International Airlines with Outport Bases in the United States
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
International Airlines with Outport Bases in the United States
My husband is about to receive a United States green card. He holds an EASA ATPL with Class A medical certificate and an FAA PPL. He is instrument trained for Airbus 330 type rating.
We are currently looking into all of the steps he must take to convert his licenses according to FAA requirements. This process is long and complicated and may last longer than the 6 month green card window provides before we must permanently immigrate to the United States.
He is also considering applying to airlines with outport bases stationed in the United States. For example, Korean Air has one in LA and he did see something concerning Fiji Air. So far, this is all we can find in our research. Does anyone know of any other international airlines that allow for domicile in a USA outport base? Any help (or advice) in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
We are currently looking into all of the steps he must take to convert his licenses according to FAA requirements. This process is long and complicated and may last longer than the 6 month green card window provides before we must permanently immigrate to the United States.
He is also considering applying to airlines with outport bases stationed in the United States. For example, Korean Air has one in LA and he did see something concerning Fiji Air. So far, this is all we can find in our research. Does anyone know of any other international airlines that allow for domicile in a USA outport base? Any help (or advice) in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think Cathay has bases in LAX, JFK and MIA. Not 100% sure though.
If he's already flying an A330, he's probably met met most or all of the FAA ATP requirements. It's not necessarily a long conversion process. He could conceivably get it done in a month.
If he's already flying an A330, he's probably met met most or all of the FAA ATP requirements. It's not necessarily a long conversion process. He could conceivably get it done in a month.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the information Check Airman. I just looked through Cathay's profile on PCC. You must be a captain with 10+ years with the company to be stationed in one of their outport bases. Sadly, this does not apply to us. But thank you for the guidance.
You are correct, the process itself shouldn't take too long, however, he wants/needs to continue working with his current airline until he actually gets a job offer. This means he can't just take one month off to go to the United States to get everything done during the FAA conversion process. He will have to parcel things out piece-by-piece, all while under the radar of his current employee. This is the issue more than anything else.
You are correct, the process itself shouldn't take too long, however, he wants/needs to continue working with his current airline until he actually gets a job offer. This means he can't just take one month off to go to the United States to get everything done during the FAA conversion process. He will have to parcel things out piece-by-piece, all while under the radar of his current employee. This is the issue more than anything else.
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Enroute
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to say KoreanAir from application to being online will take at least six months - the time you need to spend based out of Korea without going home is initially at least four months, having taken probably at least two months from initial application to starting with them, so depending on when the green card clock starts ticking, they may also not be a possibility.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TSA Foreign Students
Sorry to say KoreanAir from application to being online will take at least six months - the time you need to spend based out of Korea without going home is initially at least four months, having taken probably at least two months from initial application to starting with them, so depending on when the green card clock starts ticking, they may also not be a possibility.
In addition, he'll need to go through the TSA foreign student application program: https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/home
Does he hold a degree? US Airlines pretty much require one. Expect to fly for a regional carrier for 12 months al least to demonstrate 121 experience.
PM me for more...
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: the land of chocolate
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you can be stationed on a base with cx as an fo, not that many green card holders here, so should be fairly easy.
not sure where you’ve got the 10 years plus as a captain from.
not sure where you’ve got the 10 years plus as a captain from.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: In Space
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suggest when his next leave window opens up, apply/attend for the ATP course to be done. You could do this fairly quickly. The US carriers will question how he attained his experience. The EU market is different we can join flying jets straight away which in the states is very rare without instructing first.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"New Hire Second Officer & First Officer Base - Hong Kong only
NOTE: Pilot Bases outside of Hong Kong are grandfathered. All new hires are looking at a Hong Kong basing for 10+ years.
Long-Term Captains and F/O Bases:
Hong Kong, New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Manchester Frankfurt, Anchorage, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Auckland."
This is how I have interpreted that footnote: my husband, as a new hire and FO, should expect to be based in Hong Kong for an extended period of time. But perhaps he should apply anyway, and, if he makes it to the interview stage, he can see if immediate (or near-future) outport basing is negotiable for his situation.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Here and there
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
‘Outpost base’
True overseas bases happen rarely these days and only with the legacy carriers and permanent employees. . What might be advertised as an overseas base for contractors is really just the approval to live where you want but, make your own way to work and back ( sure , using company tickets If they cover the route ). I have seen pilots having to commute for more than 24 hours plus waiting time , one way. In some cases these ‘bases ‘ open and close at the whim of the company and you may find yourself back at the main base. If you operate on a 20 on/ 10 off contract and you have to take 2 days to commute , arrive too late to catch a flight home plus , leave a day early on your way back ( so that you can be sure that you don’t miss a flight) , that might make it only 6 days home a month or less. Not easy . Want to move to the US? Do so but, get a job there.
