If we're to assume this rumor is true......
I'm not picking on your post exwaterski, just that yours seems to have most of the important points that others are missing.
Originally Posted by
exwaterski
The only possible reason a European would consider coming to the US is to get enough multi crew jet time to go to Emirates.
Possible, but I'm not sure if EK still has the weight restriction in place to apply. I can't remember EXACTLY, but the 50 and 70 seat aircraft don't meet that requirement IIRC. Of course, they could do as before, and drop that requirement if it's still in place.
Originally Posted by
exwaterski
And most Europeans don't have a US ATP. Let's be crystal clear the problem is not a shortage of qualified pilots it's a shortage of qualified pilots willing to work for nothing.
True. But again, assuming it's true, even in the slightest, I'm guessing it's along the lines of the following; These foreign/Euro pilots may have come to the U.S., to their U.S. ratings/certs, even to the ATP level, THEN gone back to Europe for the conversion to fly for a Euro carrier, taking the wife/spouse with them. Meanwhile, the wife/spouse is STILL a U.S. national so moving BACK to the U.S,. is an option. And AGAIN, IIRC, converting a JAA/JAR ATPL to a U.S./FAA is not nearly as difficult as the other way around.
Another possibility is one that it may be like the 90's. The Euro pilot job market sucks, there's opportunity in the U.S. Pilots from Europe are flocking to the U.S. to work because it's 1) Too expensive in Europe and 2) There's NO jobs. Only many of these pilots are now pretty experienced.
AGAIN, that's assuming this rumor is all true. And if there is a shred of credibility to it, I'm guessing there were probably some foreign pilots that STILL held U.S. citizen/residency, had experience on the current crop of regional aircraft, applied, and were hired by a regional. The Then told their friends about it, so maybe 1 or 2 more came over. And boom, a rumor is born........