Australian pilots can work for US regionals.
 

In a conversation today with a recruiter from Skywest (USA, not oz), he mentioned that they are now sponsoring Australian pilots to obtain work visas.

I think a basic ATPL is all that is required.

I am out of touch with the oz scene and this may be common knowledge to you folk down under but I thought it was interesting.

I suspect some of the other regionals probably sponsor as well and some are upgrading in less than 12 months.

Something to consider for a young guy or gal looking for something different.

cheers

There is a special E3 visa as part of one of the free trade agreements between the US and Australia. To get it you basically just need an offer of a job in the US so no massive green card issues etc.......

The definition of “specialty occupation” is one that requires:
- A theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge; and

- The attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.

First page of the E3 VISA requirements, doubt many would qualify.

Why???
Almost every pilot I fly with would meet those qualifications.

Are you telling me that all your pilots have Batchelor or higher degrees?

Very few Airline pilots I know have degrees!

Bullwinkle

Many I fly with, including myself do possess a Bachelors degree. However, many of whom do not possess degrees in aviation.

The recruiter mentioned they had approval to employ pilots for only 3 countries, Australia being one.

I suspect it may be an arrangement thats different to the usual visa stream?

Which means they can't find enough locals willing to do the job. Hmmm, I wonder why that is? It wouldn't have anything to do with the salary package on offer would it?

Unless things have changed dramatically in recent times, the worst Aussie Regional for wages and conditions, would be light years ahead of any American counterpart.

Tell 'em their dreaming.

I think they offer food stamps too, so you should be able to source a meal every now and then...

I have an ATPL, a B.Sc, and about 15kg extra around my guts.

Maybe I should apply! :E

On regional wages you will be bunked up four to a room, bathroom time needs to be booked to accommodated the eight pilots sharing the one apartment.

Fortunately as schedules differ this isn't as big a problem as it would be if everyone was 9-5.

The varieties of instant noodles available these days makes living on them less of a chore than a few years ago.

Take up dumpster diving, you would be amazed at what supermarkets throw out, most of which is still edible.

Pot calling Kettle
 

With the vitriol on PPrune regarding entry of foreign pilots from overseas getting visas to work in New Zealand and Aussie I wonder what the American pilots think of alien pilots flying in the USA.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with the salary package on offer would it?"

Yes, the wages are lower than oz.

But a young pilot starting out looking for a first jet job will have plenty of time to chase the dollars later.

Maybe broadening ones horizons by climbing out of the ozzie pond can be . . . . fun.

Or is that discouraged?

c100driver

The fine print is (or its equivalent)


Seriously, if anyone interested is unemployed in Aust or in a dead end job they should seize the opportunity while it is available.

If you have not visited the US previously visit for 2-3 weeks and have a look around. You may be surprised !

You do not need a US Passport or an ATP to fly with a regional. You can even have some disabilities provided you can sit in a seat with the shoulder harness fastened.

One carrier (250 a/c) I am aware of has the following requirements.

Age 21 to 46
Minimum CPL
Minimum 1200 hours total time (some as low as 500)
Minimum 200 hours multi engine (some as low as 100)
Minimum 100 hours instrument

Indentured servitude comes to mind!

The visa is also renewable every two years for an indefinite period of time. So you can basically work on it for as long as you’re employed. By contrast, the H1B visa is valid for up to 10 years. However, you should note that the e3 visa is not a dual-intent visa, so applicants must reasonably demonstrate non-immigrant intent before they can get one.

Filing fees for this type of visa are also significantly lower than the ones for the H1B. And while the e3 visa technically is a temporary work permit, it’s renewable every two years; meaning you can remain in the U.S. indefinitely so long as you’re employed with the sponsoring company.

I'm currently in the US on an E3 in a non flying aviation job, and have a buddy heading here soon to take a position in a flying job on the E3 as well. It's an awesome visa, and can be obtained in a matter of weeks. No cost involved besides the visa interview, and as mentioned above, indefinitely renewable as long as your employed.

