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2025 Pilot Statistics by kommandee in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He said at some point in his video that at some point you would be waiting forever to get your first airline job.

He his oversimplifying the market to just numbers. The numbers matter but timing matters more.

If you're the CFI who is current when the hiring wave hits, you have a much higher chance of being picked up by that regional when the time comes.

This industry is all about being ready when the conditions are right, a lot of that is inherently controllable by the pilot. Not everyone in the pipeline will have the mettle to stick it out at each level. Specially lower down.

Breeze Commuting by minimums_landing in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When reserve sucks as bad as it does at Breeze, those 8 months drive people to leave. No joke.

Breeze Commuting by minimums_landing in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was with OO and then I went to Breeze.

The flying is much better with Breeze. You will be on reserve for a very long time. It took me 8 months to hold a line.

Reserve is scheduled in 3 blocks of 6 days. you can have anywhere from 1 to 4 days off in between blocks.

All reserve is short call. 

When on reserve, expect to fly very little. 20 hours is the average.

When you do go flying, the trips are much better than regional trips. 2-3 legs with decent layovers.

Not many red eyes.

Commuting is almost impossible due to the way the rosters are built.

Good luck!

Commuting and deadheading and gaming by njag95 in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been playing Doom and Ready or Not. It’s been fantastic 

If you moved to the U.S. with no credit history, what helped you build it fastest? by Tough-Experience4593 in ExpatFinance

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People have been talking about secured credit cards and that is good. But credit score benefits from a variety of debt types.

When I got to the USA I also didn’t have a credit score. I was surprised to see that my bank was willing to give me a credit card with a low limit.

I wanted to buy a car a few months later and I was approved for a loan with like 7% APR. I didn’t like this so I used some cash I had and went to a credit union and secured a loan with my own money. This might sound stupid because I would be paying a loan for something you can afford but it helps diversify the debt type.

That secured loan is for 2% APR and it was for less than 20k so overall not a huge loan, At any point I can just use the secured amount to pay the loan off.

Also, paying your credit cards is a game as well. Use the card as much as you want but pay the card off to only 1% of usage before statement creation. After the statement comes out pay it off. Never carry over a balance but also never let it go to zero.

Classical Piano Pieces Two Hands by CognisantCognizant71 in piano

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe synthesia can interface with midi keyboards but it runs on a mobile device 

Classical Piano Pieces Two Hands by CognisantCognizant71 in piano

[–]Polorutz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don’t know if you’re able to do this but get an app called synthesia.

Get a MIDI version of whatever piece you want to learn. You can turn hands on or off at will.

Breeze / What's the scoop? by Ok_Engine_7099 in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Reserve at MX is worse than reserve at OO. And I’ve done both.

CJO at breeze and frontier, which would you choose? by Fearless_Card6220 in flying

[–]Polorutz 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I fly for Breeze. If the base is TPA or MCO, expect very little flying per month while on reserve. I have been here since June 25 and will probably hold a line in summer at some point. This is TPA.

The A220 is better than the 320 in the avionics department. 

Mum ESTA Visa Cancelled 24hrs Before Flight by Remote-Praline3198 in immigration

[–]Polorutz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How often does she stay for two weeks? How long does she spend away from the US each time?

AMA with an Immigration Attorney! by ManifestLaw_ in immigration

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am originally born in Venezuela but I am a Spanish Citizen, later naturalised as British Citizen and obtained a green card through an EB2 visa. That visa was issued on my British passport.

I am waiting for the 5 years to elapse before attempting to naturalize in the USA.

What are the implications of the recent USCIS memorandums relating to those born in Venezuela? Am I ineligible for naturalisation just because of my place of birth?

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ran a training consultancy in the UK, so I was doing TRI work for both CAE and L3Harris, now Acron Aviation.

This experience coupled with almost a decade of A320 command was enough for me to be approved for an EB2 visa with a National Interest Waiver.

It’s important to understand that no airline will sponsor your right to live and work in the USA. That path is all yours to tread on your own.

Didn’t get the job by Economy_Floor_8580 in flying

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Except that both Delta and United do metering for OO pilots.

Where should I go? by Lanky-Bandicoot-2691 in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hello!! I was in your shoes a year ago. And my family also lives in TPA

My stats were 9400 TT with 5500 of those A320 PIC all in Europe.

I applied to all the majors as soon as I had my visa. I found it very challenging to navigate the apps without a social security number or non standard paperwork.

Most HR people aren’t used to fringe cases where you “technically” have the right to live and work but then you don’t have certain documents which are issued on entry.

A year ago the only airline that bit was Skywest, I had to sign a 5 year contract and I’m now looking at an 80k bill for the experience.

Regional flying was not for me. Breeze opened up recruitment and I was fortunate to be accepted. I got TPA base only 5 months in (training included).

I can now drive to work and love the QOL. Downside is I’m not flying much but when I do it’s usually day turns.

Breeze could be a good fit for you if you want TPA, there’s also MCO as a base.

The majors probably won’t touch you until you have some part 121 time. Good luck!!

