So what are the current USA Regional Airlines hiring on E3 Visa? So far i have read of;-

1. Skywest
2. Compass
3. Mesa
4. Piedmont
5. Expressjet
6. CommutAir
7. PSA (their website says "valid passport")

All in all this is way much better and meaningful career wise than the 2 very limited regional option we have over here!

Alex,

This company advertised on the AFAP website. That'd be a strong indication:

https://www.afap.org.au/pilot-jobs/p...ITED%20EXPRESS

AW's visa hiring seems to be rather limited:

Air Wisconsin, Jobs & Salary for Foreign Workers | myvisajobs.com

Hi Telfer

I am in US at the moment on E3 visa.

Regarding health insurance employer will not subsidise you for the first 60 days of employment. That is with Skywest.

I opened a bank account with Bank Of America and used employer's address and they had no issue. Received card and PIN with no issues.

Good luck.

Regards

Victory

Telfer:

You can sign up to a bank with your hotel address.

I got Cricket which is like the Boost of Australia.

If you can get one in time, hook up a credit card that offers travel insurance and pay for your flights over with it. Get return flights because they are cheaper than one way usually anyway, and that should lock in your travel insurance for the time period between your flights. Just check the max travel time on the credit card and max it out.

Can't remember if Trans States Airlines has been discussed in this thread. I looked back for a mention until I got tired of looking. So, I'll put this here.

Trans states announced what appears to be a "flow" to Frontier Airlines (vs just the promise of an interview). There must be some more fine print to this thing but here are the main points. Frontier isn't the greatest at the moment but no one knows what the future holds for them; I've seen the customary merger rumors.

Not sure how this would apply to an E3 Aussie but Trans States does take Aussies:

“Trans States pilots will forego Frontier's interviewing process, and flow to Frontier Airlines' flight deck as a First Officer. “

Trans States to Frontier Pilot Flow Program




E-3 Visa Candidates

I noticed a news article in the last 4 weeks in relation to new requirements, for any person applying for a work visa (E3/HB1 or 2, what ever).

A person is required to submit their, phone number, email, and user names of any social websites they participated in, during the last 5 years.
If a person has multiple phone numbers or emails during the last 5 years,they need to record it.

This is what was written at the time of press, it's more than likely it has been legislated by now.

It may be slightly different for people heading over to the US but having spent a number of years as an expat, including working in North America, I can offer a little bit of advice regarding travel/health insurance. Most Australian travel insurance does not cover work as a pilot - you will not be covered if you are injured or get sick whilst on duty as a pilot, only when off duty. It just means that you do need a back up option to ensure coverage for when you start flying. I had to contact insurers directly and arrange a personalized policy for when my company couldn't provide insurance/I couldn't get local health insurance.

Happy for my fellow Aussies abroad!
 

Hey guys,

This is my 1st post here. Really pleased to hear that flying in the U.S is working out well and may it long continue. I got my FAA Commercial in California a few years back on an M1 visa. Had a sponsored right seat king air gig lined up in Seattle but had to head back home due to family reasons.

Been working outside aviation since saving up as much as I can and have been itching to jump back in. Planning to head over at the end of the year and try my luck with some operators flying light twins or turbo props. Any suggestions? Do any Part 135s, Air Ambo, Cargo or smaller operators offer E3? I need a lot of time to reach the ATP minimums before i can consider Part 121 flying. Will be 35 this year but being at the pointy end of a bird is all i wanna do. Its really encouraging and pleasing to read that you guys have paved the way and are doing so well stateside. Safe skies and all the best! Cheers Mav

It is great to see that US regionals are working for most Aussies. A very small percentage of Aussies are not getting through training due to a variety of reasons. I happened to be one of them. For Aussies who are heading for US - have back up plans and money. Under E3 visa you can stay in US for up to 60 days after you get dismissed. I rang USCIS after this happened. You can do touristy things or look for another job. If you do get another airline job, there is a cost of another visa, TSA, perhaps you need to go to Canada, Mexico or back to Australia to apply for a new E3 visa. I was not allowed to apply for new E3 from US or transfer my current E3 visa to another employer. Also have finances enough to pay rent, flight back to Australia unless booked return flights from OZ. The airline will expect you to vacate from hotel in 24 hours so always have back ups of where you will live unless you elect to come home. Airbnb was great. Although I did not get through training, I have no regrets because it was a great experience and US Regionals are working for most people. Please do not be put off by this post US Regionals are great. Just be prepared financially just in case it does not work out.

