Foreign Pilots in the US

[islandhoper]

Does anybody know the process that the airlines have to go through to hire a non US citizen? (permanent resident)
I can't seem to get any calls for an interview, and was told that the immigration status could be a problem.
Thanks for the info...



blue from holding my breath...............

 

[skyward80]

I knew a guy who waited the better part of a year before an airline gave him a firm date. What made it really tough for him is that he was interviewed before things started to become tougher for foreign pilots. He even got a class date which was taken from him twice.

I'm unsure what the hang-up is, but I would say plan to spend a LONG time waiting even after you interview.

Skyward80

 

[UAL'01]

As long, as you have the right to work in the US (at leat a Green Card) you will have no problem. I'd say, it is just a bad time to get an interview right now. Just keep plugging away and it will come. Make sure sure your background check comes back clean, though. That can delay things.

Good Luck.

 

[islandhoper]

Thanks again for the reply and support. I am a permanent resident legal to work in the US. In fact current at a 121 regional airline. The thing is that I have been told that i wouldn't even be considered for a position at a major now... (said by an assistant CP at a major)

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Your status as a permanent resident should not compromise your ability to get hired. In fact it would be a violation of federal law to discriminate against you based on national origin.

With the advent of 9/11 the Dept of Justice (DOJ) makes foreign pilots jump through some extra hoops if they desire training and qualification in equipment weighing more than 12500 lbs- I know, my company had to go through such a rigmarole so they could give me recurrency training in the Metro.

This begs the following questions: Are the airlines prepared to go through the extra hassle to clear a permenant resident through these extra DOJ background checks?- probably not.

Considering you get a hell of a lot of foreign pilots coming to the US for Sim training in typed equipment, is it possible that Flight Safety, PanAm, Simcom, et al are going to lose this business to foriegn countries due to the DOJ bureaucracy-just like all those good paying blue collar jobs (and now it seems white collar jobs) in other industries?

Hope I'm wrong on this one!

 

[saltyswede]

Problems

You will have a hard time do to current crackdown on non US citizen’s use of simulators. I hold dual passports and have been having a hard time, a class mate in 02 from Norway got pulled out of class and he holds a green card.

 

[Glideslope!]

Been there, done that.

Islandhopper, I've been through the process myself, firsthand.
I fly for a 121 regional and I have a few friends at the majors who know people who have done it also. Let me first say that I was already interviewed and in the pool when the law was passed requiring the background checks so I'm not sure about the airlines willingness to "deal" with the challenge if they don't have to. Yes it's against the law to descriminate on national origin but good luck proving that is why you weren't hired.(not enough hours, no jet time blah blah blah). Remember the paperwork and the process to obtain your green card? well it's the same DOJ and essentially the SAME check you have already been through including the fingerprints as asinine as it seems. Go to this site https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/ and check out the frequently asked questions. If you want any more specific details PM me and I will help you out as much as I can.
I hate to be the one to tell you this but the process is a GIANT pain in the a** but it CAN be done. The hardest part for you is getting in contact with someone in HR at the airline who is willing to deal with the extra hassle. ALL of the majors and regionals are VERY familiar with the process because there are thousands of permanent residents flying for 121 carriers and we all have to go through the checks EVERY TIME we go through recurrent not just for initial. Like I said, the hard part is not the check, it's getting someone to go the extra inch. I eventually had to contact my local congressman to remind the DOJ that I was waiting.
Anyway, sorry for the long post but I've seen this question a few times on this board with all the not so right information.
good luck. If anyone wants specific qustions answered PM me and I'll try to answer them.

 

[FlyingFarmer]

Just Curious

G-day'

I was just wondering, I'm not sure which country you guys
are from, but can an American citizen get a job as an airline
pilot in your home country?

Just Wondering.....

FF-

 

[herewego again]

Of course

Sure they can.
Just immigrate, obtain the local pilot certificates, get a job, and bingo.
You can most certainly do that where I come from.

 

[Catbird]

Herewego again- A few questions.

"Sure they can.
Just immigrate, obtain the local pilot certificates, get a job, and bingo.
You can most certainly do that where I come from."

What Country? Does this country allow US citizen immigration without having a job? Also does US flight time qualify as valid PIC in Category and Class in your Country for Time Requirements? Also does your country consider a US born individual a minority and require a adjustment of the hiring criteria so that a Diverse workforce is maintained?

 

[Glideslope!]

it depends

As for Canada, I'll repeat what herewego agian said without trying to sound like a smart a**.
A U.S citizen can apply for and recieve permanent resident status in Canada. This is not easy, just like in the states. You would have to pay Canadian AND possibly U.S. taxes, be subject to military service (just like a green card holder here in the U.S.) and live like a model citizen without being arrested etc. for the duration of the period required until you could APPLY for citizenship. The right to LEGALLY live and work in the country is all thats required.

As far as the logging of flight time, yes that is recognized in Canada the same as it is here in the states. You will have to take your ATP checkride and written agian for the CDN ratings. I'm not sure how it works the other way around because I went to school my whole life here in the states and recieved all my ratings here. (My father was stationed in the states for most of my life).

There are U.S citizens flying for a lot of the world's majors like Cathay, JAL, Quantas etc. Flying jobs are extremely competitive anywhere in the world.
As far as preferential treatment for foreigners, the answer is NO.
Just like here in the states you have to be a citizen or a permanent resident PERIOD to qualify for a 121 airline job.
There is no diversity for people who are not citizens or permanent residents. Hope this helps.

 

[herewego again]

What Country? Does this country allow US citizen immigration without having a job? Also does US flight time qualify as valid PIC in Category and Class in your Country for Time Requirements? Also does your country consider a US born individual a minority and require a adjustment of the hiring criteria so that a Diverse workforce is maintained?

Well OK,
New Zealand
Yes you can in some circumstances, and no in others, Much the same as here. I had a job here before I immigrated to the US. Its no walk in the park, believe me.
I'm not an expert on valid PIC in Cat and Class, but a while ago when researching a NZ ATPL, it would only require completion of some written exams ie NZ Aviation Law, and a flight test. Nothing too impossible.
Now do they consider a US born a minority? Well, I guess you'd be outnumbered, but we'd prefer just to call you "mate". Usually "G'Day Mate"
And as for a diverse workforce, they already have a great one and if you had a great attitude you'd be welcome to join it.

regards,
herewego again

 

[UAL'01]

Catbird,
could you tell me which airline considers foreigners a minority?
I have never seen the foreigner box. And how that would give a foreigner a priority status?

 

[metroplex]

As a pilot for a regional airline I can tell you some thing. it is hard to find a flying job with a different carrier(national/major) if you are not a citizen. officially they are not allowed to discriminate against foriegners , but......

If I get replays that I'm not qualified enough/competitive with all my credentials, type -rating in a jet, 5000 + hrs. no DUI, 4 yr. college , and colleagues with much less time and qualifications, get hired, there is something wrong. It also happend to other pilots with the same company and all are not citizens..... do I see a pattern?

there are various reasons why foreigners are in the states, some are voluntarily here , others are not, but have to make the best out of it.

And yes, every American can go to an other country, work on all credentials and get hired, if there is a demand for pilots, like it was here 5 years ago. but since 90 % of Americans think this is the best country in the world, why do they even want to leave.