Foreign Pilots
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Nope. Not a chance in hell of getting directly into a Major airline in the states on an H-1B visa as an H-1B is not a Green Card. H-1B visas are for foreign professionals in computers, medicine, academic research, law, engineering and nursing. Piloting Aircraft is not recognized by the US Government as a profession in dire need of foreign workers ,AND IT NEVER WILL BE, so foreign pilots will not be granted H-1B visas.
With the economy going south - especially the dot.com sector - in the States and a Republican President at the helm you can be assured of a serious reduction in the numbers of H-1B visas issued to foreigners.
If you want more info go to the American Embassy in Malaysia or read up on visas on the INS website.
With the economy going south - especially the dot.com sector - in the States and a Republican President at the helm you can be assured of a serious reduction in the numbers of H-1B visas issued to foreigners.
If you want more info go to the American Embassy in Malaysia or read up on visas on the INS website.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Some Chilly Location
Wino,
You overlooked a major point before posting your reply, my man. 7000 pilots in 7 years = 1000/yr or 83/mo. This seems like an awful lot, I know, and you mention that 7000 additional pilots would double the size of flight crew members at Delta. All that is correct. However, you overlook the fact that a sh##load of them good ole boys are retiring in the next few years (baby boom effect), which means that the pilot population at the company will NOT double i the next 7 years. Not even close. In fact, 83 new hires a month seems reasonable to me to make up for this and still keep up with growth in the industry in general.
One more thing, American IS hiring ~50/month for as long a they can foresee, TW aquisition considered and all. This is directly from a source recently hired. So there you go.
AO
You overlooked a major point before posting your reply, my man. 7000 pilots in 7 years = 1000/yr or 83/mo. This seems like an awful lot, I know, and you mention that 7000 additional pilots would double the size of flight crew members at Delta. All that is correct. However, you overlook the fact that a sh##load of them good ole boys are retiring in the next few years (baby boom effect), which means that the pilot population at the company will NOT double i the next 7 years. Not even close. In fact, 83 new hires a month seems reasonable to me to make up for this and still keep up with growth in the industry in general.
One more thing, American IS hiring ~50/month for as long a they can foresee, TW aquisition considered and all. This is directly from a source recently hired. So there you go.
AO
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 1
From: Asia
Any opportunities outside of the airlines in turbo props;commuter ,freight etc for experienced pilots.Is there a shortage of Captains at this level with a few thousand hours in the log book ? Obviously no shortage of F/Os with a few hundred hours total,but they can't be promoted for a while.
Union Goon
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey, USA
While I agree Delta will have a large number of retirements, A large number of retirments over a 7 year periods would be 2000, not 7000. Delta was a small airlines till relatively recently and has already done a large amount of hiring. I don't see them absorbing 5000 more pilots.
The best airline for a retirement curve currently is American. American already has 12000 pilots, and starting in 05 or so will be retiring almost 500 a year. A little more if you thrown in TWA (which would then bring American to 14500 pilots)
As an AA pilot, I agree they are gonna hire for the forseeable future. However, Crew planning which developes the needs, only defines the forseeable future as the 2nd quarter of 02. They have no idea what they will do beyond then. They might even furlough as they bring pilots across from TWA. (not likely, but who knows? Not even AA management)
They won't untill september start projecting next years flying.
Yes you have seen some incredible hiring by the major airlines over the last year or two, but that is a short term abberation as the FARs were changed requireing about 1/3 more pilots on the reserve lists.
All the majors have now caught up with that, and no one is now expanding fleet capacity so... Its just a pitch to get you to pay more money.
Cheers
Wino
The best airline for a retirement curve currently is American. American already has 12000 pilots, and starting in 05 or so will be retiring almost 500 a year. A little more if you thrown in TWA (which would then bring American to 14500 pilots)
As an AA pilot, I agree they are gonna hire for the forseeable future. However, Crew planning which developes the needs, only defines the forseeable future as the 2nd quarter of 02. They have no idea what they will do beyond then. They might even furlough as they bring pilots across from TWA. (not likely, but who knows? Not even AA management)
They won't untill september start projecting next years flying.
