Originally Posted by Sunrig

To convert your current license to an FAA ATP is not too difficult. It just costs some money. Get a foreign license verification, then do an ATP CTP course for about 5 K. Thereafter you can take the written ATP followed by an ATP checkride. Note that you will not be able to do the checkride in an A320 as you don’t have an FAA type rating. They will not accept your EASA type. So you either pay for an FAA type rating or just do the checkride in a Seneca. Additionally look at what is required to land a job in the US. Especially total times, TPIC, checkairman, Sim instructor and volunteer work- just to name a few.They look for a really different profile than the one that is required to get a good job in Europe. One big box to tick on your application will be a 4-year degree. Below I quoted a reply to someone in a similar position as you...


My thoughts on this, since I also did the move from EASA land to the US: The fastest way for you to get competitive for a Major would be joining a Regional ASAP. The reason behind that is that you could upgrade after 1000 hours of 121 and start building Jet PIC way faster than staying in Easy Jet. If you stay in Easy Jet it looks like you need another 3/4 years as an FO and then another 1/2 years as a Captain to get some PIC time. My guess is that you can get easily hired by a Major within 3 years after flying for a Regional. You would be at around 4000 TT and 1000 TPIC. Way better than coming to the US in six years with no actual US 121 experience. If you want to look at the Locos like Spirit and Frontier I guess your total time right now is not enough to get an interview. Some Regionals will also help/ pay for the ATP/CTP course and your ATP Checkride if you need to convert your license to an FAA ATP.
Best of luck and get the process for the Green Card started as it takes at least six months until you have it. [img]/images/statusicon/user_online.gif[/img] [img]/images/buttons/report.gif[/img]

Originally Posted by Azlover

Hi Sunrig, I just read that foreign airline pilots wishing to get an FAA airline transport pilot certificate need 250 hours pilot in Command time in addition to the 1500 hours. Would there be any way round this as I only have 80 hours PIC time from my flight training and currently working as a first officer for a UK airline? Thanks !