Safe Landings

Hi Safe Landings, sorry to hear about you not getting through the training.
That can happen to anyone, as you'd be more under pressure during the training process than the locals, due to being so far away from home.

It's been a while since an Aussie has shared their actual experience about the US track (path), the U.S regional airlines are constantly advertising for
Australian licence holders that meet the minimum experience. (still ads around every now and then).

Can you please share your experience, where you think it didn't work for you during the training that you just under took?
Was it the transition to the EFIS panel, instrument flying, aircraft speed/configuration?
Im quite sure a person has to also pass the FAA ATPL written (single exam) by the end of the type rating.

Your experiences and advice, could possibly assist any person now or in future, as to what they can expect, during the US style type rating training.

Also, what was your aviation background prior to leaving OZ?
Instructor, charter, RPT?

Also, how many Aussies do you reckon are currently in the U.S at the moment?

Many thanks.

Hi Seagull201,

Prior to leaving OZ, I was a very experienced Flight Instructor. I had no turbo prop or turbine time. There are quite a few Aussies in US. The exact number I would not know. During ground school, I met 6 Aussies. FAA ATPL is very easy, nothing like Oz. I passed that with no issues. My suggestion is to get Sheppard Air prior of leaving Oz and go through the questions before you leave. However, that said if you are short on time, go through Sheppard Air while doing the CTP course and follow the instructions EXACTLY of Sheppard Air. Trust me it works. With US regionals, some do it as first part of the ground school course and some do it at a later stage.

Usually people fail in Sim however, I failed ground school exam. Aircraft systems were barely covered in class. We were given 4 days to do 43 chapters, about 7 of them were CRM, rest of the chapters were systems of the aircraft type. Everyone has different learning styles. I was falling behind, so much to cover in so little time. I found it to be full on. I have been given another opportunity with another US Regional and they asked me why I failed training with previous US Regional Airline? I said the truth and were more than happy to give me a go. I asked about their training program and appears to be more suitable for my learning style. This new airline have emailed me systems, aircraft limitations and profiles already so I have a head start. Apparently this particular US regional email these things to all successful applicants.

On another note, regarding US banking when I reported that I lost employment and thinking of heading home back to OZ, they were very happy to leave my account open and not to charge me any fees for 3 months.

There are plenty of US regional jobs at the moment, The day I got dismissed I applied for only 1 Regional job, got a reply in less than 3 hours was interviewed and offered an opportunity 5 days later. My hold up is the new E3 visa.

Hope this info helps.

Safe Landings

SL,

Sorry to hear about your rough spot but don't let it discourage you too much. Dust yourself off and keep moving. If anything, you've had a peek behind the curtain, know what to expect next time and can adjust your game accordingly. No one is born knowing this stuff.

Is it possible to apply to a different US regional from scratch and take another run at this thing ? You'd have to divulge the prior circumstance but it's a chance to explain how you're wiser than before and ready to do better the 2nd time around.

I don't have any regional-wide stats but the one regional where I've gotten reliable info has a 4% failure rate.

Hang in there...get back on the horse that threw ya !

Hi Bafanguy

Thanks for encouragement. I have got another opportunity with a different US regional on a different aircraft type. I definitely feel better prepared for second round. As pilots we need to be resilient. The US regional where I got dismissed from did tell me that I can reapply in 6 months if I do things differently. This shows that the airlines try really hard to get the candidate through.

Excellent. :D

Thanks for the feedback Safe landings, it's much appreciated.

Great to hear you expect to be returning soon and have a job lined up with another operator,
also good to hear you can return to the current operator.

When you come back to OZ, may i suggest you contact Flight Experience in Sydney (darling harbour),
if you're from Syd, or your capital city Flight experience centre and do at least 10 hours with an instructor in the
B737800 fixed base simulator.

In Sydney the instructor is an airline Captain, he can assist you in the transition to airline jet flying,
Flight Exp. also conduct MCC (multi crew co-ordination training in the B7378 sim)
Check the website on google.

