Any jobs in Asia so I can skip US regionals?
 

Hey guys I'm coming up on my 1500, I've been flying a ME TP in a 135 passenger operation and looking for an alternative to doing the U.S. regionals. It seems most of the carriers in Asia want time in type or want you to pay for your type. Anyone have any ideas or should I just get 1000 hours and have the 121 experience and jet time and start looking from there? I'm looking for An alternative to get into a a320/737. I'm flexible on about any location, but I'm not paying for my type. Thanks.

It's difficult in the Asia pacific region. They're about 300 foreign pilots in India and all are type rated. If your resume is impressive try filling out the form for emirates. They're facing shortage of pilots and anyone with jet engine exp is welcomed there. This is what I've heard so do cross check.

Fly Dubai/Qatar or any Middle-eastern carrier. I would try there with your experience.

Thanks flyboy, but right now those guys are all wanting 2500 with 1000 121 jet time. So if I go to the regionals for 1-2 years I could get in there.

@ FlyinColo


Personally, I don't think you can skip the regionals..

What country are you targeting..??

EMB 170/175 is a good option for working abroad..

As a general rule, The heavier the jet, the better it is but make sure it is a minimum of CRJ 700, CRJ 200 doesn't count for Emirates.. should be greater than 30 tonnes.

Pretty much All the regionals are desperate & hiring like carzy.

You need to put in your time and pay your dues. There are no shortcuts unless you are a national of the asian country you plan on working. Otherwise, you'll pretty much need a type rating and plenty of jet time like the several other thousand of people applying. If they do take you as a copilot, you'll pretty much be a gear jerker and PNF duty until upgrading.

Do it
 

Mostly useless off-topic answers so far, so let me clear this up. You asked about Asia, not the Indian subcontinent or the middle east, so here’s the deal.

Yes, you can do it.

Look at A320 low cost operators who hire FOs and also do upgrades. In Hong Kong look at Hong Kong Airlines or in Singapore try Tiger, SilkAir, or Jetstar. Most hire low time FOs and upgrade them. Some do not, eg Korean hires FOs but doesn’t upgrade, they hire DECs (street captains) instead, so don’t bother. Forget Cathay or Dragon air if you’re in it for a quick upgrade. Forget China too due to no upgrades, and Thailand since they usually don’t hire foreigners, but there are a lot of other countries in the area so do some digging. Pilot Career Centre dot com is a good place to start and always has a link to the pilot hiring page of each airline. Some jobs come through contract agencies.

Yes, there are Asian airlines who will train you without charging you for your type rating. On pprune P2F means pay to fly, or pay for your type rating, to be avoided in my opinion. Most airlines make you sign a “bond” (training contract) same as US that says if you leave early you have to pay back a portion, but if you stay 3 yrs or whatever, you pay nothing.

A ton is 1000 kg out here, not 2000 lbs, so when an airline has a 10T experience minimum, it’s 22,000lb, not 20,000 lb etc.

Asia is fun, the people are mostly good, and you can always go back so give it a try and don’t let posers drag you off topic on these message boards. Go for it.

Just my advice, if you are young and you are American, just go to a regional with the E175 or even CRJ. Get your jet time and upgrade. (Its fast these days, like 2 years even without prior 121). Once you have 500 PIC, you can go overseas as a CA to other fleets. And stay a Captain. Forget trying to upgrade overseas as an expat as most dont even offer it. Qatar Emirates will upgrade but its long for a new joiner and you will need at least 3000 jet time to be considered there. They are actually not desperate at all with tons of apps on file :) If you get your 500 PIC in the ejet or a crj you can go to china and transition to a320, or turkish, or even japan will start transitioning RJ CAs to a320 CAs. Cheers

My understanding is that it is happening already...., I was told that a couple of IBEX guys have finished their contracts and been hired at either Peach or Vanilla.

To the OP...., Speaking of IBEX...., that company might be a way to get your foot on the door.

My recommendation is to get off PPrune and get into the agencies websites..., apply to anything and everything there even if you think that you don't meet their minimums...., let them be the ones to turn you down, don't knock yourself down.

Good luck

Hi Dominican,

I am glad to hear that. I just saw on the TWI website that a flowthrough to A320 will be offered to the IBEX contract after one term but no details are shown. Heard Japan is short of CAs on the LCC sides.
By the way i forgot to add AJX to the list of airlines that upgrade expats. I think those 3 are it, EK Ajx or Qatar. So for an American i think its best to get in to get the jet time, upgrade pretty fast then go expat in Asia if thats what you want. AJX would also be a great option at that point. Regionals suck but they are significantly better than when i had to do it 7 years ago. Now you get sign on bonuses and good movement. Best of luck to you.