Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

I got to say, that my initial approach or reply to some American recruiters who advertised in Australia for pilots due to their chronic shortage was very speculative. That's because I just wanted to see and test the market.

However, my application seems to be progressing in the right direction. They seem to be quite impressed with my CV and experience.

Before being interviewed for just over 1 hour and 40 minutes, they had already offered me what they call a preliminary and conditional offer of employment - which includes US Immigration sponsorship and support.

It's conditional because I need to do a few things before it becomes unconditional. Things such as:

1) have an initial interview with US Immigration at the US embassy.
2) pass the FAA Air Transport Pilot License Air Law component - they plan to send me on a 1 week course with an FAA Approved Ground School in Australia
3) pass security checks, criminal history checks, and apply and obtain a US TSA Card which is another layer of security giving me access to US Primary Airports like LAX, Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Dulles, LaGuardia etc etc.
4) pass a US FAA Class 1 Medical Examination
5) Obtain a VISA - permanent residency and so on

It seems I will be moving onto this phase of the process now.

It will take on average of 2 months. However, they are working in cahoots with consultants from an organisation called Pinstripe who are the experts in dealing with US Government and Authorities in getting the immigration, TSA process done and dusted. They are claiming 3 weeks.

So things I am told will happen VERY quick.

Once an Unconditional Offer is accepted and signed by me, I am enroute to US before you can say Donald Trump. Family and Wife will also be granted VISASs. Wife can work in the US.

Only 2 bases on offer - Newark Intl in New Jersey, and Chicago O'Hare. They asked for my preference, and told them I want Newark, New Jersey. That's because we would prefer to live in one of the NYC Burroughs. Even Manhattan if we can afford it. It's only a 30 minute drive to Newark. Probably end up in Queens though, or the first suburb just out of the island across the Hudson.

I am quite clearly very impressed with them so far. I just really dig the Amercan way of thinking. I'm not really surprised about how gun ho they are. Their approach is actually very innovative.

Even the endorsement is broken into 4 components as follows:
1) Flows
2) Handling
3) Emergency Procedures
4) Gate to Gate flights

Then your flight test which I am told is easy.

I have never seen this method before. Apparently their training program is very sophisticated, very streamlined and they are experts in getting the best out of us and keeping our stress levels low.

Accommodation, meals, and transportation will be provided by the airline. We will also be on their payroll from day 1.

Many discussions occurring around our dinner table, trying to work out if this is the right move for us. We are definitely very excited but also apprehensive. My wife is very familiar with NYC - especially Manhattan, Queens, Astoria, and White Stone.

In her words, she say's "if you haven't lived or haven't made it in NYC, then you have never made it in life at all" She got that from Frank Sinatra and she reckons it's true. NYC is an amazing place.

And it certainly helps to have a wife like that when it comes to things like this.

What I am finding about the Yanks is that they seem to be very great people to work with. As I write this I am feeling a lot of excitement. My partner who has worked in NYC tells me it was the best time and that yes, the Americans are different in a very good way.

I currently have 2 contacts in the airline among the pilot fraternity. Both Americans. Both ex US Military and both current Captains. To elaborate on the process, these guys have a financial vested interest in getting me on property and working for the airline. So both are extremely helpful and very nice. Plus, we are becoming friends. And all of us a hoping to meet face to face in the US.

It's really interesting how it works over there. The interview panel can change for different candidates and profiles. So far, the airline's interface with me has been through US Pilots and all are ex military. The pilots on the panel were all ex military.

Usually, Australians are exposed to other Australian pilots but that has not been the case with me. I don't know if it is a fluke or deliberate.

They did tell me that they felt I would fit in very well or in fact better with these guys than those who have only civil aviation experience and I think the airline likes that. A lot of the interview questions had a slight twist to them as well, about how I interact with FOs - steep gradient/shallow gradient etc etc.

I will keep people posted if interested?

[Paphitis]

The interview itself was very lengthy but a lot of it was just general chat as well about personal stories and experiences, the weather in Australia, Bush fires and so on. They were as much keen on Australia and Australians as I was about the US.

One of the pilots on the panel made it very known he had a lot of experience working with Australians in Afghanistan. I knew I was in for a very easy ride from then on and my nerves just disappeared completely. It was like talking on a very level playing field after that and the HR executives seemed to be enjoying the exchange.

And it was a doddle. I only got 2 tech questions incorrect. They told me this and corrected me and justified the errors immediately due to my unfamiliarity with LIDO. But overall, it was all good. There were no surprises.

