Greener pastures
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Greener pastures
I am a US/UK citizen currently flying for a regional airline in the USA on the EMB 145 series of RJ. I have about 2500 hours, with 1400 SIC on the Embraer.
My wife and I are thinking of moving back to the UK and I was wondering about job prospects with this experience level. Would BA or Virgin be an option? Easyjet or Ryanair? Monarch? I would like to be based in either London or Edinburgh.
I still need to convert to JAA, and I would probably get a type rating as part of that process. Now I just need to find the $$$ to do that....
Any general help/advice is appreciated. Thanks!
My wife and I are thinking of moving back to the UK and I was wondering about job prospects with this experience level. Would BA or Virgin be an option? Easyjet or Ryanair? Monarch? I would like to be based in either London or Edinburgh.
I still need to convert to JAA, and I would probably get a type rating as part of that process. Now I just need to find the $$$ to do that....
Any general help/advice is appreciated. Thanks!
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Don't expect the Europeans on these boards to be very inviting - everyone is scrambling for jobs here too. Of course you will need to convert to JAA and it will cost money. You might need some PIC jet time to be competitive at BA and VS even with the conversion. Don't expect the living conditions to be much cheaper over here either - it is very, very expensive and taxes take a lot of quid out of your pockets.
I'd say stay in the States if I were you and build time in preparation for a career at Southwest or AirTran. Again, don't expect Europeans to welcome you with open arms (especially on these boards).
Good luck!
I'd say stay in the States if I were you and build time in preparation for a career at Southwest or AirTran. Again, don't expect Europeans to welcome you with open arms (especially on these boards).
Good luck!
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I also wish to echo similiar concerns. With the type of outlay in effort, resource, time and money why not use it to get yourself up the rung of the ladder by a couple of steps. Unlike many others in JAA land I would also be welcoming to any 'brother of the skies' but it's not about me or what I think and the previous posters are correct the system over here has a prejudice of welcoming only their own home grown talent. Even with the conversion you are seen as a 'repair job' that's been patched up to keep you going, I totally disagree with this but again what I think doesn't matter.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Good luck whatever you decide.
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You may well find your experience would be acceptable for BA, but you're a bit light on hours and tonnage for Virgin (who have no shorthaul fleet). The conversion from FAA to JAA is complex and expensive, but has been covered here several times before. As a UK citizen, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't apply for jobs anywhere in the EU. As I see things, the job market in UK is better than in the US or the remainder of the EU, though possibly not as voracious as in the Far East. Pilots with experience on glass jets are in demand, and your prospects should be excellent. However - don't take my word for it. Contact BA, Monarch, Thomsonfly, easyJet, Ryanair and anyone else you might be considering and sound them out before you commit to anything.
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It's like going back 100 years in time
As to your comment on the food, well I have to agree in part. They have superb food available in the US but at the same time there is so much crap around it results in the largest community of obese people in the world!!
All in all though, if I had a job there, I would probably stay too!!
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Originally Posted by Flymix
I am a US/UK citizen currently flying for a regional airline in the USA on the EMB 145 series of RJ. I have about 2500 hours, with 1400 SIC on the Embraer.
My wife and I are thinking of moving back to the UK and I was wondering about job prospects with this experience level. Would BA or Virgin be an option? Easyjet or Ryanair? Monarch? I would like to be based in either London or Edinburgh.
I still need to convert to JAA, and I would probably get a type rating as part of that process. Now I just need to find the $$$ to do that....
Any general help/advice is appreciated. Thanks!
My wife and I are thinking of moving back to the UK and I was wondering about job prospects with this experience level. Would BA or Virgin be an option? Easyjet or Ryanair? Monarch? I would like to be based in either London or Edinburgh.
I still need to convert to JAA, and I would probably get a type rating as part of that process. Now I just need to find the $$$ to do that....
Any general help/advice is appreciated. Thanks!
I've finished my UK JAA frozen ATPL not too long ago, and I can tell you that it's a long expensive process. But I'll be in a shiny new bus soon, so it seems to be worth it.
Going by your hours, you will need to write all 14 JAA ATPL exams, as well as do some flying, a commercial skills test and the multi and IR ratings. I suggest you go to the UK CAA website and download LASORs, sit down with a coffee or five and read. Any questions after that, feel free to PM me and I'll give you as much information as I can!