I think the best part about it for younger guys and girls looking to take up a position at a regional here is that, yes, the starting wage and conditions are horrid but looking further beyond that, the opportunities available after gaining some hours and experience can not be matched, certainly not in Australia by any means.

My company here has a 23 year old in the right seat of a Citation X business jet, absolutely smashing the hours and earning 70k a year to do it.

Great for a young person, the cost of living along with lower taxes would mean you're probably better off than living in Australia, especially Sydney.
Also if you meet a nice gal there and get married the major Airlines will recruit you .
Nothing bad here....

oicur12 . . Can I assume you are 1 and the same regardless of the "again"?

Thank you for going to the effort in posting this, although I have 7,000TT, 3,000+ Twin Command etc all on Saabs/Q400 I would seriously consider a posting in Seattle if a DEC was possible.

biglanchow

Ring the recruiters at Horizon, they have crew based in SEA and fly the Q400.

Some are paying a sign on bonus if you are typed.

Dont know about upgrade times though.

The U.S. Is a great place to get a start in aviation. Much more practical and less 'space shuttle' requirements for various jobs. I got a go on a turboprop after a slow burn trying to gain piston twin time here...

Icing conditions, big airports, small airports. Really enjoyed it and should never have left!

folks,
If you are young and single, go for it!!
Tootle pip!!

Plenty of guys I work with have a Bachelor of Aviation degree from Griffith University, including me!

I suppose it wouldn't completely surprise me to see a regional doing this. However, it's a big leap from requiring "...the legal right to work in the United States..." [or words to that effect], which most carriers including the big legacies state under requirements, to a company actively recruiting overseas and sponsoring people for visas.

I don't see any statement about sponsorship on Skywest's website. Have you seen it stated in some official place ? It would be a new twist on events here and worthy of a good bit of publicity.

ATP
 

I can assure you, to fly for a US Regional Airline you need an FAA ATP (or the minimums for) and a US First Class Medical. Having flown in both countries, the US is many, many times busier than Aus, you will likely need some time to get used to traffic density & radio calls etc.
neilki

I think this is great.

Go out get some real world experience, while pretending to be a highly trained and experienced professional airline pilot. All the while the travelling public (up to 75 at a time) are blissfully unaware that at least one of the drivers up front is living below the poverty line whilst desperately building hours in the hope of moving on to something better!

I mean FFS, it's not out in GA scratching around the circuit in a 152, or dropping meat bombers, or bank runs, or night freight. Regional flying (especially in the US) is not a F#cking kindergarten!

Many American pilots have woken up, that's why they are casting the net wider. But as long as there are proponents of these scams (Like some of you lot) nothing will change.

Ahhh, was wondering how long it'd take before the miserable old cnts arrived.

Instead of crtisizing, please give us your pearls of wisdom on how else to make it in this career.

8 years in GA, flying in absolute 3rd world **** holes for low pay and I am no closer to being able to break into an airline job.

This US gig is a good chance for many to build the time required to leap over to the Middle East or Asia.

But if you have better ideas, please let me know. I will be waiting with eager anticipation.

oicur12 is a good fella.

He may be on the other side of the world but has always shown a healthy interest in Aviation in this country. oicur12 has shed a bit of light on what is going on in his part of the world which may be a good thing for some Aussie drivers, don't dish it as I am sure he has better things to do with his time than type here.

I must admit, I don't have it handy what the average Salary for Regional Capt/FO is but I am pretty confident that the only way you will earn 30K a year is if you are an FO on a 1900 and have 300hrs/30hrs multi Command when you turn up - still slightly better after inflation than the "terms and conditions" I worked for in my first job.

Happy to be proven wrong but I bet the salaries are a lot better for people with experience.

I bet as a FO u don't have a Salary/House Price Ratio like Sydney these days, that is, make 80K/yr as a Regional FO but average house price is $1,000,000, average 2 bedroom unit 600,000.

Maybe the U.S. Regional Salaries are not so bad after all?

Your statement looks like you're trying to pin any decline on T's and C's on the likes of Krusty.

Pot, kettle, black?

