First Regional to sponsor work visas?
 

So, what do you think: Is it just a question of "when" not "if"?

I don't see any of the majors sponsoring work visas anytime soon but it seems to me that the regionals might be close. Wishful thinking on my part?

I hold both an EASA (EU) ATPL and an FAA ATP and have plenty of 135 and 121 (equivalent) time including Jet PIC.

I may be tempted to move to he US for a few years just for the experience. I think it would be great for the wife and young kids.

Why wouldn't regionals try to take advantage of experienced foreign pilots who may wish to live in the States for some time?

It's not like I would be taking a job away from a qualified and experienced US citizen.

The US govt would have to change work visa category rules or else create a new visa category.

My airline has full new hire classes currently, so they wouldn't be looking to go down this route.

I could of sworn some company wanted Australians to come work at their regional... or something like that

I know of nobody doing it or plans to do it but it seems like a future logical step. Most US pilots would rather the entire regional airline system just collapse and go away though.

I worked in Europe and learned how to fly under JAA (now EASA) rules. It's night and day different. Some things are better in the US and some things are better in Europe.

The door seems to have closed on me returning to Europe to work. I asked a buddy at LX and in spite of the shortage there it seems impossible for me to go back. They won't sponsor work visas there anymore. I was married then so it was different back in the 1990s and early 2000s.

I don't know how it would be with getting a work visa in the US but you really don't want to start at the bottom of a seniority list at a US regional carrier. Working in Europe was, for the most part, a vastly superior experience overall.

Believe it or not, the only things that are better here in the US are pay and training. The pay truly is better, at least at my company and with my seniority, over what I made in Europe. The other thing is training. The training and standards here, again speaking only of my current employer, are notably higher than they were when I worked in Europe. We had a bad safety and accountability culture at my carrier there (IMHO) but here (at my current airline) things are far better in terms of CRM and accountability.

Anyway that's a bit of a tangent. I think you'd be better off pursuing a work visa with a respected corporate operator (fractional) or a major airline. Regional airlines are, for the most part, dead end jobs and your family life will suffer. Many people in the US (myself included) hope the regional model is vastly reduced as it's nothing more than a B-scale in terms of pay and working rules but you fly jet equipment in the exact same markets as larger, major airlines. Working at a regional airline should never be considered a destination.

I think that was just an instance of dipping toes into the water ... the US has a special visa for Australians that lets them come to work here with fewer restrictions than most visas.

Cape Air is already doing it.

It's being considered privately by most large regionals.

So the question begs to be answered.
Would you guys/gals prefer foreigners coming over to take regional jobs or would you prefer the ATP rule to be relaxed so that regionals could hire Americans?
Not trolling, just really curious.

I don't like the idea of others taking our jobs. But if there aren't enough of us here then I guess it will happen just like it has happened in other countries. However, they shouldhave FAA certificates and meet 121 requirements. But I don't support a relaxation of the 1500 hour rule. Even though it hasn't created better pilots, I feel the experience pilots gain before going to the airlines is important.


The fact is though, the demand is global, and additional pilots from sponsoring VISAs probably wouldn't make that much difference.

Why would a qualified pilot willing to relocate come to the U.S. And work for the equivalent of minimum wage when they can go to the ME or Asia and make a lot more money? If it were to happen I would like to see a reciprocation so we could go work in Europe or other desirable places (not Asia or the ME) with less red tape.