Outside of the US is where the $$$$$$$$$$ are. It takes an open mind, patience and understanding to work for as an expat overseas. The experience in the long run can be very rewarding.
The following statement is typical from a union rep, "Putting two pilots with different native languages in the same cockpit, where they might have to interact with an air-traffic controller whose native tongue is different still, can lead to problems, especially in emergencies, contends Dennis Dolan, a retired Delta Air Lines captain and president of the U.K.-based International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations, which represents pilot unions and associations in 95 countries." I have been flying outside the US for the better part of 15 years. Communications have improved a great deal over the years. There are some isolated cases however, but not where the big birds fly. The foreign nationals that I have flown with demonstrate a high level of professionalism too.
An expat working for a foreign carrier must respect both customs, and airline SOPs.
The writer of the article should have left references to air incidents out of his article do to some misleading facts.
Last edited by captjns; 05-05-2006 at 08:34 AM.