I dont quite follow. If you have the right to work in UK as well as their local ATP certificate, why couldnt you compete to get a job at BA? Honest question, no sarcasm here... Unless BA has a specific requirement allowing only UK-born citizens that I dont know about. A british pilot would have to undergo the same process here, obtain FAA certificates and legal authorization to work in the US per current law.

I just dont see how they have it easier to come to US to fly, but conversely we have it a lot more difficult to got there and fly there.

If what you are talking about is exclusively about supply and demand then forget all I just wrote here, that indeed is a whole different ball game.

Many European companies require a European passport. A company that hires a foreigner with a work permit is usually the exception.

Just for the record, BA Cityflyer hires those with UK work permits, so it is definitely possible for a foreigner to get hired at one of British Airways' regionals.

I was SPECIFICALLY referencing the ones that went back to Europe, flew and got the time and their ATPL "un-frozen" and now have the time, but maybe not job.

True, but AGAIN, the demand (opportunity) is STILL greater in the U.S. So that may have the ability may be taking advantage of it.

Agree, how in the hell we ended up there in the thread is just standard drift I guess. Like I said BEFORE, it's probably just a handful of Euro national guys that went back to Europe, found themselves out of a job but with flight time, their wife/spouse wants to come BACK home and can get a job here, etc etc etc......

Lol exactly . How do you feel when your a 5000hr FO and they hire a 3500hr street captain from America ?

I'm a Brit who flies for a regional over here. Let me set a couple of things straight. As things stand today it is entirely a two way street, as long as you have the correct work visas. I'm married to an American, so I have a green card. I can work in the USA or Europe as I have both an FAA ATP and an EASA ATPL. You could just as easily go and work in Britain or anywhere else in Europe if you had the visa to do so and the right licences. The USA will not give a visa for a pilot (except for a very few exceptions for instructor jobs at the entry level). Likewise, the UK won't give a visa out for a pilot job without you having some claim to one via family or marriage.

Regarding jobs in Europe; there aren't any. Well, not unless you are a 200hour wonder kid with an extra $50k burning a hole in your back pocket, in which case easyJet and Ryanair will welcome you in with open arms. Once you're in you'll be on a zero hours (no min guarantee) contract. I have friends who have made less than £200 a month on an Airbus over the winter as they only flew one flight all month.

BA are not hiring. Not for experienced pilots anyway. They haven't hired since 2011. They have a cadet scheme for individuals who have never flown before, but word on the street is that DEP hiring for experienced pilots won't start again until 2015, and even then it is expected to be less than 50 guys.

BA also do not have regionals, well not in the sense that we do over here. They have one subsidiary which is fully owned by them, it's called BA Cityflyer and is based at London City airport. They operate E190s and E170s on European routes. That's it though. There are no regionals or outsourced pilots.

Virgin Atlantic are only hiring 747 and A340 rated pilots, and only 10 of them at that.

I have a number of American friends who are flying for airlines in Europe, including one at British Airways and a few others at Flybe, easyJet, Ryanair and KLM.

The USA is by no means hard done by in terms of foreign pilots taking jobs. It is in fact extremely hard to get a work authorisation, the process can even be tricky when you're married to an American citizen. There is most definitely not an open door policy, although I'm sure many European pilots would love the chance to fly here due to the much wider availability of jobs.

A few jobs ago when I was working for a regional, we did some quick hiring and were getting down to the lower end of the TT pool hiring CFI's etc. I heard in the crew room we had hired a "bunch of foreigners" to fill a class. I flew with the "foreigners" and found out there were actually two people who were both born overseas... and had been citizens for 5+ years before they started flying. They did have strong accents but their english was better than a lot of the the "Amuricans" I know. I doubt the situation would be any different. NOBODY is getting the right to train from the TSA unless they are legal to be here.

I think we got to the bottom of this one for now...time to close this thread.
In order to get a job here, a green card is required. There is no evidence yet that airlines are sponsoring for work visas.

H2B VISA PROGRAM
- Short Term 'Seasonal Jobs' Work Visa / Permit

The H2B visa is a great visa for people who want to work in the USA in temporary, seasonal and fun jobs across the Country.

If you want to travel to America and work in jobs such as hospitality, theme parks, on a cruise ship, in a restaurant, or even as a ski instructor - the H2B visa is the right visa for you.


Types of H2B Visa Jobs / H2B Work includes:
Hospitality workers, Hotels / Motels, Chefs, Resorts and Theme Parks, Ticket Sales, Cruise ships, Construction workers, Maintenance, Janitorial, Ski Resorts, Landscaping, Golf Courses, Water parks, Security, Ride Operators, Restaurants and bars, Warehouse, Retail Stores


To Find H2B Jobs and Sponsorship - Start Here


The H2B visa Process and Requirements:
1) The employee must 1st have a job offer from a US employer to perform a temporary job (H1 Base can help you).
2) The employee must meet the minimum qualifications for the job that the employer has offered.
3) The US employer files the H2B application with the US Immigration Bureau.
4) The employee must intend to return home when the job ends and visa expires.


Who Qualifies for an H2B visa
The H2B visa is available to employers of foreign non-professionals Not working in the agricultural field. This visa is only available for work that is temporary in nature. For H2B purposes, that means:
- Recurring seasonal need;
- Intermittent need;
- Peak-load need; and
- One time occurrence.


