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What job could a foreign 10k hr 777 pilot get in the USA?

Hello dear reader.

As my country, South Africa, is in dire straits and the future there is about as bright as an old bicycle light, I would dearly like to come and live in the USA. I have good 737 and 777 time.
Realistically if I get a green card, and I try real hard, what would the best job be that I could go for and what sort of salary could I expect to be paid? Any companies offering to assist with green cards? A bit of insider knowledge would be invaluable here..
Many thanks in advance!

Sounds like tough times in your country. I hope things work out for you.

How are you planning to get a green card ? Do you have FAA tickets ?

I take it you're not a SAA pilot, so this plan not available to you ?:

“SAA has explored options to transfer pilots to rival airlines Kenya Airways and Air Mauritius, as well as Emirates, Turkish, and Ethiopian Airlines, Jarana told Bloomberg. “

https://thepointsguy.com/news/south-...ther-airlines/

Realistically, nobody is sponsoring green cards for airline pilots. If you are somehow able to get a green card, you would easily be able to get a job at any regional airline.

If you have a 4 year university degree, you would be competitive for a job at all of the major and legacy airlines but it would take some work and networking to get hired.

I have received an invitation to work with one of US regional's airlines as a captain, that was not something that US airline used to do, but nowadays because of the shortage they are sponsoring the visa processes for some cases
I have flown the Boeing 737-300 to 737-800 for at least 21 years (about 15,000 hrs on the type) and I have about 3,200 hrs on Twin Otter
Believe it or not, the salary that has been suggested by the US-based airline is not even half of what I get in the middle east, get your self a work in south-east Asia or middle east and stay away from China.

Good luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by the737capt (Post 10210588)

737,

Interesting. Just for our general enlightenment, can you reveal your citizenship and what type of visa the regional offered you ? And how were you approached by them...or did you initiate an inquiry ?

I hold the european and australian passports

Quote:

Originally Posted by the737capt (Post 10211031)

I hold the european and australian passports

737,

I see. So you'd most likely come here as an Aussie on an E3 visa ?

I bet any regional would be quite happy to get you. If you have no FAA Part 121 experience, you'd have to knock out 1,000 hours of it before you could be employed as a captain:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.436

Are you seriously entertaining the idea ?

You’re not going to like hearing this, but go study the 14 EASA exams and take whatever checkride you’ll need if you don’t already have the EASA license. Easyjet DEC based in sunny Barcelona or Faro if you like Portugal. Norwegian 787 DEC based in raining Gatwick or Rome if you like Italian food. If non of that suits you, try Vista Jets (biz jets) based anywhere you want in Europe.

While the sound of living in the US is music to your ears right now, 6 months into your career with Skywest, Envoy, Go Jet, you’ll come to realize it’s not a green as you thought.

My 2 cents!

This is interesting. There was recently a thread in the bizjet section where an EK 777 CA couldn't wait to get out of the sandpit and run to...you guessed it, South Africa!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfricanSkies (Post 10210322)

I'm a South African expat living and working in the US for the last 30+ years. Currently I'm flying as a B787 Captain for a major.

I can sympathize with what you're going through having been there myself. The US pilot job market is a tough nut to crack, particularly if you don't have a green card. Even having it, you need to meet the distinctly American requirements to get hired, namely a college degree. It's virtually impossible to get hired by a major without it, although you could probably be hired by a LCC or freight operator like Atlas.

You mention having B777 time. Where did you get that? There are no B777 operators in SA so I suspect you may have gained your experience in the middle east.

I would explore carriers like Korean, ANA, and the many other Asian carriers that do hire expats.

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies, guys. Yes, 777 time in ME. Unfortunately no 4 yr degree, only a 3 yr one.

Does the 4 year degree requirement apply to the big cargo carriers too?

Check if your 3 year degree is equivalent to a US 4 year degree. I’m not an expert on education in SA, however most British 3 year courses are deemed as equivalent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfricanSkies (Post 10212457)

Unfortunately no 4 yr degree, only a 3 yr one.

As careerSO said, if you're really determined, have your degree checked for equivalency to a US 4-year degree. There are companies that do this with the results accepted by the employer. I don't know which airlines use which services nor how to find out. Someone knows.

It appears that while you may see an airline occasionally list a degree as "preferred", your competition will most likely have one. The career-destination jobs are competitive enough as it is.