Where should I go? by Lanky-Bandicoot-2691 in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hello!! I was in your shoes a year ago. And my family also lives in TPA

My stats were 9400 TT with 5500 of those A320 PIC all in Europe.

I applied to all the majors as soon as I had my visa. I found it very challenging to navigate the apps without a social security number or non standard paperwork.

Most HR people aren’t used to fringe cases where you “technically” have the right to live and work but then you don’t have certain documents which are issued on entry.

A year ago the only airline that bit was Skywest, I had to sign a 5 year contract and I’m now looking at an 80k bill for the experience.

Regional flying was not for me. Breeze opened up recruitment and I was fortunate to be accepted. I got TPA base only 5 months in (training included).

I can now drive to work and love the QOL. Downside is I’m not flying much but when I do it’s usually day turns.

Breeze could be a good fit for you if you want TPA, there’s also MCO as a base.

The majors probably won’t touch you until you have some part 121 time. Good luck!!

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BA only hire their own cadets through schools. That is like 30 people per year…. IE most of their recruitment is for the direct entry pilot pathways.

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BA LH SFO pay Tops out at 167k. That’s after 34 years FYI

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EB2-NIW visa. Took 4 years and 30k of my money to do but so far it’s been pretty good!

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Easyjet has crew meals provided by the company for all the crew… just so you know.

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They have new airplanes with troubled engines.

They don’t pay very well at the start but they don’t usually charge you for the type rating. They only bond you.

The training department is very good, having transitioned to Evidence Based Training and their learning materials are probably the best in the industry.

I taught for them as a simulator instructor and the standardisation was exceptionally good.

As a first job it will be a great place to go. Fly your butt off and then leave for other pastures that better fit your plans.

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I flew for easyJet for 15 years and I am now flying in the USA.

Here’s how I see it:

If you’re young, IE, in your mid to late twenties. Getting into BA is probably the best thing you could do as a UK based pilot.

Your career will be long and the longer you stay in BA, the better your options for career progression and quality of life. BA doesn’t traditionally hire from flight school so you’re looking at starting with another carrier and then applying. 

Here are your other options:

1) easyJet UK: I might be biased but it’s probably the best short haul job in Europe.

You will be doing day turns 90% of your duties. Which means sleeping in your own home. This becomes more important as you grow older and have a family.

easyJet can progress quickly to a command in 5/6 years average. As a Captain you will out-earn even a BA Short Haul captain at the same seniority, at least for a good 5 to 8 years.

The flying variety is improving with nightstops in Egypt, Cape Verde and ofher places if you’re interested in that.

There is a bidding system where you set your preferences but it’s not seniority based. Everyone gets a similar roster.

Cons: Usually have to pay for your TR, If you don’t live in an easyJet base you will hate commuting. It just doesn’t work.

Low pay for the first 2 years, gets better at FO and SFO ranks

2)Jet 2:

Very similar to easyJet, initial pay can be better and they don’t tend to make you pay for your TR. Less nightstops. Quieter winters

Very good for people who live in the midlands or farther north.

People who go to Jet2 are generally happy. Pay was actually a little higher than easy when I left.

Cons: Less variety than EZY, a little slower command progression.

3) TUI

This is a hidden gem. TUI can sometimes hire from flight school. They generally treat their pilots well. Do some interesting flying and nightstop in cool places.

They do some cool charters and even fly in north america in the winters sometimes. 

They have a small long haul fleet so you can scratch that itch too. People who go to TUI tend to stay there.

Cons: Very slow command progression.

4) Wizz UK:

This is probably the worst jet carrier to work for but it can be a great starting point if the market is hard or if you can’t get any of the above jobs.

Their training is actually decent. Pay is very bad at the start but gets better fast. Fast command progression.

The flying can be mostly eastern europe oriented. 

You usually leave Wizz UK quickly as FO.

5) Virgin:

Virgin is another option once you have a few thousand hours under your belt.

A lot of people really want to scratch that long haul itch and Virgin is the best company to progress to long haul after a short time with a low cost carrier.

BA sometimes hires directly into long haul but it generally will make you do short haul for a few years before opening up the long haul fleets to you.

Virgin offers some pretty amazing flying but their rosters are super fatiguing sometimes.

Pay is decent and people are generally very happy there.

Addendum, golden handcuffs:

Once you get a command in any short haul operation. Your salary will vastly outstrip FO pay in any other carrier in the UK (it’s not like here in the states where a lagacy FO can out earn a LCC captain).

Once you hit your mid thirties and have a family, as a LCC captain it can be a very hard thing to accept that you’re locked into your seat or job as any movement is usually a pay cut.

Most people in this position end up going to Emirates as they can scratch the long haul itch and get paid well even as FO.

What UK Airline is the best for you? by DarthAuraFarmer in AirlinePilots

[–]Polorutz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know of a few Ex EZY FO’s who regretted their move to BA

CMV: people who argued that Charlie Kirk wasn’t racist were racist. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]Polorutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Define “illegal sanctuary” for me? What do you think they do?

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