Best airlines to work for as a Pilot in Europe

[Fakiiri]

I debated making a new thread but I might as well ask here. I'm in a unique situation and I realize that this is a very good problem to have, and I',m not here to gloat. I am a dual US/EU citizen living in the US and working for a big regional airline here and due to upgrade to CA next month. The industry here is obviously doing very well with new contracts bumping up payscales to unprecedented levels. However, as has been discussed on the forums over and over again, money isn't everything.

My wife and I have for a while been dreaming of moving to Europe to start a family. All of my family is there while hers is in the US. The dream was to work for Fedex and be based in CGN, but as of yesterday, they are closing the CGN domicile for good. This makes our dream of living in the Europe while working for a US carrier nearly impossible. So this leaves us with the choice of staying in the US or moving to the EU to work for an airline/private carrier. As far as airlines go, based on my research, only AF/KLM come close to pay and quality of life as the major airlines provide in the US. However, I don't speak French or Dutch. As far as private, people seem pretty happy at NetJets Europe. Do they ever hire direct entry CA's, or do you have to start as an FO? Are there any other good options I might be missing?

Don't know if I'm crazy to consider giving up a career in the US for the EU, but we'd prefer to raise kids there...

Thanks all

[bringbackthe80s]

If you move it will be the biggest mistake of your life.

[Check Airman]

Originally Posted by Fakiiri

I debated making a new thread but I might as well ask here. I'm in a unique situation and I realize that this is a very good problem to have, and I',m not here to gloat. I am a dual US/EU citizen living in the US and working for a big regional airline here and due to upgrade to CA next month. The industry here is obviously doing very well with new contracts bumping up payscales to unprecedented levels. However, as has been discussed on the forums over and over again, money isn't everything.

My wife and I have for a while been dreaming of moving to Europe to start a family. All of my family is there while hers is in the US. The dream was to work for Fedex and be based in CGN, but as of yesterday, they are closing the CGN domicile for good. This makes our dream of living in the Europe while working for a US carrier nearly impossible. So this leaves us with the choice of staying in the US or moving to the EU to work for an airline/private carrier. As far as airlines go, based on my research, only AF/KLM come close to pay and quality of life as the major airlines provide in the US. However, I don't speak French or Dutch. As far as private, people seem pretty happy at NetJets Europe. Do they ever hire direct entry CA's, or do you have to start as an FO? Are there any other good options I might be missing?

Don't know if I'm crazy to consider giving up a career in the US for the EU, but we'd prefer to raise kids there...

Thanks all

Since the FDX door is closed, you may want to look into Atlas. You can live in Europe (almost anywhere really) and work for a US company. The flying is VERY different, and there will be long stretches away from home, as well as long stretches at home.

[AIMINGHIGH123]

What about part time options at your current airline?

That’s my long term plan. I was at an airline that didn’t offer that option. I was chasing the money but am now in a position with more options while money will not be as great.
With your USA ticket you would be mad
to give that up.

[Airone2977]

Originally Posted by Fakiiri

I debated making a new thread but I might as well ask here. I'm in a unique situation and I realize that this is a very good problem to have, and I',m not here to gloat. I am a dual US/EU citizen living in the US and working for a big regional airline here and due to upgrade to CA next month. The industry here is obviously doing very well with new contracts bumping up payscales to unprecedented levels. However, as has been discussed on the forums over and over again, money isn't everything.

My wife and I have for a while been dreaming of moving to Europe to start a family. All of my family is there while hers is in the US. The dream was to work for Fedex and be based in CGN, but as of yesterday, they are closing the CGN domicile for good. This makes our dream of living in the Europe while working for a US carrier nearly impossible. So this leaves us with the choice of staying in the US or moving to the EU to work for an airline/private carrier. As far as airlines go, based on my research, only AF/KLM come close to pay and quality of life as the major airlines provide in the US. However, I don't speak French or Dutch. As far as private, people seem pretty happy at NetJets Europe. Do they ever hire direct entry CA's, or do you have to start as an FO? Are there any other good options I might be missing?

Don't know if I'm crazy to consider giving up a career in the US for the EU, but we'd prefer to raise kids there...

Thanks all

What about cargo operator in EU ? If you're OK with night operation it is a very good work/life balance and contracts are good.
DHL recruiting in Leipzig and Austria
ASL, CMA CGN in CDG
Could be an option ...

[RARA9]

Originally Posted by Fakiiri

I debated making a new thread but I might as well ask here. I'm in a unique situation and I realize that this is a very good problem to have, and I',m not here to gloat. I am a dual US/EU citizen living in the US and working for a big regional airline here and due to upgrade to CA next month. The industry here is obviously doing very well with new contracts bumping up payscales to unprecedented levels. However, as has been discussed on the forums over and over again, money isn't everything.