Good luck in the hunt.

Contact PAS aviation, they are looking for south african pilots for Eurowings

Quote:

Contact PAS aviation, they are looking for south african pilots for Eurowings

This would require an EASA license, besides having the right to live and work in the EU! And pretty much the same applies to land a job with a US airline in terms of license as well as the legal right to work and live in the States! As mentioned above, unlikely that a US airline will sponsor a green card or visa (unless one holds an Australian Passport).

Quote:

Believe it or not, the salary that has been suggested by the US-based airline is not even half of what I get in the middle east, get your self a work in south-east Asia or middle east and stay away from China.

Probably the best advise (given by the737capt)!!!

Are you willing to start over again from the regionals for some part 121 time having 737 and 777 experience already? Why don't you try DEC Emirates, Qatar, Fly Dubai? They pay more than double what a regional captain gets paid and it's all tax free!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfricanSkies (Post 10212457)

Thanks for the replies, guys. Yes, 777 time in ME. Unfortunately no 4 yr degree, only a 3 yr one.

Does the 4 year degree requirement apply to the big cargo carriers too?

The requirement is for a Bachelors Degree. It takes three years in most of the world to complete it, but four years in the US.

A three year RSA Bachelors Degree is equivalent to a US four year Degree. I don't think that will be an issue. The US and few other countries are the exceptions in having four year Bachelor degrees - most countries are three (generally following the British system) more importantly both cover similar academic content in different time scales.

Requirements for Delta:

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General Requirements

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At least 23 years of age.
Graduate of a four-year degree program from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Dept. of Education recognized accrediting organization.
Degrees obtained from a non-U.S. institution must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Current passport or other travel documents enabling the bearer to freely exit and re-enter the U.S. (multiple reentry status) and be legally eligible to work in the U.S. (possess proper working documents).

FAA Requirements

FAA commercial airplane category pilot license with an instrument rating.
Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
Meets ALL minimum FAA airplane category ATP requirements (14 C.F.R. 61.159) including successful completion of the ATP written exam.

Flight Time Requirements

Minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time.
Minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed wing turboprop or turbofan time.
90% of the flight time logged in powered lift category aircraft (e.g. AV-8B, F-35B, and V-22) will be credited to the Delta Air Lines 1,000 hour fixed wing turboprop/turbofan requirement.
Minimum of 250 hours PIC in an aircraft categorized as an airplane.
The flight time logged in a powered lift category aircraft cannot be credited towards PIC aircraft time in accordance with 14 C.F.R. 61.159.
Minimum of 50 hours of fixed wing multi-engine time.

https://www.deltajobs.net/pilot_qualifications.htm

American:

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Qualifications

Here is what it takes to be a successful pilot at American:

· Excellent communication skills and quick and accurate decision making
· Close attention to detail
· Minimum age of 23
· Ability to work varying hours of the day or night, on weekends and holidays
· Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or Customs security badges
· Fulfillment of FAA criminal background checks
· Ability to learn and work with PEDs
· Distance vision corrected to 20/20 and near vision corrected to 20/40 or better in each eye
· Current Unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating (multi-engine)
· Valid FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator permit
· Valid First Class Medical Certificate
· Flight time in accordance with all FAA requirements
· Must be able to fluently speak and understand English
· Must have the right to work in the United States
· Additionally, we require all of our pilots to have a valid passport and documentation allowing for entry into the United States after an international flight.

https://aa.pilotcredentials.com/

United:

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Minimum qualifications

Certification requirements:

Unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with airplane multiengine class rating
Current FAA first-class medical certificate
FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)

Flight time requirement:

Minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time

General requirements:

Current, valid passport
Legal right to work in the United States
Must be able to travel freely within the United States and without restriction to all countries United serves
- Some countries place entry restrictions on foreign visitors. For instance, Canada prohibits entry to people who have been convicted of criminal offenses or who have criminal charges currently pending against them. Some convictions that make a person inadmissible for entry into Canada include theft, driving while intoxicated (DWI) and a number of felonies and misdemeanors. There are procedures to seek special permission or waivers from Canada to permit entry, but these are not automatic. This is not a complete list of countries with restrictions.
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university is preferred
Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/company/career/pilot.html

Southwest:

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Qualifications Southwest Airlines Pilot Requirements:

