All you underpaid airline pilots...

[Ash Ketchum]

I agree it shouldn’t be a TN visa. Have a look at their ad though. TN visa is stated on the bottom. I guess I’ll find out soon when I hear yay or nay.

https://pilotsdb.brookfieldav.com/job/0 ... 50-USD-P-M

In the ad it says TN or H1-B. I would think H1-B may make sense as the likes of Air Wisconsin and Atlas have used that in the past. Apparently there is a long wait for it though.

I applied to Ravn Alaska through Rishworth and they straight up told me the visa process is a self sponsored EB-2 NIW for USD $12000 out of pocket with no guarantee of success - no thanks.

12,000$ to make double, if not more.

Seems like a pretty decent investment to me. No idea what Ravn Alaska is, but for guys thinking of the airlines you’re barely talking in terms of months to make up that 12,000$. Then depending on your age, maybe millions more income over the course of your careers.

Point is the EB-2 NIW is denied for most Canadian pilots unless they have over 5,000 hours and over 10 years flying work experience including heavy jet command/SIC. I was told by many independent law firms in the States including reputable ones such as Harvey Law Group that I would most likely be rejected by the USCIS however Rishworth had no problem taking my $12,000 USD to initiate the process.

[canadian_aviator_4]

In the ad it says TN or H1-B. I would think H1-B may make sense as the likes of Air Wisconsin and Atlas have used that in the past. Apparently there is a long wait for it though.

I applied to Ravn Alaska through Rishworth and they straight up told me the visa process is a self sponsored EB-2 NIW for USD $12000 out of pocket with no guarantee of success - no thanks.

12,000$ to make double, if not more.

Seems like a pretty decent investment to me. No idea what Ravn Alaska is, but for guys thinking of the airlines you’re barely talking in terms of months to make up that 12,000$. Then depending on your age, maybe millions more income over the course of your careers.

Point is the EB-2 NIW is denied for most Canadian pilots unless they have over 5,000 hours and over 10 years flying work experience including heavy jet command/SIC. I was told by many independent law firms in the States including reputable ones such as Harvey Law Group that I would most likely be rejected by the USCIS however Rishworth had no problem taking my $12,000 USD to initiate the process.

Thank you for the valuable information. Really appreciated!

[Just another canuck]

My NIW was processed and accepted in under 4 months. Medical and interview next but the petition acceptance was the major hurdle. We’re still not sure if we’ll go but the process works.

[Ash Ketchum]

My NIW was processed and accepted in under 4 months. Medical and interview next but the petition acceptance was the major hurdle. We’re still not sure if we’ll go but the process works.

Out of curiosity what does your background look like?

[Just another canuck]

My NIW was processed and accepted in under 4 months. Medical and interview next but the petition acceptance was the major hurdle. We’re still not sure if we’ll go but the process works.

Out of curiosity what does your background look like?

10,000 hours, mostly PIC. Almost 20 years in the industry. Diverse background. Flown Boeing and Airbus.

[Ash Ketchum]

My NIW was processed and accepted in under 4 months. Medical and interview next but the petition acceptance was the major hurdle. We’re still not sure if we’ll go but the process works.

Out of curiosity what does your background look like?

10,000 hours, mostly PIC. Almost 20 years in the industry. Diverse background. Flown Boeing and Airbus.

Very impressive. Did you self petition or go through a law firm?

[Just another canuck]

Out of curiosity what does your background look like?

10,000 hours, mostly PIC. Almost 20 years in the industry. Diverse background. Flown Boeing and Airbus.

Very impressive. Did you self petition or go through a law firm?

I used a law firm. I spoke with many law firms, around 10 probably. Some said I was crazy to think I would have a petition passed for a pilot, while some others guaranteed me a pass and wanted copious amounts of money. It’s important you do your own research so you can tell which is best for you and decided how much money you are willing to risk on the process.

That being said, there is more to it than just the legal fees and application fees. Once and if your petition passes, you will need to go to one of three major cities (with your family, if you have one) to get a medical. This is another 350 dollars a person plus flights and hotels if you don’t live in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. This will need to be done well in advance of your interview at the consulate in Montreal, where you may need to spend more money on flights and hotels.

Then of course, you have to go get an FAA ATP. Course 4000 USD. Exam was a couple hundred I think… can’t remember. Study guide 75 USD. Flights and hotels for a week. FAA examiner fee 400 USD.

It takes 2-3 months to get the whole package together, back and forth with the law firm. You’ll have to track down the appropriate people, likely HR, at all your old companies and get employment verification letters. You’ll need 6 letters of reference (at least). I spent a lot of time on these with my references and they are 3-4 pages each. Once the package is complete, the petition will be written for you review, which is likely to need a little editing. Once submitted, it took me just shy of 4 months to receive my approval. However, it can take much longer.

Go on to travel.state.gov and read everything there for the process after the petition is approved. It lists in detail the process for the medical and interview and what is required of you and your family.

The process works. Not for everybody. There are some people who have been approved with far less experience than me and some denied who have more. I think I had excellent reference letters and some other notables as well, such as having worked for US entities in the past. And obviously the airline experience.

Good luck should you wish to pursue it.

[WestJet Puke]

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... e=hs_email

AIR TRANSPORT
ALPA Objects To ‘Alarming Increase’ in U.S. Visas for Pilots
by Gregory Polek
- November 16, 2022, 3:39 PM

[Jyfi]

its hard to sit here and pay my dues when the union seems like its working aginst the intrest of it members....

