US Airlines Hiring?

[Triple7]

I know about the economic situation in the United States but just wondering if anyone knows about the hiring status among regional airlines down there.

[LegoMan]

There are a few that are still hiring. Not too many have furloughed but have stopped hiring. I know of one that cancelled a ground school. (Thats for regionals)

For the big boys, I dont think any of them are hiring at the moment, and one or two have laid off pilots.

[sherrysherry]

hi i am a canadian permanent resident..i have more than 500 hours of flying experience on military aircraft.430 hours on jet and 75 hours on piston engine.of the 430 on jet 110 are on twin engine jet.what are prospects for me in canada and usa.i am on my way to get canadian CPL.thnx

[Ralliart]

hi i am a canadian permanent resident..i have more than 500 hours of flying experience on military aircraft.430 hours on jet and 75 hours on piston engine.of the 430 on jet 110 are on twin engine jet.what are prospects for me in canada and usa.i am on my way to get canadian CPL.thnx

If you do not have the legal right (citizenship, green card, work permit, etc.) to work in the USA, your prospect for a flying job is zero.

[sherrysherry]

thanks Ralliart , but what are the chances of getting an H-1 visa for an airline job and if you are kind enough to tell me what is the situation in canada. i am a new comer here and i am not very conversant with things. regards

[Ralliart]

US airlines do not sponsor foreign pilots through H-1 or any other visas.

Before I moved to the US, I had to obtain a K-1 visa through marriage, and then I received a work permit 3 months after the wedding.

So, unless you get married to an American and move to the US to wait during the process it takes to receive a work permit (minimum 3 months after entering the US), you have almost no chance of being able to fly for a US airline.

[sherrysherry]

well its a grim situation for me as far as working in usa is concerned..but sir according to sources they have a very acute shortage of pilots in us ..why arent they giving h-1 to pilots..and sir what is job situation for pilots like myself in canada..thanks

[rigpiggy]

500tt in canada will get you an instructors seat, right seat navajo/kingair, or if really lucky a right seat at jazz

[LegoMan]

There is no shortage of pilots in the U.S. There are currently thousands of experienced airline pilots on furlough. I'm getting my visa through my sister who married an american but have to wait up to 3 years for it. in the meantime ill build my time. well worth the wait i think

[sherrysherry]

rigpiggy thanks a lot.what is the pay for instructor and i dont have instructor rating.how can i get it and for how much.thanks

[fruz]

Instructor pay ranges anywhere from $12-$30 an hour. That depends on where you instruct and what your able to instruct. For example, if you have a multi-rating and the applicable time to teach it, you can earn more an hour. I think instructor ratings cost around $8000.00 these days - don't quote me though.

[Triple7]

just checked out bestaviation.net. as of today there were several US regional carriers still hiring 500 hour wonders onto RJ's down there. geez 500hrs might get you into a navajo up here if you are extremely lucky. Canada sucks for jobs.

[LegoMan]

But you might be living in a small town with housing provided for you up here on $20-24,000/yr

The boys down south fly lots, live in big cities and make $17-$21,000/yr

[sherrysherry]

thanks a lot fruz.your help is very handy.now if you could just tell me that if i spend all this money for instructor rating and stuff what is the instructor job situation in toronto area.is it easy to get an instructor job with instructor rating and 500 hrs with 400+ on fighter jets.i also earned my instructor category from my country's airforce school.would it help?

[Cap'n P8]

thanks a lot fruz.your help is very handy.now if you could just tell me that if i spend all this money for instructor rating and stuff what is the instructor job situation in toronto area.is it easy to get an instructor job with instructor rating and 500 hrs with 400+ on fighter jets.i also earned my instructor category from my country's airforce school.would it help?

I would certainly think so.

[Stinky]

I'm getting my visa through my sister who married an american but have to wait up to 3 years for it.

