USA bound …
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USA bound …
10 year captain at a major, DB pension, 44 years old. Single no kids, nothing holding me back. Would you go to USA if you had the option given the above circumstances? Im curious to hear the pros and cons from internet stranger who also have an interest in flying.
Only thing I worry about is starting bottom the list all over again even with the massive hiring.
Thanks for your replies
Only thing I worry about is starting bottom the list all over again even with the massive hiring.
Thanks for your replies
Re: USA bound …
No hesitation.
If you have an avenue to U.S mainline, don't walk run. The difference between 44 and 65 between Canada and the US for earnings after taxation is too high to count.
That and the 401K additions, plus bonuses pre match make your DB pension look like "Canadian industry competitive" 2% match.
If you have an avenue to U.S mainline, don't walk run. The difference between 44 and 65 between Canada and the US for earnings after taxation is too high to count.
That and the 401K additions, plus bonuses pre match make your DB pension look like "Canadian industry competitive" 2% match.
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Re: USA bound …
I think it all depends whether you prioritize money or lifestyle. If you want the biggest bank balance possible, go to the states asap. If you want to ride whatever seniority wave you're on, stay living where you are (friends/family/social connections), and not have to reset seniority/lose whatever furlough insurance you have, then I think staying will do you well. If you're single with no kids @ the 10th year step of the majors, you should easily have the $$ to meet your needs and wants.
- Ash Ketchum
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Re: USA bound …
IDK with your seniority. I'm currently self petitioning for the EB-2 NIW and would go to the US in a heartbeat but I am a year one FO on flat pay at a major in my early 30s. If I had 10 years of seniority sitting left seat at a Canadian major I probably wouldn't go to be honest.
Re: USA bound …
You can say Air Canada.Ash Ketchum wrote: ↑Sun Sep 03, 2023 5:45 am IDK with your seniority. I'm currently self petitioning for the EB-2 NIW and would go to the US in a heartbeat but I am a year one FO on flat pay at a major in my early 30s. If I had 10 years of seniority sitting left seat at a Canadian major I probably wouldn't go to be honest.
Re: USA bound …
This really seems like a no brainer to me, even at 10 years and a Captain at AC, no other major has DB that I’m aware of unless you’re talking Jazz(lol) than really a no brainer. Anyhow, do some math, how long until you catch up to your current wage at any of the US majors, I don’t know but I’m thinking 3-5 years. Next, the other math, the commuter policies make living most anywhere feasible and then you have the taxes. Even in the first year or two you’ll likely take home close to the same.Usaiscalling wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 7:02 pm 10 year captain at a major, DB pension, 44 years old. Single no kids, nothing holding me back. Would you go to USA if you had the option given the above circumstances? Im curious to hear the pros and cons from internet stranger who also have an interest in flying.
Only thing I worry about is starting bottom the list all over again even with the massive hiring.
Thanks for your replies
I’m 10 years from retirement and would likely go, even considering my DB. I wouldn’t give up seniority for anything in Canada but the USA, heck ya!
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Re: USA bound …
One of my old flying instructors just left his 20 year left seat/training job here to go to a western-US based major. he was saying that his 2nd year pay will be equivalent to what his final years were in Canada; and it goes up from there. If you’re single, and there’s little holding you here, then as someone above said, don’t walk, !run! Your friends here will still be your friends, and if you get on at a place with a decent commuter policy, you may well be able to commute from where you live..
Re: USA bound …
Canada is a sinking socialist ship. Leave while you can. Lots of fantastic places to live in America and lots of amazing people.
Re: USA bound …
I would go yesterday and escape this shithole if it was possible for me. And yes you can still have guns down there.
Don’t look back.

Don’t look back.
DEI = Didn’t Earn It
Re: USA bound …
Even ULCC south do 15-17% direct contribution and their pay is more, currency conversion or not.
Texas, Florida, Nevada etc also have no state income tax.
Texas, Florida, Nevada etc also have no state income tax.
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Re: USA bound …
I'm less positive about the trip at your age. Minimum 1000 hours right seat at a part 121 to go Captain, and if you go to a legacy carrier there are thousands millennials ahead of you in seniority that aren't taking early upgrades so basically forget ever having a decent lifestyle for years and likely forget WB Captain. There are lots of crappy places to be based that make YYZ and YVR real estate and traffic look good and that's where the quick upgrades are.
That said, a career at the lesser 121 carriers or in corporate could be quite nice, and if you can get based in a decent location there's no reason you couldn't have a great remaining career. WN sounds like a complete mess right meow, but something like F9, G4, HA, B6, NK, etc has real upsides over anything Canada has to offer. Myself it would be all about getting a base where I want to live.
That said, a career at the lesser 121 carriers or in corporate could be quite nice, and if you can get based in a decent location there's no reason you couldn't have a great remaining career. WN sounds like a complete mess right meow, but something like F9, G4, HA, B6, NK, etc has real upsides over anything Canada has to offer. Myself it would be all about getting a base where I want to live.
Re: USA bound …
Honestly, I can't think of a place in the US that would be any worse than YYZ. I was YYZ based for years and looking back on it I don't know how I did it.
Re: USA bound …
Just a slight correction to the above, the hour requirement for captain at a Part 121 operator is 1000 hrs operating on a U.S. certificate (can be 91, 135, etc.) If you have the ability and hold the correct certs you could be DEC for a 91/91K, 135 operator. Or FO 121 and get paid more than a captain up here.co-joe wrote: ↑Sun Sep 03, 2023 4:32 pm I'm less positive about the trip at your age. Minimum 1000 hours right seat at a part 121 to go Captain, and if you go to a legacy carrier there are thousands millennials ahead of you in seniority that aren't taking early upgrades so basically forget ever having a decent lifestyle for years and likely forget WB Captain. There are lots of crappy places to be based that make YYZ and YVR real estate and traffic look good and that's where the quick upgrades are.
That said, a career at the lesser 121 carriers or in corporate could be quite nice, and if you can get based in a decent location there's no reason you couldn't have a great remaining career. WN sounds like a complete mess right meow, but something like F9, G4, HA, B6, NK, etc has real upsides over anything Canada has to offer. Myself it would be all about getting a base where I want to live.
"Hell, I'll fly up your ass if the money's right!"
Orlando Jones - Say It Isn't So
Orlando Jones - Say It Isn't So
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Re: USA bound …
Thanks for your replies all. I’d imagine if I went to a US major like United that I could prob do 1000 hours in just over a year with OT if need be then get a quick upgrade from there. It seems even a junior block holder down there is as good as a 15% block holder up here so I’m not really losing lifestyle, only gaining.
Besides NYC, Chicago and maybe LA. I don’t see any other US city being as unliveable as Toronto.
Seems more pros than cons. Thanks again for the replies
Besides NYC, Chicago and maybe LA. I don’t see any other US city being as unliveable as Toronto.
Seems more pros than cons. Thanks again for the replies
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Re: USA bound …
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I just spent 3 weeks on the road at events in Canada that were well attended by Americans. I lost track of how many times we were asked what it takes to be allowed to move to Canada.
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Re: USA bound …
I'm in my late 30s on flat pay. Not leaving.
I will always encourage others to leave, though.
I will always encourage others to leave, though.
Re: USA bound …
You must have skipped mathematics class..Bingo Fuel wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 1:01 pm I'm in my late 30s on flat pay. Not leaving.
I will always encourage others to leave, though.
Re: USA bound …
Can people please list some immigration lawyers they know of that work with pilots interested in moving to an American airline?
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