BD700xiii

Hi,

I am making the move to the USA from Australia and have been reading a lot about the US aviation industry, trying to do as much research as possible. I have a few questions and in particular one about the four year degree requirement.

1) Has anyone been hired at a Major or LCC (Virgin or Jet Blue etc.), without a 4 year degree? I know it says preferred but is one at a total disadvantage if one does not have one? In AUS it is not a big thing to have one but always desirable nonetheless I am sure. So I am thinking I might have to enroll in one of the online courses. I have sunk so much money into this industry already that it is somewhat depressing to sink more into it. But I guess it is a good thing to have in general.

2) Would I be fairly correct in saying that the average upgrade time from FO to Captain at a Regional would be 5-7 years? I understand that things can change so quickly.

3)From what I am reading flying at a Regional is total hell, in terms of the quality of life and pay. Is this completely true? Are there any happy FO's out there at a Regional? The Regional forums seem somewhat depressing.

4)Any other Australians or NZers out there that have made the jump to the USA?


My background - 3200 TT, 1000 FO 121 time (DHC8), 1300 Single Engine Command in the process of converting to a FAA ATP. 29 Single and have the right to live and work in USA. Looking for something new and a bit of adventure.


Thanks in advance.

P.S. Anyone have a job for me?

satpak77

P.S. - have you tried to use SEARCH to get these answers ?

BD700xiii

Yes I have. Just trying to get info from all corners. Thanks.

galaxy flyer

Do you have a BD-700 rating and experience?

No, few pilots get hired w/o a four-year at the majors. Can't speak to the regionals, except for comments here.

GF

BD700xiii

Hey GF, thanks for that. No type rating yet on the GLEX.

Senior Skipper

1. Can't say whether or not all the recent newhires have degrees, but I'd be willing to bet that those without are in the minority. You're certainly at a disadvantage without the degree.

2. You'd be correct. Plan for at least 5 years. Anything less is pure luck.

3. Pay sucks, no gray area at all. QOL - hard to say definitively. For the past few months, my QOL has been great. I live in base though. When I used to commute, it's was rather unpleasant.

With your quals, you should be able to get a regional job quite easily. If it makes any difference to you, you may not even have to do the ATP checkride, just the CPL + ATP written, as the airline will give you an ATP during training.

I don't know if you have any roots here as yet (family etc.), but i would HIGHLY recommend finding an airline in a city where you wouldn't have to commute. Commuting is HELL.

Funny that you're looking to come here. I've seen a couple jobs in your region that I'd be happy to go to, if I had the right passport...

BD700xiii

Hey Senior Skipper, thanks a lot for that response. Appreciate your feedback.

Jobs here are good and pay is good but I am looking for a new adventure. If everything goes pair-shaped at least I can return to what is known. I would like to give the USA a crack while I am still young.

After reading more about commuting I can definitely say I will be avoiding that at all costs and I have very little ties to the USA and therefore can be flexible with bases and live at a base.

Thanks mate.

symbian simian

Welcome to the USA! I came to the US for my training in 1998, commuted to EU for 6 years and got a job in the US in 2005, first corporate, recently at a LCC. No 4 year degree. Regionals suck if you want decent pay, but it would improve your resume when trying to get in with a mayor/LCC. No 4 year degree not a problem for most LCC but still an issue for most mayors. Having said that, if 95% of the mayor airline pilots have a degree and 95% of the applicants have a degree, you could just be part of a smaller group with an equal chance, give it a try.

PotatoChip

If you get your ATP, apply to Virgin, JB, Spirit and Frontier if you'd like a little more pay. Without it, go to a regional with a "stable" domicile you would like to live in.

Being young, single, and wanting to have fun (while also being a regional FO without much money), I would look for places with a low cost of living and then use your jumpseat privileges to travel around everywhere (speaking from experience).

I've known three Aussies who've made the swim to the US (two pilots, one flight attendant). All loved it, had the right to work here, wanted to check it out etc. Definitely worth the trip and the experience.

I spent three weeks traveling around Oz and loved what you've got over there.

4-7 years seems average, obviously could change either way fast.

There are happy FOs out there. A lot of it is perspective, attitude, and personal situation. It's a lot different being at your third airline as a regional FO with a wife and kids then it is being 26 with no attachments.

Good luck.

eraops

You should look into flying for a regional in Alaska at Era Aviation: Era Alaska

They are hiring 1900 f/o's.