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Coming to fly in Oz as an American

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Coming to fly in Oz as an American

Old 30th Nov 2018, 06:46
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Coming to fly in Oz as an American

I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit. I have quite a few mates in Brisbane and Melbourne. Very familiar (and in love) with the country.

I know you guys, much like the US, are experiencing a "pilot shortage". I know recently Australia has opened up visas for pilots so they can be recruited from overseas.

What are some Australian regional carriers that will sponsor an American on a visa ? What are some things I should know as an American coming into the aviation profession in Australia ?

I would love to come fly to QantasLink and move on to Qantas mainline. My goal would be to settle in Australia and carry out the rest of my career down there.

And before you get on your soapbox...I realise Aussie airline pilots make less than their American counterparts. Thats not important to me.

Thank you for your time and input.
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 09:21
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In theory there’s a pilot shortage..in practice, the airlines are refusing to deal with it. There’s also a misguided notion that Australia trains superior pilots to anywhere in else in the world so by definition, that makes you inferior. You’re facing an uphill battle, however...if you have training experience and time on type you may find a home in Australia. QantasLink and Qantas will be a bridge too far though..that’s Astronaut territory. Your best bet is a second tier operator..you don’t have a Saab 340 rating by any chance? TRE even?

to be honest, if you’re really serious. Find one of the Aussie corporate jet operators that have chosen to leave their aircraft on the FAA (N) register. Especially if you have a global or gulfstream rating
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 09:23
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Wheres the popcorn
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 10:13
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Originally Posted by xclozano
I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit.
Perhaps if you gave your audience a rundown on your current quals and background, they could give you more specific advice ? Just a thought...
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 14:05
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Originally Posted by bafanguy
Perhaps if you gave your audience a rundown on your current quals and background, they could give you more specific advice ? Just a thought...
As it stands right now, 3000hrs TT/fixed wing/multi engine/turbine/instrument

Have spent the last few years flying as a captain for a regional airline flying the Bombardier CRJ.
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 15:03
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ARE YOU INSANE STAY IS USA ........... Australia is a remote, 3rd world Socialist Island in the Southwest Pacific. The Aviation regulator is worst in the world....
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 16:57
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Come on over-just realise that things are very different. There is a belief in Australia that they know everything about aviation. It is an entrenched belief. Anyone who has flown overseas is considered inferior-somehow lacking. Australia is unique. Qantaslink is bringing in lots of 'Instructors' especially from Sth Africa on Visas with a path to PR. My Sth African friends tell me that most of these pilots are not Instructors on Type-just that at some point in the past they have held an Instructors Rating. The thing is this allows the Australian companies to not increase pay as it should. Good luck to the individuals as they are leaving a beautiful country that is rapidly becoming uninhabitable. I wish them well. I also wish they were not being hired under false pretences and that the Australian Pilot representative bodies would actually challenge this. Of course I also wish to win lotto!
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 19:00
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Looks like the right bait has been used!
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Old 30th Nov 2018, 23:33
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Mate, I had to check it was the 1st of December not April!

4 Holer (#7) nailed it, we are a third world country but have safe drinking water.

You would be crazy to leave. Stay a proud American.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 00:04
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I’ve been to Australia many times over the years and have found Australian living standards far superior to American ones.

Wages might not be as good for pilots as they are in the US, but you guys have a better healthcare system, better education system, much more liveable cities, no mass shootings, better worker protections.

I’d like to raise a family and Australia is a much better place than America to raise kids.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 01:02
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There are only (currently) a limited number of visas for pilots that give access to Permanent Residency. I expect that there will be more allocations depending on political donations.

If you have a partner that has a skill that is in the shortage, that may also be a thing to look at. Keep in mind some skilled shortage occupations do not have a path to PR.

Your reasons to move are valid.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 01:06
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“Australia is a remote”
It is.

“3rd world”
No, far from it. Higher standard of living than the US.

“Socialist”
Not really.

“The Aviation regulator is worst in the world....”
No worse than the FAA although the standard of the regulator has zero to do with the decision.

But yes, you would be insane to move to Australia.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 04:31
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All the reasons you listed are valid. Australia is however in someways moving toward the American model so don’t expect it to last forever. The socialist/marxist thing is gaining momentum, it’s everywhere particularly in the media. A lot is very very subtle and most people don’t notice it. It’s becoming embedded in the thinking. You will also see some of it emerging as early as preschool level.

The pilot wages give a basic middle class living in the suburbs. Sydney and Melbourne are expensive.

With your experience you will have no trouble. I’d recommend trying for Qantas mainline first. Best of luck.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 06:52
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Originally Posted by xclozano
I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit. I have quite a few mates in Brisbane and Melbourne. Very familiar (and in love) with the country.

I know you guys, much like the US, are experiencing a "pilot shortage". I know recently Australia has opened up visas for pilots so they can be recruited from overseas.

What are some Australian regional carriers that will sponsor an American on a visa ? What are some things I should know as an American coming into the aviation profession in Australia ?

I would love to come fly to QantasLink and move on to Qantas mainline. My goal would be to settle in Australia and carry out the rest of my career down there.

And before you get on your soapbox...I realise Aussie airline pilots make less than their American counterparts. Thats not important to me.

Thank you for your time and input.
Responding to your mail Sir, starting from line 1:

Quote: I'm really interesting in coming down to Australia and flying for a bit.
A bit?
A little, what ever you want to call it, you might as well stay here, once your here.

Quote: I have quite a few mates in Brisbane and Melbourne. Very familiar (and in love) with the country.