Good luck!
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Mix. I came over from North America as well and have not looked back. The odd person will bust your nuts about 'Taking jobs' but the majority understand and sometimes admire your choice. The ones that do give you a hard time usually put a sock in it when you tell them you have 4000 hours etc on numerous types. That, and you can vote, pay tax and can be sent to war for the UK, if you hold a British Passport. Bottom line is you are in the country legally and licenced to fly here. Period.
BA is a natural choice and they hire off the 145. Easy is a good option for some Bus time and then a move up. My advice is don't wait as the music is playing loud right now but many suspect it won't last too much longer.
BA is a natural choice and they hire off the 145. Easy is a good option for some Bus time and then a move up. My advice is don't wait as the music is playing loud right now but many suspect it won't last too much longer.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Hi there.
Scroggs hit the nail on the head. You'd have no problem applying the BA with your experience (I think) but getting through that selection process is another thing altogether. As i'm sure you know, VS is a minimum of 2500 hours to apply.
You might get a rude awakening if you come back to the UK though. You'll pay through the nose in tax and see the country falling apart around you although you will consistantly be told that everything is hunky dory
I'd be tempted to stay put...but then that's just me 
Having said that, the food in England is as good as anywhere. It's all a matter of where you choose to eat
Scroggs hit the nail on the head. You'd have no problem applying the BA with your experience (I think) but getting through that selection process is another thing altogether. As i'm sure you know, VS is a minimum of 2500 hours to apply.
You might get a rude awakening if you come back to the UK though. You'll pay through the nose in tax and see the country falling apart around you although you will consistantly be told that everything is hunky dory
I'd be tempted to stay put...but then that's just me Having said that, the food in England is as good as anywhere. It's all a matter of where you choose to eat
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Rather like Flymix, I'm also "dual" (the U.S. doesn't like the idea of dual citizenship mind) & working in the U.S.A in an occupation I enjoy very much. I like the people here & the environment; lifestyle is excellent.
However, given the chance, I would get back to the U.K. in a heartbeat. I fully understand how fortunate I am to have a choice & am lucky to have been accepted by my adopted country i.e. I'm not ungrateful in the least but after some years of being away I really miss too many aspects of life in Britain to say that I could see myself here forever. And yes, I do get back to the U.K. fairly regularly so I'm not pipedreaming about a long gone era.
And for the reasons CanAV8R mentions, it's time to start planning now...
However, given the chance, I would get back to the U.K. in a heartbeat. I fully understand how fortunate I am to have a choice & am lucky to have been accepted by my adopted country i.e. I'm not ungrateful in the least but after some years of being away I really miss too many aspects of life in Britain to say that I could see myself here forever. And yes, I do get back to the U.K. fairly regularly so I'm not pipedreaming about a long gone era.
And for the reasons CanAV8R mentions, it's time to start planning now...
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Gnirren
I have lived in the US and the UK and am fully aware of the differrences in life style.
I ll assume your another Swedish guy who paid for his own Type Rating and then came to the UK to find a job and be accomodated........because there aint no oppertunities in Sweden.
If you dont like the UK..................go work for SAS, simple!
I have lived in the US and the UK and am fully aware of the differrences in life style.
I ll assume your another Swedish guy who paid for his own Type Rating and then came to the UK to find a job and be accomodated........because there aint no oppertunities in Sweden.
If you dont like the UK..................go work for SAS, simple!
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Hey peeps!
Im from South Africa and is rated on the King Air B200 and Beachcraft 1900... Im thinking of going to the US to work there and to further increase my hours. Is there Charter companies in the US that is looking for lower time pilots and would they employ a South African if he converts his licence ect ect at own cost?
Im from South Africa and is rated on the King Air B200 and Beachcraft 1900... Im thinking of going to the US to work there and to further increase my hours. Is there Charter companies in the US that is looking for lower time pilots and would they employ a South African if he converts his licence ect ect at own cost?
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Flymix,
having worked both sides of the atlantic, pro's and con's to both sides as you would expect. Although I would wager that half way through your CAA licence validation, you'll be totally fed up.
Should be worth it in the long run as Uk terms/conditions much superior and work reasonably plentiful at the moment.
