gottajob4now

Hello all,
I am still flying for one of the struggling Legacy carriers but have started looking into the job market in case things go south. First impressions - it looks pretty ugly out there. I have read a few threads here and over at Pprune and have gained some valuable insight into the current pilot market - thanks to all who post.
My question is, broadly, is there a consensus on the current BEST places to get a job? More specifically, I would be looking for a DEC position where I could either live or commute to the States, or live overseas, if domiciled in a livable place. I realize that is a bit vague, and a bit dreamy, but to narrow it down, I would consider Europe, South Africa, Australia, NZ, maybe South America - you know, the nice places, ie. the ones where there are no jobs. I had considered Emirates - I was impressed when I flew on them and even spent a couple days in Dubai - but I have since read some pretty negative things.
Believe me, I know quite well that 'wishing does'nt make it so' and that of course the best jobs will be highly coveted and difficult to get an interview for, but I am just wondering what the "brass ring" that everyone is reaching for in the airline world seems to be these days. It might also be a nice to have a more upbeat topic to discuss.
Your views on this would be very helpful - Thanks

PS: FYI I am a 25 year airline vet with 20000 hrs, PIC time in heavy airbus and Boeing, under 50, etc. so I don't think I would want to start over from the ground up somewhere - hope this helps.

Typhoonpilot

Welcome to APC. I doubt you'll find a consensus on the current best jobs out there. Your list of desired places to live is interesting. Have you been to South Africa or know what it is like living there ? For what it's worth, rumours are that Kenya will be hiring 777 pilots for London and Jo-Burg bases very soon. Reportedly a good package, but probably not a long term deal. Korean is probably the best commuting job to the States for a DEC. Singapore on the Pax fleet would be okay. Emirates is okay. Underpaid, but nice cheap lifestyle, Sri Lankan. The best jobs though, are the ones you never hear about.

Generally speaking you will be far better off staying at your struggling Legacy than to go expating. Wait until your carrier goes under and then you can get a job. Just make sure you can stay qualified on a widebody as PIC until that day comes. Some guys bail early for various reasons. The best being to take the lump sum before the pension disappears. Others because they are fed up. The ones who leave because they are fed up generally end up regretting the decision. Emirates has a hired a bunch of narrowbody guys into the left seat of widebodys, great deal if you think you'll need the widebody experience.

The wankers on Pprune are doing a great job of scaring people away from Emirates. Hey, it isn't a bed of roses, but it isn't that bad. The pay could be better, but the overall package is pretty good. If the wankers keep scaring people away I might get another 10% pay raise this year, so I generally let them have at it. Have you seen their complaning about flying more than 900 hours in a year ? Oh, wo is me, cry me a river. Half the time they're asleep in a bunk. I've done over 1200, IN THE COCKPIT, in my previous expat experiences. It's all a matter of perspective. Take what they say with a grain of salt.

You can forget about Australia and New Zealand. That is a hyper-competitive market. Europe you can forget about as well unless you have the right to live and work in the EU. That said, somehow Ryanair has recruited some U.S. pilots through Brookfield, I believe. Of course I just did some IOE for a new joiner from Ryanair, he was so happy he didn't have to pay for his drinks in the flight deck and that we actually fed him on the turn-around. Again, it's all about perspective.

Typhoonpilot

Typhoonpilot

Almost forgot, two more possibilities. Jet Airways and Air India for 777 Captain positions based in London. Possibly commutable to the States.

TP

Fly4hire

I'm in the same boat as gottajob4now at a failing legacy carrier, but as a ever more junior F/O on the way out the door at the bottom.

I am applying to the various contract companies for JALways, NCA, etc. I DO have dual citizenship with a US and UK passport and the ability to live in the EU, so what other doors might this open for me? Does that give one a leg up on the Cathay group positions? I'm 46 and would like to get some WB/WB PIC time ASAP to enhance other opportunities down the road.

Any advice welcome for both short or long term prospects.

Typhoonpilot

I would bet you could get on with Easyjet or Ryanair as a direct entry captain. You may need to get yourself a JAA license and type rating first, but they do hire guys without command time into the left seat from what I hear. That doesn't get you any closer to a widebody. Those jobs have no overnights and generally working 4 to 5 days on with 2 to 3 off. Multiple bases in Europe.

To get into a widebody the companies you mentioned would be the best bet. Upgrades at EK would be around 7 years for someone hired today. Could be faster, but I wouldn't bet on it.


Typhoonpilot

Bengalsfan

Don't know, but why hasn't anybody here talked about UPS or FEDEX? The gentleman who started this post said he was looking for the best place to get a job. Isn't the cargo side the best? Best pay, benefits, etc.? He made mention of overseas opportunities, but also left the door open for State side jobs too. Just my $0.02.

Typhoonpilot

I think this is why:


But, you're right. I would recommend Fedex, UPS, SWA, plus maybe Jetblue, Airtran, and Continental over expat jobs. That holds true for the under 40 crowd and those who can't go for Direct Entry Captain positions. Once you're over 40 a lot of those jobs tend to lose their shine. You'll never be senior enough to hold good flying or even widebody. They're still good jobs, but that is all they are. Some guys whose carriers failed might want to reach that destination that they were aiming for when they began, i.e international widebody captain. Maybe they just want a change of pace.

Typhoonpilot

Bengalsfan

I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the whole post.

Thanks for the info

Fly4hire

Who are some companies other than Emirates (that allow commuting) that do direct hire without the leasing company thing?

CptCrisp

First of all, I'd like to thank you Typhoon for your imformative posts. Been lurking for awhile, but now am jumping in to the fray. You seem to have alot of experience in contract work.

I am also "bailing" from a tired legecy carrier, one of the reasons stated above. The other is, for me, now is the time to try some different. I have been purusing the different web/job sites, and have been leaning toward SIA, but the 5+year contract is well , a bit long. Ryanair is a possiblity, through brookfield, as they give you a year to convert to a JAA license. (also wife is a UK/EU citizen.

Guess my question is, .. I have had the "career", but now am looking for a bit more excitement in the world of aviation. Living in SE Asia or Europe is appealing. Is there contract work out there, where they don't work your gonads off, so you can enjoy where you live. Presently WB Capt. (767) with a 737ng rating and various others. Are there other bases at Emirates where you can be based besides Duhbi, (wife drew aline in the sand). Saw a rumour on Pprune about contract hiring with domiciles away from Duhbi.

Thanks agian for the information you share. It does help.