Yes you have seen some incredible hiring by the major airlines over the last year or two, but that is a short term abberation as the FARs were changed requireing about 1/3 more pilots on the reserve lists.
All the majors have now caught up with that, and no one is now expanding fleet capacity so... Its just a pitch to get you to pay more money.
Cheers
Wino
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,571
Likes: 3
From: Arizona USA
Like I said guys, no shortage.
I have a stack of CV's on file here 6 inches high so will pick and choose the best. In our case, a shortage of experienced type-rated Captains (yes) so will train as required. As for the major carriers, no shortage. If you want to believe the BS from AEPS, go ahead.
I have a stack of CV's on file here 6 inches high so will pick and choose the best. In our case, a shortage of experienced type-rated Captains (yes) so will train as required. As for the major carriers, no shortage. If you want to believe the BS from AEPS, go ahead.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Metroman ,ya gotta have US citizenship or the Green Card to be hired on by any aircraft operator. But to answer your question about opportunities....there are quite a few for American citizens and Permanent Residents (green card holders).
I read a thread a couple weeks ago between an American pilot in Alaska and a South African. They were discussing the prospects for employment in Alaska for foreigners. It seems there's a serious shortage of pilots at your level in Alaska. Go back in the logs a couple weeks in the North American section and you will get the thread.
Good luck
I read a thread a couple weeks ago between an American pilot in Alaska and a South African. They were discussing the prospects for employment in Alaska for foreigners. It seems there's a serious shortage of pilots at your level in Alaska. Go back in the logs a couple weeks in the North American section and you will get the thread.
Good luck
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: New York
One thing for sure in the US airline industry - If you don't like what you see, wait a little while and it'll change. I don't expect Delta to hire for a while, and UAL is still licking it's wounds from the US Air debacle. US Air is short of pilots, but is in very tenuous financial condition. The US economy is in a slump with no clear light at the end of the tunnel.
One thing for sure, there's no shortage of qualified pilots for major airlines - only some of the regionals are lowering standards.
One thing for sure, there's no shortage of qualified pilots for major airlines - only some of the regionals are lowering standards.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: US
I do not believe there is a shortage of qualified pilots either, outside of flight instructing. I posted an ad for a jet FO (P-2) position on Sunday, and received approximately 250 resumes in three days. About 175 applicants qualified for the position, and many of them are currently Captains/type rated on the aircraft.
I believe this so-called "shortage" is a combination of media-hype and self-serving employment agency rhetoric.
I believe this so-called "shortage" is a combination of media-hype and self-serving employment agency rhetoric.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi everyone,
This will be loosely based round the general topic.
I am a pilot with bare minimum hours etc etc one of a million looking for a first job in Australia. Also keep in mind I have only got the right to work and live in Australia and nowhere else.
My question is: What is the situation in the US regarding the simplest of jobs in the oldest and slowest of aircraft. Does any one over want to do them? Do these jobs exist?
I know that over here the pilot progressions starts with single engined charter in the outback some where until you reach around 1000 hours then the wide world of multi engined charter arrives (Beech Barons and Piper Navajo's yay). This is usually followed from about 1500 hours by progression into a major GA company flying right hand kero, or the right hand seat in a regional major domestic / international airline. I personally have been living in Darwin for about a year now looking for (and dreaming of) the simplest of flying jobs and everyone else in the world seems to be bickering that they haven't cracked a turbine job yet!!!! What is going on!!!!!!!
What would your typical US pilot have in comparison for job prospects?
I am now hearing from other itinerant Australians, ex-pat Americans and through forums such as this that there is a "shortage" (please don't bite my head off for using that word)of pilots in the lower echelons of the US GA industry. Is there a place for a person such as myself who only wants a couple of hundred hours to build the time to make myself more marketable to companies back home?
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
This will be loosely based round the general topic.
I am a pilot with bare minimum hours etc etc one of a million looking for a first job in Australia. Also keep in mind I have only got the right to work and live in Australia and nowhere else.
My question is: What is the situation in the US regarding the simplest of jobs in the oldest and slowest of aircraft. Does any one over want to do them? Do these jobs exist?
