Interest in US airline positions

[DanWEC]

Hello to all guys and gals working at 705's.

There has been a recent development to the American EB-2 Visa criteria for airline pilots. There is now a NIW, National Interest Waiver, in force, which relaxes some of the requirements for a Visa or Labour Condition Application, which would have previously fallen under the H1B sponsorship umbrella.

Essentially, this means there is now a very tangible ability for non-American pilots to work in the US.

I've been working with a Michigan based immigration lawyer for a while now to create a one-stop pathway to facilitate the legacy process, but this new development has thrown the project into top gear.

In the coming months we should have a fully functional application process, but in the meantime, I'd like to get a handle on how many people would be genuinely interested in working for any one of the US Majors and regionals. Many have existing pathway and flow agreements, so there will have to be some expectations to be managed in terms of metal and seat, but in general the pay and conditions across the board are superior to their Canadian counterparts.

If you wouldn't mind taking a moment to answer the poll below it would be much appreciated. Also, feel free to send me a PM with any questions. This isn't a placement arrangement, but merely a paperwork service to streamline the application.

Thanks much,
Dan

[digits_]

Would this only be applicable for airline operations, or also for the equivalent of 703 operators, such as corporate, charter, medevac, waterbombing, etc?

[Heavy Rayn]

Interesting that this pops up today as I was having a conversation last night with a friend in Michigan about the visa process. I live in the Windsor-Essex region and have always thought that a career with a US carrier would be far more convenient and have many pros. Tons of healthcare workers live in Canada but work in the states and thoroughly enjoy the benefits associated with that.

I did not vote, as I’m not an airline guy right now. However, that sort of career move is definitely something I’d explore in the near future. When my résumé allows for it.

[flying4dollars]

Sign me up!!!!!!

[dhc#]

Would love to see a mass exodus of pilot's to the US happen....maybe it would finally drive up the WAWCON here...or wait for the Feds to be lobbied by the airline industry into allowing TFW's as replacements....just like the trucking industry

[altiplano]

I've got the better part of 20 years left and if they show up recruiting again in T1 I'd strongly consider it. Even giving up captain salary here, a DB pension, and years of seniority I would be ahead within a few years, even factoring starting at the bottom. But particularly if they sweeten the pot to attract experience... they've done it before.

For young guys that saw some good progress leading up to Covid, with a degree an ATPL, and any 705 experience - you had better start your FAA conversion now.

Don't even bother with the AC's and WJ's - we are so far behind on recovery, on potential, and on present conditions it's not even funny... we will be nothing but stepping stones unless we get competitive.

[lee123]

Hello to all guys and gals working at 705's.

There has been a recent development to the American EB-2 Visa criteria for airline pilots. There is now a NIW, National Interest Waiver, in force, which relaxes some of the requirements for a Visa or Labour Condition Application, which would have previously fallen under the H1B sponsorship umbrella.

Essentially, this means there is now a very tangible ability for non-American pilots to work in the US.

I've been working with a Michigan based immigration lawyer for a while now to create a one-stop pathway to facilitate the legacy process, but this new development has thrown the project into top gear.

In the coming months we should have a fully functional application process, but in the meantime, I'd like to get a handle on how many people would be genuinely interested in working for any one of the US Majors and regionals. Many have existing pathway and flow agreements, so there will have to be some expectations to be managed in terms of metal and seat, but in general the pay and conditions across the board are superior to their Canadian counterparts.

If you wouldn't mind taking a moment to answer the poll below it would be much appreciated. Also, feel free to send me a PM with any questions. This isn't a placement arrangement, but merely a paperwork service to streamline the application.

Thanks much,
Dan

Don't fall for this scam.

The EB-2 visa has and will never apply to pilot positions. There is a website circulating, which is poorly written and full of spelling mistakes that is promoting this.

They will make you pay the lawyer fees, which are upwards of $30,000, take your money and you will never hear from them again.