T's & C's have changed for many reasons. Those willing to pay for a job by one means or another haven't helped.

I think Krusty is just making the point as to perhaps why US airlines are looking outside the US for pilots when once upon a time they never did this. This sort of gig may be just the job many young pilots are looking for, you don't have to takes his word for it but it sure doesn't hurt to listen to all the info and then make your decision.

Here's some pearls of wisdom for ya',

Give up now.

Because the way you guys are going the career you aspire to won't be worth the plastic your license is printed on. I wouldn't worry too much though, if any of you actually make it over to the US, I think you'll find the grass is not only less green, but has died long ago.

The North American Regional scene with regard to pilot lifestyle is absolutely stuffed. But hey don't let a KRUSTY old arseh@le who persevered for 10 years in Aussie G/A influence you! :}

Jesus Username'! Getting nasty and personal.

I guess I was just a little bored and thought I'd try to get a rise. Didn't take much! By all means go and find out for yourself, I mean that's what most people do anyway.

Try not to get too depressed however when you find out you are just helping to perpetuate the shear bastardry that has been reined upon a once proud profession! :ok:

HA! 10 years in Australian GA, a cake walk. Africa and PNG is where I have been cutting my teeth, also some instructing in Aus.

In any regards, I don't wish this to be about who has it tougher, that's all relative.

The inconvenient truth is that in order for me to get the higher paying jobs, I need the jet experience in order to do so.

Where can you get that experience? Well it looks like the USA would be a good option.

The T&C are crap, I am well aware. I am living in Zambia at the moment where we are having load shedding for 12hrs day. So USA is looking a whole lot better than my current employment, once again it's all relative.

Krusty, your only advice is for me to give up, I refuse to do so.
I have too much invested into this career and would like to see it thru. And perhaps if I take the sacrifises now, I might end up like you with a nice paying job in the future.

Always willing to hear and apply advice from guys/gals who have made it in this career. But when getting responses such as "give up" you realise how bitter and twisted those people have become.

This looks like a good choice for Aussies not being able to move to airlines in Australia. When was the last time QF actually hired people from the street? Pre-2007 I believe?

Expect to make about $2K to $2.5K a month whilst flying as a regional FO in U.S but as a single, you will survive. Some of my instructors had to do extra part time jobs to feed their families. Get the hours and move on. If you somehow can get green card, even better. Move to US majors.

Hell, I've got my U.S commercial certificates but have been flying only turboprop in South East Asia. I'd definitely go to U.S just go get some jet hours and move onto a greener pasture.

But is this thing real? E-3 visa still requires U.S employers to prove that they can't find Americans to fill the positions.

Yeah Krusty, the truth helps no-one.

Where's my shiny jet? I'll happily move to the other side of the world and get paid crap. That means in a couple more years I can move to the opposite side of the world and get paid better crap to work for MRats. They don't need jet time anymore you see, plus have you seen the SIZE of their shiny jets? The Super in the A380 callsign stands for SUPER SHINY!

With all the technology these days I can watch my parents get old and frail from the other side of the world. I'll fly home every six months, which will turn into every year, then every couple of years. I feel guilty coming home infrequently and the only real way to assuage the guilt is to come home more infrequently. By the time it comes to bury them I'll feel almost nothing as I won't have seen them for almost a decade.

Any friends I had back 'down under' will move on with their lives, sparing an occassional thought for me living 'the life' globetrotting. Meanwhile I'll be onto my third wife and cheating on her with hopefully my fourth. At this rate I'll be working until I'm 70 (until the fourth wife is 40) but ICAO just outlawed that. If I'm lucky, really lucky, maybe I'll have a heart attack at 64 and pass mercifully in my superficial cookie cutter condo in the desert with a Scotch in hand. Not that I really ever liked the taste of Scotch, but all the other pilots seemed to. Maybe that's the scam, no-one does, but everyone wants to feel 'sophisticated'. What is an acquired taste anyway?

A bunch of people who I never really liked will have a half hearted wake in a place I grew to hate calling home, and never really was. I'll be boxed up and sent back to a place that wasn't home for nearly 4 decades.

