Hello guys,

i was looking for some advice on getting work in the US and converting my licence.

im expecting to receive my green card in a couple months time and am planning to move over to live with my wife who has just moved back to Hawaii. I am late 20s, currently fly the 737 for a major Australian airline. I have around 1000hrs on the 737, 1500 hours B777 from overseas and around 4000tt, no degree, no jet or turbine PIC- command at my current airline is a decade or more away.

My plan was to convert my Australian licence to an FAA one privately, it would take a few weeks and set me back almost 15k USD with the 737 rating on it. I was then hoping to apply at Hawaiian with my wife living there. However with the current global climate who knows who will be hiring- I have 6 months to move once receiving the green card.

Alternatively I was thinking of joining a regional, it seems US regionals run you through the ATP-CPC and conversion which would save me some money, however all the bases are a long way from Hawaii and my wife is committed to working there for the time being.

i would appreciate any advice on converting my licence, where to start looking for work, and/or commuting to Hawaii. Alternatively I’m willing to put flying aside for a while if there is no other option. I understand with my hours I’d be looking at a regional first, or another corporate/cargo/GA job in Hawaii perhaps.

i hope I didn’t ask any silly questions- I am new to US aviation and trying to learn the way the game is played over there.

kind regards from down under!
boeingj1331

 

Get established first:

https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...na_by_hawaiian

then apply to Hawaii

https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our...eet/atr-42-500

 

If you’re aiming at HAL you don’t need to have a 737 type on your FAA license. It’s of no use. You can just do the ATP-CTP course for about 5K and a checkride in a Seneca. The 737 type would only give you an advantage when applying to SWA. But due to the lack of degree in combination with no TPIC don’t expect a call from them. Have you looked at Ohana? Don’t know if they’re hiring but that would be a way to fly at least in Hawaii. Best of luck!

 

If you have to commute from Hawaii look for a job with long tours. Some cargo operators do one long 17-19 day trip. Fractional operators typically send you out for 7-8 days, some have longer tours available. Regional flying with 2 to 4 day trips would be very difficult from Hawaii.

 

And of course there is:

https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...loha_air_cargo

 

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. I’ll have a look at the other carriers in hawaii and cargo outfits and hopefully something will work out!
.