Truth about working for Emirates. [Archive]

flighttime2.0

15th Sep 2012, 00:09

Hi all,

Looking for a little advise from those who work in Emirates. I am considering applying for a direct entry position but before I do I would like to get a good idea what is ahead if I get offered a position.

First of all it's not an easy decision for me as I'm already employed in a very good Airline so I really need to know I'm making the right decision if the opportunity arises. I am very happy with the company I work for but with the continuing downturn in the economy and the constant increase in the cost of living, I can't help but think I could provide better for family in the future if I was to move on.

Questions I would like answered is stuff like salary, benefits, accommodation as a married man with a child, education and health care for the wife and kids, pension for the future, staff travel privileges. Road to command ect! And importantly life living in Dubai with wife and kids.

I know this is a lot of questions but I appreciate all answers as this could be the biggest move of my life.

Luke SkyToddler

15th Sep 2012, 00:49

Money, benefits, etc are all easily researched but take my advice, when it comes to the M.E. and families, happy wife = happy life, and unhappy wife = a painful and probably expensive bail out after a couple of years. Go out there with her and check the place out properly first, then let her make the yes / no decision

Wizofoz

15th Sep 2012, 07:08

And if you mean DEC, I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed.

EK380

15th Sep 2012, 08:13

Yes indeed, no more DEC interviews for the time being and probably for the foreseeable future. Even though it is still on the site.

They might invite you for an interview but only offer you the job as an F/O... Check before starting the process.

donpizmeov

15th Sep 2012, 09:20

Guys,

You may want to check your facts. DEC interviews are full on at the moment. I believe they need another 40 before the end of March.

the Don

Wizofoz

15th Sep 2012, 09:44

Thanks, don, wasn't aware of that- but are they accepting new applications?

ferris

15th Sep 2012, 09:52

I don't think he is looking at DEC, or he wouldn't be interested in the "road to command".........

McNulty

15th Sep 2012, 11:33

archer_737

15th Sep 2012, 16:31

Seems that a lot of singles are living in the are of the Marina and having a good time there.
To be honest I would say that life for a single is easier everywhere. But that's just my opinion.
Good luck to you!

Rich8a10

16th Sep 2012, 08:15

Flighttime, about living in Dubai:

I think what Luke says its true, Happy wife = happy life.
I am living in Dubai with my wife and daughter and we are very happy, the quality of life that I can give them is much higher that what I could give to them in Mexico.
Some guys will tell you that Dubai is the worst place in earth, etc etc, but I think it actually depends on you, you can make it a nice place to enjoy life or make it misserable for you and your family. Off course it has things I dont like but thats the same in every city in the world.

As others told you, maybe you can come with your wife, take a look, and take your desicion.

LHR Rain

16th Sep 2012, 10:05

It is real simple; if you have a good passport or are working for a good airline stay at home.
If you have a 3rd world passport or work for a ****e airline EK might be a good gig if you can tolerate Dubai. It is a 3rd world police state with not much to do. You will never see so many people in one place with so little brains. Don't let anyone tell you differently!

spanishfly69

16th Sep 2012, 11:19

I Normally do not reply in this forum, but I could not resist this time.
A good passport?
LHR, what is a good passport? That is a good question. That is so relative. I have not one, but two GOOD passports (USA, ESPANA). And I enjoy dubai living in Dubai.

helen-damnation

16th Sep 2012, 12:30

flighttime 2.0

There's lots of info around, do a search and try to see past some of the vitriol from the trolls.

Life is good in Dubai if you can accept that it's a different culture, legal system etc. As long as you come here with your eyes open and are prepared to learn how the system works, you'll be fine.

The people with problems seem to be those come here expecting everything to be the way if was back "home". They've seen the glossy adverts, the big sell and aren't prepared for the reality.

If you do come, make it your home. By that, I mean you shouldn't treat it as a temporary base. If you want the boat and the big tv, get it and make yourself comfortable. Life here isn't perfect, but it's not perfect anywhere. Giving yourself the best possible chance of enjoying your time will help in a big way.

