EU 737 skipper, work in the US?
 

Hey folks,

I'm contemplating my opportunities in the US.

I'm an employed B737 captain for one of the low-cost carriers in Europe. (Race to the bottom, yeew!) I'd like a change of scenery and see if a potential move to the US is worth it or not, the opportunity kinda fell into my lap.

I've got 4000hrs total, 1000hrs PIC on the Boeing. I have a FAA CPL/IR AMEL and MEI-I. (Did most of my training in the US) And about to become a LTC (Line training Captain) for my current employer.
Don't have a college degree but I'll get it if I have to make it.

Every test I've ever done in aviation has been passed on the first attempt, I do however have one scar.

Earlier this year I experienced something nobody wants to experience in their career as a commercial pilot. It resulted in a serious incident. Without saying too much about what actually happened the investigation was scratched by the authorities as they found no fault on the crews part, they just released a safety bulletin. It was summed up to be Environmental factors.

I'm not gonna lie in my application so I will answer 'YES' to incident.

Anybody out there who managed to get a job with an incident on their record for a Regional or a Major?
I mean a bird-strike can lead to an accident on ones record with the authorities if you're unlucky enough.

Would appreciate any helpful input.
Fly safe out there!

This is similar to qualifications of regional CA's who are just barely starting to get considered by majors. Another 1000 PIC would help.

But the degree will make a big difference, you won't get any of the best major jobs without one, although some of the "second tier" LCC/ULCC would probably look at you.

Regional, no problem at all, they would love you.

Majors, more problematic. Once you explained it to a human, it would probably be a non-issue. But the computer applicant screening is the problem... checking that (or certain other boxes) will make you a lower priority for an interview call, simply because HR does not want to waste time and effort trying to adjudicate that kind of situation when they just call folks with clean records. If that's your only black mark, I would think you'd get called eventually by some major especially given the looming retirements. Few pilots have perfectly clean records. It would probably help if you went to job fairs so you could explain the situation to a human.

I assume “right to work” in the US.

GF

Try Swift.....

Thank you for taking your time to respond, I really do appreciate the input.

Any examples of job fairs out there I shouldn't miss?

Correctomundo

Most of the "special interest" job fairs are well attended by airlines. Other job fairs may not be well attended by all majors.

Even getting a look from LCC/ULCC is still questionable without a degree. We still have many apps from Regional LCA, with 1000+ TPIC and a degree, along with internal recs that still haven't been called.

I know many, many, many LCC pilots without 4 yr degrees. Not only do they not require them, they encourage them to apply.

Yes the ULCC/LCC are hiring non-degreed pilots.

The example above is probably over-qualified for the ULCC, because they know the top tier will likely call eventually. I bet the same guys could get called with 400 TPIC and no degree, with the internal recs.

I'm actually starting to see a preference at the 2nd/3rd tier for pilots who have issues which would impede their ultimate progression to top tier.