There is no pilot shortage in the US, the hiring at major carriers is extremely competitive and most pilots here wouldn't even qualify without a 4 year degree.

[Inverted2]

I’m sceptical it will happen but I would be interested if it does. Pay is way higher and taxes lower in the US.

[AnonPilot]

I think it’s unlikely, but I would also be interested.

[C-GGGQ]

Hello to all guys and gals working at 705's.

There has been a recent development to the American EB-2 Visa criteria for airline pilots. There is now a NIW, National Interest Waiver, in force, which relaxes some of the requirements for a Visa or Labour Condition Application, which would have previously fallen under the H1B sponsorship umbrella.

Essentially, this means there is now a very tangible ability for non-American pilots to work in the US.

I've been working with a Michigan based immigration lawyer for a while now to create a one-stop pathway to facilitate the legacy process, but this new development has thrown the project into top gear.

In the coming months we should have a fully functional application process, but in the meantime, I'd like to get a handle on how many people would be genuinely interested in working for any one of the US Majors and regionals. Many have existing pathway and flow agreements, so there will have to be some expectations to be managed in terms of metal and seat, but in general the pay and conditions across the board are superior to their Canadian counterparts.

If you wouldn't mind taking a moment to answer the poll below it would be much appreciated. Also, feel free to send me a PM with any questions. This isn't a placement arrangement, but merely a paperwork service to streamline the application.

Thanks much,
Dan

Don't fall for this scam.

The EB-2 visa has and will never apply to pilot positions. There is a website circulating, which is poorly written and full of spelling mistakes that is promoting this.

They will make you pay the lawyer fees, which are upwards of $30,000, take your money and you will never hear from them again.

There is no pilot shortage in the US, the hiring at major carriers is extremely competitive and most pilots here wouldn't even qualify without a 4 year degree.

I mean…. There is a shortage. We’ve already had a pilot (who happened to be dual citizen) leave this month for a US regional. Signing bonus and all. Us regionals have sponsored green cards in the past and every airline down there is hiring right now so this is not necessarily out of the realm of possibility.

[200Above]

Where do I send my resume?

[DanWEC]

Don't fall for this scam.

The EB-2 visa has and will never apply to pilot positions. There is a website circulating, which is poorly written and full of spelling mistakes that is promoting this.

They will make you pay the lawyer fees, which are upwards of $30,000, take your money and you will never hear from them again.

There is no pilot shortage in the US, the hiring at major carriers is extremely competitive and most pilots here wouldn't even qualify without a 4 year degree.

Given the number of people on here that I know, and who know me personally, I can assure you that not only is your information about the NIW materially false, but the accusation about the service I'm putting together is wildly off the mark. Why don't you send me a PM if you're so emphatic and we can discuss it further.

[lee123]

Don't fall for this scam.

The EB-2 visa has and will never apply to pilot positions. There is a website circulating, which is poorly written and full of spelling mistakes that is promoting this.

They will make you pay the lawyer fees, which are upwards of $30,000, take your money and you will never hear from them again.

There is no pilot shortage in the US, the hiring at major carriers is extremely competitive and most pilots here wouldn't even qualify without a 4 year degree.

Given the number of people on here that I know, and who know me personally, I can assure you that not only is your information about the NIW materially false, but the accusation about the service I'm putting together is wildly off the mark. Why don't you send me a PM if you're so emphatic and we can discuss it further.

I wish you good luck! Just letting you know that this won’t work. Not accusing you of anything, just be aware of the scams going around.

The shortage, if you call it one, is at the lower paying regional carriers.

[Hangry]

Don't fall for this scam.

The EB-2 visa has and will never apply to pilot positions. There is a website circulating, which is poorly written and full of spelling mistakes that is promoting this.

They will make you pay the lawyer fees, which are upwards of $30,000, take your money and you will never hear from them again.

There is no pilot shortage in the US, the hiring at major carriers is extremely competitive and most pilots here wouldn't even qualify without a 4 year degree.

