Hi everyone, new guy here. I'm a dual citizen currently flying in Europe.
How is that relevant? By training european pilots in the US you're actually taking flight instructor jobs away from europeans, and you want them to let you fly in europe in return? I don't get it
And actually FedEx has a few bases in europe with american planes and pilots flying between european countries without even coming back to the US every once in a while. I haven't heard of any european airline being allowed to do the same in the US

Other than that I agree with you, no need for cheep foreign labor screwing the US market. The job market in europe is completely messed up (if you can still call it a job market as a lot of pilots are actually paying the companies to fly the airplanes). If you let them in they'll come fly your airplanes for free

In majority of cases the overseas market allows foreign pilots to be employed on an "on needed" basis if they have a shortage of qualified applicants. So tons of US pilots flying on long term contracts in Asia, Africa and the Middle-East. Obviously you are a contractor and will be replaced as soon as you are no longer needed and locals will almost always be favored. You have no real seniority or job protection and you are only as good as your last flight. As long as you remember that you should be fine. There are many expats who have made a good living flying contract overseas with all its ups and downs.

First, you can not compare the level of training between European and us pilots.

And if you work in Europe you are also protected by the local social laws

Why not?

(Disclaimer: I have both FAA and EASA certificates/licenses)

Yeah I'd also like to see where you're going with that
Which social laws? The irish one that says I can be an independent contractor with no minimum guarantee, no health or retirement plan while having a contract with an airline that says I am only allowed to fly for them even if they don't call me for 3 months? Or the Lithuanian law that says I can pay 50k to an airline for the privilege of flying 500hrs in their planes with no salary and without even being considered as en employee?

F$%K YA! LET'S BUILD A WALL TO KEEP THOSE DAMN FOREIGN PILOTS OUT!

(disclaimer: I'm Canadian with a legal US Visa)

Things don't suck in Canada for pilot jobs at the moment by any means. Someone would get on a jet with lower hours in US than in Canada and the pay is (finally) higher at US regionals with the hiring bonuses, but the Canadian regionals are hiring a significant number of pilots in the 2000 hour range.

Also, the visa process is roughly equivalent. It is easier for a US ATP to obtain a Canadian ATPL than the reverse. Also, I believe, but am not sure, it is easier to obtain Canadian permanent resident status than it is to obtain a Green Card - shorter time period and a few less restrictions. But, to get an immediate visa to work at an airline is just as difficult.

It's all fair to have opinions on foreign affairs, but perhaps a little more research would be in order before making make statements about 'cheap foreign labor' or the job market in other countries. In the words of the current president "Ignorance is not a virtue. It's not cool to not know what you're talking about."

Further thoughts to the OP, I've been looking at both Canadian and US regional jobs and while both have pros and cons, I'm leaning towards staying in Canada and commuting from the US. Although with the exchange rate it is less pay and you'll likely be flying a Q400 instead of a Jet, the schedule and lifestyle seems to be markedly better for the first while. Most US regional require a relatively long period on reserve whereas only Jazz and Porter have any type of reserve of new hires and it's relatively short.

Also, most US regionals have multiple bases that you are assigned based on seniority whereas in Canada, while you may have to move to the Toronto area, you have a pretty good idea of where you're going to be based before getting hired.

The final point is that almost all of the regionals in Canada have flow through or a guaranteed interview to mainline. This is something that only some regional in the US have.

If Trump gets elected I will gladly trade spots with ya.. or with anyone stuck in Syria, North Korea, Congo-

Thanks for the replies!

After doing some further research, it appears there are no regionals openly sponsoring foreigners, if at all. My best bet would be to finish my ATPL then contact each regional's hiring department directly.

I can certainly appreciate why some pilots might resent foreigners entering a job market where the labour group has finally gained leverage over the employers. That being said, if it's to the point where companies are having to cancel flights and park aircraft due to lack of labour, I'm surprised that pilots are not part of the exempted professions, despite a degree not being a requirements for the profession.

For those who posted words of support - thank you. Canada and the US have very similar licensing standards and job markets. In an ideal world, there would be an open borders labour policy between the two, but I digress.

For me, living in the US would be ideal, but not a make or break issue. Like another poster stated, Canada's market is similar to the US's prior to the new pilot requirements. There isn't a shortage of pilots, so regionals are still hiring around 2000hrs. The regional salaries in Canada are quite a bit lower, especially considering our exchange rate and cost of living, and the upgrade times are nowhere near that of the US. That being said, there are good jobs in Canada and the mainline carriers offer good careers.

Thanks again!

Im voting for Trump, this industry used to be primarily conservative. Im for building the wall, and deporting everyone that can't speak English fluently, and/or here illegally

... Then your airline will have a staffing problem.


I kid, I kid!