H2B Visa duration:
The duration of the H2B is limited to the employer's need for the temporary workers. The maximum authorized period is one year. However, the employer may extend the duration up to three years in some situations.


If the prospective worker is outside of the USA , they must then apply for a visa with the US consulate.
- The H2B visa application includes:
- Job offer from a US employer
- DS-156, Application for Nonimmigrant Visa
- DS-157 if male between the ages of 16 and 45)
- The necessary filing fees
- Copy of Notice of Approval of H-2B Petition
- Passport
- One passport-style photo
- Evidence of ties to the home country (family, property, current occupation, etc.) Like with any other nonimmigrant visa, the Consulate needs to see that each applicant has ties to the country so that he or she will return home after their work period ends.

If the prospective worker is already in the USA and is changing from one nonimmigrant status to another, a visa is not required. However, if the worker leaves the US and wants to re-enter, they may need a visa.


Entry into the USA
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States . The officer at the port of entry has authority to deny admission, even if the applicant has a visa. Also, the officer at the port of entry, not the consular officer, determines the period for which the bearer of a temporary work visa is authorized to remain in the United States . At the port of entry, officials issue Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay, however, is made solely by the USCIS.

H1B Visa Jobs / Professions / Occupations
Types of Jobs and Professions that qualify for the H1B Visa Program


Below is a list of all the Jobs / Occupations that qualify to get issued an H1B visa (they are Not listed in any specific preference or order)

Occupations In Architecture, Engineering, And Surveying
Architectural Occupations,
Aeronautical Engineering Occupations,
Electrical/ Electronics Engineering Occupations,
Civil Engineering Occupations,
Ceramic Engineering Occupations,
Mechanical Engineering Occupations,
Chemical Engineering Occupations,
Mining And Petroleum Engineering Occupations,
Metallurgy And Metallurgical Engineering Occupations,
Industrial Engineering Occupations,
Agricultural Engineering Occupations,
Marine Engineering Occupations,
Nuclear Engineering Occupations,
Drafters,
Surveying/ Cartographic Occupations,
Other Occupations In Architecture, Engineering, And Surveying.


Occupations In Mathematics And Physical Sciences
Occupations In Mathematics,
Occupations In Astronomy,
Occupations In Chemistry,
Occupations In Physics,
Occupations In Geology,
Occupations In Meteorology,
Other Occupations In Mathematics And Physical Sciences


Computer Science & IT, and Telecom Occupations
Occupations In Systems Analysis And Programming,
Occupations In Data Communications And Networks,
Occupations In Computer System User Support,
Occupations In Computer System Technical Support,
Other Computer-Related Occupations


Occupations In Life Sciences
Occupations In Agricultural Sciences,
Occupations In Biological Sciences,
Occupations In Psychology,
Other Occupations In Life Sciences


Occupations In Medicine And Health
Physicians And Surgeons,
Osteopaths,
Dentists,
Veterinarians,
Pharmacists,
Registered Nurses,
Therapists,
Dieticians,
Occupations In Medical And Dental Technology,
Other Occupations In Medicine And Health


Occupations In Education & Research
Occupations In College And University Education,
Occupations In Secondary School Education,
Occupations In Preschool, Primary School, And Kindergarten Education,
Occupations In Education Of Persons With Disabilities,
Home Economists And Farm Advisers,
Occupations In Vocational Education,
Other Occupations In Education


Occupations in Writing and Languages
Writers,
Editors: Publication, Broadcast, And Script,
Other Occupations In Writing


Occupations in Finance and Administrative Specializations
Accountants, Auditors, And Related Occupations,
Budget And Management Systems Analysis Occupations,
Purchasing Management Occupations,
Sales And Distribution Management Occupations,
Advertising Management Occupations,
Public Relations Management Occupations,
Personnel Administration Occupations,
Inspectors And Investigators, Managerial And Public Service,
Other Administrative Occupations


Occupations in Business Management & Administration
Agriculture, Forestry And Fishing Industry Managers And Officials,
Mining Industry Managers And Officials,
Construction Industry Managers And Officials,
Manufacturing Industry Managers And Officials,
Transportation, Communication, And Utilities Industry Managers And Officials,
Wholesale And Retail Trade Managers And Officials,
Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate Managers And Officials
Service Industry Managers And Officials,
Public Administration Managers And Officials,
Miscellaneous Managers And Officials


OTHER Specialty Occupations as listed below
Occupations In Economics,
Occupations In Political Science,
Occupations In History,
Occupations In Sociology,
Occupations In Anthropology,
Other Occupations In Social Sciences,
Librarians,
Archivists,
Museum Curators And Related Occupations,
Other Occupations In Museum, Library, And Archival Sciences,
Lawyers,
Judges,
Other Occupations In Law And Jurisprudence,
Clergy,
Other Occupations In Religion And Theology,
Commercial Artists: Designers And Illustrators, Graphic Arts,
Environmental, Product, And Related Designers,
Other Occupations In Art,
Occupations In Music,
Other Occupations In Entertainment And Recreation,
Occupations In Social And Welfare Work,
Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, And Managerial Occupations, Sales Promotion Occupations,
Fashion Models

Its too bad they are coming here for our high paying regional jobs.