Given the number of people on here that I know, and who know me personally, I can assure you that not only is your information about the NIW materially false, but the accusation about the service I'm putting together is wildly off the mark. Why don't you send me a PM if you're so emphatic and we can discuss it further.

Good luck with your endeavour. Fortune favours the bold.

FWIW I have decent seniority at a large carrier and I would leave tomorrow for an American legacy.

[JHR]

Last Canadian pilot to leave, please turn out the lights!

[RRJetPilot]

6 years at AC. Would leave tomorrow for a job down south. This country is fucked.

[‘Bob’]

Most of you would have never got past the 1500 hour entry requirements. That’s why the US has a pilot shortage. It’s not a shortage of the 250 hour wonders who found their way directly into a Q in Canada and are now complaining they are underpaid.

Your chances are no better stateside even with the right paperwork, because there are that many more applicants.

All that effort to wind up flying an Airbus for Allegiant based in Grand Rapids MI for $60,000 after the exchange? If you’re lucky?

[altiplano]

All that effort to wind up flying an Airbus for Allegiant based in Grand Rapids MI for $60,000 after the exchange? If you’re lucky?

$60K? Are you kidding? Maybe the first year guy... after that it's not far off WJ / AC 737 / 320 rates except it's in USD... I'll take Austin base...

Screenshot_20210807-184936.png (95.86 KiB) Viewed 7269 times

https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/air ... egiant_air

[schnitzel2k3]

Now those are respectable salaries.

First year is understandable due to low utilization training, etc. 4 years of barely breaking 100k at normal utilization...not so much (that goes for all Canadian carriers, flat pay or not).

Would be seriously interesting if this goes through.

[RRJetPilot]

What matters is not only salary but taxes and cost of living.
Year 2 fo at Westjet makes what? 50k ? Lol after taxes maybe 38k?
What’s the tax rate in Austin at year 2 100k salary? Take home 85k. So 2.5 times the wage.

How much is housing in Canada again?
Back to my original comment. This country is fucked and what’s more fucked people in Canada think they are superior to everyone else.
Delusional.

[fixnfly]

I was talking on the phone with a Horizon Airlines pilot recruiter not too long ago. We did kind of a phone interview and they answered a bunch of questions I had but said they weren't legally able to hire Canadian pilots yet but were actively looking at options to sponsor Canadians. I have a Canadian ATPL and 705 time fyi and they were still interested in phoning me up. If the US regionals and majors get the option to start hiring Canadians, you can bet there will be a mass exodus at a lot of the operators here. Can you imagine going from something like Cargojet to UPS/FEDEX and making triple the pay?

[Inverted2]

Even if the above were to occur, airline execs would likely go running to Prime Moron Castreau and he would stop it somehow.

[Bleed Air]

Over 16 years flying overseas as an Expat with over 15K hours and I'd jump at a chance to work in the US in a heartbeat

[Scuderia]

Dan, thanks for your efforts in this area, you're helping our entire industry at large.

There has been a recent development to the American EB-2 Visa criteria for airline pilots. There is now a NIW, National Interest Waiver, in force, which relaxes some of the requirements for a Visa or Labour Condition Application, which would have previously fallen under the H1B sponsorship umbrella.

Where can one find a list of NIWs that are in force?

From my cursory reading about obtaining EB2 NIW, it seems to be on a case-by-case basis and the onus is usually on the applicant to apply under that scheme and make the argument.

Thanks

[dumbbell daddy]

Some of the attitudes on this thread are interesting. The self righteous attitude is actually shocking. I’ve been fortunate enough to still be flying all over the world during this pandemic. Canada and Canadian’s in general are a joke. Delusional. You can’t even compare the pay, lifestyle, tax ect to the US. Even if you did land an (over exaggerated) 320 job in butt f@ck nowhere for 60k, wait a couple years and move around.

Dan. Sign me up!