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

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

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.

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.

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 ...

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

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

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.

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.

Fedex just announced pilot hiring will be suspended through 2024.

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

Air France, KLM, Lufthansa.

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

….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

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.

What’s your source?

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.

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

You can also consider FlexJet and NetJets Europe.

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