FlyingJman

Friend of mine, 27 yrs old, RJ pilot about to upgrade to captain, wants to know if going to the Middle East to fly big planes will hurt his chances with a major. Delta is his goal airline... thoughts?

I initially said stay here, and work your way up... it's bound to open up for you soon... am I leading him astray?

CaptYoda

I would not give up an upgrade to fly a bigger airplane overseas as a first-officer. Especially if he wants to work here eventually. More than likely you will have to sign a 3 yr training bond as well. On the B787 (Captain seat ) at Qatar it is $50,000 (prorated each month). The ME3 jobs will always be there due to attrition and he can apply later in life if he does not seem to have any success here. Right now, I think it's a big mistake to leave. A lot of U.S. guys who are not "golden handcuffed" here are bailing as fast as they can.

No Land 3

If he wants endless woman to sleep with, and three ways all the time, like one of my friends over at Fly Dubai, I'd highly suggest he tries it. Otherwise, the PIC time is golden, despite what some would like to believe.

Out West

Edit:


Terrible idea. It's the Middle East.

Sam York

I'd stay and do the pic. Try to be a check airman and get internal recs.

captjns

Let's see... your friend is 27 and about to get his command. He's thinking taking a job elsewhere. It doesn't matter if its the ME or with another regional in the U.S. Perhaps DAL or AA, then by all means go. But to sacrafice an opportunity for command? Decision making skills need a wee bit of work... just saying.

CaptYoda

Dubai is expensive especially if you have a family. There are a lot of "extra" expenses as most allowances don't always cover the whole amount. Cost of goods and services is probably 30% more than in the States and they are talking about introducing a new tax soon. Coming here should be a well researched decision. For a regional guy, it can be very enticing but for anyone with the majors in sight, these airlines are simply contract jobs. No job protection of any kind.
The economy is showing signs of a slowdown. There have been recent airline layoffs here (non-pilots).

As far as sleeping with endless women at Fly-Dubai and three-way sessions, I am sure it does happens. As modern as Dubai may appear it is still an Islamic country and often people forget where they are and get into trouble. Sex outside of marriage is a punishable offense. Yet almost every grocery store sells condoms quite openly presumably only for married couples!

FlyP

I was in about the same situation as your friend. I received a job offer from Air Japan to fly the 767 and at about the same time I got the upgrade. There were no questions about what I needed to choose. I stayed here and just recently land a job with Delta.

So I second your advice.

P.s. I never researched that but your friend should also look up for Part 121 currency in case he leaves and decide to come back. I really don't know if you lose currency or not once you out flying in the other countries.

MEMpilot

I am currently a captain at a ME carrier and wishing to return to the States.

Coming from a regional, I have saved an epic sum of money in 2.5 years, upgraded on a "marketable and heavily used" jet made in Seattle, and gained very valuable flying experience.

Without sounding presumptuous, the flying here is much more challenging that regional flying and I've been hoping to gain some recognition for that. CRM-wise, you're constantly exposed to different nationalities and have to manage them as a team. A far cry from dealing with a co-worker who might be Republican/Democrat.

Anyway, sanctimonious rant aside, I haven't heard anything from anyone yet.

One element that is very difficult is finding the time to INTERVIEW back home. The schedules are often brutal here and you'll have no time to interview except on vacations.

Overall, I would have still made the move but I am lamenting the difficulty with returning at this moment.

If an upgrade is in sight at the current carrier, maybe its best to stay put. I was at a 'dying' regional, so I found it advantageous to leave and seek a new and fruitful adventure.

CaptYoda

I agree with the interviewing part. You probably need a whole week of time off to interview, keeping travel time and jet lag into account. If you are interviewing for your dream job, you need to have your "A" game. And that's kinda hard when you are waking up at 4 AM your first week back stateside and ready for a nap by 2 PM.

Given that scenario you have to apply for leave ahead of time but if it's 3-4 months ahead, airlines may not be able to give you a date that far ahead. I know regionals are doing them 2-4 weeks ahead maximum.

And then there is the part of currency. Are you current under U.S. FAR's.