Hi Lucky,

Good deal. An answer to a few of your questions. First off I'm not sure Air NZ will even interview without the PR. Once through through process the PR will be good indefintely once you enter the counttry. It is good for 2 years if you leave the country. Once the PR is approved, you just need to enter the country within a year to activate it. You will be given a returning resident visa (stamped in your passport) that allows you to leave the country for 2 years at a time. Get on the PR process ASAP, they advertise a year long process but I got it done in 6 months. Also be prepared to pay a little over a grand.

As far as the exams, I have not sat any yet but I have had my logbook validated by ASL. Because they will not count my military time on my ATP I will have to sit 5 of the 7 exams unless I can get the required time now that I'm retired. I did work through ASL for approval to take the exams here. None of that is cheap either. You will need to have the exam complete and ASL crediting you before AirNZ will interview.

It also wouldn't hurt to knock out your NZ class 1 medical. The only doc in the US approved to do it is in Phoenix. Lot's of paperwork involved.

Koru will give a better answer but a commute from Christchurch should be workable if you are on long haul. But you will have to get yourself to Auckland. You will have to pay but I believe there is some sort of staff travel price.

It sounds like you would have a great chance for an interview once you get your squares filled.

Once you have the required posts feel free to PM me if you have any further q's

BTW where are you based, where is your wife from?

Cheers,
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