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Moving to the US on a Green Card

Old 04-27-2016, 04:27 AM
  #1  
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Default Moving to the US on a Green Card

Good day,
I would appreciate your kind advice please.
I'm an 45 years old FO flying the 787 for one of the big three Middle Eastern carriers.
Total 5000h, including 1000 wide body plus 2000 737 type.
I am eligible for a Green Card, so I am ahead of the big decision regarding my future career path.
Reading through the forum it looks like the Majors seek experienced candidates.
What do you think are the chances of securing a job with one of the big three in the US, then what are my chances of flying the wide-body type with the experience I have.
I understand the seniority is a big issue in the US, but I would like to stay away from the regionals as much as possible.
I appreciate your kind feedback.
Regards
Dom
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Old 04-27-2016, 04:53 AM
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As long as you have a 4 year degree, you have a chance at the U.S majors. Seniority determines what you fly in the USA. Doesn't matter if you were a Space Shuttle pilot previously. If you are in Etihad or Qatar, I would really think hard about coming to a U.S major because the money you make there you will not make in the U.S. Getting a major airline job in the states is very difficult, you will be competing against thousands of highly qualified pilots. Your heavy time is nothing special, hope this helps.
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Old 04-27-2016, 06:57 AM
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The heavy time might not count, but the international time sure will. Plus the legacies always like to poach from their competitors (vice their own regionals).

Seniority is not just a big issue, it is everything. But you won't fly for a regional if you get hired by a major (a few majors do fly their own RJ's, so you might possibly get to do that for a while).
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Old 04-27-2016, 07:59 AM
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Thank you very much indeed,
I fully appreciate my time is still modest in relation to the market.
It is really about the quality of life, Middle East is hard to bear for the extended period of time, Europe (I also have full EASA licence) is politically in the state of complete chaos and it is only going to get worse.

Once again - thank you for your valuable feedback,
Regards
Dom
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Old 04-28-2016, 05:56 AM
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DOM... get the green card and apply..... no need applying without it....as all the applications will ask if your CURRENTLY have the right to work in the US....

Figuring you have to live in the states to get the green card... you are probably going to have to work at a regional or ACMI cargo carrier that will hire you almost immediately while you are applying and waiting for a call from a Legacy/major carrier. Thats the way I see it... ymmv
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Old 04-28-2016, 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by HercDriver130 View Post
DOM... get the green card and apply..... no need applying without it....as all the applications will ask if your CURRENTLY have the right to work in the US....

Figuring you have to live in the states to get the green card... you are probably going to have to work at a regional or ACMI cargo carrier that will hire you almost immediately while you are applying and waiting for a call from a Legacy/major carrier. Thats the way I see it... ymmv
Appreciate your take on this.
Thanks
Dom
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Old 04-28-2016, 10:24 AM
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No FAA ATP? Zero odds of getting hired.
No four year college degree = very low odds of getting hired.
Do you have any jet PIC experience? How much?

Odds of getting hired? Do you have the previous desired experience/qualifications? If yes the odds go up. If no the odds go down, perhaps drastically.

Average new hire for DL/AA/UA has 5500-7500 hrs TT. 5000 hrs is fine but it's nothing special. Nor is having time in type for aircraft that the airline flies. Overseas they want time in type, in the U.S. it doesn't matter. It just shows overall experience, which they value, and not specific experience which they don't care about. Why? Because you won't be able to bid the 787 for years so they're assessing the candidate to become the newest, most junior, pilot in the company and they're not looking for a new 787 FO.

Your qualifications are fine but overall they're nothing special and 5000 hrs TT, and two(?) type ratings, is slightly below average. But don't take that the wrong way, it's not a pure numbers game where the guy with 7000 hr is more likely to get hired than the 6000 hr guy, who's more likely to get hired than the 5000 hr TT guy. How did you do on the pysch exam? Do you have additional experience or leadership positions in your background? Within the company? Union? Military?

Overseas a 787 or 737 operator would probably give you an immediate call based on your time in type. In the U.S. it might never happen.
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Old 04-28-2016, 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Sliceback View Post
No FAA ATP? Zero odds of getting hired.
No four year college degree = very low odds of getting hired.
Do you have any jet PIC experience? How much?

Odds of getting hired? Do you have the previous desired experience/qualifications? If yes the odds go up. If no the odds go down, perhaps drastically.

Average new hire for DL/AA/UA has 5500-7500 hrs TT. 5000 hrs is fine but it's nothing special. Nor is having time in type for aircraft that the airline flies. Overseas they want time in type, in the U.S. it doesn't matter. It just shows overall experience, which they value, and not specific experience which they don't care about. Why? Because you won't be able to bid the 787 for years so they're assessing the candidate to become the newest, most junior, pilot in the company and they're not looking for a new 787 FO.

Your qualifications are fine but overall they're nothing special and 5000 hrs TT, and two(?) type ratings, is slightly below average. But don't take that the wrong way, it's not a pure numbers game where the guy with 7000 hr is more likely to get hired than the 6000 hr guy, who's more likely to get hired than the 5000 hr TT guy. How did you do on the pysch exam? Do you have additional experience or leadership positions in your background? Within the company? Union? Military?

Overseas a 787 or 737 operator would probably give you an immediate call based on your time in type. In the U.S. it might never happen.
Very important points, thank you for this.
If I decide to follow this path I will certainly start off with the FAA ATP conversion before any other step - this is clear.
I also have Masters degree, so this requirement is not a problem.
My upgrade on the 787 should come within 2 years, so I am also considering getting to the left seat, gaining some experience in that position and applying to one of the Chinese long-haul operators for a DEC position based in one of their US bases.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, thanks
Dom
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Old 04-30-2016, 11:16 AM
  #9  
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Get the green card and FAA ATP. There is never any downside to generating options.

Then apply to Atlas and use them as a stepping stone to the big three.
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Old 05-22-2016, 04:42 PM
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Hi guys,

I'm using this topic to ask 2 other related questions.

I heard a green card holder can fly for a US airline but will never be promoted to a Captain position in 121. Is that true ? I have doubt but any inside opinion is greatly appreciated.

Secondly, I understand you can get on a regional without a 4 years degree. If you were to fly for one that has a flow-through agreement with a major, do you still need the degree ?

Thanks
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