Being an Expat working for United
10-07-2016 | 01:28 AM
#71
New Hire
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Update
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
10-07-2016 | 05:18 AM
#72
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
10-07-2016 | 09:47 AM
#73
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 119
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
10-07-2016 | 10:13 AM
#74
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 0
From: Captain
Very true! Took my voluntary leave from HP in 1991 when offered. Flying overseas hmmmm. In some 22 years, I never took a pay cut, no cut backs on medical benefits, accumulated retirement funds not robbed by my carriers which i did not have to rely any union to protect. Business class travel to and from US base airport with confirmed positive space tickets to my home airport. 5 star hotels wit proper allowances. Take advantage of the carrier's network and travel. Being an expat is not for everyone. It provided me and the family with far greater financial income and security, not to mention of living round the world in locations I chose, and not some base where I would have to sit reserve in some crappy crash pad.
There are some negatives, however. Your block off days may not coincide with family events or occasions. You'll lose touch with close friends which will turn into acquaintances or just be an erasure in your address book. It can put a strain on the Spouse, too with young kids in tow.
Still, all in all I would choose the expat route over the boring and sometimes tense corned beef on white bread with mayonnaise life style with any US carrier.
Four year degree? Definitely important should one need an alternative profession if one loses his medical. Required overseas? Some yes, more for FOs, but not DECs. Overseas carriers do require technical knowledge.
Larger well known and stable carriers outside the U.S. will hire low time pilots, however, time on aircraft above certain weight classes are required. The flip side is that upgrades are faster overseas than in the US. Generally upgrades with overseas carriers are not based on seniority, but rather on performance.
There are some negatives, however. Your block off days may not coincide with family events or occasions. You'll lose touch with close friends which will turn into acquaintances or just be an erasure in your address book. It can put a strain on the Spouse, too with young kids in tow.
Still, all in all I would choose the expat route over the boring and sometimes tense corned beef on white bread with mayonnaise life style with any US carrier.
Four year degree? Definitely important should one need an alternative profession if one loses his medical. Required overseas? Some yes, more for FOs, but not DECs. Overseas carriers do require technical knowledge.
Larger well known and stable carriers outside the U.S. will hire low time pilots, however, time on aircraft above certain weight classes are required. The flip side is that upgrades are faster overseas than in the US. Generally upgrades with overseas carriers are not based on seniority, but rather on performance.
777 captain at American and 22 percent seniority out of 15625 pilots if you had come back at 350 dollars per hour after DAL match and 16 percent retirement contribution.....
10-08-2016 | 09:50 AM
#75
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: A320 Left
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
10-08-2016 | 10:37 AM
#76
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 42
From: Gear slinger
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
10-09-2016 | 08:12 PM
#78
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Airbus
Hey fellow pilots.....
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
10-09-2016 | 08:29 PM
#79
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
...
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
...
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
Personally I still think the so called "pilot shortage" is and always has been just a myth - I think there's a "good pilot contract shortage" - pay accordingly and pilots WILL come, supply and demand does work.
However, that's irrelevant here - whether there's a pilot shortage or not, no US airline that I'm aware of will sponsor a person's work visa and/or an eventual green card.
In other words, you must be a permanent resident or have some other type of work permit before they'll offer you a job. If you are a contractor and it's a temporary job things might be different but for major airlines you do need to be able to work here legally.
To Ausflyer - US airlines typically don't force their pilots to live in or near their domiciles. They'd like to but they don't. At ups we have pilots who commute to/from europe, asia and I believe we used to have someone commute to Australia too. He might've retired by now..
To summarize - work permit is a must, a degree is still preferred. Recommendations and face-to-face job fairs help tremendously.
Good luck to you all..
10-09-2016 | 08:56 PM
#80
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: A350 CA
Hey fellow pilots
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
After having read this thread, I started to have serious doubts about my plans/dreams.
Some background: I am in my 7th year with a 'legacy' carrier in Europe, flying widebodies as F/O.
It has always been my dream to live in the States and fly for a legacy carrier there as well. I do not hold a degree, but about 5000 hours jet time (1,5k thereof on widebodies).
I applied to AA as they are the only ones who do not explicitly ask for a degree, but I understand I would not be competitive without one…?! My application has been pending for about 2 years now and I never heard anything.
How realistic is it to get ever invited? I appreciate your honest replies.
Do you know of guys from Europe flying with legacy carriers? Greencard? Havent been lucky in the draw so far, but I am single
Do you think the legacy carriers’ demand in the next couple of years can easily be satisfied with US pilots? What are your opinions regarding my case?
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