Australia gives out about 200,000 residency visas a year ( all categories), it will reduce to 160,000 next year.
There are 30,000 Australians per year, that aren't in love with OZ anymore and leave the country permanently.

Quote: What are some Australian regional carriers that will sponsor an American on a visa ?
Talk to REX airlines and Qlink (Qantas regional), if you can fly a Saab 340 or Dash 8, these are the people to talk to.

Quote:I know you guys, much like the US, are experiencing a "pilot shortage".

There's no pilot shortage here, only a shortage for flight instructors, nothing here compared to the U.S.
The general aviation charter sector (companies with piston twin engine aircraft), in Australia, are shrinking each year, companies are being forced to close.

Quote:I would love to come fly to QantasLink and move on to Qantas mainline.

Nobody is telling you not to come here, you could be good at all those psychometric testing at Qantas and extra medicals needed, just to get a job,
they will take you, BUT nobody on this website, CAN help you to get a visa to come here.
It's got to be your OWN work, to get the required visa.
It can be done.

Quote: And before you get on your soapbox

Soapbox?

You know something, i enjoy watching the "bold and beautiful", and Monday's show, will be the cream episode, since the show started.

Look, rent is about $450 a week for a 3 bedroom unit in the western suburbs of Sydney, a house, not under $550 a week.
A unit costs $430K in Sydney's west (1 hour drive to airport), a house costs $650K in the west to 1 million, a little bit closer and upwards.

I read the rest of your posts, it's really NOT worth being here, the tax system is high, dollar isn't worth much when travelling.
If your partner isn't working, you will get nowhere financially, on a single income here.

You can do much better in Aviation and financially,staying where you are, in the short and long term!
 
Old 1st Dec 2018, 09:31
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Seagull201.
Any chance you could provide a summary?
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 10:04
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You know what mate, you’re spot on with what you’re saying here:

Originally Posted by xclozano
I’ve been to Australia many times over the years and have found Australian living standards far superior to American ones.

Wages might not be as good for pilots as they are in the US, but you guys have a better healthcare system, better education system, much more liveable cities, no mass shootings, better worker protections.

I’d like to raise a family and Australia is a much better place than America to raise kids.
I’ve studied the American way of living and think our standards and lifestyle here are much better. Most commentators here probably don’t realise a lot of basic facts about the United States and things like how little annual leave you receive or how costly the healthcare system is. That alone would cancel out any benefit with lower taxes.

The two places where housing is overvalued are Sydney and Melbourne, the rest of the country is more sensible. Those two cities will undergo a correction over the next few years anyway. The current government is reducing migration numbers but there’s a 98% chance they will be replaced early next year so that probably won’t last.

Anyone here saying Australia is a “third world country” or “socialist/Marxist” needs to go to an actual 3rd world or Marxist country. You’ve even said it yourself that after doing your own research you believe Australia is a better place to raise your family. I’d contact the major regional airlines or try looking at the “Latest Jobs” section on the AFAP website to look for opportunities you may be eligible for.

Australians can’t complain too much as there are plenty of Aussies working in airlines in the US at the moment, we should at least be reciprocal.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 10:18
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Originally Posted by Capt Fathom
Seagull201.
Any chance you could provide a summary?
Summary?

If a Saab 340 Captain earns $120K annually, 10K a month, the ato (tax office) pay as you go website, says, take home is $7,140 a month (It's good money).

If a Dash 8 Captain earns at least $150k annually, $12,500 a month, the ato pay as you go website says, take home is $8,665 a month (partner doesn't need to work).

If the gentleman wants to come here and work as a pilot, there are opportunities for persons possessing his skills, now and in the future.
The cost of living is quite high here.

It's up to the gentleman to make enquiries, on his own behalf, to REX, Qlink, or applying for migration to Australia.

Personally, i see better opportunities in the U.S in terms of aviation work progression to bigger and better things and cost of living,
also housing affordability.

If you're talking about immigration numbers, they're figures i've heard throughout the year, on the radio and talk back, and have come across
news articles.
 
Old 1st Dec 2018, 16:32
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Seagull the USD is approx 0.70 USD $4900 per month after he pays rent in Australia and his first electricity bill the guy is better off staying in USA at Walmart....
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 20:50
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To assist the decision making process.

You mention you would like to raise a family. Great you will probably want to live in a house. Assuming SYD, the average price is just north of 1 million.

A house at that price is probably 1.5 hour drive each way. Expect to do this 4-5 times a week, there is probably a podcast you could listen to that teaches Arabic.

You will start on FO pay so reduce those figures by 30%.

I’m guessing your lifestyle is better where you are. Just remember if you end up in SYD it will be tough.
In my opinion you need to be on $250K minimum to live comfortably in SYD anything less would be a ‘battle’.

If your arriving with about 3-4 million ready to settle down. Then relax, disregard all the above, enjoy the beers that will alleviate the frustrations of aviation over here.

Welcome.
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Old 1st Dec 2018, 21:13
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but you guys have a better healthcare system
Yes we do, but as a non-permanent resident you will be required to hold private health insurance. Unlike the States, companies in Australia do not provide medical insurance beyond loss of licence and mandatory workplace accident insurance.

Make sure you have a look at the cost of private health insurance without the Medicare Rebate applied, especially if you are over 31 and factor that into your take-home pay.

Unless you have a whole heap of command on a regional turboprop and possibly check and training quals, you will be hard pressed to get a 457 visa. Also, even if you got into QLink, I'm pretty sure your visa will be held by QLink and not Qantas, so there is no way to transfer to Qantas as they do not have approval for 457 visa pilots.
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