Question about bases in another country
 

Hello! I'm currently about to finish my PPL with the ambition to go the modular route for an ATPL. I'm obviously very early in my journey, but I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible about the career.

How does it work, if for example I was offered a job with an airline, however I was posted to a base which isn't in the UK. Obviously the majority of my time would be spent living in that country, however how much opportunity is there to go home to the UK? Would it be possible to commute from the UK to the base abroad, then commute home for time off? Is this something that would be paid for/ discounted by the company? Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

I'm currently a seafarer so I'm no stranger to long periods away from home (up to 5 months in some cases!) however I also have a long term girlfriend and would like to know if I'd atleast get some time on a somewhat regular basis to spend at home.

I'd really appreciate any insights you guys have who have lived this life!

Thanks!

Unfortunately/fortunately depending on your view, Brexit has more or less killed this anyway. To be based in Italy, for example, you’d need the right to live and work in Italy. You’d also need an EASA licence.

Ryanair and easyJet were the classic first job but could be sent anywhere jobs. Now it’s still a case of being sent anywhere, but within the UK. So a lot less random in terms of planning your life around the job. Worst case it’s a long drive and you might need to move, no longer the other side of Europe.

As to the mechanics of it, it’s all down to you to cover. No different to living in Spain but getting a job for a UK carrier, you’ve simply got to make sure you get to work on time and without making yourself so tired you end up fatigued.

Longhaul crews often commute from different cities/countries as there’s only 4/5 trips a month so it’s manageable with several days off between each. If you’re Shorthaul though and living more than an hour from the airport you’ll be knackered.

Rush to finish your training, now it's quite easy to get a job in the UK. In the Eastern European Airline I work now, all the UK pilots left back home cause there is a high demand for UK licensed, UK passport pilots.
To your question now, if you start working to an airline outside your country, forget your current personal life

Thank you for the info! This actually sounds a lot more manageable than I was expecting.

As a side question, given this info, would you say it's worth getting an EASA and CAA combined license, or just sticking with CAA? I was planning on going for both however given that I don't have the right to live and work anywhere apart from the UK, maybe just sticking with the UK license would be the best option for now?

Thanks again for the insight!

Yup. You take the first job you can get when you have no jet time, wherever that may be with whatever time off they're offering. After a few years when you have an ATPL and 500+ hours on type you can afford to be a bit picky. Get your training done ASAP or you'll miss this wave.

If you want to apply for Ryanair get both, as they will require you to transfer license to Ireland which is EASA anyway for DAC operations, you'll also get a bonus for holding dual licenses. If you're not thinking about RYR at all then save the hasle of doing the exams twice.... alternately maybe a new Labour government will mend some bridges and the CAA will rejoin EASA or at least stop being such silly arses about recognising what is essentially an equivalent qualification.

It may sound manageable, but it’s extremely difficult! Obtaining an EU work visa for pilots is almost impossible at the moment. Concentrate on the UK licence, good luck!