One thing being discounted is the level of experience US carriers are getting through E3’s. Atlas has obtained a lot of Aussies guys/gals from CX/EK/EY/QR, including senior C&T’s, that have years of long-haul, wide body experience. That’s a big departure from the majors getting the majority of new hires from regionals etc with limited experience.

Double edged sword, though. That experience is only worth it with the right attitude. Given the Australian propensity to be incapable of not letting everyone how much they know, I’ll take the Regional RJ new hires I’m currently training on the 777 at UAL, over some Oztranaught checkie with a chip on his shoulder.

Have to agree with Kenny on this one.

Hang on. We all should be averse to Oztronauts but they aren’t typical of the Australians I know venturing Stateside.

I often thought it a mental illness when and Australian pilot, say out of a low cost Aussie, pay for your job outfit, starts throwing their opinions about in brash fashion.

Lets step back a minute and reflect upon the fact that US airlines and other operators don’t particularly care as much about how much time a person has in X type, or C/T experience etc.

Literally anyone with a pulse right now can get into just about any legacy carrier.

From my observations, that seems to be a difficult fact to get across to people outside the USA. When a person goes to work for a US carrier, he'll go through a school on a particular type as if he'd never set foot in one...even if he has thousands of hours as PIC/check airman/sim instructor in that same airplane.

The previous experience might get one hired but not shortcut the training process/program once he gets on the payroll.

And once out of school, it's SENIORITY...SENIORITY...SENIORITY for literally everything else that comes with the job.

And that is also a very difficult concept to get through to people.

To be fair, it's often equally difficult to convince Americans other places work differently!

wiz,

We're aware there are other systems. I was merely commenting on how those from non-US systems seem to puzzle about ours. I make no claim one system is better than another (and feel no need to defend ours). But since there seem to be quite a few people trying to get over here, I thought I'd try to clear up the confusion.

Anyone had success with a EB2 visa? apparently its the "go to" visa now

So where did everyone end up going ? or to quote an Au tourism ad - "So where the bloody hell are you"
Certainly the US of A is probably well subscribed with antipodeans by now...Just curious to note where some went (not looking for an actual headcount)

Atlas - From reading Pprune .....Probably the most significant (I could be wrong)
Spirit - Did a roadshow in multiple Au cities but don't know how many actually turned up for groundschool
Frontier - Still advertising on Airline apps for E3 ....but no takers?
Red Wings - they Were holding late night (Au east coast) early morning online seminars followed by online interviews. (I know of one who accepted but didn't go)
PSA - Phone/skype interviews etc.
Go Jet - Phone/skype interviews etc. (I know of two who accepted but didn't go)
Piedmont - Phone/skype interviews etc.
National Air cargo ??
Kalitta ??

or...due to the large wait times foe the E3 at the various consulates, perhaps found other jobs locally.

Wasn't in any way a dig at you Bafanguy, just an anecdote- I've worked with a lot of US pilots, and quite a few have been astounded that things don't work the same elsewhere as they do in the USA.

Then, to be even FAIRER, I've seen exacttey the same thing with AUSSIE pilots when confronted with the idea things can be different elsewhere.

No offense taken...

I haven't, but my wife and I did successfully obtain EB-1 visas (self-filed), and subsequently green cards. This was not aviation related.

The application was extraordinarily complex and time-consuming. The application weighed several pounds. A quick look at the EB-2 requirements suggests that it would be similarly difficult.

EB2
 

How long did it take you to get it right before filing and for the green card to be granted? As you said EB2 should b3 quite similar.

TF2 - Each individual case is different. After your initial application is lodged with USCIS you should receive a response within 4 months, but that is not when the they issue you with a green card. There is an immigration lawyer registered here on this website. I suggest you ask him if you have any questions about it and he can give you answers specific to your situation :)

Out of curiosity, who is this immigration lawyer?

A few of my mates are getting into US mainline carriers with the EB2. 5 years renewable, able to apply for green card. FAA license not required. From the website the requirements dont seem to complicated.
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the...ViaGuQDYDazkmU

Jbrownie,

Are you able to reveal which carriers those are ? And I assume your friends are from New Zealand ?

If I recall correctly we took about six months of preparation. We paid for expedited processing, which meant that a response was required in 14 days. We were successful. No USCIS interview. Self sponsored, so no employer involvement.

We applied for green cards ('adjustment of status') at the same time as our EB-1 visas. It took three months to approval. I don't know if you can do that with EB-2.

Good luck !

For info -
If you are going for your Green Card and are currently flying on international ops, you are unable to leave the US while they are processing you. One of my mates has be restricted to domestic ops only for the past 9 months.