I think what we'll end up doing is I'll apply here, and work at a regional for at least a couple of years. My wife is going home to Bulgaria in September (while I'll probably be in training), and she'll chat with her old airline buddies and get me the latest info, since they don't advertise their hiring situation, pay, etc like US airlines do. If the regional lifestyle is not working for us, maybe next year, or sometime down the road, we'll make the jump. Just too many unknowns, especially with the license conversion and the airlines' hiring status. My Turkish friend took something like 14 written tests to get his licenses converted, which took around 4 months. Will definitely keep it in mind though. Thanks to all for the info.

-Sargeanb

 

Well you don't need to take the 14 JAA ATPL exams if....and only if you fly a regional aircraft that weights over 30,000 lbs on MTOW. So if you get on the E-Jet family, you'll be ok.

 

man I have been seriously considering going back home (turkey) to get on with a mainline over there too... starting pay is alright, but you'll stop making around 150Kish compared to here @nearly 300 grand on a top notch airline.

there is an airline there called pegasus. I can get on with them with about 200-300TT/25ME or so. Just need to get my stuff changed over to JAA. I'm not sure how that works, I need to look into it.

 

I had a friend that went onto over there as well, didn't know he took that many tests to get his crap converted lol

 

Hi to all,

The pay with most Eastern European airlines is not very good compared to Western European airlines. You can check out some of the pay rates at
www.ppjn.com (www.Pilotjobsnetwork.com).

The Quailty of life for you would be better.You could live like a king better than most locals in the country and you would be in one of the best paid professions in the country.Bulgaria has only entered the E.U and is only starting to rebuild as a country. Its going to take along time to get any sort of democracy back into the country.The majoraty of the people that visit say that its is still a 3rd world country but things will change.

Turkey is a better option trying to get in with Pegasus airlines although not much better!. Things there arent great they are still trying to to get into the E.U. Life there is very hard and you could also live like a King there aswell but living daily life there involves alot of haggling to buy daily goods. Aswell as trying to drive there is frightening in some parts of the country if your not a local and also a nightmare. If you want to check out Pegasus Airlines here is there site: www.flypgs.com. Also Check out Onur Air www.onurair.com.tr.

You could also try for a contract postion with Futura airlines they are a charter spanish airline they fly from Ireland and the UK mainly to spanish destinations and some other E.U. destinations. they are also opening up there first base outside of spain in Dublin, Ireland they are calling themselves Futura Gale. They will be also flying to Spain and other Medeterrian destiations. I was on one of there flights to Luxor ,Egypt from Dublin about 2 weeks ago and both ways the Pilot and First officer were American.So you may have a chance there also they a part owned by Aer Lingus as is Pegasus. www.futura-aer.com

Last option is trying to get into City Jet based in Dublin or Paris. Flying a Bae 146. They have started alot of new routes from London City Airport which is soon to become a base I think.They have been known to have employed American pilots before. www.cityjet.com

I hope this helps, If there is anything else don't hesitate to ask.