Hi, im currently an RJ-FO. My aspirations are to fly international as soon as possible (overseas). Im married and i wont take my family with me. I have heard of some companies that will give you 2 weeks on/off and even some that have bases in the US. Would going abroad would be a smart move? What are your thoughts on the quickest way to an international operator, US or foreign?

Thanks!

BTW; Im JAA and FAA certified.

 

Check with various employement agencies around the world... They are available for phone calls too and are willing to answer any and all of your calls.

Think real hard about leaving the family behind. I'm sure they will miss you and then resentment could set in do the fact you are off in some exotic land whilst your spouse is home with the children.

Don't ruin a good thing you have in place now. The international jobs will always be their when your kids are grown up, and out of the house. Then you and your spouse can enjoy life's adventure elsewhere.

Good luck and good flying.

 

Or . . . reconsider taking your family with you. Okay, I understand that there are several and serious implications involved with moving your family out of the country; but how many kids, do you know, can speak more than one language (not counting their natural language or Spanish)? It could broaden your children's "cultural" horizons and their overall potential. (This little bit might help convince your wifey. . . )

If you were to consider taking your family, you would want to be careful about the place you choose to live. Dubai, from what I hear, is a pretty cool city. There are so many non-Arabs over there that another family of Americans isn't that odd. Abu Dhabi might be pushing it. And although I really like China (mainly because an American salary = $$$), it wouldn't be the best place to raise a family. Germany, France, Britain, Scandinavia, Guam, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, French Polynesia, Malaysia, the possibilities are out there. The best thing would be to talk to your wife and see if she would even consider ex-patriotism. If not, well then you're stuck flying international for and American Carrier.

So back to your original question. I have been doing a ton of research over the past several months in order to satisfy my urge to fly ultra-long haul trips. Australia is not a place for American Pilots. New Zealand is a little bit more friendly and the person you would want to talk to is KoruPilot, of this very forum. There are several companies that hire American pilots, to name a few: Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, Korean Air, Tiger Air, Air India, Air Philippines, Air Singapore, Eva Air, Japan Airlines, Emirates, Kuwait Airways (a nice airline to work for according to my dad who did so for several years), and Qatar. This is only a sampling, a thorough search would get you a few more, including some European ones.

Speaking of European airlines, that pilot market is highly competitive. So pretty much forget about most of the big names. Ryan Air is an option (if that suits your fancy.) If you can speak, read, and write German, checkout Lufthansa. SAS likes experienced pilots, but from what I hear, they prefer native Vikings.

There really is no special method for getting on with an International Carrier. Of course if you know somebody in the company, your chances have the potential to increase. Pretty much locate their web-site, send in your resume, and wait. Some (specifically Emirates) have infamous interview programs, others are more laid back. Most, from what I have heard, encourage you to bring your wife with you when you come for the interview. The last thing they want is a pilot who is having problems at home because his wife doesn't like the country. Lastly, just because they call you for an interview, doesn't mean you have to go. However, if you turn it down, make sure you won't ever want to work there in the future, as they tend to have long memories (specifically the Asians.)

"Honey, let's go on vacation. How does Hong Kong sound?"

One more thing, check out www.pprune.org, as this site contains a wealth of international information.

Hope this helps.

 

Oh, almost forgot. Cathay Pacific has a JFK base, if you have the time required to get in as a DE FO, or DE CA. Otherwise, you'd be stuck as an SO in HKG.

Check out the Major sub-forum, as I remember reading that CAL was hiring guys direct to their long-haul equipment.

 

Cudos' to Danzig on this one. I agree whole heartedly that more pilot's should consider the work that is available overseas, and perhaps the positive implications for their family/children, which he has nicely emphasized.

A very good friend of mine started flying for money in 2004, in Africa on single pistons, quickly progressed through the C208 and ATR, and has now just started in Hong Kong flying an NG. Not bad progression, and, please correct me on this, a bit tough to pull of State side.

If you still want to leave your family at home you could walk into a commuting contract with Air India, now, through Rishworth (but I think you'd need to convert to an NZCAA ticket; no worries as it sounds like you have the time). Also good are the Japanese contracts, Korean with the right kind of time and, if you are a bit adventurous, Air Atlanta Icelandic might suit your fancy. All are offering commuting terms.

 

Can you elaborate more on the Air Atlanta Icelandic deal? I assume the Japanese/Korean jobs are through Parc and HACS and Rishworth? Those are the only crew leasing people I know of (would be delighted to hear of more). Been looking at doing the contract thing.

 

Thanks alot!

 

You all have heard me rant about Air Atlanta in past forums. Without getting into it all over again it'll suffice just to say Stay Away From Air Atlanta. PM me if you want more details.

Cheers,

 

There you go, from the "mouth of the horse'' so to speak.

I do have a mate who flew for AAI and quite enjoyed it though. A few of our guy's have gone there to fly after taking LWOP, but it is a way different op from the big international carriers where you are kind of spoon fed and most did not take to it at all. For me, I've known nothing but cheap hotels, low per-diems and very dynamic operations up until my current employer. I must say that I greatly prefer where I am now, but I have no problem with, and did enjoy my time with the ACMI charter/cargo outfit's that I have flown with. For a person with low jet time, trying to acquire just that (as many big international contract operations require it), then perhaps I wouldn't turn my nose up at it too quickly. Hopefully you are single or your spouse is very understanding though.

 

Oh yea, the Japanese/Korean thing. You need 1000 hours big jet for ANA, as I understand it from HACS, so again, the second level carriers are a way to get that fast and move on. Korean wants 500 in the 744 for their right seat job's, which are apparently pretty good. From what I gather Eva and China Airlines are outright shambles and there is an Eva forum that confirms that. I'd just phone HACS about the ANA contracts or Rishworth/CCI etc. for the Korean contract. Everybody in the Asia Pacific are hurting for pilots so it's a good place to look. . . but that's just what I think.