The FARs are a pain in the ass to read, but I didn't see under which FAR an "automatic" ATP license was awarded. The FARs I read said that a foreign ATP license qualified an applicant to test for a domestic ATP license, but didn't guarantee it.

I only looked for a few minutes online, so I could have missed it, but I'd like to see the rules. The article mentioned a ramp worker and a mechanic as well. Seemed a little "Wolf! Wolf!"-like to me ;-)

As far as keeping foreign certificated pilots out of our airspace goes, I don't see how that's remotely possible - unless we close our international airports.


bcnu,
Mikem