A few things. The merger might mean the end of our schedule dropping / rebuilding ability which is probably the best in the industry. That very thing is keeping a lot of people here.

ORD, DTW and DFW are due to be shrunk quite considerably. That will kill upgrade times in those bases and boot some people out. All three of them are also major hubs for major airlines, which all (at the moment) have faster upgrade times than Spirit. It's pretty easy for someone living in one of those bases to bounce.

The majority of people leaving are FOs which means they need to make new FOs before they can ramp up the upgrades. So as it stands, no one is upgrading quickly anymore unless they can convince new FOs to stay, they are not doing much to address this, which is making more FO's even more keen to leave.

Spirit Airlines also looking for A320 Pilot - First officer (They will provide E3)
See the ad on Seek AU A320 First Officer - No type rating required

Spirit Airlines is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier in North America with a current fleet of more than 170 Airbus aircraft and planning to have 293 aircraft by 2027. Due to increased demand and growth, Spirit is actively recruiting Australian nationals under the E3 visa. This position with Spirit allows for you, your spouse and children under the age of 21 to obtain an E3 visa and migrate with you to the United States.

• Spirit will cover the full cost of your FAA ATP conversion
• Spirit will cover the cost of your A320 type
• Spirit will provide the necessary documentation for your E3 visa

This is a full time position leading to an eventual command. Our most junior captain has been with Spirit for less than 4 years. If you are successful in the interview process and offered a contingent offer, the Spirit team will help arrange your visa, license conversion, FAA ATP written exam, FAA ATP, and A320 type ride.

We understand that moving to the US on the E3 visa is a big step. As such, Spirit will run a webinar using Microsoft Teams with our E3 specialist providing answers to the many questions ranging from remuneration, benefits, license conversion, visa processing, captain upgrade, followed by open Q & A.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the term ‘command’ used in the USA. Must have been written by an Aussie for Aussies. You’d get some funny looks if you were on an overnight and said, “I start command training soon”.

Well...that's a pretty clear statement.

Here's the original ad:

https://www.seek.com.au/job/56726972...b7b0cd29ca0967

If you meet the minimums (I don't) and don't have comittments in Australia you'd be stupid not to apply. 320 f/o with command in like 5 years.


Also random question: Is there anything that could stop the cargo carriers from offering positions that enable pilots to live in Australia by offering lines commencing in Australia or Asia?

First of all the list is not very long. Secondly, plenty who must be offered a chance to go back, will never go back for a variety of reasons including already being employed.

Of course not. Up until recently FedEx had a base in Hong Kong. Although there are no Asian / Australian bases at Atlas, many Australian pilots have chosen Atlas because the potential to commute from Australia is much higher.

Can you get your FAA medical in Aus without holding a current CASA Class 1? Or without an FAA ATP/CPL?

Yes and yes.

The biggest problem with this is having to comply with Australia’s onerous and horrendously complicated employment laws, not to mention tax laws. Unless it makes financial sense to do so, no airline would choose to open an Australian domicile. Personally, I wouldn’t expect it to happen any time soon.

This Ravn ad appeared at the top of the stack today. Reading between the lines, it's aimed at E3 candidates who've been flying in a US Part 121 operation for the magical 1,000 hours that allow a captain spot. So, "...air carrier experience..." must be Part 121 ?

"...2500 hours in a fixed wing aircraft, of which 1000 hours will be multi-engine turbine flight time, and 1000 hours total flight time will be air carrier experience..."



https://jobs.flightglobal.com/job/14...mpaign=general

Here’s an idea. Because CASA is all about safety an all. …. It would make sense to have the same Part 121 requirement here……

Casa doesn't need that requirement because the time to wait for any sort of desirable command is about a decade. :E

:D................................................

Although, you will find DEC into these jobs that are below acceptable conditions.... that is the point.

You do realize that even the regional pilots in the US are banking more than most Aussie mainline pilots?

LCC…
 

The LCC like Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier etc most definitely are banking more than most Aussie mainline, airline salaries in Australia considering cost of living here are basically for a better word..absolute CR@P!

US 10 year Regional Captain at PSA (one that is taking Aussies according to previous posts) on about $140k AUD. Some bonuses but the biggest ones are if flow through to AA.

Mainline Oz? Well dependent on carrier and fleet but with 10 years service you’d be making more than that.

The ignorance, arrogance and stupidity of Australian, skygod pilots. When was your last improvement of conditions?

How long does it take to command in a jet in Australia/USA?

What is the per hour rate at Qantas, Virgin, Spirit, AA, UAL, Delta, what's your min guarantee?

What do your reserve/rostering rules look like? Can you swap trips? What are the rules surrounding roster building?

What does your super/401k look like after 10/20/30 years? Can you retire at 50/55/60 in Aus v USA?

What did the top FedEx/UPS Captain/FO earn last year, 2 years ago, 5 years ago?

