Foreign pilots flying for US Carriers
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Dimension X
Here's one of the reasons foreigners want to fly in the states.
I don't know about other countries but this is what goes around here in South America.
I was born in Brazil but raised in the states. I am a greencard holder. After 9/11 we all know aviation was bad in the states and in the world. I moved back here to fly a320s. Wow. Flying an airbus at the age of 26 and making good money was really good. While my friends were "starving" in the states flying for the regionals, I was finally flying a decent airplane. Most of them envied me but deep inside I knew they were better off than I was. I just didn't want to admit it. After 6 months it all started to sink in. The airline is run worse than an FBO in the states. No CRM at all. Most captain have an attitude problem and they can't even say hello in English, but they think they rule the skies, crappy schedules( I still don't know what I am doing on the first of July), people getting bypassed everyday and the list goes on and on. Even the pay doesn't keep me happy anymore. With all of this in mind, I am contemplating on taking a big pay cut and going back to the US to fly for the regionals. Yes, people may think that I am crazy, specially knowing that in less than 6 months I will be flying the A330 or the A340(provided I don't get bypassed by someone who knows somebody upstairs) but I just can't take it anymore. Flying in the states is good. The schedules and the days off, choice of base, equipment etc.... You have to experience it somewhere else in order to value what you had before.
I think that is why so many foreigners want to fly in the states. Just my .02 cents..........
RL
I don't know about other countries but this is what goes around here in South America.
I was born in Brazil but raised in the states. I am a greencard holder. After 9/11 we all know aviation was bad in the states and in the world. I moved back here to fly a320s. Wow. Flying an airbus at the age of 26 and making good money was really good. While my friends were "starving" in the states flying for the regionals, I was finally flying a decent airplane. Most of them envied me but deep inside I knew they were better off than I was. I just didn't want to admit it. After 6 months it all started to sink in. The airline is run worse than an FBO in the states. No CRM at all. Most captain have an attitude problem and they can't even say hello in English, but they think they rule the skies, crappy schedules( I still don't know what I am doing on the first of July), people getting bypassed everyday and the list goes on and on. Even the pay doesn't keep me happy anymore. With all of this in mind, I am contemplating on taking a big pay cut and going back to the US to fly for the regionals. Yes, people may think that I am crazy, specially knowing that in less than 6 months I will be flying the A330 or the A340(provided I don't get bypassed by someone who knows somebody upstairs) but I just can't take it anymore. Flying in the states is good. The schedules and the days off, choice of base, equipment etc.... You have to experience it somewhere else in order to value what you had before.
I think that is why so many foreigners want to fly in the states. Just my .02 cents..........
RL
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: dfw
what?????
where you guys been???? there are thosands of foreigners working for airlines in america.....you kidding.....right to work in america???? everyone has the right to work, i know you need some visa, well that is not hard to get.....try to go work in another country as an american.......wont happen....be nice if we started protecting our own like the rest of the world.......yes, done the expat thing worked in europe, asia and other locations.....why you ask, probably cause so many foreigners in my country taking our jobs....no problem with the foreigners my problem is with the government that lets it happen.....if i could work in their country the same way i would be fine......rg
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: The Heart of Darkness
NewDawn
You do write some utter tosh...
"right to work in america???? everyone has the right to work in america???? i know you need some visa, well that is not hard to get....."
I'm married to a US national and am looking at 1 year plus with no guarantees that I'll get a Green Card ( UK national )...
" try to go work in another country as an american.......wont happen"
Followed shortly by...
"yes, done the expat thing worked in europe, asia and other locations "....
Don't know what you're on but it must have a pretty high street value.
You do write some utter tosh...
"right to work in america???? everyone has the right to work in america???? i know you need some visa, well that is not hard to get....."
I'm married to a US national and am looking at 1 year plus with no guarantees that I'll get a Green Card ( UK national )...
" try to go work in another country as an american.......wont happen"
Followed shortly by...
"yes, done the expat thing worked in europe, asia and other locations "....
Don't know what you're on but it must have a pretty high street value.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: in da 'pit
varigflyer,
Interesting post - just wondering, with your A320 time could you not get employed by the likes of JetBlue, Frontier, Northwest or any other 320 operators in the US, rather than the 'regionals'?
Interesting post - just wondering, with your A320 time could you not get employed by the likes of JetBlue, Frontier, Northwest or any other 320 operators in the US, rather than the 'regionals'?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Dimension X
skywaytoheaven,
I am trying to do that and that is my first option but it seems like it's easier to get on with a regional since I don't have the turbine PIC that most majors require and I don't know how much longer I can put up with all of this crap. I guess only time will tell.......