[JHR]

Meanwhile in Canada, here come the TFWs

[canadian_aviator_4]

I think the other thing to consider with studying it’s much easier in Canada to gain permanent residency than the US. So many foreign pilots can just as easily study flight training, instruct and complete the process to get their residency here.
If the US had the same set up, even with a high education cost, I could see many including myself going there.

[rudder]

its hard to sit here and pay my dues when the union seems like its working aginst the intrest of it members....

If the application is coming from an active ALPA member (Non-US) for an employment visa at a US ALPA represented carrier - there should be NO ALPA OBJECTION!

[Bug_Stomper_01]

I think the other thing to consider with studying it’s much easier in Canada to gain permanent residency than the US. So many foreign pilots can just as easily study flight training, instruct and complete the process to get their residency here.
If the US had the same set up, even with a high education cost, I could see many including myself going there.

USA is much more protective of its domestic workforce than Canada especially under this government.

[peakbagger]

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... e=hs_email

AIR TRANSPORT
ALPA Objects To ‘Alarming Increase’ in U.S. Visas for Pilots
by Gregory Polek
- November 16, 2022, 3:39 PM

Certainly shows the sentiment but the article only mentions the H1-B and E-3 Visas, not the EB-2 which seems to be the route most Canadians are going.

[Just another canuck]

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... e=hs_email

AIR TRANSPORT
ALPA Objects To ‘Alarming Increase’ in U.S. Visas for Pilots
by Gregory Polek
- November 16, 2022, 3:39 PM

Certainly shows the sentiment but the article only mentions the H1-B and E-3 Visas, not the EB-2 which seems to be the route most Canadians are going.

H1-B, E-3 and others like it are directly related to the airline or any employer in whatever industry is seeking them. The EB-2 NIW is only through USCIS. It has nothing to do with any employer. ALPA likely has significant lobbying power over work based visas but much less with regards to the NIW route. ALPA and those it represents doesn’t even know pilots are applying.

[Stinky]

I just stumbled across this forum and topic today and this is my first post as I see a lot of discussion regarding Frontier.
I interviewed last month and have a CJO pending approval of the TN-1 visa in which their lawyer is working on. I am hopeful but also a bit skeptical on if it will be approved at the border when crossing. I am hoping to be on the Nov 28th course if not that then the Dec 27th course.
If anyone else has been hired by Frontier and on one of these courses please PM me.
I will not discuss anything further on this forum until I am successful at getting my visa from Frontier as I will believe it when I see it.
But I can confirm they are definitely willing and interested in hiring Canadian Pilots!!

Did you get in on the TN visa?

[newlygrounded]

I just stumbled across this forum and topic today and this is my first post as I see a lot of discussion regarding Frontier.
I interviewed last month and have a CJO pending approval of the TN-1 visa in which their lawyer is working on. I am hopeful but also a bit skeptical on if it will be approved at the border when crossing. I am hoping to be on the Nov 28th course if not that then the Dec 27th course.
If anyone else has been hired by Frontier and on one of these courses please PM me.
I will not discuss anything further on this forum until I am successful at getting my visa from Frontier as I will believe it when I see it.
But I can confirm they are definitely willing and interested in hiring Canadian Pilots!!

Did you get in on the TN visa?

The TN visa is very specific about what jobs it is for, I highly doubt they'd be able to get someone in on a flying job with a TN

[withaflash]

78ED7C4B-2761-4EC2-9B0B-1525A7B962F9.jpeg (252.3 KiB) Viewed 5116 times

[schnitzel2k3]

Probably still hoping only for candidates who qualify for E3.

[BE02 Driver]

This is precisely what I would like to know. I believe Atlas was doing EB-2's which also take 18+ months. H1B is gamble too. If something goes sideways, you go home.

EB-3 visas are quick as long as you are Canadian born. Mine was less than 4 months. Citizenship doesn't matter, place of birth does for priority date. Canadian born applicants are current, so processed immediately.

Correct me if I’m wrong, however EB-3 visas are sponsored by an employer? So you would have to find an airline going along with this visa process? Thanks!

Yes, or a spouse that has better opportunities and drag you along.....

[JHR]

pilots are labor who are paid an hourly wage per hour of flight time. There is a very wide range in pay per hour, from less than $30 with smaller airlines

What does this add to the conversation?

[lvf_abv_clouds]

I think the other thing to consider with studying it’s much easier in Canada to gain permanent residency than the US. So many foreign pilots can just as easily study flight training, instruct and complete the process to get their residency here.
If the US had the same set up, even with a high education cost, I could see many including myself going there.

[JHR]

The NIW approvals are rolling in. I know of 9 pilots from a variety of Canadian airlines who have been approved!
Now is the time if you are serious about it!!

[Cavalier44]

The NIW approvals are rolling in. I know of 9 pilots from a variety of Canadian airlines who have been approved!
Now is the time if you are serious about it!!

Care to elaborate on that? Which American airlines are sponsoring Canadians for NIW visas at present?

[Just another canuck]

The NIW approvals are rolling in. I know of 9 pilots from a variety of Canadian airlines who have been approved!
Now is the time if you are serious about it!!

Care to elaborate on that? Which American airlines are sponsoring Canadians for NIW visas at present?

That’s the difference between an NIW and the others. There is no requirement to have a job offer to be successful. You can get a green card then apply for jobs afterwards.