Good luck,
H-D

BYMONEK

16th Sep 2012, 12:58

Maybe you should consider the fact the several guys have left Emirates over the years for greener pastures only to realise that life in Dubai isn't so bad after all and have decided to return. We're about to receive a returning colleague (with a 'good' passport) who spent 5 years or so with EasyJet. He'll return as a DEC.

Having said that, I know of some Serbian guy who left Ryanair to come here some years back, lasted less than a year and decided MOL's mob was a better place to be! However, the number of people leaving Ryanair and Easy to come here would suggest that his decision was somewhat unusual. Horses for courses and all dependent on personal circumstances.

Edited to agree with H-D's post.

CAYNINE

17th Sep 2012, 01:27

H-D well put,

Just let me add..... never ever get involved with banks and buying property here.

JMHO

harry the cod

18th Sep 2012, 13:49

Caynine

Not sure about your comment there, perhaps you've had your fingers burnt by the property crash? Some guys have done very well buying their family homes here, many now with small mortgages covered by the Company and sitting on lots of equity. The company will give you an extra 180k per year. That's a lot of money to put into a mortgage over the next 15 years or so. Buying off plan and dealing with the likes of Nakheel I'd agree with avoiding but now is still a good time to buy as prices slowly starting to rise again. If you have a deposit, are planning long term, you'd be daft not to buy. Even if you decide not to live in it, rental yields are almost double those in the UK.

Regarding the banks, you have no choice. No bank, no salary. Stick with the western ones regulated in the UK. At least you have some recourse should things go pete tong.

Harry

BigGeordie

18th Sep 2012, 14:52

Harry, none of the UAE banks are regulated in the UK. They are "franchises" for want of a better expression and are free to do whatever they want. You have to have a bank account but generally I find it better to have as little as possible to do with the banks in Dubai. Much better for my blood pressure.

falconeasydriver

18th Sep 2012, 15:36

You have to have a bank account but generally I find it better to have as little as possible to do with the banks in Dubai. Much better for my blood pressure.

Sage advice, I keep 10K dhs here as working capital, the rest goes offshore, no cheque book, credit cards, or loans other than the company one.
I will never purchase property here, far better in my view to invest in more regulated markets where if it does go a bit Doherty, you have protection.

Wizofoz

18th Sep 2012, 17:10

This may be a sign of the coming Apocalypse, BUT......

Sittingidly is right!!

Sciolistes

18th Sep 2012, 18:39

sittingidly is usually right! :ok:

Emma Royds

20th Sep 2012, 18:46

Like with many things in life, you find different points of view among a group of people. To anyone thinking of coming, Dubai is what you make it. The happier guys along with their family members that are here are the ones that have embraced Dubai and have called it home. You have got to make that fundamental 'mind shift' for you to be happy here or else you will end up commuting or will want to leave, regardless of who you work for out here. There is a lot of bureaucracy and 'job creation' in this part of the world and getting things done can sometimes be painfully slow and frustrating but I have a far better quality of life here than I had back in the UK.

One thing that has given me an element of concern is if you buy property and you loose your medical then what would you do then? If you can stay gainfully employed on the ground then that is a bonus but if not and you had to leave, then you are at the mercy of the bank allowing you to leave the UAE and settling the outstanding mortgage from wherever you ended up moving to? I have heard the latter happen on one occasion to one lucky chap but I would consider that the exception rather then the rule? Especially considering how uneasy they are with cancelling your visa with outstanding debt, still to pay in the country.

fliion

21st Sep 2012, 09:00

Sitty,

10-15% in gold eh?

My oh my how you have changed your tune over the years.

Nice to see logic working.

f.

BYMONEK

21st Sep 2012, 19:41

Any chance of getting back to topic please?

junglie-driver

21st Sep 2012, 20:47

Sitting idly - how do you find so much time to post you Dissertations on Prune? Don't you have a lady/boyfriend to converse with? Or a Television? Wow....

