Canadian Pilots In The USA

springjob · Post by **springjob** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:26 pm

The only other legal way to have the right to work in US, as far as I know, is the exchange programs. I know it works for instructors...

av8tor_assrope · Post by **av8tor_assrope** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:00 pm

yahooair...you've been avoiding the question. how did u get the right to work in the us?

yahooair · Post by **yahooair** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:33 am

come on...just look around, think global. wanna fly or not?
http://www.pilotjobs.com/

http://www.pilotcareercentre.com/JobRes ... RegionID=2

http://www.pilotcareercentre.com/JobRes ... RegionID=4

stop sending me PM's and asking me for advice on how to fly a 747 in you part of canada...cause i really dont know.
but while you might be waiting for air canada to call, how about flying somewhere else for a while, then come back home and settle for ACA???
ill make sure Mr. Milton call you with your 210hours.
take care
good luck with all your paths.

yahooair · Post by **yahooair** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:36 am

oh and look at what ASA mins are..600TT to fly an RJ.
and i know a few people that got hired on it with the mins..(no connections, right off the street)

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:54 am

You still need the right to work in the USA though. And it's not easy, unless you want to instruct there.

All my dad's side of the family are American citizens, every single one of them. All my cousins there were born and raised in the USA. When I tried to apply for a greencard through them, I was denied. In order to apply for a greencard, you must apply through an immediate family member, and even then, there are still restrictions (i.e. age, background, work, etc). It also takes a long time to get your greencard or citizenship. My dad has friends in California who have been living and working there for +15 years, and their citizenship is still being "processed."

Yahoo- correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming you got into the USA as an instructor. I know that Canadians can apply there under NAFTA as instructors are considered "teachers." I believe with this, you can qualify for a visa for a 1-2 year period or so, and even if you qualify, you are subject to the terms of the Visa (i.e. you can only work as an instructor at a specific flight school). You will also need to convert all your licenses to FAA.

Even though some American carriers hire people with lower time, things really don't seem to be so rosy down south. Look at some of the American message boards like flightinfo, clear and a million, etc, and you will find many disgruntled people there. Overall though, people seem to get hired with less time into bigger equipment, but the regional airline lifestyle in the USA seems very bad. Even some of the best regionals there like XJET and Skywest are going through some rough times right now.

duplicate2 · Post by **duplicate2** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:36 am

C-HRIS wrote:All my dad's side of the family are American citizens, every single one of them.

Except your dad?

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:34 am

Yahooair.... you are just that.... a yahoo.

I'm pretty sure you are just a troll anyways. People (including myself) keep getting sucked in to respond to you because this is a hot topic.

You state that "im working for an airline" in the US. Yet when other posters ask how, you post a list of airlines.

If you wish to state how you, or any of the other 14 'canucks' you know got the LEGAL RIGHT to work for an airline in the US, then carry on, and we will all be humble to you, but as we all know, you cannot do this, as your claims are false and baseless.

The only real legal possibilities to work as a pilot in the US are as follows.

TN Visa (Nafta) for Instructing ONLY.
L1 Visa - Intercompany transfer visa. ( if your foreign based airline has a base in the US). Or if you were working for a US carrier outside of the US for years, and got transfered to the US.
Green card - If you win the Greencard lottery (not available for Canadians), or immigrate via family relations, or marry a US citizen.
H1B Visa - A few have been issued in the past due to errors at the INS, but they've recently clamped down on this.

So, yes yahooair, you can instruct in the US with a TN Visa, but wait until you get to an airline and the INS investigates you. If you accept a job at an airline with your TN visa, you ARE working illegally. I'm not saying that an airline wouldn't mistakenly hire you, but just wait until the INS catches up with you. That whole 'never allowed to reenter the US' thing might complicate your life somewhat.

Oh, and of course you can simply just work anywhere illegally. Fake SIN cards and ID's are available on the cheap alot of places. But you're taking a real risk there. Also, you will never get on a larger carrier with one of these, as you won't pass the TSA checks, and would be caught anytime you crossed the border and displayed the fake ID.

