Career in Canada Vs. USA

[westcoasting]

If you were starting your Aviation Career at age 21, and had a dual citizenship, where would you look to start, Canada or the USA? It seems to me that there are many more opportunities in the America if I am not mistaken. Any insight would help!

[unregistered]

Well . . .

"At the end of 2005, there were 138 domestic airlines operating in the U.S., including 20 Majors, 33 Nationals, 31 Regionals, and 55 Commuters."
(Aviation and the Role of Government, Harry Lawrence, 2008. Page 238)

. . . I'll let you count the Canadian one's and then decide.

[flying4dollars]

Unless you plan on going corporate, the money in the US is abysmal compared to the money here in Canada. I know someone flying RJ's for a major carrier making less than I do on a commuter turboprop. I think Jazz f/o's make double what most commuter pilots in the US make.

Seems to me there are a ton of opportunities popping up here in Canada. Everyone's hiring. WJ, AC, Jazz, CMA, Pasco, GGN, Keewatin, Courtesy etc....

[Louis]

I'd get both licences, know my reg. differences well, and work my trade from the North pole to the Rio Grande...

All kidding aside, you would be in a particularly good position to work for an American leasing skydiving airplanes, following the machine from a Canadian dropzone in the summer, to an American one in the winter.

[Joe Blow Schmo]

Really no contest. More opportunities and better pay in Canada. But since you have dual citizenship, why limit yourself to one or the other? Nothing stopping you from going back and forth for a good job.

[Joe Blow Schmo]

edited for double post

[westcoasting]

Really no contest. More opportunities and better pay in Canada. But since you have dual citizenship, why limit yourself to one or the other? Nothing stopping you from going back and forth for a good job.

I would think due to the small amount of airlines in Canada there would be less opportunities along with a much higher rate of competition. It seems to be fairly easy to get hired by a regional down south compared to say landing a gig at Jazz

[Joe Blow Schmo]

Really no contest. More opportunities and better pay in Canada. But since you have dual citizenship, why limit yourself to one or the other? Nothing stopping you from going back and forth for a good job.

I would think due to the small amount of airlines in Canada there would be less opportunities along with a much higher rate of competition. It seems to be fairly easy to get hired by a regional down south compared to say landing a gig at Jazz

There are less companies in Canada but there are also far less pilots. I guess it all depends on what you want. You may make it to a regional quicker in the US but you'll make more money flying a King Air or the like in Canada than you will at a regional in the US. As I said though, if he's a dual citizen there's no need to pick only one. Go wherever the best job is at the time.

[Freetime]

Assuming you want to fly airlines, here's my 2 cents.

I would start the career in the states (which I did) and then come fly in Canada. Unless things have changed dramatically (which is entirely possible, it's been quite some time since I was there), you can instruct there for a year or less, progress to a turboprop as FO for about a year, Captain that machine for about a year, then fly for a regional making almost no money. After a few years experience in an airline environment I would have to guess you would do well at a Jazz/WJ/AC/CMA/etc. interview. Compare this to Canada: 1 year unemployed, 2 years working the ramp (possibly making decent money), 2 years as single engine pilot/twin engine FO, a year or two piston twin Captain, 2 or 3 years multi turbine captain, then Jazz/WJ/AC/CMA/etc.