Pilot shortage in USA

[oriental flyer]

It has been reported that there is a massive pilot shortage in the USA with as many as 20,000 pilots short by the end of this year . Some airlines are so desperate that they are recruiting pilots from Australia already . But it’s at present a long drawn out process , this will change .
I think that if will only be a matter of time until pilots are granted fast track visas to the USA . Southwest, united , American are cancelling flights all over the place due to a crew shortage .
something will have to give .

[mngmt mole]

There is certainly a move within the US industry to lobby the Govt to approve fast track visas for qualified pilots. Understandably, ALPA is strongly against it, but ultimately the policy will be implemented. No timeline on it, but I wouldn't be surprised by the end of the year.

[ThrustAssymComp]

Originally Posted by mngmt mole

There is certainly a move within the US industry to lobby the Govt to approve fast track visas for qualified pilots. Understandably, ALPA is strongly against it, but ultimately the policy will be implemented. No timeline on it, but I wouldn't be surprised by the end of the year.

i want to but i only have icao cpl-ir

[Flying Clog]

Jesus oriental flyer, your news is way out of date. They typically recruited only Aussies externally in the US on the E3B visa I think it is, but now there are options from any nationality, but it's better to be ex Cathay and 747 rated, obviously.



Bring it on.

Let's give crappy pathetic a healthy serving of eggs, all over their chops.

[Sam Ting Wong]

Any US job is a right hand seat with right hand seat pay

> 45-50 y forget it

[Ecam321]

Part 135 operators I.e business/corporate jet, allow direct hire into the left seat. Plenty of jobs on offer with attractive schedules and basing options.

[Sam Ting Wong]

Not really. You would need PIC hours on type on a business jet plus possible a type rating. When you later want to join the airlines back to square one.

[Ecam321]

Not quite right STW. Plenty of part135 operators offer type rating to the right candidate to go straight to the left seat of a biz jet. Also once you have 1000 hours PIC under part 135, you are now eligible for direct entry left seat in the Airlines, part121. If your looking for direct left seat on a wide body, then that’s not going to happen but regionals and LCC’s are offering direct entry Captain with huge signing bonus, you need 1000 hours PIC part 135 or SIC part 121. They are desperate for pilots if you can get the right to work in the US, you’d start work tomorrow.

[Sam Ting Wong]

Ok, I stand corrected if that is true.

Would you mind sharing which airline is offering direct entry captain positions and a bonus payment on top??

[Ecam321]

https://www.skywest.com/skywest-airl...entry-captain/
https://boards.greenhouse.io/breezea...obs/4984329003
Breeze Airways is actually sponsoring foreign pilot visa applications and actively hiring Australians under the EB-3 visa scheme. But it’s right seat until you get 1000 hours under part121

[Sam Ting Wong]

Thanks, did not know that.

I still think it is probably financially unsustainable, but it is an option.

[boxjockey]

Originally Posted by Ecam321

Not quite right STW. Plenty of part135 operators offer type rating to the right candidate to go straight to the left seat of a biz jet. Also once you have 1000 hours PIC under part 135, you are now eligible for direct entry left seat in the Airlines, part121. If your looking for direct left seat on a wide body, then that’s not going to happen but regionals and LCC’s are offering direct entry Captain with huge signing bonus, you need 1000 hours PIC part 135 or SIC part 121. They are desperate for pilots if you can get the right to work in the US, you’d start work tomorrow.

There are no DEC at anywhere other than the regionals. The pay there is decent because of the bonuses, but you will not be going to the left seat at any of the operators of larger aircraft.

[Koan]

Originally Posted by Sam Ting Wong

Any US job is a right hand seat with right hand seat pay

> 45-50 y forget it

Even some senior Captains might consider their future at CX, versus even FO pay at US majors
especially now when would be holding left seat in a couple years anyway.

[Capt Under Pants]

Boxjockey,

Can confirm ECAM 321 is correct.

[Apollo19]

Originally Posted by oriental flyer

Some airlines are so desperate that they are recruiting pilots from Australia already .

That is true desperation!! Some of the worst pilots I have ever flown with. So bloody negative and miserable. That said, they are fun to drink with.

[Busbuoy]

Originally Posted by Apollo19

So bloody negative and miserable.

At least we weren't the butt of that age-old gag "you know the crew of a Cathay aircraft are poms when the engines are shut down and the whining continues!"

[B2N2]

Originally Posted by Ecam321

Not quite right STW. Plenty of part135 operators offer type rating to the right candidate to go straight to the left seat of a biz jet. Also once you have 1000 hours PIC under part 135, you are now eligible for direct entry left seat in the Airlines, part121. If your looking for direct left seat on a wide body, then that’s not going to happen but regionals and LCC’s are offering direct entry Captain with huge signing bonus, you need 1000 hours PIC part 135 or SIC part 121. They are desperate for pilots if you can get the right to work in the US, you’d start work tomorrow.

That is incorrect on both parts. No 135 Operator will put you left seat of a jet unless you have plenty of PIC time on type. Insurance requirements and industry safety certification.
FAA regulations require 1000 hrs SIC under Part 121 aka Airline operations.
135 PIC does NOT count towards the 1000 unless it was “scheduled” 135 Operations.

121.436
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...-121/subpart-O

[bafanguy]

I'm certainly no more clairvoyant than anyone else but I wouldn't be lickin' my chops over career-destination positions for expats at US carriers just yet. Admittedly, the situation here is a bit of uncharted territory but it's a complex puzzle with too many moving pieces (and political influences) to say what'll happen too far in the future.

And Spirit, Frontier, etc. may not be representative of what are career-destination spots in my view...and no, I don't want to debate that. Spirit and Frontier appear to be having some serious attrition issues at the moment ( and the Big Six aren't) which seems to indicate I'm not the only one to hold my definition of "career-destination" airline.

I will go out on a limb far enough to say necessary seats will be filled and airplanes will be flown regardless. I'd just be very surprised to see the likes of DL, UA, AA, SW, UPS and FedEx hire other than US citizens or green card holders.

Just a random opinion.

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Ecam321

@B2N2


SIC part 121 PIC part135 & 91 all count towards the 1000 hour requirements

Not sure if it makes any difference to the point you were making, but the section of Part 91 to which you refer is from Subpart K, Fractional Ownership ops...and not some rich guy who has his own jet and operates for his private purposes. I'm too lazy to research the quoted Part 135 section.

[FlyTCI]

Originally Posted by boxjockey

There are no DEC at anywhere other than the regionals. The pay there is decent because of the bonuses, but you will not be going to the left seat at any of the operators of larger aircraft.

Actually not true. I myself joined a 121 operator (non regional) last fall as a DEC in a large aircraft and expect to make $240-280k year one (no bonus). I have had my GC since many years though and have prior time in US operations.