Transition to Asia
 

Hello everyone,

First off, I'll give you guys a bit of my background. I was born in Thailand (Thai Citizen) and I am currently studying in the Aeronautical Management and Technology major here in the Arizona. I have recently received my commercial pilots license, AMEL and ASEL.

My plan is to apply for the airlines back home which does not have minimum hour requirements. The requirements are that you are a Thai citizen, hold a commercial certificate (250 min hours) and a received at least bachelor's degree before you can apply (This is for both Thai Air Asia and Thai Airways). The only requirement I need is my bachelor's degree which I am planning to graduate in approximately a year from now.

I was wondering what the transition process is from having been flying in the United States, finished all training here and then going straight there after my bachelor's degree to work for the airlines in Thailand. People I have talked to had told me that it's a very easy transition since Thailand utilizes the FAA as well, not like going to Europe and needing EASA license. If anyone have information or have been through this process/experience, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Thank you in advance!

Jacky, be prepared for low pay and poor terms and conditions. I hope I don't offend you but Thailand is one of the worst as far as airlines go. Thai is in a bit of trouble. The others are not that great to work for. I can suggest you stay in the U.S. and fly for the tons of regionals that need crews. You'll build quality time quicker and although certainly not perfect, you'll find it better than most Thailand carriers. That's just my opinion though. Best of luck in your future.

Would have to agree with Braniff. With Thai Airways on the ropes, so to speak, and the plethora of low cost outfits in Asia there just don't appear to be any good jobs in Thailand right now. If anything I might target Bangkok Airways. They seem to be well run and have grown slowly, but steadily, over the last 20 years or so.

If it's possible for you to stay in the USA and do some flying after graduating I think it would serve you well over the course of your career. The biggest difference will be CRM and safety concepts, which are far more advanced in the USA than they are in Asia.


Typhoonpilot

Careful, there are some people here who will take offense at pointing out how much the Asian carriers lag behind in safety concepts and CRM.

I don't think discussing the issues is wrong...., I do think that filming a coalleague in the cockpit (regardless of where they are from, at that moment they are sharing a flight deck with you) and posting it on YouTube is wrong and quite frankly, shows a lack of character.

You wouldn't have done it if you were working at DAL, UAL, FDX... Period....! Professionalism shouldn't have geographical borders.

JackyW;
Thailand does have some issues now, but they always have some issues. Thai Airways is downsizing, and there are some small, dodgy airlines in Thailand that are probably best to avoid if you can.

There are a couple of decent gigs there. Thai Air Asia also has the Thai national requirement. I don't know a lot about NOK, but Thai Lion Air is also growing there. Lion Air has a bad rep, but obviously you are looking to build time for a career. A lot of time you have to take what you can get.

There is also Jetstar and Tiger in Singapore. They hire newbies as well.

Good luck.

I didn't do it, nor will I. But I am a little forgiving when it comes to Chinese pilots lack of professionalism. I agree, professionalism should not have geographical borders. It is not western pilots you should be preaching that to. But the ones you should be preaching it to will refuse to listen simply because of geographical borders.

To all responses so far, thanks for your feedback! My main purpose to go back to Thailand is mainly to gain flight hours for a couple of years to move up to better airlines such as ANA and maybe even come back to the states in the main airlines later on.

And regarding the professionalism with Asian pilots, I can't disagree with all the comments. I personally have experience with those pilots here in Arizona. The lack of english proficiency is absurd. Even though I'm an international student, my english is fluent since I've been living here from Thailand for over 10 years now. But for pilots being sent here to train (all of them are from China), language is always a problem at my airport. I've personally had a few close calls doing a holding pattern over a VOR and the other plane did not follow tower's instruction causing him to be flying at the same altitude in the same hold.

I don't really think professionalism comes with a geographical border though. There are just more "unprofessional" pilots in that region. I feel like its the culture that they live in. In the United States, airplanes are simply a form of transportation, in other countries (especially in Asia), its considered something very special. Not many people get a chance to be in an airplane, especially not flying one due to cost and poverty. So people tend to want to "show off" which can definitely rise safety concerns as well as showing lack of being a professional.

It looks like Nok will take Thai nationals with a commercial multi and a degree as 737-800/Q400/ATR FO per their website (You've already done your national service/are exempt, I take it?) I'd agree that THAI is in a rough patch, but that's not really anything new. Alot of their domestic and near regional flying is going to THAI Smile and Nok Air, though, so I'll bet that long term THAI just does long haul.

I guess the bigger question is why go back to Thailand to fly unless that's your only option? If you've got work rights here in the U.S., then to me that sounds like a better long term play. From a money and career progression standpoint, I think the U.S. market can't be beat right now. I say this as someone who could pick up a Thai passport through my mother and go work there.

As of my current visa status, Thai or anywhere in Asia is the best choice. Since I'll be graduating soon, applying for a green card and getting a US citizenship will definitely take too long. Right now, I'm trying to look for the best work opportunity available for myself that I could go straight in from university to the airlines.

Unfortunately the regionals in the United States does not apply for work visa for international pilots like the major airlines do or else I would've gone that route.

So if US is not an option for right now, what airline would you recommend that I could go work there right away without requiring 2000+ hours other than Thai and Air Asia?