It will be a joy watching the Australian Government fund the US airline recruit pool.
Whilst Australia may have had better job security, you have now seen furloughs and next time, now that they know how and when to do it they won't hesitate. Whilst Australian pilots are negotiating 25% pay cuts and pay freezes, American pilots are in the box seat.
While Australian FO's who have already put in 10 years at their current employer are destined for another 10 years in the right seat or career FO status, Australian pilots are getting jet commands in two years in the States.
It will be very interesting to see what the Australian airlines do when they don't the 'quality' of applicant they have in the past. you know, at least 5 Lunar Module Dockings, 3 Command Module Re-entries OR 2 International Space Station Dockings OR 3 Space Shuttle Landings.
It will be a joy watching the Australian Government fund the US airline recruit pool.
Yes they are getting commands at a regional but it's still less then what an FO gets over here and then what next? If you don't win the green card lottery or marry a yank you are pretty limited. Happy to be corrected but that's what I've read and been told by people currently doing it
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Rookie....
What do you mean by pretty limited? They still have all the opportunities available (in Oz) as they ever had albeit with a few years of invaluable experience under their belts, if they feel the need to come home. Or the middle east, or Asia, or basically anywhere. There's a big world out there beyond the Hermit Kingdom.
It's E3's today, but what if it becomes sponsored green cards in the future? Then they'll be in a position to get a taste of the big money. Might happen, might not happen. Who knows what the future brings? FYI with a 3-4 year command on offer at Frontier, Spirit etc, I think your pay estimates might be a little inaccurate if you think FO's in Oz (except widebody at Qantas maybe?) get more over here.
But by all means keep waiting for Qantas to call you up and offer you a seat in the meantime, while all the Aussies in the US are having a blast!
What do you mean by pretty limited? They still have all the opportunities available (in Oz) as they ever had albeit with a few years of invaluable experience under their belts, if they feel the need to come home. Or the middle east, or Asia, or basically anywhere. There's a big world out there beyond the Hermit Kingdom.
It's E3's today, but what if it becomes sponsored green cards in the future? Then they'll be in a position to get a taste of the big money. Might happen, might not happen. Who knows what the future brings? FYI with a 3-4 year command on offer at Frontier, Spirit etc, I think your pay estimates might be a little inaccurate if you think FO's in Oz (except widebody at Qantas maybe?) get more over here.
But by all means keep waiting for Qantas to call you up and offer you a seat in the meantime, while all the Aussies in the US are having a blast!
But are Aussies getting a taste of that? Seems only legacy's are seeing that kind of money. UPS/FEDEX etc, which Aussies can't get, unless they have a green card.
Yes they are getting commands at a regional but it's still less then what an FO gets over here and then what next? If you don't win the green card lottery or marry a yank you are pretty limited. Happy to be corrected but that's what I've read and been told by people currently doing it
Yes they are getting commands at a regional but it's still less then what an FO gets over here and then what next? If you don't win the green card lottery or marry a yank you are pretty limited. Happy to be corrected but that's what I've read and been told by people currently doing it
The thing with US airlines, is it's all about the soft pay. You budget your life based around hourly rate x 1000 (give or take), but soft pay can help you make significantly more.
The other common complaint I'm reading lately is the old "these majors aren't available to Aussies without X, Y or Z". There are literally already Aussies making their way to lucrative jobs here. Now, there are no guarantees for your career, but the land of opportunity can't really do anything for you unless you come get your feet wet one way or another.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... The water is warm, so come on over.
But are Aussies getting a taste of that? Seems only legacy's are seeing that kind of money. UPS/FEDEX etc, which Aussies can't get, unless they have a green card.
Yes they are getting commands at a regional but it's still less then what an FO gets over here and then what next? If you don't win the green card lottery or marry a yank you are pretty limited. Happy to be corrected but that's what I've read and been told by people currently doing it
Yes they are getting commands at a regional but it's still less then what an FO gets over here and then what next? If you don't win the green card lottery or marry a yank you are pretty limited. Happy to be corrected but that's what I've read and been told by people currently doing it
Does that $7500 include your per diems or hiring bonus? Captain or F/O? LCC, Regional or 91/135?
Last edited by Abroad145; 17th Jan 2022 at 00:39.
But are Aussies getting a taste of that? Seems only legacy's are seeing that kind of money. UPS/FEDEX etc, which Aussies can't get, unless they have a green card.
I’ve done the full gamut over the last 20 years…US Regional to Virgin Oz and back to a US Legacy carrier. So here are some of my experiences, for what it’s worth.
Life at a US Regional has its pro’s and con’s. The pay isn’t great; some are better than others and some have a better QOL than others. But, I had more fun being handed the keys to a CRJ and going off flying for 4 days, than at any other time in my career. As long as you didn’t bend an aircraft or do any thing stupid, you were left alone and I never had to have anything to do with anyone other than my crew for those 4 days. It was hard work with long hours but I realized early on that life at a regional means you will always be someone else’s bitch. It’s simply a stepping stone to something better.
Flying in Oz was eye opening. The cultural differences surrounding how you operate an aircraft were pronounced and having only flown professionally in the US, I was surprised at how difficult flying from point A to point B was made. The training was anal and pedantic and for the first 18 months, I thought I’d made a huge mistake. I look back now and realize that the experience did make me a better pilot. Not necessarily because of it but maybe in spite of it. The pay was far better as a 73 FO, than it was as a CRJ Captain but and it’s a big but, you cannot compare the $ amounts of what you get paid in the US vs Oz. Oz was at least double the cost of the US. Rent, food, car, bills. Everything. This was 12 years ago and the US is now a more expensive place to live, although not Sydney expensive. I absolutely love Sydney. It’s one of the best QOL cities you can live in and I’ve lived all the over the world but as my wife says, the views don’t pay the bills. I will say that once I’d made my peace with the checking and training culture, I had a blast and flew with some really outstanding operators, who I learnt a lot from and now consider life long mates.
