Originally Posted by
de727ups
I don't know how easy it would be to get the legal right to work in the US, so you might have a hard time getting hired here. If you did your training in the US, you'd have to convert to Canadian licenses to work at WestJet or Air Canada. You might be better off training in Canada.
I knew a Canadian guy who came down here because he said the training was cheaper... is that why you decided to train in the US as well?
Since you made the decision to come here, you probably already have the work permit situation figured out. But if not...
It's not easy to find an aviation job in the US without legal right to work... certainly there are a couple of large flight schools that hire foreign CFIs and those places sponsor work visas. I know Canadian guys who teach at ERAU, and actually, they didn't even need a work visa like CFIs from other foreign countries. (They do need to file some other paperwork, forget what's called, but it's not as costly as a work visa.)
But to get hired by an airline... you'd need to be a permanent resident or citizen. I have to tell you, trying to get a green card legally is a very arduous and lengthy process. There were/are numerous foreign CFIs at ERAU who instructed there for 5-7 years while awaiting the green card process. (ERAU requires you to give them a certain amount service before they'll sponsor you for the green card (for INS purposes), and then once the green card process starts, it takes another 3-5 years, depending on each person and their circumstance and also how many times your lawyer screws up your paperwork.)
Then again, you can always invest several millions dollars or marry a US citizen. (the only 2 legal ways that I personally know of.)