Quality of life depends largely on your priority's. Good vacation, time off, pay (compared to states) and a national health service, but you'll have to pay the earth to live in a shoebox, surrounded by too many people, way too much traffic and pay the government most of your money back in taxes.
The government here sucks, they're all greedy B**d's, who only look after themselves first. So no difference to the states there then! And whilst that's getting off topic slightly, that does effect your quality of life.
Anyway best of luck.
having worked both sides of the atlantic, pro's and con's to both sides as you would expect. Although I would wager that half way through your CAA licence validation, you'll be totally fed up.
Should be worth it in the long run as Uk terms/conditions much superior and work reasonably plentiful at the moment.
Quality of life depends largely on your priority's. Good vacation, time off, pay (compared to states) and a national health service, but you'll have to pay the earth to live in a shoebox, surrounded by too many people, way too much traffic and pay the government most of your money back in taxes.
The government here sucks, they're all greedy B**d's, who only look after themselves first. So no difference to the states there then! And whilst that's getting off topic slightly, that does effect your quality of life.
Anyway best of luck.
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Thanks to everyone that has replied to my question. I know that the conversion process is long and expensive...hence my tearing my hair out before I commit!
My wife is British and all of her and some of my family are over there...and I like the food! Yes, even Marmite!
My favorite places in the States are NY, Chicago etc so I am used to urban living and high taxes...and I have no interest in working for Airtran or SW.
All my research leads me to think that having the option and ability to move back to the UK may be the way to go...
That said, can anyone recommend a school to help with the conversion process? Right now I am looking at OAT or Naples Air Center in Florida. Do airlines over there care where you do your training when considering your application?
My wife is British and all of her and some of my family are over there...and I like the food! Yes, even Marmite!
My favorite places in the States are NY, Chicago etc so I am used to urban living and high taxes...and I have no interest in working for Airtran or SW. All my research leads me to think that having the option and ability to move back to the UK may be the way to go...
That said, can anyone recommend a school to help with the conversion process? Right now I am looking at OAT or Naples Air Center in Florida. Do airlines over there care where you do your training when considering your application?
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Originally Posted by Flymix
can anyone recommend a school to help with the conversion process? Right now I am looking at OAT or Naples Air Center in Florida.
All the best in your endeavours to get in to Blighty.
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I am also a US/Irish citizen. Wife is Irish I a yank. Moved over four years ago with 2000 piston time. Soon found out that didn't mean squat. Wasted time with some of the Florida flight schools and finally got sorted with Bristol gound school and a small flying outfit in England. Spent everything I had
but have never looked back. Caught a break, then another one and am currently contracting in Portugal, living the dream. You should be sorted since you have jet time already, word of advice is pick your conversion carefully, it ain't cheap and you don't want to have to do anything twice.Good luck in your future plans.
but have never looked back. Caught a break, then another one and am currently contracting in Portugal, living the dream. You should be sorted since you have jet time already, word of advice is pick your conversion carefully, it ain't cheap and you don't want to have to do anything twice.Good luck in your future plans.
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We have a few septic tanks (cockney for yanks) here at ryanair and they are made feel very welcome I think. I know some of them operate on FAA licences with a yearly dispensation but I don’t know the details. The food thing is bollox you can get any nationality dish in London that you care to choose even American, what is your national dish again? You will have to be prepared to put up with our sense of humour though. The house price thing is true but you will also make money on the ever rising property market if you buy wisely.
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Originally Posted by essexboy
We have a few septic tanks (cockney for yanks) here at ryanair and they are made feel very welcome I think. I know some of them operate on FAA licences with a yearly dispensation but I don’t know the details. The food thing is bollox you can get any nationality dish in London that you care to choose even American, what is your national dish again? You will have to be prepared to put up with our sense of humour though. The house price thing is true but you will also make money on the ever rising property market if you buy wisely.
I lived the the UK for 8 years and am well aware of the sense of humor (spell it right!). For the record...processed lard is our national dish. Krispy Kream donuts are playing with the idea of a bacon double cheese DONUT! But I have had several deep fried mars bars in Edinburgh....
Does anyone think that having a US accent (of the New York variety...never lost that despite 8 years away) would be a problem for BA? It seems that other posters here have not had a problem with a Canadian accents. But I can't recall ever hearing any accent on speedbird other than proper Queen's english.