Good luck. I await your response. (but know I won't get one).

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:49 am

duplicate2 wrote:Except your dad?

Yup, which is why I couldn't apply for the GC. My dad just didn't want to fill out the paperwork when they all immigrated to the USA from the middle east, so he went to Canada instead!

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:37 pm

Just thought this was interesting and would post it..

I was spraying in KS for 3 1/2 years, working under a TN Visa that I secured with my College Diploma. In '04, I applied for a Labor Certification.

I *JUST* received an email from my lawyer that stated that they want more info.

2 years later!!!!!!!!

Keep in mind this is only the first step to a green card. Now that I'm back in Canada, I won't be applying ANYWAYS, but figure I may as well finish off that part of it since I paid for it.

BTW - Department of Labor website showed 6 months for processing of applications.... try 4 times that.

TG · Post by TG » Sun Mar 05, 2006 4:55 pm

yahooair is a troll

But I see good opportunity for him to be politician.
Talking and talking but never answering. (how he get his right to work there!)

Flybabe, Why not continuing the process if you don't care about the length of time anymore !??

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:03 pm

Well, good question - I will be finishing off the Labour Certification part.. I suppose I can pony up another 2K US for the lawyer. We'll see.

I figure I invested the time and money so far, I may as well get this part taken care of

yahooair · Post by **yahooair** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:27 am

a troll...nice.
well i dont know whats so damn complicated...come to the US. find yourself an immigration specialist. pay him somewhere from 2-3K. find a way to stay in the country. get your work permit(instruct in the meantime)
then when you receive it, apply to an airline.
if you seek counseling in canada for an american work permit...dont know what to tell you..doesnt make much sense.
i came to the US and then looked for solutions.
i will not go into details on my case no matter how many times you ask but you have to apply on this side of the border. ill leave it at that.
dont want to come and take a chance, then forget the whole thing...stupid looking for solutions in canada trying to come down to the states.
make sure you get a SPECIALIST in immigration.
loop holes are there. they find em,,and leagal loop holes too.
good luck to all...and dont be bitter towards me because your too scared to come down and take a chance...it must be fun thinking of all the ways to get a job instead of going out there and getting one.
thats a winner if ive ever seen one, and please spare me you sob story on how you looked and looked...whatever!
but to those who are looking for real, good luck and take the chance
its so worth it.

JohnnyHotRocks · Post by **JohnnyHotRocks** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:05 am

Yahoo,
You are so full of shit....what are you flying? What loop holes did you use to get this great job....I am awaiting your reply but I doubt that you will have anything concrete to say...

skyblue · Post by **skyblue** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:05 pm

Dear Guys
I have tried many years to get to the States for an opportunity with any company and I went to the trouble to write the ATP 135/91 which was an enjoyable experience but it never materialized..As of late I had an interview wtih a foremost Gulfstream company in South Carolina and it all ended with a big no as "you don't have a green card".
So unless you can marry and become a US citicen maybe best to forget it and don,t waste money or time.
OverSeas would be a better way to go.

Best of luck everyone

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:54 pm

I can't believe I'm responding to a troll again....

Yahooair, why tell these fairytales with no facts? You don't even know the basics to obtain ANY type of work permit in the US, yet you still tire us with you absurd stories.

Everyone, you should all come to the Caribbean, they're giving away free money down here, you just have to come and ask. Just show up, you don't need to have any qualifications, we'll train you. Your genitals will also increase in size by 75% as soon as you land on the island. Also, it's manditory that every man have 12 wives, and will be given a Bentley on arrival. Just come down and try, thats all you have to do.... really.

You want more facts?? Why.... you don't believe me???

I assure you it's all completely 'leagal', you just have to see a SPECIALIST.

Post by **avcanada** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:10 pm

JigglyBus wrote: The only real legal possibilities to work as a pilot in the US are as follows.