Can you commute? Is your commuting company supported? Do you have KCM in Aus?

What does your seat lock look like? What are the rules surrounding seniority and seat lock look like?

And more importantly, do you own your RV6/7/8/9/10/14 prior to retirement?

Sadly No.

a 737 VA as a 10 even 15 +yr FO does not have that high a base -Prior to Bain yes, circa base $157K year 3 FO. Let alone makeup the last 2 years of lost income. Weren't US pilots paid continuously during Covid.
​​​​​​$130,065 VA 55 hrs MCG - $175.50 hr productivity

Good questions, but you forgot the most important one...

What does your seniority do for you in reverse? Last I heard A380 capt was the most senior position in Aus, yet they got booted out first when the **** hit the fan...

More importantly, why does anyone care, if you are happy to go to America be it for the short term or the long term - it's good for everyone. It's another pathway people can take - right now there are more options (airlines) in America than airlines in Australia. For those who don't want to take it, it means fewer people fighting for the same job here in Australia.

What University or organisation is verify that your aviation qualifications are equivalent to a degree or there of?

I used 2 different companies, 1 cheap and 1 expensive as I didn't want to wait and find out one was dodgy. Turned out that they were both very similar.

302-466-3063
Education Evaluation Experts of America, Inc.
831 N Tatnall Street, Suite M #126
Wilmington, DE 19801
[email protected]

and

Morningside Evaluations

450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 804, New York, NY 10123 |

P: (212) 904-1015 | [email protected]

Realizing one can use seniority to get a better schedule is like a light bulb moment. I wish I’d taken any job in the States years before I did.

Hi Guys....

Has anyone appeared for Piedmont or Gojet Interview?

Insights would be helpful... questions? format?

TIA guys

The flaw in this logic and it’s one that most make, is that you can’t compare the $ to $ amounts you’re paid for a years work. It’s, as the Yanks would say, apples to oranges. You need to consider not only the tax you pay but what you’re left with in you pocket after any deductions of your gross pay and more importantly, what it will buy you.

I used to chuckle when Aussies would bang on about how well paid they were compared to Americans. My reply “well you need to be because you couldn’t afford to live here, otherwise” generally jammed a cog in their heads.

Numbeo has a good comparison on cost of living and wages, or local purchasing power. Sydney is more affordable than NYC or LA, but more expensive than a Dallas Texas or Orlando Florida. However Brisbane and Perth are comparable or better off than somewhere like Dallas, especially cheaper in rental costs.

I’m sure living in outer urban and regional areas of each country would bring living costs down even more.

Then, as someone who’s lived in most of those cities I’d say they’ve got their numbers wrong. You might be able to claim that NYC property is equivalent to Sydney but you can’t compare the taxes or the cost of living.

I’ve paid taxes and lived in both countries and there’s a huge difference between the cost of living in the US to Oz. Admittedly, this was before covid and the inflation most are now having to deal with. When I tell people here that my missus and I paid AU$ 500k in almost 6 years, on taxes and rent, they are speechless.

I used Aviationinterviews for my interview prep.
​​​You may need to enter a US address to pay for the subscription.

Thanks mate.... much appreciated

big buddah, this is absolutely ridiculous. YOU DONOT HAVE TO DO THIS. Go to a consulate that does not give you are a hard time. There are hundreds of E3 pilots that will tell you, avoid the consulates that want to see what bront has stupidly paid through the nose for.

Appreciate but the E3 wasn’t my issue. Was really after someone who could give an expert opinion on my aviation qualifications and experience, someone mentioned that they were getting opinions that their qualifications were equal to a degree or higher.

Have you got a current IPC? Have you got 1500 hours total time? 25 hours night? 100 Multi?

I know a dude with 1600 hours total, no degree, got the E3 issued.

This just popped up. Not sure how many SAAB 340-rated pilots are floating around:

"Visa Sponsor: E3 and H1B visas are available from the airline."


https://www.latestpilotjobs.com/jobs/view/id/2145.html

Any word on the Spirit info session that was run today?

In person interviews in Australia within the month with offers to be given before the team heads back to the states.

WOW !! They actually said that ?

Yes but it’s hinging on whether they get enough interest to make it worth it.

E3 VISA not having a 4 year degree
 

Hello all

I have been offered jobs with 3 of the airlines. I had to stop flying a while ago to raise my 2 girls by myself but had no problems with interviews etc.
E3 visas. WTF we in Australia don't usually have 4 year degree's. is there anything actully written about the 3 years experience counts for 1 year. i gave heard some horror stories over not having the 4 year degree when it comes to the US consulate.

I am getting ready for the e# Visa application.
What is going on with that 4 year degree rule? Is there anything written stating we don't need it????
I have heard some horror stories,.

Advice anyone?

Scroll up a few pages. This has been done to death. Just pick the right consulate to goto.