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Certificates/Ratings: U.S. FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Unrestricted U.S. ATP
Age: Must be at least 23 years of age.
Flight Experience: 2,500 hours total or 1,500 hours Turbine total. Additionally, a minimum of 1,000 hours in Turbine aircraft as the Pilot in Command* is preferred. Southwest considers only Pilot time in fixed-wing aircraft. This specifically excludes simulator, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO, etc. "Other Time" will not be considered.
Currency: Experience should include actively flying two of the last five years.
FCC Radiotelephone Operator Permit.
Medical: Must possess a current FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate. Must pass FAA mandated Drug Test.
Authorization to work in the United States: Must have established authorization to work in the United States.
Must possess a valid United States Driver's License and a valid passport or a Refugee Travel Document.
Education: graduation from accredited, four-year College preferred.
Letters of Recommendation: At least three letters from any individuals who can attest to the pilot's flying skills, by having observed him/her over a sustained period of time.

*PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. For military personnel, Southwest Airlines will allow flight time logged as "Pilot in Command" (PIC) only if you are the Captain/Aircraft Commander, Evaluator, or Instructor Pilot. Primary time will only be considered PIC on a specific aircraft after an individual upgrades to Aircraft Commander n the appropriate aircraft. Time logged as "Other Time" will not be considered.

Military Conversion: Military Pilots may convert flight time by adding .3 hours per sortie.

Applicants who have a B737 Type Rating must not have limitations other than "B-737 CIRC.APCH.-VMC ONLY" documented on their certificate.

https://swa.pilotcredentials.com/

FedEx:

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Qualifications

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Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-engine and Instrument rating without limitations
ATP Certificate
Must pass FAA mandated drug screen
Must have 20/20 correctable vision
Recency and type of experience is considered
Meet requirements for and currently hold First Class Medical certification
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
Eligibility for rapid visa issuance, issued by offices in the United States to fly to any FedEx destination.
Eligibility for issuance of US Security Clearance
1500 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in-command (PIC) or second-in-command in multi-engine turbo-prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500). A minimum of 1000 hours total fixed-wing pilot-in-command in multi-engine turbo prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500 or greater) is preferred. Note: PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. Note: FedEx considers only pilot time in fixed wing aircraft toward minimum qualifications. This does not include simulator, helicopter, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, RIO, EWO, WSO, NFO, or Special Crew.
All certificates and ratings required to be U.S.A. FAA issued

FedEx Express Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge Requirement

FedEx Express Pilots must be granted security clearance to access Security Areas [SIDA] of airports and are subject to the requirements of 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1544.
These requirements include employment history and criminal background checks, including a FBI fingerprint based criminal history check. This position also requires a Radio Telephone Operators License. The authority for collecting this information is 49 U.S.C. Sections 114 and 44936.

https://fedex.pilotcredentials.com/index.php?a=qualifications

UPS:

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Basic Qualifications

Quote:

Hold a current unrestricted ATP certificate with an Airplane category multi-engine class rating and English proficiency endorsement
Hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Hold an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
Hold a valid passport
Have authorization to work in the United States
Have a minimum of 1500 hours of total fixed-wing pilot time

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
Recent and type of experience will be considered; for example, preference given to candidates with demonstrated flight experience in transport category aircraft
within the last 12 months from date of application
Minimum of 1000 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) hours in fixed-wing jet and/or fixed-wing multi-engine turboprop per 14 CFR 1.1 (UPS will allow military candidates to add a plus (.3) per sortie factor to flight time)

Pilot in Command, per 14 CFR 1.1, means the person who:

Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight
Has been designated as the pilot in command before or during the flight
Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight

https://www.jobs-ups.com/job/louisville/first-officer/1187/6600921

Thank you very much! Good news on some fronts, some challenges on the other. But definitely more enlightened!

FedEx "Eligibility for issuance of US Security Clearance" could be an issue if you're South African and fresh off the plane. If you go for FedEx, make sure the US authorities will be able to check your background to their satisfaction.

An idea: If you meet all the FAA requirements, and not the US residence requirements, but can get European residence, can you fly N-registered European-based aircraft for FedEx (or maybe UPS)? Mind you, then the suggestion to meet the EASA requirements and then get a job with the orange mob seems like a good idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolai (Post 10226803)

Nice try :)

Fedex/UPS pilot contracts will not permit 'foreign' pilots to be hired and staffed overseas.