Reverse Offshoring: US Pilots Signing On with Foreign Airlines

[kellwolf]

This is something that's been tossed around my household a couple of times. The result was a resounding thumbs up from my wife. It's definately an option since there are VERY few places to move up here in the states. FedEx is tops, UPS not too bad and SWA and CAL are about the only other options. If DAL emerges lean from Ch11, they're gonna go gunning for Airtran, so that's an iffy. Personally, I don't think jetBlue has the staying power, either. That doesn't leave a whole lot in the realms of "domestic majors" to move up to. So, add the tons of regionals out there with equal or better qualified applicants, and you have to keep your options open. As it is, we want our son to grow up at LEAST bi-lingual.

[flyover]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

As it is, we want our son to grow up at LEAST bi-lingual.

And at most bi-(______)?

[Kingairer]

"Focal"

[mccube5]

I guess im having a hard time understanding why the international route is a bad move for a guy in his early 20's. The pay and benefits these international airlines offer should make any guy flying in the US cringe. Being in my early 20's and single as ever, what ive heard about Dubai sounds like its out of this world.

Can someone elaborate on how going overseas at this age with everything going on in the aviation industry here is a bad career move?

What i really think is that as Americans these days we think that this country is the greatest place in the world even though most of us have never seen other places. Having friends from all over the world, especially many from the middle east, sounds appealing to me, even if only for a 10 year stint in my life, kinda like goin into the airforce.

[flyover]

Originally Posted by mccube5

Can someone elaborate on how going overseas at this age with everything going on in the aviation industry here is a bad career move?

I think the point was it's a stretch to suggest an airline career in the US is completely in the s&%$ter and overseas jobs are sure bets.

It's problematic to take a snapshot of the current situation, then project that out over a 20 or 30 year career. Just as the domestic industry has ups and downs, so will the international carriers.

So evaluate it all and decide for yourself. Just don't think that what you see now is what you will be seeing in 30 years.

[kellwolf]

Bottom line is there IS no sure long term job in aviation, either in the US or International. What is the best airline today may be in trouble tomorrow. Who would have thought that a year or two ago XJT would be fighting to hold on to flying? Go back ten years, and if you told people Delta might not exist in 2007 and you would have been committed. The only thing consistent in the industry is change.

[mpenguin1]

Originally Posted by flyover

No problem, that confirms what I thought. For comparable seats, pay is comparable.

Housing and some tax benefits definitely sweeten the pot. But they would have to sweeten it to get pilots to relocate over there. I'd have to pay for a divorce for one thing.

Ex-pat flying has been around for as long as airplanes. Many countries rely on America and Europe for their pilots. I had a chance to go to work for Saudi 30 years ago.

I wish all these guys the best, they deserve it. But giving up on flying domestically because ex-pat flying is a panacea, don't think so.

Yeah, what is the big deal American flying overseas has been going on for years.

I worked for NCA, a Japanese Cargo Airline, & we had a lease with TWA for TWA pilots, at one time we had close to 200 pilots on assignment.

Saudi, JAL, EVA, China Airlines, Korean Airlines, Cathay, etc, have been hiring foreign pilots for years......