Career advice from US pilots
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Career advice from US pilots
Hello guys. I need a career advice.
I fly for a south american carrier as 737 Captain with 9000 plus TT. My wife may get a US green card next year and I am wondering if it is worth it to start from zero in the US a pilot. I know that I need to go to the bottom in the seniority in any US Airlines and it is fine to me. I dont pretend any career at any major. Going there as FO is good to me. Besides I can get a 2 year no pay leave in my actual airline so if things dont work for me I get my old job and actual position.
I know that there are lots of jobs in the regionals with 1 year or less upgrade time, but salary is low and since I dont have the 1000 hs US part 121, 135 or 91 time require by the new rules I can forget a fast upgrade. 2 year in a RJ FO salary doesnt look nice buy I can eventualy survive If it is worth it.
I read about companies like spirit, allegiant, sun country, frontier, with 3 to 5 years to upgrade, with is fine to me. Are they worth it?
what about cargo jobs?
how about Part 91 or Part 135 jobs? Fractionals?
mabe I can try to start with something like Surf Air flying a PC12 for a couple of years (with a salary that allows me to survive), until I get my 1000 hs part 135 hs and then try to apply for a Regional and get a fast upgrade.
If I finally get the green card, which path you recomend it to try??? Regionals, LLC, Part 135 jobs like weels up? Cargo?
Thks guys.
I fly for a south american carrier as 737 Captain with 9000 plus TT. My wife may get a US green card next year and I am wondering if it is worth it to start from zero in the US a pilot. I know that I need to go to the bottom in the seniority in any US Airlines and it is fine to me. I dont pretend any career at any major. Going there as FO is good to me. Besides I can get a 2 year no pay leave in my actual airline so if things dont work for me I get my old job and actual position.
I know that there are lots of jobs in the regionals with 1 year or less upgrade time, but salary is low and since I dont have the 1000 hs US part 121, 135 or 91 time require by the new rules I can forget a fast upgrade. 2 year in a RJ FO salary doesnt look nice buy I can eventualy survive If it is worth it.
I read about companies like spirit, allegiant, sun country, frontier, with 3 to 5 years to upgrade, with is fine to me. Are they worth it?
what about cargo jobs?
how about Part 91 or Part 135 jobs? Fractionals?
mabe I can try to start with something like Surf Air flying a PC12 for a couple of years (with a salary that allows me to survive), until I get my 1000 hs part 135 hs and then try to apply for a Regional and get a fast upgrade.
If I finally get the green card, which path you recomend it to try??? Regionals, LLC, Part 135 jobs like weels up? Cargo?
Thks guys.
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: US
7Q off,
Im also from South America. I've been a regional pilot in the US for almost two years now and I can help/ give you an insight in the life of a regional FO but as you mentioned the compensation for FOs is TOUGH, REALLY THOUGH!
Do you have any bases in mind? Where in south america are you from?
Shoot me a PM if you still need help.
Regards
Im also from South America. I've been a regional pilot in the US for almost two years now and I can help/ give you an insight in the life of a regional FO but as you mentioned the compensation for FOs is TOUGH, REALLY THOUGH!
Do you have any bases in mind? Where in south america are you from?
Shoot me a PM if you still need help.
Regards
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: usa/mex
Hello 7Q, I'm in the same boat as you, I'm a captain at a South American airline with 5000 tt, got hired at a regional, every thing seemed ok, except the pay, I did my research before, but I have come to the repentance of going regional, I left after ground school, also got my old job back, and I will do everything possible to at least get into a LCC and move on from there, personally I do not recommend the regionals to anyone, if you have already flown bigger equipments and pay. Try for something at the same level not below.