TN Visa (Nafta) for Instructing ONLY.
L1 Visa - Intercompany transfer visa. ( if your foreign based airline has a base in the US). Or if you were working for a US carrier outside of the US for years, and got transfered to the US.
Green card - If you win the Greencard lottery (not available for Canadians), or immigrate via family relations, or marry a US citizen.
H1B Visa - A few have been issued in the past due to errors at the INS, but they've recently clamped down on this.

JigglyBus is correct these are the only ways I am aware of to work down in the U.S..

Most of these Visa options also require a 4 year degree. They prefer the degree to be a U.S. one. If you have a Canadian degree you may have to prove that it is equivalent.

canboy11 · Post by **canboy11** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:17 am

he explained how!im a canuk flying a heavy down here...dont have the small mind and wait for all the explanations. yahoo i dont know how you did it, i got my green card last year. took almost 7 years to get but i had a visa that was renewable every year and had work autho.
cost me 900.00us to file and another 500.00 for lawyers fees but worth it.
we had about 14 canadians at my old flight school,all flying now, some with jetblue,airtran,fed ex,aca,alaska, ,,, and so on,( we used to laugh and wonder how cold it was back north )
who are you with yahoo? i was at skywest before this gig.
pm me and lets chat!

and JigglyBus, whats your deal man? why the hate?? i dont think youre going to make it in this industry dude, get out!

bye all
keep up the weird discussions, i enjoy reading them.

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:41 am

Nice try yahooair....

You could have at least tried to capitalize your I's with this new username.

EatSleepFly · Post by **EatSleepFly** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:17 am

oh this is too funny now... that "canboy11" is yahoo.... I myself have looked into every option... there are no loopholes, yahoo is full of S-H-I-T

groundpilot · Post by **groundpilot** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:14 pm

Well idiot(yahooair),

At least try to write coherently when you pretend to be someone else. Geeze you sound like such a jackass. If it was as easy as you say Canadian pilots would be flocking to the US. Besides flying for a US regional is borderline slave labour. Making $20K/year in a major US city and living in a crash pad with 8 roomates is not an enjoyable life.

I worked LEGALLY for 3.5 years down south under a H-1B visa but was limited to where I could go. I had to stay with my employer and could not work for someone else in the US.

Sure some other Canadians may have got on with other companies but it was entirely shady. The student / pilot line can be grey. I dont know the details but companies like ASG Jet (http://www.asg-jet.com/company.html) essentially take advantage of this. They give you a student visa but you fly for them right seat or maybe even left seat in a corporate jet. I think they might even pay you after a while but the whole operation is shady maybe even illegal.

Even to get a TN visa you need a degree and it isnt even entirely legit either because the idea is that you are a "professor" at a university and we all know a flight instructor is hardly that. But it works.

Jigglybus and AvCanada know the facts, listen to them.

Big M.A.C. · Post by **Big M.A.C.** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:49 am

Hey just want to give you all my story that is fairly recent... (I think things have changed alot since yahoo story...)

I had all my canadian ratings and certificates (commercial group 1, night) couldn't find work in canada apart from flying skydivers. I admit I have the fortune of having a wife that is a dual citizen (CDN/U.S.) so I was able to get a green card. By the way, there are 3 ways to get one: 1) through mariage to a U.S. citizen 2) a green card lottery (I don't know if it is still running every year or what but look it up!) and 3) get sponsored by a U.S. citizen or U.S. company. The problem with sponsorship by a company is that it must be for a job that nobody can cover in the states. One of my chief pilots at a cargo company had to go through all kinds of hoops and waiting periods while his possible employment was posted on an official government website as a job description to see if any u.s. citizens wanted to go for it. Only once a specified waiting period was up did he actually get the job! Honestly I don't think there are many companies that will go through all that just to get you to work for them!

In my case the green card did help out and I was able to convert my CDN licenses in 3 written tests (IFR, Commerical, and later the ATP) and 3 checkrides (single engine IFR, single commercial , multi commercial). This was back in 2001 and I was able to do it all for about 4 to 4.5K dollars at a local FBO in Miami using block time. I then went to Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach - got my CFI with them and got hired, they paid for my CFII (instrument instructor) and MEI (multi engine instructor).