It was all over in the blink of an eye. Was it worth the sacrifice? Who knows.

So...what sort of 'equipment' will we all be flying in the states? Hopefully this sort of stuff, all looks really cool! Lots of shiny jets in the video.

veoh - So You Want to be a Regional Airline Pilot?

Yes I know the video is almost a decade old, but do you really think things would have improved if they are allowing foreign pilots in?

j3

J3,
Absolutely brilliant!
:D

You guys should check out the regional forum on apc. That will give you an idea of what is going on over here and what you can expect if you decide to make the leap. Not airline here, former Brit in corporate been in the U.S. For 20+ years now and seen a lot of changes in the corporate flying world and airlines.

In most cases no training agreement in the US Regionals if you agree to stay for 2 years. A sign-on incentive of up to USD12,500 is available with Republic Airways.

see Republic Airways | Home

There are plenty 135 ops pilots and instructors who'd get paycut and have to leave home, pay for crashpad and dead head to see family, so they don't bother with regionals, now that the ATP (or restricted ATP, if having av degree or ex-mil, courtesy of EmbryRidicule lobby) is mandatory for 121 ops incl SIC.

There's NEVER EVER shortage of pilots to fill spots in USA, just willing to put up with T&Cs incl pay, roster, base uncertainty etc.

I can only recommend young eagle eyed pilots after couple years in GA, to go ahead. DO MAKE SURE YOU MEET FAA ATP or very close to it, as the 50hrs twin totals can include the advanced sim now required for ATP written, which'd be part of the type rating with airline. That includes plenty night time (100), 500hrs FAA XC (EDIT: RESTRICTED ATP 200HRS XC AND THE 50NM WAYPOINT OK WITHOUT LANDING FOR ATP ONLY, aeroplane or 25nm in heli), 75hrs instrument of which 50 in flight, as mentioned some of the twin time at least. Then you'd stand better chance, as saying the old CAR 5 ATP is good for FAA ATP ain't good enough.

E3 visa for Australian citizens is great thing for specialised jobs where one can get experience in US more easily and I recommend SINGLE youngsters meeting the ATP issue hours to try it. If anything, with job offshore, you'd free up GA spot for next low-timer and down the chain of jobs, then when back in Oz, won't be aiming for less than Dash, ERJ or other twinjet.

WIN WIN WIN situation. The market's not gonna change in US too much, unless the free hand of economy forces airlines to pay living salary and those who have other jobs with better quality of life and unable to get paycut for couple years before they're back on same salary on bigger airliner or as Capt, don't care that much about 'stealing jobs' they don't really want.

Edited as block caps above. Just checked and since they can do R-ATP with airlines even without any total time reduction - ie 1500hrs TT, but not the usual 500hrs xc for ATP. That fishes them people not flying far away much - skydivers drops, instructing locally etc.

For those interested,

I spoke to the recruiter at Skywest today and indicated that they have been accepting applications from Australians for several months now.

They will sponsor the applicant for a visa but they will not pay relocation. To apply, tick yes to the drop down question “do you require sponsorship”.

Its not perfect and the US is more expensive to live in than most Australians realize but if the alternative is bashing around in a Navajo or a Metro as I did, then I know which I would chose to do for a couple of years.

Krusty,

Its great that you have an opinion, it really is.

But comments like these . . . .

“ . . . while pretending to be a highly trained and experienced professional airline pilot.”

. . . . are actually offensive.

There is no pretending. These regional pilots fly high performance jets into some weather, terrain and elevation combinations that have no comparison in Australia.

The training is mandated by the FAA and is the same as a major carrier, as is the safety record.

“All the while the travelling public (up to 75 at a time) are blissfully unaware that at least one of the drivers up front is living below the poverty line whilst desperately building hours . . . .”

Most captains at Skywest would be 4500 hours plus and most FO’s would be 1000 hours plus. Would you level this criticism at airlines such as Dragonair where “at least one of the drivers” has considerably less experience that their Skywest counterpart?