DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 5309 posts, RR: 47 Posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1375 times:
I almost put this in the Civ Av forum, but since this thread is mostly about me and a job, I figured it would be best in here
I've heard crazy things in my command (I'm in the US Navy) about sequestration that are probably exaggerated, but I'm also not the type to just sit around and wait to lose a job and then start exploring my options. I was just looking for a starting place on working for an airline overseas.
Don't really have a preference where, just anything I could possibly get with my limited experience. I don't have any multi-engine, maybe about 80 hours, but I've done quite a bit of instrument training. IIRC, some foreign companies will put you through training before hiring you. Most of the sites I've seen are looking for captains and all, not for the lowly experience I have.
Hopefully I don't lose my job, but I'd rather be proactive and research. Any tips? I'm sure I'm not the only one looking at this so competition might be pretty fierce. Thanks
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19712 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1341 times:
There is a large market for expat pilots, but as you say it's mostly for captains (since there aren't enough trained captains in foreign countries to hold the hand of the local guys they're training now).
If you have a connection to a foreign country (that isn't in Europe), that might help. And if you're a naval aviator (or even a prospective naval aviator), that would likely look very good on a resume.
-Mir
7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day
Pihero From France, joined Jan 2005, 3496 posts, RR: 72 Reply 2, posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 1285 times:
There is not enough info on your experience, but for obvious seniority reasons, quite a lot of airlines recruit at the FO level.
Understand as well that promotions are also very quick, so the importance of an experience of some 1500 hours is quite nice otherwise, you'll be passed by more experienced people.
If you're looking for the airlines of the Gulf, be aware that they require - or prefer - glass cockpit experience and multi crew ticket. Type rating is possible, but with a rather important bond.
For the captain's position, a type rating on the fleet they operate is a must along with some decent hours on-type.
At the moment, Asia / Middle East is a booming market and will be the only one for quite a while. Europe ?... close to impossible... Africa ?... in deeper economic trouble than the rest... South America ?... don't know : I don't remember ever seeing an ad for them.
longhauler From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 4281 posts, RR: 36 Reply 3, posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 1270 times:
It appears that there is a high demand for pilots in China. Recruiters used to hang around outside our Flight Operations handing out pamphlets until they were asked to leave. Now we just get a lot of emails.
Apparently, the offers are quite lucrative, as my airline is losing a lot of pilots. (Consequently we are doing a lot of hiring). One of the big changes I have seen, is that you no longer have to be based in China. You can be based in North America, and they will "commute" you back and forth on their dime and put you in a hotel.
Pilot recruitment companies like Park Aviation would probably be a good place to start.
Never gonna grow up, never gonna slow down .... Barefoot Blue Jean Night
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 5309 posts, RR: 47 Reply 4, posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1258 times:
Thanks for the responses... I thought the thread got deleted but mysteriously ended up in Tech Ops of all places. It seems I'm probably SOL due to my limited experience. I hope I do not lose my pilot job but we will see.
Sounds like China would be my best bet, though as I said before, I basically have no practical experience. The T-6B is glass and it has 2 people in it, but calling it multi crew would be stretching it...
Sounds like US regionals would be a better choice, as sad as that is to say
Flyer732 From Namibia, joined Nov 1999, 1334 posts, RR: 27 Reply 6, posted (2 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 1191 times:
There are plenty of opportunities for low time pilots, you just have to look. It's not going to be flying a jet, or even a turbo prop, but hours are hours when you're trying to move up.
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15870 posts, RR: 66 Reply 7, posted (2 months 3 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1086 times:
Check out Susi Air in Indonesia They take CPL holders with 250 hours. The pay is, ahem, low, but they are hiring and you will build turbine hours. If you email them you will (eventually) receive an application and information pack (and if you don't email them again). Here's a good blog for information on the interview process http://susiairinterview.blogspot.hk/.
Dragonair and Cathay have cadet programs which are open to foreign CPL holders (in KA case with frozen EASA ATPL). Chances of getting in are very slim but it doesn't hurt to try.
Quoting longhauler (Reply 3):
It appears that there is a high demand for pilots in China. Recruiters used to hang around outside our Flight Operations handing out pamphlets until they were asked to leave. Now we just get a lot of emails.
Huge demand in China, but most want pilots with 1000+ hours of multi turbine time at the very least. Also seems to be big demand in India.
[Edited 2013-02-28 06:35:50]
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 5309 posts, RR: 47 Reply 8, posted (2 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 735 times:
Quoting TWA772LR (Reply 5): Are you training in the Navy at the moment? I ask that since you put on there that you have flown the T-6.
Quoting Flyer732 (Reply 6): There are plenty of opportunities for low time pilots, you just have to look. It's not going to be flying a jet, or even a turbo prop, but hours are hours when you're trying to move up.
Yeah, luckily, it looks like I'm far enough in that I won't be cut. I think they stopped accepting new pilots but I think they'll keep us
PS: sorry for the late response, I keep forgetting about this thread, I only ever visit Civ Av and Non Av lol
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