Microburst2002

22nd Sep 2012, 07:06

Sitting, I have become a fan of yours.

I have been thinking about the gold thing. I have only small savings, the first time I have such thing as savings, actually. They are too small to buy a property in my homeland, I don't want to invest in any financial product because, like you, I don't trust the system at all. Problem is that since I started thinking about gold it has risen like a 40%... And now it seems like it is too late...

What options do I have? Where can I place my savings? I feel unease when my only link with my savings is a website.

I also thought about buying property here (that is, taking the risk of a mortgage). I was looking at that option, not to speculate but to live in the place, and hope that in 10 years I will be pocketing my housing allowance and living in my own place. In the timeline, there would be a few years of great exposure, but less every year, Right? And in about 15 years I would have saved money even if the house sinks in the desert, because I would have payed the same amount if I had just rented all those years. If the house, however, remains there, I can use it or sell it and that would be my saving, for my retirement, or university of my children or whatever.

But I can't leave in DXB anymore. I am moving to AUH. I don't know if property in AUH is a good idea. I mean, would the house be sellable or rentable after 15 years?

Microburst2002

23rd Sep 2012, 17:41

Jungle Driver

This is an internet forum where people writes, but it is not mandatory to read all the posts. I recommend you to read them not in full but one sentence here, another there, and then quickly pass to another post until you find one that interests you. Then you read only those that are relevant to you. Then you will save a lot of time.

Threethirty

23rd Sep 2012, 18:08

Sittingidly, I agree with most of what you say, however, I would argue that the ME uprisings are not homegrown but are probably the result of western backed terrorists, LIFG and MEK for example, stirring up hate and propaganda in order for the empire builders, we know who they are, to lay claim to the spoils in the violent aftermath.

http://landdestroyer.********.co.uk/2012/09/human-rights-watch-syrian-rebels-guilty.html

Dropp the Pilot

24th Sep 2012, 16:17

Perhaps simultaneously the funniest and most pathetic thing I have ever read on 'prune.

Reference Matthew 15:14.

junglie-driver

24th Sep 2012, 19:13

Good evening Microburst2002, thank you for the splendid advice. Have been windering for some time now on how to use Forums such as PPrune. Inshallah it will be easier from now on.....

Grease Weasel

24th Sep 2012, 19:53

There's a whole load of interesting financial and political insights on this thread and I don't want to be a spoil-sport but I am also interested in what the original poster was asking about.

Stuff like pay, salary, benefits etc is all info that can be gleaned from elsewhere but what is harder to put one's finger on is 'Is EK and Dubai for me.' I know that it's a highly subjective and personal question and no single person can give you the answer, all you can do is gather as much information from as many like-minded people as possible and make your own better informed decision.

What concerns me is leaving a stable 'known quantity' job for the unknown, possibly burning bridges in the process. None of us know for sure what the job market will be like in 10-15 years time but it seems as though Europe has had it's day and China and India will be the places of future expansion - not particularly comforting to those who would be comforted with the knowledge that there will be bolt-hole close to home...

So does Dubai have an expiry date? Is it fine for the first few years, but becomes a challenge after 10? How many people currently working there see themselves staying until retirement? How many would jump at the chance of a left-seat job in a stable airline in Europe?

Any insights into these questions would be very interesting. I guess it's aimed at those who have families with them out there. Do those families get sent away to avoid the summer heat, and those that don't - how do the wife and kids cope with the summer holiday blast furnace - enough stuff for them to do? Having done a little research the school situation seems to be a big headache - I must have called 10-15 schools, only 1 gave me ANY hope of finding a place for my kids.

