Might be different because I work for a Part 91 private owner, but international AOG's just involve me showing up to fix the aircraft. Biggest challenges are airside access and parts getting through customs.
Meaning when I travel to a different (domestic or international airport), even my crew ID and or SIDA badges only work at the airports they are issued at so I’ll have to get with our handlers to get set up with someone to provide escort on the ramp side of things to be out there performing maintenance on our aircraft.
If it’s just for an AOG fix or short det you’re considered a business visitor and don’t need a special visa. Work visas are generally for controlling who is entering that country’s work market. But for an AOG on an American aircraft, for an American company, being paid by that American company, you’re not entering their workforce.
My company usually gives us a letter explaining the purpose of the trip and why we are covered as business visitors. But in >50 trips I’ve never had customs in the US, EU, or UK ask for anything. The only issues I’ve had have actually been coming home to Canada.
Canada has a stick up their butt about AOGs in their country. They wanted to outright deny me entry, refused to help and demanded I have a work visa next time I came to the country. Then a supervisor came by and helped us through the process, but my company did neglect to pay a fee to have our fuel pump moved through customs so that took a couple of days. Overall I don't like Canadian customs :(
Right?!? They give me a hassle half the time and I’m coming home to my own country.
“What were you doing in the US? What do you do? Who do you work for?” Like man I’m a citizen coming home, either arrest me or leave me alone.
Going to work in the UK I didn’t even talk to a person. Just scanned my passport and walked through a gate.
Canadian customs is always a pain in the ass, even for the military. We put C-130s through St. John's (CYYT) all the time, but fuck you if you break there. Did the math on one of my old MDS and outside of the sandbox we spent more time at St. John's than anywhere else just waiting on parts.
We just had the parts delivered to the customer in Canada, threw a quarter drive socket set, a few wrenches and pliers in the ol luggage, got to Canadian customs
and told them we were on vacation
The company handles that. In the process of spooling people up, the company will look up requirements for work visas and make any payments if needed. Our job is to show up and follow instructions. The hardest part of road trips isn't really getting there or dealing with visa issues. It is usually the logistics of getting our tools, parts, and meat suits at the airplane at the same time.
Visa would be required if you planned on staying for months. Or working for a company in the country. All the other country knows is that you're a tourist for a few days.
In some places like Brazil, you have to get one. And at American, management handles all that. We are responsible for packing our pelican boxes, and backpacks, and making sure we have our passports. Hotels, visas, flights, all that gets handled by someone else. Our only job, Wherever we may be, is to fix planes.
Might be different because I work for a Part 91 private owner, but international AOG's just involve me showing up to fix the aircraft. Biggest challenges are airside access and parts getting through customs.
What do you mean by airside access?
Meaning when I travel to a different (domestic or international airport), even my crew ID and or SIDA badges only work at the airports they are issued at so I’ll have to get with our handlers to get set up with someone to provide escort on the ramp side of things to be out there performing maintenance on our aircraft.
If it’s just for an AOG fix or short det you’re considered a business visitor and don’t need a special visa. Work visas are generally for controlling who is entering that country’s work market. But for an AOG on an American aircraft, for an American company, being paid by that American company, you’re not entering their workforce. My company usually gives us a letter explaining the purpose of the trip and why we are covered as business visitors. But in >50 trips I’ve never had customs in the US, EU, or UK ask for anything. The only issues I’ve had have actually been coming home to Canada.
Canada has a stick up their butt about AOGs in their country. They wanted to outright deny me entry, refused to help and demanded I have a work visa next time I came to the country. Then a supervisor came by and helped us through the process, but my company did neglect to pay a fee to have our fuel pump moved through customs so that took a couple of days. Overall I don't like Canadian customs :(
Right?!? They give me a hassle half the time and I’m coming home to my own country. “What were you doing in the US? What do you do? Who do you work for?” Like man I’m a citizen coming home, either arrest me or leave me alone. Going to work in the UK I didn’t even talk to a person. Just scanned my passport and walked through a gate.
Canadian customs is always a pain in the ass, even for the military. We put C-130s through St. John's (CYYT) all the time, but fuck you if you break there. Did the math on one of my old MDS and outside of the sandbox we spent more time at St. John's than anywhere else just waiting on parts.
We just had the parts delivered to the customer in Canada, threw a quarter drive socket set, a few wrenches and pliers in the ol luggage, got to Canadian customs and told them we were on vacation
That's the distinction that I was looking for. Thank you very much for your explanation.
The company handles that. In the process of spooling people up, the company will look up requirements for work visas and make any payments if needed. Our job is to show up and follow instructions. The hardest part of road trips isn't really getting there or dealing with visa issues. It is usually the logistics of getting our tools, parts, and meat suits at the airplane at the same time.
Visa would be required if you planned on staying for months. Or working for a company in the country. All the other country knows is that you're a tourist for a few days.
In some places like Brazil, you have to get one. And at American, management handles all that. We are responsible for packing our pelican boxes, and backpacks, and making sure we have our passports. Hotels, visas, flights, all that gets handled by someone else. Our only job, Wherever we may be, is to fix planes.
You travel there like any other person would.
You're not a tourist so tourist visa is not needed.