Paguy09

What do you guys think about going overseas to fly?

USMCFLYR

A search will show you numerous threads about overseas opportunities. A search for the word 'overseas' just in the title revealed 42 threads.
This question is just too broad. If you have a more specific question (and one that preferably hasn't been asked and answered a hunred times), please put it out there.

USMCFLYR

Skytrash99

I am thinking about leaving my regional airline and take a job overseas. For anybody who has experience in this, how difficult is it to get back to a mainline carrier after being out of the US for say 3 years...

captjns

It depends on the equipment you are flying. There is a great need for ATR pilots in and Q400 Captains in India, Japan and China. Some found the transition back to the US a difficult transition due to extremely low pay and poor QOL. That said, off to foreign lands of greater opportunities.

One choppy I know went to Qatar as a DEC on the Airbus. His totoal tine was about 10,000 PIC of which 4,000 plus in the ATR. He turned down a passes on a position with British Airways to maintain is command. He felt that command outweighed the need to return to the UK.

Then there is a the lad who returned to the US to join ATLAS. Family outweighed the need for command.

To answer your question it is possible with some carriers. You may have trouble getting on with some carriers if you remain otside the US beyond 5 years. Perhaps someone else can share their experiences with that issue.

Look at PPRUNE for more info.

All the best

olympic

I was in the same boat as you were, but I never went to a regional, passed on it once I saw the pay was $20/hr, couldn't grasp the fact that I was making more money as a CFI.

I have been flying in Europe for close to 4 years now, from a 4 engine to now a 2 engine Airbus, great experience with a demanding flight ops. I have never heard of anyone having trouble returning to the US after a certain amount of years. Seeing that a lot of Ex-Pat Emirates pilots have been returning to the US for jobs maybe someone from there can give us some input.

Your best bet in a job is definitely India and especially the FAR EAST which has a shortage. (Some companies paying contracts up to 18,000USD a month) I would start looking at some contracts that might interest you. Try Parc Aviation which has a lot of contacts and definitely good contracts for it's pilots.

UpFront

I'm in the same situation as you and have talked to many recruiters about overseas contract work. There are also a lot of commuting contracts also. (Gone 17-20 days...Home 10-13 days) and they positive space you. The problem with us regional guys from the US is that most of the overseas contract jobs need some time in TYPE for the Asia carriers. The Middle East carriers will hire without time on TYPE, but you must move there since there is no commuting.

Lifeisgood

It has not been a common practice yet - when expats return for jobs at majors in the US, but I think your marketability will depend on your personal case. Once such "backflow" becomes visible the recruiters will form opinions.

As far as the type of aircraft the recruiters don't really care what you fly. They know you can pass the training program. They care what you are on the inside. Much of the world is targeting pilots ready to fly a certain aircraft and hire into certain positions. Not the case here - real majors will train you and so far they care more about right personalities than the training expences.

In general going overseas is a step backwards - no faa oversight is not a good thing in the recruiter's eye. You might have violations that will be impossible to find, to say nothing about everyday procedures, habits and attitude towards your responsibilities in general.
Also, the nature of working the contract.. It is very opposite of the company loyalty and "becoming one happy family with compatible people" they learned about in their HR degrees. They might feel that you have been contaminated with bad attitude.

I'd say go, get out of your stagnant regional, have fun, see the world (most of it is crappy, dirty and corrupt), learn to appreciate the freedoms and liberties we enjoy in the US, then make sure you go to career fairs, meet US recruiters from the majors and prove to them that you are their material.
PS. Make sure you stay healthy working there.

APC225

Looks like SWA may be hiring 140. Try there.

We are preparing to resume Pilot interviews. We anticipate hiring an additional 140 Pilots with interviews beginning in November! These Pilots will be trained during the first quarter of next year to position us for the anticipated adjustment to future schedules.

chazbird

Overseas flying can be great. But be aware of this fun fact: upon your return if you want to apply and fly for a US freight airline and you've been working outside of the US you can't apply until 5 years have passed. Good stuff there, huh? It is a requirement of the USPS, evidentially they don't trust you. I know this is a rule at the largest US freight airline. It may apply to any US carrier that has a USPS contract, I haven't found out yet about the others. Funny, as in ha-ha, I flew their planes and that very same USPS freight (feeder) before being furloughed and going overseas. If you get a good gig overseas a lot of people don't want to come back. In retrospect I wish I had stayed "out there" making x3 times what I was making here.

HSLD

If you're interested in flying in China, call Doug Mowrey over at Pilot Jobs in China - VOR Holdings - For your dream and love of flying . I've talked to him several times and he's always had time to answer any and all questions that I've had. He owns the company, and is also an active line pilot which gives him a good perspective.
I never felt like it was a sales job as he's looking for guys who will be a good fit.