I am trying to do that and that is my first option but it seems like it's easier to get on with a regional since I don't have the turbine PIC that most majors require and I don't know how much longer I can put up with all of this crap. I guess only time will tell.......
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Mordor
NewDawn
I agree "poorwanderingwun" NewDawn has no clue, no idea on how difficult it can be to get even a "students visa".
Don't tell me NewDawn, is that what yer mate told ya? Or maybe you heard somewhere? Yeah yeah like most times........rumours not facts.
Go do some research......
Bye!
Don't tell me NewDawn, is that what yer mate told ya? Or maybe you heard somewhere? Yeah yeah like most times........rumours not facts.
Go do some research......
Bye!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Jobs in the US of A for Aussies?
G'day
Just toying with the idea of making a change.
I have an Australian CPL(A) Multi IR, and 800hrs TT ( Cessna 200 series time) a low level approval and, Australian ATPL theroy
What are the chances of picking up work over there?
Im 26 so what will that mean in terms of VISA's etc?
Any info would be welcome.
Cheers
Maiden.
(thruth be told, you guys just get all the good bands on tour.. they never come here! hence the need to relocate.)
PS if anyone is interested in some Low Level work here in our summer PM me, my old boss is looking for some pilots.
Just toying with the idea of making a change.
I have an Australian CPL(A) Multi IR, and 800hrs TT ( Cessna 200 series time) a low level approval and, Australian ATPL theroy
What are the chances of picking up work over there?
Im 26 so what will that mean in terms of VISA's etc?
Any info would be welcome.
Cheers
Maiden.
(thruth be told, you guys just get all the good bands on tour.. they never come here! hence the need to relocate.)
PS if anyone is interested in some Low Level work here in our summer PM me, my old boss is looking for some pilots.
Last edited by THE IRON MAIDEN; 4th July 2007 at 11:12.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: fabulous Las vegas NV
lets get real here
Iron Maiden,
Yeah, you need a green card to work here. Don't take it out of context but it really doesn't matter what country you come from, as long as ur not Muslim you wont have any trouble getting a job here. We pretend to treat everyone as equals but you'll figure out shortly after you get here that's a big load of bum scoop.
But otherwise most US airlines gonna be pretty desperate for pilots in the next year or so. With a green card ur pretty much in the club and u can apply anywhere you want to (best of luck to you). I think your Aussie accent will get you far though, working here just depends on how much initiative you want to take in doing the research & filling out the visa apps.
Here's an idea for ya, I've been wrong before so do your research but I think guys at Cathay Pacific can take bases anywhere in the world. As long as you've got the right to live/work there, you can take the base...Cough,,cough *Green Card* Cathay has bases both in Aussie as well as the USA obviously so u might consider that route too.
I don't know what the situation is over in your part of the world now but I think I'd prolly stay in Aussie if I were you. That whole side of the world is going to take center stage in the coming years which arguably implies job security for you. But I thought it was real funny that you posted that question on Independence Day (4th of July) hahaha!
Whatever you decide to do, Good luck...hope this insight helps out
Yeah, you need a green card to work here. Don't take it out of context but it really doesn't matter what country you come from, as long as ur not Muslim you wont have any trouble getting a job here. We pretend to treat everyone as equals but you'll figure out shortly after you get here that's a big load of bum scoop.
But otherwise most US airlines gonna be pretty desperate for pilots in the next year or so. With a green card ur pretty much in the club and u can apply anywhere you want to (best of luck to you). I think your Aussie accent will get you far though, working here just depends on how much initiative you want to take in doing the research & filling out the visa apps.
Here's an idea for ya, I've been wrong before so do your research but I think guys at Cathay Pacific can take bases anywhere in the world. As long as you've got the right to live/work there, you can take the base...Cough,,cough *Green Card* Cathay has bases both in Aussie as well as the USA obviously so u might consider that route too.
I don't know what the situation is over in your part of the world now but I think I'd prolly stay in Aussie if I were you. That whole side of the world is going to take center stage in the coming years which arguably implies job security for you. But I thought it was real funny that you posted that question on Independence Day (4th of July) hahaha!
Whatever you decide to do, Good luck...hope this insight helps out
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: USA
Just to clarify errors; if you have any kind of temporary work visa (j-1, F-1, etcc..) no job at any airline. You need to have a GREEN CARD, legal right to work in the US with no restrictions.
Why people stay in the US? Unions, contracts, work rules, quality of life, commute+jumpseat= live where you want, etc...
Don't need to say much more.
Why people stay in the US? Unions, contracts, work rules, quality of life, commute+jumpseat= live where you want, etc...
Don't need to say much more.