Thanks in advance for the info everyone, much appreciated.:ok:

Bindair Dundat

25th Sep 2012, 03:10

We spent over 10 years at the EK gig. It was fine but the job definitely has a shelf life. Dubai just wears you down after awhile. The initial three years are fine, though you won't save nearly as much money as you hoped. The next three you start making more money (or in the good old days of 3 years to command you did) and you cruise a bit....more slack in the budget for trips abroad to make life more palatable. The last years, for us, were a grind. Schedules worse, chronic fatigue, sick kids all the time, spiralling education and food costs. Summers as a family apart. Staying in Dubai for the length of the hot season is suicidal for your wife and absolute shyte for your kids. They will see the inside of the villa, the inside of the neighbor's villa, the inside of the car and the inside of the mall. Mind-numbing and soul destroying after awhile. It all comes down to the morning when you look in the mirror and realize that you are doing all this for a pay cheque and nothing else.....

falconeasydriver

25th Sep 2012, 07:41

Come to EK with two buckets....advice given to me.

One for money, the other for all the C R A P that you face at times.
When either one fills up, it's time to leave.
This is my 3rd year, the family bail in June and arrive back late August, we don't do the "buy toys or Friday brunch" thing, we have friends away from EK.
I go to work, do my thing and come home, I am a submarine.
As far as the job goes, the 777 offers lots of variety, some fatiguing trips but my standing bid takes me to a couple of spots on our network that I like but most don't, all in all we, as a family, are happy.

Payscale

26th Sep 2012, 07:36

I did this for a pay cheque before I came here. I am still doing it for a pay cheque. Only this one is better than the one back home. Nothing wrong with that. The romanticism about being a pilot does last the 25 years I have been in the business. Maybe it does for you!

putt for dough

26th Sep 2012, 11:21

PayscaleI notice you are " in the gulf playing golf." As a matter
of interest what does a round cost at a decent course and does your emirates
card make it affordable, to play a round say 2-3 per month?

Pequena_Inquieta

27th Sep 2012, 02:51

Are there married couples (pilot + cc) in EK? In my previous airline it's possible to have what we call "married roster" or have the same days off. That would make life a lot better away from our homeland, but since most airlines in Brazil don't give their crew this benefit, I started to think it might not be very usual in other countries as well. Is that possible at EK?
For us here, married roster means having ALL flights, days off, reserve, vacations, etc together, which is not possible only if both are flight deck crewmembers, and you don't even have to be married.
Thanks in advance.

Wizofoz

27th Sep 2012, 03:28

Yes there are married couples ( Pilot +CC, CC+CC and at least one pilot+pilot couple) but there is NO accomodation for this in the bidding system, so they just have to do the best they can with bidding.

Pequena_Inquieta

27th Sep 2012, 10:24

Uhmmm...ok. But what about the married roster? Thanks

vfenext

27th Sep 2012, 11:23

No married roster. Divorce roster only!

Left Coaster

28th Sep 2012, 06:55

Yes...with your EPC card there are quite a a few clubs with discounts. Along with the discount coupon book you will no doubt be told about, it adds up to you being able to afford several rounds per month...
FORE!
LC

AirbusAssimilated

28th Sep 2012, 09:07

Hi boys and girls, anybody aware of Toyota or Volkswagen etc deals for Ek pilots?
Thanks

Bindair Dundat

28th Sep 2012, 15:34

Outlaw,

No we left. One of the best things I have ever done for my family. 10 years was more than enough. Hey, the place works for some but have found over the years to stay sane there, you have to pour lots of money on the situation.....trips, new cars, toys etc. etc. but it doesn't take long before you realize no amount of money will ever fill the void that living in DXB really is...if you are honest with yourself.

Craggenmore

28th Sep 2012, 18:33

As a matter of interest what does a round cost at a decent course and does your emirates card make it affordable, to play a round say 2-3 per month?

During summer, golf for EPC card holders is a give away.

Ranches from 1st June to Sept 30th at 100 AED per round, then 200 high season.
Same dates at Monty is 120 AED per round, then 220 high season.
Al Badia ia 1000 AED per month year round.
5 months Els membership at 3200 AED..!

