I am almost positive that the 5 year residency requirement does not apply to any passenger carrier. Someone once explained it to me by saying that even though pax carriers do carry USPS mail/cargo, it is not carried in the main cabin, which is accessible to the pilots in flight. Don't really know if that's the reason behind it.

FYI, commuting contracts like the ones with Air Japan (ANA), and Korean Air, do not affect your U.S. residency status. You would still be able to apply/work for FDX, UPS, Kalitta, etc... Something you might want to look into before taking a job overseas.