If you have a chance to start all over again .. A&P or AME?

[CentCollStud1234]

Dear senior aviation mechanics:

Each country has its own aircraft mechanic license. Most of the times, they do not recognizes one another licenses.
Comparing A&P and AME.....
Which one is better? Which one got recognized more globally?
Thanks.

[Heliian]

Neither and both. Where are you working, canada or usa?

[GyvAir]

I think you’ll find that your ability to work globally will depend on your skills and knowledge much more than the colour of the piece of paper in your wallet. If a company wants to hire you, they will facilitate working through licensing issues.
If you’re happy doing your schooling and apprenticeship in Canada, get your AME license now; you can get your A&P relatively easily, based on your AME licence, if you can show a need for one. Not sure about the other way around, but I’ve heard it’s more difficult. If overseas work is what you’re intent on, you might also want to look into EASA at some point.

[CentCollStud1234]

I'm in Ontario. (but perhaps going to USA for aviation jobs upon graduation)

Perhaps due to USA economic influence....
It SEEMS to me a lot of job postings (including some Canadian jobs) requires A&P.
I had seen a Canadian job in a aviation manufacturing facility that requires "A&P or Canadian equivalent".
(Note: That company doesn't even know the name of the Canadian equivalent. That is my concern.)

I 100% agree that a fresh AME have much more working experience than a fresh A&P without experience.
But somehow, companies and HR persons seem to prefer A&Ps more than AMEs.

Let me have an analogy
AME is like a karate master with a black belt. And A&P is like a green belt.
If a non-expert looking for a body guard only knows about green belt as highest qualification for karate,
he probably doesn't even know the black belt guy can fight.

[ramp_rat]

Like what the other guy said, it depends where you are working and also depends on your knowledge and experience.

From my experience, I got my AME license first which requires for being an apprentice for two and a half years with an "accreditation". Later on, my company required someone to have an A&P to release a N registered aircraft. So I got my A&P by challenging the FAA's three written exams and the oral and practical exam.

I think that having an AME license is good but also having the A&P license is even better which opens more door in the future. You can be the most knowledgeable person on an aircraft but without that piece of plastic, you will still get paid like peanuts!

[KISS_MY_TCAS]

The TC AME license meets ICAO standards, the FAA A&P does not. A Canadian AME working for an AMO can certify work on privately operated N-registered aircraft (part 91) but NOT annual inspections. The closest equivalent to a Canadian AME license from the FAA would be the A&P/IA, thats where the money is with an FAA license but you need to be employed in the US and sponsored by your American employer to write your IA if I recall correctly. Pick up the Canadian license first, then look into FAA licensing would be my suggestion.

[bombardierfixer]

Are you a American? That's the million dollar question. As a American (by birth) obtaining a A&P was easy. If you are not, its quite a bit harder now.

[Heliian]

I would still do the AME first and like the others said, you can convert to A+P quite easily but that won't give you the IA. We used to say that you could get the A+P from the back of a matchbook or a box of crakerjacks. As far as being recognized in other countries, most places recognize both but you still have to jump through all the regulatory hoops of that country and it varies, some places just give an exam, other places require a time period of work first under that regulatory system. As far as I know, us AME's get better pay than their u.s. counterparts but that will also vary.