I was well prepped for it. It was hard not to be prepped. I was told beforehand what to study up. And, my informants were 100% correct.

They did tell me they are NOT looking to trip you up. They had spoken to the panel as well about me just before my interview. They wanted me to get through and I can expect the same support in training as well. They messaged me minutes beforehand. The philosophy is, if they see you put the effort in, they will bend over backwards for you. If you are lazy, you will be shown the door early on in the piece.

The Corporate Culture seems to be top notch.

gee, the Americans get a lot of bad press on this forum, but I rate them highly. Professional and very kind people. No bullying, no alter egos. Aviation industry is rife with a lot of nonsense. An industry of egos. I don't know, but right now I am thinking the Americans are a breath of very fresh air. I hope I am not incorrect.

There were 2 people on camera in the interview and 2 people behind camera they did not tell me or introduce me to, but appeared just before the interview was ended just to say farewell me. I don't know who they were. The whole process was made to be as informal as possible. They were more interested in my personality and character than anything else because the 3 months of training is very thorough.

[Maximus]

Well done Paphitis,

I hope you get what you want.

[Londonrake]

Are you deliberately trying to screw up my Brisbane holiday plans

[Paphitis]

Are you deliberately trying to screw up my Brisbane holiday plans

Might have to change your holiday plans to NYC the way this is going. I just had more developments this morning. hey said I will have a response by Friday and sure enough I woke up to a very nice email.

[Paphitis]

OK, I had confirmation from the airline that they wish to progress my application and this morning got a signed Letter of Offer as well as:

1) an E3 Visa welcome pack,
2) health care or isurance coverage under their own employee health cover program for hospital and dental.

They are asking if I have a start date in mind but reminded me there is a lot of paperwork to get through. It can take up to 2 months.

I need to get the E3 Visa, Medical checks, criminal history checks and security clearances etc etc. It isn't a small process.

So I'm about to enter phase 2 from next week.

That means:

1) Medical
2) Drug and Alcohol Testing
3) FAA ATP Air Law exam
4) immigration paperwork for the family
5) TSA Airports paperwork
6) US Embassy interview

I actually struggling to function right now.

The funny thing is, my 2 contacts were telling me that everything is ok and I will be getting through. They had no stress at all. So I guess they had asked someone and they were told everything was all good. One of them did tell me they spoke to the panel just before the interview and the panel virtually told him something.

[Paphitis]

It's all starting to get very real now.

They have sent their Standard Operating Procedure manual as well for prior study. So the hint there is they want me to to as much prior study I can fit in beforehand.

I just emailed one contact and about to email the other.

I just need to respond to the airline's offer and they will get the paperwork lodged. The biggest delays will be immigration, so very much at their mercy. The US has a very thorough process and they are very stringent too. But the airline has ways to prioritize their applicants and has some pull in the Government and FAA.

I guess when you are one of the biggest corporations on the planet, there isn't much they can't do. The amount of people in their operations department and other support staff would be in the thousands.

[Kikapu]

I believe you are on your way to the USA soon. As long as you have a job offer and a contract, immigration is just a formality as long as your (family) health and criminal backgrounds check out.

How long notice do you need to give to your present employer to terminate your contract with them?

Perhaps if you have an overnight layover in one of the cities in the Bay Area (SFO, OAK, SJC, SMF) during one of my frequent visits to San Francisco, we can meet for dinner. We’ll keep in touch.

Enjoy harsh winters and humid summers in the New York area.

Last time I was in New Jersey was 40 years ago, as I was hitch hiking across the country to San Francisco via Seattle. That was a very interesting experience.

[Kikapu]

Paphitis, it’s a bit of an irony you wanting to move to the states where there are over 300 million people living all over. Recently when I stated that Australia needs another 100 million people to make the country function better economically, you were adamant that the present 26 million was just fine as you all needed your space.

To think that the New York area has half of Australia’s population alone!

Word of advice. Never get into an argument with someone on a Road Rage fix. Don’t get out of your car at the next light to give them a piece of your mind! Many have guns in their cars. Americans are very friendly people, but it is also a violent society. Just swallow your pride and let the idiot go with your blessing.

[repulsewarrior]

...who did my son meet because of a snow storm visiting in New York, Jerry Seinfeld; the Big Apple, small town, eh.

...just over the bridge in Queens, is nice, and convenient; but don't take my word for it, that was thirty years ago; good luck.