hixton

Can anyone tell me if a UK airline set up a US base would it be possible for a pilot to transfer on an L1 company visa, or would they have to prove that no US citizen could do the job? (hopefully not as they are 20 to the dozen!)

Thanks!

ian-mstm

It's not just that there may be no USC that could do the job, you probably need to hold either a managerial position within the company (which, I'm guessing, a pilot doesn't), or you need to have specialized or superior skills within the company (which, again, I'm guessing a pilot doesn't).

Ian

Brit3964

It is possible I suppose if you were to be their new chief pilot. That position is definitely a managerial position. But a regular line pilot, no.

scrubbedexpat099

The thought of any UK Airline expanding into the US at the moment is amusing.

Brit3964

Whilst that's true, BA & American Airlines have been talking on the possibility of just that, even if not a full merger:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...-airways_N.htm

Folinskyinla

Hi:

I am amused at questions like this which are so broad that they are incapable of an answer. Actually, about 20 years ago, I did obtain an L-1A for a pilot. Wasn't for an airline though.

However, in cases like the one posited, I am solely tempted to ask "What did you tell your attorney and what did she say?"

Brit3964

Take it from me, as a former non-USC pilot, it's not easy to obtain or move jobs as a pilot over here anymore thanks to the TSA non-citizen background check requirements, both for initial and recurrent training. I'm very happy to be a USC now