I know that over here the pilot progressions starts with single engined charter in the outback some where until you reach around 1000 hours then the wide world of multi engined charter arrives (Beech Barons and Piper Navajo's yay). This is usually followed from about 1500 hours by progression into a major GA company flying right hand kero, or the right hand seat in a regional major domestic / international airline. I personally have been living in Darwin for about a year now looking for (and dreaming of) the simplest of flying jobs and everyone else in the world seems to be bickering that they haven't cracked a turbine job yet!!!! What is going on!!!!!!!
What would your typical US pilot have in comparison for job prospects?
I am now hearing from other itinerant Australians, ex-pat Americans and through forums such as this that there is a "shortage" (please don't bite my head off for using that word)of pilots in the lower echelons of the US GA industry. Is there a place for a person such as myself who only wants a couple of hundred hours to build the time to make myself more marketable to companies back home?
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL, USA
I don't know about the other Americans in this thread, but I've been getting quite a bit of email from Europeans asking for advice about working in the US.
Believe me! I'm not complaining!
I like to help out whenever I can. I remember how tough it was for me trying to get my foot in the door.
But I have two points for any foreigner considering work in the US:
1) I'm not the best person to ask because I have no experience with immigration law. You'd probably get better advice from a Brit or Aussie or Swede who has already done what you're trying to do.
And--
2) Finding a reputable employer/flight school is much easier to do if you're already here.
The bottom line for all the low timers is this: Opportunity exists in the flight schools and charter departments of America.
There is less opportunity at the regional level and, of course, even less at the major airlines.
There are no hard and fast rules. I wish I could tell people (that I know would work hard and do a good job), "do THIS and you'll get a job," but I don't want to have that hanging over my head.
All I can do is offer my encouragement while acknowledging the fact that moving to a foreign country is a risky proposition.
And don't rule out Alaska. So many foreigners disregard Alaska as part of the US. Alaska relies on aviation more than any other state in the Union.
In sum: Good luck, Fly safe, Don't give up, It's a long road, but worth it...they keep telling me...
Believe me! I'm not complaining!
I like to help out whenever I can. I remember how tough it was for me trying to get my foot in the door.
But I have two points for any foreigner considering work in the US:
1) I'm not the best person to ask because I have no experience with immigration law. You'd probably get better advice from a Brit or Aussie or Swede who has already done what you're trying to do.
And--
2) Finding a reputable employer/flight school is much easier to do if you're already here.
The bottom line for all the low timers is this: Opportunity exists in the flight schools and charter departments of America.
There is less opportunity at the regional level and, of course, even less at the major airlines.
There are no hard and fast rules. I wish I could tell people (that I know would work hard and do a good job), "do THIS and you'll get a job," but I don't want to have that hanging over my head.
All I can do is offer my encouragement while acknowledging the fact that moving to a foreign country is a risky proposition.
And don't rule out Alaska. So many foreigners disregard Alaska as part of the US. Alaska relies on aviation more than any other state in the Union.
In sum: Good luck, Fly safe, Don't give up, It's a long road, but worth it...they keep telling me...
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth ARTCC ZFW
New to posting here....
I have noticed a LOT more pilots with other than Texas accents flying lately for both package folks as well as the communters. We've always heard different dialects from the flight instructors around here. Sometimes REALLY hard to understand too... It appears just from listening to the frequencies that there are indeed more foreign pilots up there...
regards
I have noticed a LOT more pilots with other than Texas accents flying lately for both package folks as well as the communters. We've always heard different dialects from the flight instructors around here. Sometimes REALLY hard to understand too... It appears just from listening to the frequencies that there are indeed more foreign pilots up there...
regards
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, OH
First of all from what I have seen over the industry that the pilot shortage is very small. Pilots with 300 to 1200 hours are coming out the rafters. The supply of more experienced pilots for regional and majors is more than enough. However, I have seen spot shortages of very experienced pilots with in the charter area and some of the low end corporate areas. Some operators are now willing to type individuals.
But before anyone thinks of moving over here, be aware that the INS has stiffened the imigration laws. Except for very special situations, you will have to have a green card before you are hired.
