Flying in Canada
 

Hi,
This might be a bit of a no brainer to many people, but I just have to ask..

What are the chances of getting hired by an airline in Canada with US Citizenship? Do they hire Americans at all or prefer Canadians only? I've visited Canada more than 10 times and really do love the neighbor to the north, which is why, even with the higher taxes, I would consider moving there.

Just thought I would ask.

It's about as easy as me (I'm Canadian) being able to fly for the majors in the USA. Without permanent residency status or the right to work in Canada it ain't gonna happen.

Not trying to point any fingers here, I know the US has strict rules on immigration, I'm an immigrant after all.

Now this brings me to my second question, is it easy for someone with a US passport to obtain a work permit in Canada? Any bi-lateral agreements?

Easy? Maybe if you're a doctor or something, but not as a pilot - too many Canadian pilots looking for jobs.

For me to go to the US and try to get a flying job, I'd have to marry an American, so it'd be the reciprocal for you. No company would sponsor you just to hire you over a Canadian (there's legalities in this, and much scrutiny in the industry now due to Sunwing's use of "temporary foreign workers" but that's a whole other can of worms...)

There may be a small loophole somewhere for flight instructing (i.e. learn to fly at a Canadian school, maybe work as an instructor for 1-2 years there afterwards) like there is in the US, but I have no idea.

I understand your points completely. I do know that there's been a few people from the FAA who has gone over to Nav Canada, and even ICAO based in Montreal. I guess that's akin to comparing Apples and Oranges though. Many years ago I thought about working for Nav Canada as a controller and spoke to someone in HR who said it would be possible to hire someone from the US, although they gave preference to local (Canadian) applicants.

I guess I'll just have to be content with visiting your lovely nation, or perhaps move there after I retire :)

How about pilots working for Canadian companies, but on contracts entirely based overseas? Like all those UN/African contracts.

Still have to be legal to work in Canada...it would be a Canadian company you're working for...