Prospects for foreign pilots in US

[Tristan]

There are a few CFI's with green cards that I met. A few were at Riddle and one was at my school in New Jersey. They were basically stuck in their CFI jobs for YEARS. The ones at Riddle probably had it OK - as senior guys they are making $35k or so.

Qantas requires 500 TT - how much time do you need to build? I was born outside Penrith.

Wheelsup, are you Australian? How did you make your way to America? Yes, Qantas require 500TT, but me thinks the reality differs somewhat.

 

[adreamer]

There are a few CFI's with green cards that I met. A few were at Riddle and one was at my school in New Jersey. They were basically stuck in their CFI jobs for YEARS

I am one of those CFIs w/ a green card. That is not good to hear. However, I finally start my citizenship application process.

Qantas requires 500 TT

maybe I should go over there.

 

[AngelFuree]

I am one of those CFIs w/ a green card. That is not good to hear. However, I finally start my citizenship application process.

maybe I should go over there.

Hmm...so you guys are saying that it's harder to get a job if you only have a green card....? hmmmm..............

Could anyone else clarify this? It doesn't sound logical since the green card allows you to do everything a citizen would, except vote. I had never heard of something like this.

 

[wheelsup]

Wheelsup, are you Australian? How did you make your way to America? Yes, Qantas require 500TT, but me thinks the reality differs somewhat.

Parents were US citizens. My father was in the Air Force and stationed over there when I was born. I've heard conflicting reports if I am in fact a dual citizen or not because I was born on AU soil, but to US parents.

At a former CFI job I had a co-worker who was from New Zealand. He's now at Skywest (a US regional). No idea how he got to the US, but he did get here. Your biggest hurdle will be getting a company to sponsor you I think, especially as a CFI, but it DOES happen. I've seen that first hand. As far as regionals go, I don't believe any will sponsor you. You already have to have the right to work in the US.

If the conversion from FAA to Australian licenses wasn't so expensive I would be done there right now doing it! I've heard of some RJ FO's leaving their jobs here for Qantas, I have yet to get in touch with any of them first hand though.