Am I stupid?
 

Hey guys,

I have recently applied for Airwis and cleared the interview. Should be joining them in the next few monthsas FO. Meanwhile I keep asking myself whether I am doing the right thing.

I'm 35 with 6000 hrs as FO on 737/777. I work in a major here in the middle east, making about 10k tax free, a minium of 13 days off and we get about 15 days off usually,medical paid for, housing paid for, kids education paid for. About 5+ years command, constant jet lag and strict rules here, I'm a little tired of this place and want to get back and settle down at home.


Do you guys think Airwis is my thing ? Is the united CPP is for true?
I donot have any part 61 experience, what will be the time to command for me?




cheers !

With those quals why not look into like JetBlue or something, heck even majors are taking people from Middle East carriers. I know of a few people coming from EK now at United.

CFR 61 relates to Airman Certification. You may wish to review CFR 121.436 will be an obstacle, if you’re looking for short route to command for a US 121 carrier.

molasses
 

Why don't you try Sun Country, Spirit, Fedex, UPS, or other options like that? You seem more than qualified and they are all hiring.

Air Whisky rocks. I live in base. I think life would be miserable if I were commuting however.

CPP is "real", but is like molasses. Takes time. Years.

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I have applied for all those carriers but they either ask for US time or a reference in the airline, which I don't have. Airwis is the only airline who prompltly replied.

I had a classmate in my Air Wis class who had a similar situation. Lots of Middle East Airbus time, but couldn't get any mainline carriers to call him back. Needed the same thing to just get on board with the first US regional that would take him, get established, and then worry about getting back into bigger stuff later.

He decided to sign up and get established in the US. He took the bonuses up front and committed himself to the company for 2 years. As soon as he gets 1000 hours of flying in the company, he will be eligible for promotion. About 15-18 months at the moment. Same could be true for you. He's is liking it so far and is glad he made the move to the US.

As an alternative, remember you are not required to accept the bonuses up front. You would get the signing bonus right away and your Type bonus after you complete IOE. The rest you can earn as you go. This option allows you the flexibility to leave anytime if another operation is looking to hire you.

I would always take the money upfront, otherwise you are giving the company an interest free loan.

Conversely if you take the money and get on with a major before 2 years is up you now owe the pre-tax amount of that bonus- good luck getting your tax money back.

My advice is that if you don’t need the bonus to survive, don’t take it upfront.

Yes but the 25% that’s withheld also needs to be paid back when you leave. You could have to wait a year or more to file your taxes to get this back. So say you take 49k in bonus and 12ish is withheld, either you better have that much of your own money in savings or you are going to need a personal loan at a much higher interest rate than 30k sitting in a CD for 2 years would pay.

And honestly most of us will use the bonus - paid in full or deferred - as normal spending money or paying down debt. Not many 1-2 year regional FOs are planning on investing it to make a few grand. It’s being factor as income for the first 2 years.

If there is ANY chance you think you will leave before 2 years, defer.

Air whiskey rocks??

Okay someone send this guy to get a drug test! Clearly this profile is someone in management.