Originally Posted by
Kenny
As far as I’m aware, a prospective US FAR121 airline only has to request records under PRIA, from previous employers. There’s no legal requirement to actually be supplied those records. If requested, a foreign company decides whether they want to furnish those records but if they don’t, it’s not held against you.
In my case, Australian privacy laws meant my previous employer couldn’t give them anything.
That's correct they have to ask, but only US employers can be legally required to respond. So in fairness, the FAA doesn't block your employment based on non-return of PRIA requests.
However, some US carriers who have plenty of apps on file would rather not incur the hassle and expense (and possibly risk) associated with trying to verify overseas job performance, violations, and general background. They know how to do all that in the US, and know the relevant laws. Overseas would be much harder for them.
But I know of several majors who have definitely hired returning expats recently, personally know of several hired directly from overseas. I also know a military buddy who couldn't get a call, had to quit EK (he was over them anyway), return to the US, and get a regional job. Then he got hired by a major.
Best I can tell, YMMV.