Richard
But before anyone thinks of moving over here, be aware that the INS has stiffened the imigration laws. Except for very special situations, you will have to have a green card before you are hired.
Richard
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: A
Hi guys,
I am very much interested in joining United Airlines. I know that they are currently not hiring, but sooner or later they have to start again. Any United guys out there, who could tell a bit about inside the airline, like crewroster, combined days OFF, salary, deciding on aircraft type and homebase,how many homebase changes during your career, how many years to PIC, any other benefits?
Thanx a lot
Arnie
P.S.: What´s in your opinion the best major to work for?
I am very much interested in joining United Airlines. I know that they are currently not hiring, but sooner or later they have to start again. Any United guys out there, who could tell a bit about inside the airline, like crewroster, combined days OFF, salary, deciding on aircraft type and homebase,how many homebase changes during your career, how many years to PIC, any other benefits?
Thanx a lot
Arnie
P.S.: What´s in your opinion the best major to work for?
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Strewth...You said that you want to get into the US and build your hours. Well, you have several options available to you, but you will need to have some money saved up and ready to spend (especially considering the exchange rate at the moment).
1. You can enter the US and work under a study visa, this is usually through a flight school that will sponsor you. You will need to conduct your training with them, commercial conversion and instructors. Then they will employ you as an instructor and pay you (the hourly rate is alot better now than it was when I was there), and you will probably depending on the flight school do max hours and learn alot. It is a two year visa, and you will do alot of single and multi engine instructing.
2. When your visa is nearing it's running out stage, you can start studying at a University for an Aviation degree, and continue to work and live in the US, while you do this. You are not tied to the same flight school at that time, and can usually try and find something doing air charter and the like.
3. You have a very very very slim chance of finding someone that will sponsor you. Your other chance is there are some businesses in the US that will employ you in the right-seat, to be located somewhere around and fly business jets around. The only catch is the $40000US upfront for the training. You do get paid during this time though.
I hope this helps a little, if you want to ask about anything else, email away!
1. You can enter the US and work under a study visa, this is usually through a flight school that will sponsor you. You will need to conduct your training with them, commercial conversion and instructors. Then they will employ you as an instructor and pay you (the hourly rate is alot better now than it was when I was there), and you will probably depending on the flight school do max hours and learn alot. It is a two year visa, and you will do alot of single and multi engine instructing.
2. When your visa is nearing it's running out stage, you can start studying at a University for an Aviation degree, and continue to work and live in the US, while you do this. You are not tied to the same flight school at that time, and can usually try and find something doing air charter and the like.
3. You have a very very very slim chance of finding someone that will sponsor you. Your other chance is there are some businesses in the US that will employ you in the right-seat, to be located somewhere around and fly business jets around. The only catch is the $40000US upfront for the training. You do get paid during this time though.
I hope this helps a little, if you want to ask about anything else, email away!
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: usa
As far as the immigration goes I have some experience, I used to have a green card but now posess a US passport. While it is technically possible to be sponsored for a work visa (H-type) as a pilot it is very unlikley the best way is to work for the same company abroad and then get an internal company transfer to a US base which would include the H-? Visa. Alternativley you could immigrate to the US in another profession and as soon as able apply for a change of status with the INS this is effectivley a green card application, it takes a few years but can be done. At the moment a possibility exists to get sponsored as a flight instructor. After two years you can apply for the adjustment of status and two years or so later your green(actually pink) card will arrive.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: New York
Lots of recip GA jobs - instructing, banner towing, and especially freight. All pay dismally, but it's flying time and experience. Minimum for the regional airlines has dropped to 1000TT/200ME and there are quite a few guys getting hired at minimums. Some go directly to RJs. As an Aussie, the problem is getting the "right to work" (green card). Find yourself a nice American girl and settle down in the US. For some reason the American women seem to like you guys. If you're going to take our jobs, you might as well take our women too!!
There's lots of ex-pat Aussies and Kiwis working over here, but to be eventually competive for a U.S. major you'll need a university degree also.
Good luck. Cheers mate.
There's lots of ex-pat Aussies and Kiwis working over here, but to be eventually competive for a U.S. major you'll need a university degree also.
Good luck. Cheers mate.