My wife and I have for a while been dreaming of moving to Europe to start a family. All of my family is there while hers is in the US. The dream was to work for Fedex and be based in CGN, but as of yesterday, they are closing the CGN domicile for good. This makes our dream of living in the Europe while working for a US carrier nearly impossible. So this leaves us with the choice of staying in the US or moving to the EU to work for an airline/private carrier. As far as airlines go, based on my research, only AF/KLM come close to pay and quality of life as the major airlines provide in the US. However, I don't speak French or Dutch. As far as private, people seem pretty happy at NetJets Europe. Do they ever hire direct entry CA's, or do you have to start as an FO? Are there any other good options I might be missing?

Don't know if I'm crazy to consider giving up a career in the US for the EU, but we'd prefer to raise kids there...

Thanks all

PLEASE don’t do it !!! Europe is going down the drain.

[Sam Ting Wong]

Fakiri, please come. European jobs don't pay very well, but at least you will work a lot and enjoy the high tax.

[zerograv]

Originally Posted by Fakiiri

The dream was to work for Fedex and be based in CGN, but as of yesterday, they are closing the CGN domicile for good.

To the best of my knowledge CGN is mainly UPS, and Fedex is mainly in Paris, but things might be different in current times.
Both of them have 'N' registrations flying within the EU, but have no knowledge of how that works in terms of crewing.

[Flightmech]

FDX have a EUR 757 crew base in CGN even tough the majority of 757 flying is out of CDG. However, just yesterday it was announced that the EUR 757 crew base would be closing within 12-20 months and future intra-Europe 757 flying would be supported from Memphis.

[Lepo]

Fedex just announced pilot hiring will be suspended through 2024.

[AviatorBoy_95]

Originally Posted by Lepo

Fedex just announced pilot hiring will be suspended through 2024.

Hi Lepo
Can you please share the link of the announcement?
thks in advance

[a350pilots]

Air France, KLM, Lufthansa.

[olster]

Jet2 for me. I acknowledge that we are all different and require different things but for me it covers most of the bases.

[oboema]

….KLM is planning drop the Dutch language requirement, as it is looking to hire around 250 pilots this year and more in the coming years due to expansion and retirements

[PPRuNeUser481044]

Originally Posted by TRY2FLY

I think Cargolux and Aer Lingus are generally well regarded by their pilots. Certainly the pilots I know at both on the whole are happy with their lot.

I definitely wouldn't say aer lingus. The place is rumoured to be riddled with CRM issues and an outdated cockpit gradient philosophy. Nepotism is rife from recruitment to promotions. It's more about union/company politics than flying. They run a very tiring 5/2/5/3 roster on short haul, they're launching these narrow A321LRs deep into the USA. They run a comparatively limited route network (compared to the likes of BA etc), plus you pay very high Irish tax, USC and PRSI. All leads to relatively low pay for quite a number of years. The pension is about the only good thing going for the place. People are actually leaving aer lingus, including Irish. This was unheard of in years gone by.

[Ton747]

Originally Posted by oboema

….KLM is planning drop the Dutch language requirement, as it is looking to hire around 250 pilots this year and more in the coming years due to expansion and retirements

What’s your source?

[122.85]

Originally Posted by RARA9

Pre Covid I would have to say the best gig was probably Virgin 787 , few of my mates had very nice lifestyles. They did only 750hrs max , which mixed with the engine problems meant around 3 trips per month. Whilst I was being hammered on the BA 777.
Virgin now looks awful , with uncertainty thrown in I would avoid. BA is very dull , many think LH is the saving grace after 5 years on SH . Unions have remained strong though so still clinging on to some heavy crews for trips that could be 2 man. But I’m sure that will change !
Best place to be ??
I have a young family , and want a stress free regional base . A job that pays very well and is secure. So I went to Jet2 .
If you are a young buck and want to see the world then obviously LH is the way . BA is probably good if you are young , BUT be prepared for lots of changes in the coming years I think. Your T&Cs are not set in stone

BA is very dull? That probably says more about the poster than the reality, personally it’s been a fun environment to work in and I am on the 777. As with everything in life you make of it what you can. After leaving another national carrier on LH to join BA it’s the best decision I ever made. If you can be flexible you can rewrite your rosters. But it’s not for everyone and you have to do what’s right for you.

[PENKO]

Best airline to work for? That depends on so many factors. I see KLM mentioned many times. Sure, if I left school right now at 18, I would probably apply for their cadetship. But as a 40 year old low cost skipper? To start again as a junior SO cruise relief pilot? Or as an FO on their short haul fleet where the only way to have a meaningful life at home is by going part time? I really wonder if the gras is much greener in this case.

But word has it that they will open up soon to direct entry, non-Dutch long haul FO positions, so who knows, if you have an unquenchable desire for long haul with no career prospects, keep an eye open*




*even then I'm not sure I would want to inject myself in the industrial unrest that this move would cause within the established ranks

[redsnail]

You can also consider FlexJet and NetJets Europe.

[plumponpies]

I think the best kept secret in UK aviation is DHL Air. Lifestyle, T’s&Cs, the people.