I was very very lucky to get a legacy gig in 2015. Here I am almost 7 years later and financially I couldn’t have made a better choice. I will retire with far more and I mean FAR more in my pension/401k than I could ever have hoped to amass in Oz. I own a home that would be AU$2-4 million in Sydney and cost a fraction of that in the US. I now fly the 777 and earn far more than the Captains I flew with at VOz. Even pre-COVID by a large amount. If I wanted to give up my current fleet, I could hold 737 CA in Chicago and the pay would be even more.
Now, the caveats. I was lucky. I was in the right place at the right time and I’m fully aware that with the next global catastrophe, whether it’s a virus or the PRC invading Taiwan, my job could very well be in the sh!tter. It’s not a case of if but when and anyone who thinks that the current good times will continue ad infinitum, well they’re living in Colorado and smoking some really good weed.
The US isn’t perfect but one thing I’ve learnt, over the years is that nowhere really is. If you respect the fact that generally, they do things their way and don’t bang on about how much better somewhere else is, they’ll generally be extremely welcoming. I’ve had the odd comment over the years about being a foreigner but no more than my wife got as a yank in Oz.
My advice is this, always have a plan b for this job, it can disappear in a heartbeat but if you have the inclination and desire, you can have a lot of fun flying in the US, regardless of if you stay long term or head elsewhere.
Life at a US Regional has its pro’s and con’s. The pay isn’t great; some are better than others and some have a better QOL than others. But, I had more fun being handed the keys to a CRJ and going off flying for 4 days, than at any other time in my career. As long as you didn’t bend an aircraft or do any thing stupid, you were left alone and I never had to have anything to do with anyone other than my crew for those 4 days. It was hard work with long hours but I realized early on that life at a regional means you will always be someone else’s bitch. It’s simply a stepping stone to something better.
Flying in Oz was eye opening. The cultural differences surrounding how you operate an aircraft were pronounced and having only flown professionally in the US, I was surprised at how difficult flying from point A to point B was made. The training was anal and pedantic and for the first 18 months, I thought I’d made a huge mistake. I look back now and realize that the experience did make me a better pilot. Not necessarily because of it but maybe in spite of it. The pay was far better as a 73 FO, than it was as a CRJ Captain but and it’s a big but, you cannot compare the $ amounts of what you get paid in the US vs Oz. Oz was at least double the cost of the US. Rent, food, car, bills. Everything. This was 12 years ago and the US is now a more expensive place to live, although not Sydney expensive. I absolutely love Sydney. It’s one of the best QOL cities you can live in and I’ve lived all the over the world but as my wife says, the views don’t pay the bills. I will say that once I’d made my peace with the checking and training culture, I had a blast and flew with some really outstanding operators, who I learnt a lot from and now consider life long mates.
I was very very lucky to get a legacy gig in 2015. Here I am almost 7 years later and financially I couldn’t have made a better choice. I will retire with far more and I mean FAR more in my pension/401k than I could ever have hoped to amass in Oz. I own a home that would be AU$2-4 million in Sydney and cost a fraction of that in the US. I now fly the 777 and earn far more than the Captains I flew with at VOz. Even pre-COVID by a large amount. If I wanted to give up my current fleet, I could hold 737 CA in Chicago and the pay would be even more.
Now, the caveats. I was lucky. I was in the right place at the right time and I’m fully aware that with the next global catastrophe, whether it’s a virus or the PRC invading Taiwan, my job could very well be in the sh!tter. It’s not a case of if but when and anyone who thinks that the current good times will continue ad infinitum, well they’re living in Colorado and smoking some really good weed.
The US isn’t perfect but one thing I’ve learnt, over the years is that nowhere really is. If you respect the fact that generally, they do things their way and don’t bang on about how much better somewhere else is, they’ll generally be extremely welcoming. I’ve had the odd comment over the years about being a foreigner but no more than my wife got as a yank in Oz.
My advice is this, always have a plan b for this job, it can disappear in a heartbeat but if you have the inclination and desire, you can have a lot of fun flying in the US, regardless of if you stay long term or head elsewhere.
Last edited by Kenny; 18th Jan 2022 at 03:08. Reason: Seppling
Geez I wish I was 35 again.
Now, the caveats. I was lucky. I was in the right place at the right time and I’m fully aware that with the next global catastrophe, whether it’s a virus or the PRC invading Taiwan, my job could very well be in the sh!tter.
FWIW,
Heading to sim this morning at the large Training Center my mob runs in DEN, I passed the latest class of 65 new hires. Lo and behold, the nasal drawl of a fellow Aussie. So, they are joining legacy carriers in the US. Couldn’t stop, so no idea of background.
Heading to sim this morning at the large Training Center my mob runs in DEN, I passed the latest class of 65 new hires. Lo and behold, the nasal drawl of a fellow Aussie. So, they are joining legacy carriers in the US. Couldn’t stop, so no idea of background.
Got a kid coming in May so have to stay where I am for now, which is actually a good career job (for now), but I'm going to put a lot of effort into joining your mob after that. Unprecedented times, so I really should try,
