Where do I start?

[Yindo]

I will like some advice, having searched the different forums and not being able to get answers to any of the questions, I have decided to post a few questions to all out there.

A bit of back ground information. I just won the green card lottery and may consider a move to the US. I presently fly the A319 for one of the low cost airlines in Europe. I have a JAA licence with the Do328, B732/3/7 & A320 types and also a US ATP licence with a multi engine land endorsement only, which has never been renewed since its was first issued in 1991.


What will it take to do to get my US ATP current and what advice do you have on type ratings give me the best opportunity in getting a job giving the types flown?. I have lots of experience on the Boeing 73’s and just over a year’s experience bus

Do prospective employers offer type ratings and if they do, who would the best ones to consider applying to?


If type ratings are not offered, generally what will I have to do to get one on my licence?


Generally what will it cost for type ratings and is there any help out there? Here in Europe it can cost as much as £15,000 for a type endorsement.

Which will be the best city or cities to consider living in, that will give me the best opportunities in getting a job?
You may send me a PM if you do require a bit more information to help with your advice.
Thanks guys
Yindo

 

[Draginass]

You'd have to talk to the FAA to get a definate answer on the license issues. I would not think it to be a problem, however.

As far as a US job goes, there are thousands of U.S. citizen major airline pilots furloughed right now. You will be coming into a very competitive market. If you get a 737 type rating transfered to your license, you might be competitive for Southwest Airlines. With 320 experience, JetBlue might be interested in you.

Southwest is the only major U.S. airline that is Pay-for-your-own-training. Generally, airlines only type rate the captain, unless it's a international route, then FOs generally typed so they can act as PIC on long flights. You will find that only the very small non-union or startup airlines have direct entry captains. Everything else is by seniority.

There is a whole industry over here capitalizing on selling 737 type ratings to prospective Southwest applicants. A 737 type costs about $7,000-8,000, more or less.

If you have a job now, my advice is to stay where you are. The pilot profession over here is in a tailspin and getting worse.

Thank you for respecting the soverienty of the United States and our laws by applying and entering our country legally. Our "neighbors" to the south do not have the same respect.

 

[Yindo]

Draginass,
Thanks for your prompt reply. Suggestions will be taken on board. It will be nice to hear from a few more.
Regds
Yindo

 

[Pedro]

I think he said all there's to be said, aviation is a very unstable industry in the US right now, and if you get a job you'd have to start at the bottom of the seniority list. Like he said, if you have a job, keep it, you'll be better off in the long run.
What airline are you flying for right now?

 

[flya380]

with your experience try to apply to Cathay or Emirates. You will get a steady paycheck with benefits that make the US majors look like a joke......

 

[Onlyflyfreight]

You simply need a Flight review in a M.E. airplane to get your US license "renewed". I'm not sure how your JAA type ratings would transfer to a US lincense, but I can't imagine it would be much of a problem. Take a look at this: http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp?CFID=3231957&CFTOKEN=25206448#verify

As far as where to apply..... Your credentials are pretty good, however you didn't list your flight time expericense. If you have 1000 PIC (Jet) and 3-4000 hrs total, I'd say your odds are pretty good at scoring an interview almost anywhere.

I left Europe about 9 years ago and have never looked back (I started flying over here).

As far as where to live........It all depends on where you want to go. East & West coast is generally more expensive, but easier to network and meet people from Europe.

I would recomend to get some straigth answers from the FAA first, and then send the resumes. You probably have the five weeks of vaction like most europeans, so I'd use them to line up interviews. If you work for an Airline, jumpseating shouldn't be a problem.

It can be tough to get stuck over here with no job and no health insurance.