aviator35

Hi Guys!

I would like to get some advice from you. Luckily, this year we got green card and about the finish immigration process. Now, I am flying for Turkish Airlines in B737 fleet and logged more than 1700 hours in total.

Here are the some questions which I would like to get an advice from you.

1-) I do have Turkish ATPL and class I medical and already I am in contact with some flight schools for FAA ATP conversion process. If I convert my license, Is it possible to apply and get acceptance for one of the major airlines with that experience? When I check the min. requirements for the majors, I will met most of it after having converted my license but still I observed many guys even tough meets the min. requirements they still start from regional.

2-) Can it be a plus for me to have 737 experience to apply for pilot jobs in major or regional airlines?

3-)If there is no way to start from majors, do you suggest regional airlines to apply for? If you taking into account aircraft type, salary, fast track for command upgrade or major airlines etc. which airlines will be better to apply?

4-) Is there any charter or regional that fly b737 that can I apply for?

5-) The most important of them, I will come the USA with my wife and she is software engineer. I am also about to finish my Phd. education. Which city or state do you suggest to settle in? We do not have any clue where should we go. If you take all of these info into account which place do you suggest for us to find job easily and live without any problem.

6-)As an expat will it be difficult for me to find a job if I have all required documents (license, medical, etc.) and legal right to work in the states?

the last but not least, English is not my first language, I apologize in advance if I write something wrong.

I appreciate for your help,

Thanks.

sailingfun

I don’t think you will have a problem getting a job at a US major airline. I think however you will have to fly for a few years for a regional. Most pilots hired at US majors are above 3000 hours and 4000 would be better. The fact you have 737 time might let you get in at the low end of the range. Where to live will mostly depend on your wife’s job. Lots of options for her.

Sliceback

1. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. The average civilian new hire at a major U.S. airline is more typically 5500-7500 TT and 3000-4000 PIC. Some get hired with less but that’s the mean average.

2. Not really. Unlike foreign airlines the big U.S. airlines don’t care if you have time in type. Smaller companies might prefer that.

3. American Airlines has a ‘flow’ program that guarantees you a job at AA. It’s a 7-10 yr estimated flow. But you can apply to every other airline in the meantime as your resume improves.

4. This website has ‘airline profiles’ near the top of the page. Some options are listed there. Locations, equipment, pay, etc.

5. Find a job and move there. As a pilot you can Jumpseat/non-rev to your base. Your best option is getting a base where her job is. Commenting to work takes away a lot of free time.

6. For a regional? Probably not. For a major Your resume isn’t that competitive right now. With two years of regional experience you’ll be at the lower end of where guys are getting hired. In five yrs your resume will be average.

Living in the U.S. your English will improve rapidly.

rickair7777

No for the majors, only fighter pilots would even be considered with less than 2000 for most majors. For the majors you'll need typically 4000-6000 hours, with some jet PIC preferred. A few exceptions happen, so you should apply as soon as you can and keep your applications updated.

Any type rating improves your resume somewhat. SWA likes the 737 type.

Yes, you'll probably need to.

No regionals. Probably a few charter companies.

The big metropolitan areas typically have crew bases for multiple airlines, as well as multiple universities. NYC, Washington DC, Miami, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angles, San Francisco.

No. It will be almost automatic to get a job at any regional if you have a clean background.

Majors are a bit harder, but your expat status will not affect your employ-ability in the US.

Your English is better than my other languages, haha.

Battlinbear21

Slice and Rick just broke it down as vanilla as it gets. 1700 hours is not competitive at a major airline even If you have 4 type ratings. Doubtful even a LCC will call you back until you gain some more exp.
But, it sounds like aviation is your passion and you’re driven to be successful in the aviation industry. And now it’s looking like a very fruitful career. You have the option to live any place you and your wife decide. (Exception, Sweet Grass Montana or similar of course.) And there will be probably be a regional airline w base there.
With the exception of only a handful of carriers the upgrade time to be in the command seat is <12 months if you have the requirements. Good news is most of the regionals are handing gobs of cash to new hires. If I was starting I would probably go to one of the 3 airlines w a flow through. They have the fastest upgrade times and you have the mainline job in your bag in 10 years. This will give you the ability to pad your stats-by taking a position in the TrainingDept/Recruiting/Saftey Dept’s. wholly owns of American Airlines have a large turn over rate so these positions outside the cockpit on the line are opening often.
It would benefit you greatly to go to a mainline job fair. This way they know who you are and when you update your app and resume every month they will see you’re working diligently to reach your end game goal. We all know how to fly airplanes. You need to do all you can to “one up” the competition for these highly competitive positions at a major airline. I can Only provide accurate details for one airline in the US and if you want information just DM me and I’ll give you what I know And contact info to HR. Good Luck and happy hunting!

zondaracer

Here is a pretty comprehensive map of pilot domiciles:
http://pilotdomiciles.com

It does not include charter companies and some ACMI accompanied are not listed, but it has all of the regionals, LCC, and majors.

rickair7777

Worth noting... quick upgrades are available at most US regionals for those with prior 121 experience.

But foreign airline experience does not count for that, so you'll at least 1000 hours at a regional before upgrade.

aviatrix28

Hi everyone,

I’m in the same situation as aviator35. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth self-sponsoring for the ATP-CTP (as I understand foreign ATP isn’t considered there) for a shot at the majors or if it’s better to just let a regional pay for it.

In addition to aviator35’s questions, I’d like to ask if anyone knows how Cruise Relief Pilot (Second Officer) time is counted by US airlines or the FAA. I have 2800 hrs, but 1900 hrs are from A330 & A340 CRP. I would sit on the right seat 2/3 of cruising time and wasn’t authorized to do take offs and landings on actual flights. I’d do 3 TOs and Landings on the sim every 90 days. Currently a 320 FO in Asia, but only 500 hrs on the type.

(I know this has been asked before on multiple threads, but I haven’t seen any concrete answers. I’m hoping someone can offer insight on this!)

Jatinsel

How sure are you of this?

rickair7777

100% positive. The reg says "121 or 135 time" and the FAA has clarified that to mean operations under US scheduled or non-scheduled regulations, not foriegn equivalents.