Also, have a look at this website, angle of attack B737 training.com or
737NGXtraining.com , it's a US website.
I'm aware you're not going to fly a B7378 but an Emb175/Emb145/CRJ900/CRJ200,
one of them, the website has excellent explanation of the glass cockpit, which is the
same for all aircraft.
Parts of the video ground school may assist you with your assigned aircraft studies.

Have a look at it and see what you think.

Another thing, it could be an idea to be familiar with the ATC read backs, they talk over there
quite fast and ATC is dealing with so many aircraft each minute, and from what i seen on the internet,
a person has to readback ten lines without error.
Just watch any kingair or Cessna mustang flight, posted on youtube.

Get yourself prepared for next time.
I'm sure you will do quite well.

Don't waste your money, if the theory side was your undoing then read as much as you can!

Make sure you know your EP's and your limitations and you're set for the sim, the rest is easy.

Yes.
PM me if you need links.

Just had a quick read of the thread. This is very good advice. I hired the QF sim and used the old flight sim software B737 at the time. I use NGX for my recurrent sims. Certainly not perfect but does help. I nailed the interview sim, it was perfect I couldn't believe it.

Hi Everyone

I actually did 10 hours Sim in B737 before I went to USA for first Regional Airline job. I did V1 cut, steep turns, ILS approaches etc. I already started studying for the next aircraft type. I have heard radio calls in US can be a challenge due to many aircraft at one time.

Thanks for encouragement.

Safe Landings

Hi Australopithecus

Thanks for the recommendation for the book by Jim Webb. I will buy it if I can find one.

Thanks for the well wishes for the next new gig and for my honesty. Failure is not something people like to talk about because it is embarrassing however if I can save just one person from going through the possibility of failing an airline course, I have achieved a mission in itself.

Thank you again.

Safe Landings

I struggled with Ground School (Aircraft Systems) section of the course. It is very fast paced. I had to go through 43 chapters in 4 days - about 7 or 8 chapters of them were CRM. It was Computer Based Training (CBT) and was not really covered in class. CRM portion was straight forward. The company was the one that most Aussies go for, I believe. They advertised heavily towards end of last year.

Safe Landings

Hi Havick

You are correct, I have never been through a fast paces/large volume course before and I am better prepared for the second airline.

I have been warned already that to expect the same firehose with any airline I join in US.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Regards

Safe Landings

Safe Landings,

If one looks for a silver lining in your situation, the systems knowledge issue is likely the easiest of several aspects to correct. A stick-and-rudder stumble would be more difficult to overcome.

If you're heading to a different company with a different airplane, find some generic systems info online and hit it hard before you go. :ok:

Hi Bafanguy

Yes I can not agree with you more. The new airline have sent me material to study already and am doing further online study.

Thanks

Safe Landings

Hey Safe Landings.

Were you CRJ or ERJ? We had about 6 Aussies in our CRJ class and everyone got through ok. I'm wondering what you would have done differently given the opportunity? Did you miss systems twice or did you only have one pass left?

I'm sure it won't be difficult to get in on another regional. Just make every waking hour study time. I was vegetarian during class just because I could cook my dinner and eat it in like 15 minutes, then return to study. Lunch breaks were an hour but most of us took about 20 minutes. Maximise that study time.

Many nights as well we'd just sit in a circle and make up questions for each other. get a study group then you can keep each other accountable

​​​good luck.

Such a mature outlook Safe Landings. I am really interested in US and this was the best information (and unusual to find on Prune).
What about the Airline prep course offered by Aviation Australia? Is this or the 10 hours B737 SIM in Sydney
better prep?

Just pondering the case of a person heading north to take on their first air carrier jet from a light airplane background.

Those of you who have done this from similar circumstances, what would you suggest a compatriot study in preparation for the training ? It seems rather a lot of subject matter to cover. Not sure I'd know what to tell someone.

I'll toss these in for a bit of Jeps review. The Chart Clinic is particularly good for for intro/review of the format:


http://ww1.jeppesen.com/documents/av.../intro-USA.pdf

Jeppesen Chart Clinic

One girl in my class failed after trying to write too many notes, sometimes you just need to sit back and listen. She was literally writing down every word that the instructor spoke

FYI, Compass stopped E-3 thing, just letting you guys know.

That leaves Mesa, SkyWest, CommutAir, Trans State and Piedmont still offering E-3.