Expat Pilot Pre-Employment Reference/Background Checks??
 

Hello All,

I am a US pilot considering joining the ranks of the expats and had a couple of questions of those who've preceded me. I'm mainly thinking about AUS/NZ, but might also consider Asia or the sandpit.

I would be moving to AUS and converting certs before applying for any flying work down there, but if I decide on Asia/Middle East I could not move until hired.

1. How are the pre-employment background checks and reference checks conducted with respect to US pilots flying overseas? Do they only do checks in the country which you will be living/flying, or do they do FBI checks in the US as well?

2. What can I do in preparation to make this process as efficient and seamless as possible beforehand?

Thanks for any info you may be able to provide. :)

SemperFly

I'm fairly sure they wouldn't do US checks, just with the authorities in the country you're applying for.

KoruPilot signal! :)

I doubt any company down here will do police checks in your home country as you will have to have those completed for NZ/AUS immigration before you are able to get a work or PR visa, so they will be completed.

Air NZ will call your former employer as a reference; they are very good at reference checks so have all your ducks in a row.

As you will have to have the checks completed for immigration as far as criminal record, those will be in order before you get here, so it's not a problem once you are at that stage.

Do you currently have the right to reside in NZ or OZ? That is going to be a big thing as it is simply a must for us. As far as I know, at this time Air NZ mainline and it's three Link carriers will not hire you without residence (although the Links might if you have a work permit). If that's sorted and you have the requisite time and experience, then you should do pretty well. We will be hiring for the rest of the year for downstream slots that we need to have filled.

Tweet, mate. I'll PR you pretty quick as I am in Shanghai and late to meet the lads. Quickly for your query though. . . don't bother, just come here.

Hi Semper,

Koru is correct. I had to do a FBI Background Check as part of my NZ permanent residency application. AirNZ required nothing of the sort. Can't speak about the sandbox. Do a search for MayFly135, he is going through the Aus PR process and can tell you what they require. It does sound a bit painful though.

Cheers,
JD

Koru, looking forward to hearing from you.

I also haven't been asked or required by any airline in India, Oz, NZ for a a FBI Background check. Since it WAS required for my Australian Permanent Residency I have them from every country I was stationed at for over 12 months. Have always taken them to interviews in my bag of tricks just in case...

MayFly

Thanks for the info guys!! I appreciate the invaluable advice

I currently reside in So. California, but my wife is an Aussie and we will be back down there in a few weeks for a visit (BNE). I may take a stroll down to the local CASA office and poke my head in.

My times are ~3000TT, 2500 PIC, 650 Multi, 400 CL-65 SIC. Is that something you think I could find some decent work with?

SemperFly

take a look at pprune.org. They have lots of info on overseas flying.

The only problem I find with pprune is that I have to wade through pages of nonsense posted by people who are obviously pretending to be pilots in order to get some decent information. This is of particular truth when dealing with Oz and Europe. In short, be very careful about what you take as advice on that sight as I have seen more mis-advice, that is people trying to lead you away from what you need to know for where you want to be, than reasonable direction with where to pursue a job.

As far as Pacifica, I can be pretty safe that between Tweet and Mayfly, whom I know personally, and myself, we pretty much have the pulse on what a N American has to do to get work in this area. If you need help and specific advice further as far as this area please post again or PM us when you are able to use that tool.

As far as your times are concerned you are very close to being able to convert directly to a Kiwi ATPL, but I'd have to know the types breakdown for your PIC time to be sure.

If you have university entrance you are well on track, and if you have some post secondary period then you are sweet (as far as Air NZ is concerned). We have a few pilots flying long haul who commute from BNE.

A friend of mine just went to Jet Star by the by, and they are hiring regularly. With your time all you are going to require is the PR visa to go their way (not sure about the bare work permit but it might work as well). I can get some specifics on them if you are interested in that direction. My buddy just left PacBlue to go there by the way, and PacBlue is hurting for crew because of that type of movement. They are leaning toward ALPA representation, working on it now as a matter of fact, as is Qantas Jetconnect. That should bring T&C up. You can ask Mayfly about V OZ though. . .

***When I was based out of the Middle East flying for a large cargo carrier I did not require a police check for my PR in Bahrain. Hope that helps.

I just inished trainning for KunPeng Airlines/ Senzhen Airlines. The toughest part is to get your criminal record from your local police station, notarized it and send it to the secretary of state for authentication. That's towards your working visa in China.Once your there you will have to convert your licence to the CAAC licence( not an easy thing to do). They are something between JAA ATP and FAA ATP. If you need specifics let me know

Do we have any pilots flying for Air India that can advise me on best way to get a job there?