So these foreigners would need extensive background and PRIA type checks to work for a US based airline, but does anyone have any idea what background checks are required for a pilot working for a foreign airline that flies into the US and all over the US airspace? A huge double standard! I think it's a huge security threat to this country to let all these foreign airliners staffed by pilots who they know absolutely nothing about.
Wow, that's a hugely xenofobic post!!
But to give you an insight, the US government has long required all foreign airlines flying into and over their territory to submit a master crewlist. Even for crews not actually flying equipment that flies over or into their territory! What the US does with that list I don't know but since THEY require that I assume something! I seriously doubt that my country requires a master crewlist of each US airline that flies over the Netherlands! Speaking of a double standard?
Being a pilot at KLM I am subject to a security background every 5 years!!!
Finally, just being transitioned to an aircraft that flies to the US(747), I had to complete an quite extensive online crewvisa application, took me several hours(went back to elementary school and upwards each and every school and job!!!), and then a visit to the US consulate, had to hand in my passport for several days!!
The US has either bilateral agreements or open skies agreements with each country allowed to fly to the US or vice versa. The applicable countries(read US) will determine the safety risks involved and take appropriate action(read: not allowed into the US)!!
The Dutch background check is quit extensive, if that is not good enough for the US it is in their ballpark I submit!!! Maybe some time for reciprocatry?
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