BUT!!!!!!! Don't be fooled by the green card! After 9/11 there was a ban on giving greencard holders any training on large aircraft (12500lbs +)!!!!
It wasn't until the department of homland security and the department of Justice set up a web site that would take all (and I mean all!!!) of your info: where you lived, where you worked, where you studied, who your family is, etc... for the last 10 years!!!!!! Then you needed to convince a prospective employer to not only give you an interview but wait until you got approval for training from the background check people (dept. of justice). But wait! There's more!!! Once your background check is approved then you get to go and get your fingerprints taken to verify that you are not wanted for anything! And the catch is that the request for training must be for a specific time period. The background check can take up to 45 days the first time it is done... you might run out of time!!!!

I know that things have improved and more airlines are comfortable using this system so things might be smoother now... but let me tell you I couln't get a job working for my wife's airline ( a regionnal that was hiring at the time) in 2003 because they didn't want to take the time to go through the process...

I finaly gave up and got my U.S. citizenship so I am now a dual citizen and all this background check crap is now behind me. So think hard on it if you think the grass is always greener... it really isn't that easy there a alot of hoops to go through, but yes there is also alot of jobs out here (that don't pay much) that are not so easily accessible in Canada. i.e. the airline that I am working for (ASA -atlantic southeast airlines- a Delta Connection) put out a memo saying their new minimums were 600TT and 100multi with prior commercial ops experience!

Bottom line it isn't easy but there is a lot of opportunity if you are ready to work hard and move around to get the job..

Good luck!!

Hope that my story might help!!

DLB · Post by **DLB** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:03 am

What a bullshit thread. Yeah guys, go live the dream in the U.S. I talk to American regional crews on the hotel van all the time; do you know what they make? Wow, $18000 to fly an RJ (often with no health insurance). Do any of you remember the Comair strike a few years ago? They were out for three months and got absolutely nothing. Look at the paycuts they are taking and tell me its any better than the Canadian industry. Finally, in general the U.S sucks; if you have lots of money and live in a gated community I suppose, if thats the way you want to live, things would be great. Otherwise it blows; every day I spend in the U.S I thank the fates that I'm a Canadian.

Big M.A.C. · Post by **Big M.A.C.** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 3:53 pm

I kind of agree... but the U.S. does have 1 asset. Despite the fact that I would rather not live in the U.S. because of Bush, psycho gun laws and poor education, there are also many different airlines. They don't have good contracts and they are currently in a race to the bottom in terms of working conditions and pay but and this is a big one for some.... if you have the chance and can afford to live on such a meager wage (a be away from Canada for that long!) you can get a chance to fly some larger equipment alot sooner than if you were duking in out in Canada. Where in Canada can you get hired on with only 600TT and 100 multi? I don't even know what the job market is for those with less than 600TT but htere has got to be openings!

So take it for what it is.... a really shitty place to be, not your #1 choice but it might just get you ahead back in Canada...

DLB · Post by **DLB** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:48 pm

Yeah, but so what? Whats the point of bigger equipment if your paycheque is something that you should give to a microbiologist instead of a banker? I made more in my first year as an instructor (at a very average school) many moons ago than some guys on RJ's in the U.S are making today - and I started instucting with 300 hours tt. Of course some people will luck out and do well quickly but most wont. This notion that there is some kind of aviation wonderland south of the border needs to be put to rest.

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:48 am

*IF* a person could get a work permit (which, I say again, I TRIED to do but had to work AROUND being a pilot.. I am NOT an instructor), some of the better paying jobs are in corporate aviation.

I was flying as an F/O on a Lear 25D new hire for 35K with paid accommodations and tranportation. Corporate machines are popular in the US - really makes me wonder why a person would choose airlines, other than for travel bennies.

I still stand by my opinion that it is extremely difficult if not impossible to get a visa based on "Pilot" as an occupation..

Canadian Pilots In The USA

come on...just look around, think global. wanna fly or not?

Re: come on...just look around, think global. wanna fly or n

ha!

US Jobs

had to become a member for this....