I didn't even think there was a family category for that. I had priority 1 status (american mother)and it took 8 years before I got scheduled for an interview. I got married during those 8 years and that dropped me to priority 3 and it looks like I'll be in line for an additional 3-5 years. You can check online to see average waits and brothers and sisters of americans are usually over 10 years depending on the country you're from. Some relationships don't count at all, I have grandparents and aunts and uncles who are american, all by blood and none can sponsor me.

[catan man]

What can a guy with 3300hrs get into with multi-turbine and single-turbine time? I'm in that process of getting papers now but I'm not sure about work over there.

[warbirddriver]

Greetings all,

been reading this thread with interest. I recently moved back to Canada after 14 years in the USA. While it may appear that there are more flying jobs in the usa, and yes there are in terms of numbers, so many of them are for such low pay or dreadful working conditions that it is hard to pay the bills. When I got hired at a large regional many years ago, my pay was so low that there was no way I could have lived where I did if my now ex-wife hadn't been bringing home the big bucks. And we were one of the best paid for the size of airplane. The majors aren't what they used to be so the flow from the regionals up has stopped; they are now career companies whether you want them to be or not. And there are thousands of pilots from the majors and national carriers, not to mention those out of work when their lines shut down. Don't just look at pay rates per hour; check out the total compensation package and rules of engagement before you sign on the dotted line. And if you are not legally able to work in the USA, don;t waste anyones time trying. There are no visas for pilots. Be happy where you are, it isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

Happy flying and job hunting!

[LegoMan]

Priority goes by 1. Marriage, 2. Parents 3. Siblings.

If you marry an American you can get your green card in as little as 3 months now. If you're looking at bringing in your parents its about 7-10 years and siblings are 12-15 years.

[Ralliart]

The actual Green Card takes a lot longer than 3 months, closer to 12+ months.

However, you can obtain a temporary (1 year renewable) work permit in about 3 months after getting married to fill the gap until the permanent residence status is granted.

This is my situation.

[LegoMan]

My sisters inlaws know very influencial people so she will have her green card in 3 months and my sponsorship will take a lot less than the 12-15 years. But you're right, in general cases it is longer than a year.

[Triple7]

A year ago regionals in the states were hiring guys onto Q-400's with 250hrs. However that seems to be slowing down a bit. Living conditions suck down there and $19k a year is hard to live on but I would rather time build on a RJ then a sketchy navajo gig up north. Whats the prediction for hiring down there in the next few months? does it usually pick up around xmas or more in summer?

[alti2d]

I'm getting my visa through my sister who married an american but have to wait up to 3 years for it.

I didn't even think there was a family category for that. I had priority 1 status (american mother)and it took 8 years before I got scheduled for an interview. I got married during those 8 years and that dropped me to priority 3 and it looks like I'll be in line for an additional 3-5 years. You can check online to see average waits and brothers and sisters of americans are usually over 10 years depending on the country you're from. Some relationships don't count at all, I have grandparents and aunts and uncles who are american, all by blood and none can sponsor me.

I have an American father, in Canada, and just applied for a passport and SSN... he had met the US residence requirements for living in the states before moving to Canada. So now I'm dual... I'm not sure I understand your situation, shouldn't you be intitled to US citizenship?

[alti2d]

What can a guy with 3300hrs get into with multi-turbine and single-turbine time? I'm in that process of getting papers now but I'm not sure about work over there.

A little luck, and some connections, not too long ago, would be a legacy, SWA or fractional, easily... things change quickly though. I'm happy to ahve moved back to Canada just now... just in time.

Now... maybe a regional, definitely a turbine Part 135, or maybe a 135 cargo jet operation... several friends of mine expect to be furloughed soon...

[Stinky]

I have an American father, in Canada, and just applied for a passport and SSN... he had met the US residence requirements for living in the states before moving to Canada. So now I'm dual... I'm not sure I understand your situation, shouldn't you be intitled to US citizenship?

I don't know all the regs that's for sure, but if my parents had registered my birth with the U.S. gov't it would have been just like your situation. They didn't, so now that I'm well over 18 it's a long process. They also changed the law in 1996 to have residency for the sponsor a requirement. I've given up on it now. I've made my millions here in Canada so I don't need a job in the U.S.