I'm new to this thread so please bear with me if the questions I've got are boring or have already been answered somewhere else.

I'll be 60 in Jan of 2008 and would still like to work for at least another couple of years. Just in case something happens to derail the attachments to pending legislation in congress I'm looking at DEC (direct entry captain) positions overseas. I'm single, excellent health, look 10 years younger than I am, and currently a 737NG captain for a major US airline. In case there's a chance I might be able to return to my present arline job someday it's probably best if I can stay on the 737. My questions are:

a) Outside of Europe, US, and Canada, what are the best countries to work in for quality of life? (A job in Europe/Canada would be great if I could get one.)

b) What are the best countries to work in for pay?

c) What are the worst countries to work in for quality of life?

d) What are the worst countries to work in for pay?

e) And lastly, is it better to apply to the above airlines directly or is it better to simply go through some kind of an agency, such as PARC or IASCO? Any help or advice most appreciated.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help.

 

As far as I know, India will allow over age 60. You can check with contracting companies such as SIGMAR, RISHWORTH, PARC, DIRECT PERSONELL, and BROOKFIELD AVIATION, to name a few. You can find them on the internet and talk to their respective representatives for greater details. Good luck. I can't say who is good or not, but you can obtain a wealth of knowledge from these people.

 

I'll reply more in a few days, but for now try some searching on this site for the above mentioned contract agencies. There is a thread dedicated to them. Good amount of info on India on here as well.


TP

 

Thanks, Capt Typhoon

 

To get an idea on what's going on in other sections of the world.. Checkout www.Pprune.org .. Scroll down to the forums that cover other parts of the world (SE Asia, Middle East. etc...). Lots of info being passed there. India is looking good (look in SE Asia for that). Strange place.. takes some adjustment. They need 737 captains..

 

The single best thing you could do to become marketable is to become an instructor, preferably simulator qualifed. If you fit the decription of TRI/TRE ( European terms for line check airman and APD ) then you could easily find jobs in many places. If you haven't already done that then it may be too late at your particular carrier with the limited time remaining. I would suggest going straight to Alteon and getting yourself sim instructor qualified the day after you retire. The pay isn't real flash there, but with that rating in hand you could then work well past 60 as a sim instructor. You could also parlay that into a flying position as a TRI/TRE at a foreign carrier.

So now to answer your questions directly:

That really depends on what makes up a good quality of life for you. That is an individual trait that is very difficult to predict. Do you like the fast pace of a big city? or do you like the quiet solitude of the countryside? Do you need to live in a house with a yard or can you accept an apartment in a high rise building? During you time off do you like the outdoors and lots of sporting activites or would you rather eat out at fancy restaurants and got to the opera? Do you need quality schools for your children? Access to good health care? Must the local population speak English for you to be happy? These are just some of the things to consider when thinking about your individual happiness in a particular place.

Right now no one country really stands out. Generally the more advanced countries with higher average incomes will be the ones that pay the best. India is the exception to that right now as the pay on offer is comparable while the majority of people live in poverty.

See answer above for more detail. My personal opinion is India because I always get sick there.

Answering for ones with known expat positions. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Saudi Arabia.

I'd say best to go directly if possible. PARC and IASCO are two of the better agencies. I would go with one non U.S. based as a first choice though. 1099s can be troublesome when the IRS says you are self-employed. Which is clearly not the case, but up to you to then prove.


Typhoonpilot

 

One exception to the above that I've heard about is China... Use a western agent to work the contract. Big thread on Pprune on that.. I guess lots of bad deals have happened.

 

The thread on Pprune is in regards to Chinese agencies. I would agree not to use a Chinese agency. Use one that is an established operator, preferably run by a pilot or former pilot.


TP

 

I guess someone was saying many of the Chinese agencies have mob ties. One guys told a horror story of having to work through embassies and contract lawyers to get things straight...

 

Not saying it isn't true, but don't necessarily take everything at face value on Pprune. Quite a bit of bogus info on there. Could just as easily been an employee of another agency posing as somebody that has gotten screwed just so a potential recruit doesn't use a Chinese agency.

I still wouldn't use a Chinese agency, as I prefer known entities with a track record.

TP