The lack of a degree will definitely hinder career progression in the US, but not being a US citizen won't be a factor in most cases.

Having said that, I don't know if he flies for a legacy in Europe or an LCC, etc... that could play a big factor in life decisions. I would not leave British Airways for a regional in the US, for example.

Lastly, everyone loves to hate on the regionals, understandably, but it is possible to have a decent career (although pales in comparison with the majors). There are plenty of guys at the regionals making $150,000+ per annum.

I work for a European Legacy now on the 777, looking for quite a few more yrs for a command on Longhaul . Command shorthaul is already an option, but not what I went for so far.
Anyways, gonna give it some more thought. We still have a few months to decide. Also I've sort of "stolen" this forum.

pbi,

Yes, there are many outfits here in the USA: Southern, ATI, Dynamic Air Int'l (don't let a little bankruptcy scare ya !), National, USA Jet, ABX, and some I've failed to remember. Many of them don't generate much news.

To address the OP's question, while most carriers here will hire a green card holder (even some airlines you'd actually want to work for), I just don't see carriers with larger airplanes soliciting expats. The regionals are taking Aussies under that special visa deal but that's an unusual arrangement...just a steppingstone for Aussies the same way it's a steppingstone for US citizens...a niche phenomenon.

This country has pilots running out its ears but if expats can find an avenue into the game here...come on in. Welcome to the game.

Hi folks, just fishing for answers.

My girlfriend/wife to be has always dreamed of working in the US and she can easily get a job and visa there if she really wanted to. She would then be able to claim a visa for me apparently. Saying all that, if she was to head off to the US it would probably be a year from now at the very least until she would be settled there. I mainly asking these questions for her sake. I don't really care where I live as long as I can make a career as a pilot. She is happy to live in Europe, but its still her dream to be in the USA.

I am very ignorant of aviation in the USA in general, I know very little about it to be honest. My situation currently is that I am 26, UK citizen and a University graduate with Honours degree. I already have my PPL and I am in the middle of my commercial training here in the UK. My plan is to finish training and look for employment in a European airline.

I am aware of the FAA 1500 hour rule, as a rookie that is something that would put me off starting my career in the USA.

Anyhow, can some of the wise and experienced guys give me a rundown on my options if I was to make the move to the USA? What would I need to do/could I do? Would I be better trying to build up a few thousand hours on a 737/320 here in Europe before thinking about the USA?

Thanks

MP

MP,

While we wait for the more knowledgeable folks to arrive, I'll just add that the 1500 hour rule applies to FAR Part 121 operators, what you'd recognize as "airlines", i.e., pax, freight. Since it's not a starting point anyway don't be put off by it. FAR Part 135 requires less, the details of which escape me at the moment.

Flight instructing is a frequent (but certainly not the only) starting point and the USA is stretched for CFIs these days. We even have a few organizations conducting training here under EASA but I get the impression getting an EASA instructor ticket is a pretty pricey thing. FAA licenses would quickly become a requirement. Here's just one as an example:

Pilot-Fixed Wing job at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy - Certified Flight Instructors

There are others.

One issue from your post involves your lady friend. Can she work anywhere in the USA or will her line of work narrow her choice to a particular geographic area ? The reason I ask is that any entry level spot you might get would most likely require your living where you work vs living where you want and commuting; this may also influence YOUR available choices when/if that time comes.

Good luck in the hunt.

Thanks for the reply!

What sort of pay would you be looking at if you were to started of instructing?

I know you technically need 1500 hours to get into airlines, but in reality what sort of hours would you need before you get anywhere near a 737/320 at a major? I say this not because I care about the type of aircraft, but I think I'm right in saying that the better salaries are at the majors?

Commuting isn't an issue for us. My first job in Europe is most likely not going to be on my doorstep, so we face the same issue as a couple if we live in Europe and we have discussed that factor at length. However her line of work would allow her to work anywhere in the US.

Is she in the medical profession by chance? How long after her arrival would she be able to sponsor you to be able to join her? If I recall, she would have to be a citizen to sponsor you for either a K1 or K3 visa and that's a process that takes years (I'm uncertain how a non-US Citizen working in the US on the basis of a non or immigrant visa could sponsor another to work there but would be interested to know). Instructing is not fantastically paid in the US and can be erratic in terms of workload but as suggested, with a minimum of 200 hours instructional experience, you could potentially work at an EASA school such as CTC or CAE or one of the Florida based ATO's, then progress up to the regionals flying a T/P or CRJ then once you have a few thousand hours, up to the majors. With EU experience on CS25 types however, you could bypass the instructing and regionals.

I think I'd do a bit of research on the path to US immigration though as it's not as straightforward as your wife to be suggests. Might be quicker to find a US girlfriend perhaps and marry her? :}

As far as immigration/visas go it is important that you marry your girlfriend prior to her sending in any type of visa application to USCIS.