One round at Sunningdale will cost you 900 AED alone. You just cannot find golf this cheap anywhere in Europe for the brilliant service you receive on the class of course you play.

Additionally, by joining the Emirates Golf Society you get to play the pro Tour courses, year round, (Majlis, Fire/Earth and Creek) for around 150 AED per round, once a month, in various competitions.

The Boeing day is noteworthy for their superb prizes. Last year had Boeing dishing out new Calloway drivers, Bushnell range finders, Odessey putters and buckets of Pro V1's.

It's a hard life.

LHR Rain

29th Sep 2012, 08:11

What airline did you work at before Craggenmore?
It is a hard life here. 8 days off a month, midnight turnarounds and treated like slaves but it is a good deal for you Cragg.

White Knight

29th Sep 2012, 20:15

It is a hard life here. 8 days off a month, midnight turnarounds

Speak for yourself ::}:}:}:}

gileraguy

30th Sep 2012, 08:40

Sitingidly, your challenge has inspired me.

For the last 400 million years humans have barely managed to survive on a day to day basis.

The phenomenon of conspicuous consumption as a pathway to happiness could be regarded as somewhat of a delusion.

Sure, it's the system that is here in this eye blink, but why take it do seriously?

nolimitholdem

30th Sep 2012, 15:41

I'm not sure the words "Truth" and "Emirates" should even be used in the same sentence, that's about as close as those two commodities will ever be, and never the twain shall meet.

But this line did make me snort my chocolate milk out my nose:

No married roster. Divorce roster only!

Truer words, never spoken. Well played sir.

Craggenmore

5th Oct 2012, 17:48

LHR Rain,

I thought I told you to go chill.......:ok:

Major Lazer - 'Get Free' feat. Amber (of Dirty Projectors) OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO + HQ AUDIO - YouTube

putt for dough

6th Oct 2012, 12:38

Thanks for the reply lads!

All the best.:ok:

pfm08

7th Oct 2012, 10:46

Hi gents,
quite a bit off topic, but does anyone have recent experience with transferring in company accommodation?
we have what we believe to be legitimate reasons to request this but find the accommodation department to be rather unaccommodating!
any useful gen would be appreciated. thanks

givemewings

7th Oct 2012, 15:56

No pun intended of course?! :p

Are you talking to them over the phone/email or in person? In my experience they are pretty useless at returning calls/emails but if you stand over their desks in the office stuff suddenly gets done. It's quite draining but you just have to go annoy them until they give you what you want. Really is a case of squeaky wheel gets the grease. Be sure to ask for ALL the required forms or you will get the "fill this in for us" - check - then a week later "okay now fill this one in" and repeat.... :ugh:

I dealt with 3 or 4 different ladies, the Emirati girl at the 2nd desk in was the most helpful, can't recall her name. Mind you this was for CC accomm so not sure if the process differs a lot or not at all... good luck

Threethirty

10th Jan 2013, 14:25

What I really like about it is the tolerance,patience,acceptance and non racist attitude that is on display everywhere What you mean like in Syria, probably the most secular ME country there is where Christians, Muslims and Jews live in harmony. You think it's ok for Clinton and her cronies to use the same fundamentalist Al Qaeda factions they used to invade Libya and generally carry out the corporatist globalist agenda of squashing and destroying any nation that just may have a disagreement with the fractional reserve banking cartels? Tell me on one hand why does the West support Al Qaeda terror gangs in Syria, yet on the other bomb innocent Pakistanis and Afghans with merciless drone attacks under the pretext of them harboring Al Qaeda terrorists! Does your brain not question the logic with that one?

tbaylx

10th Jan 2013, 20:47

Poor Americans can't win..they attack Afghanistan and they're vilified, they don't invade Syria and they're the issue again. Tough being the superpower.

fliion

11th Jan 2013, 09:26

Just when we thought Sitty had calmed down...

....worse than ever.

Yawn

f.

vfenext

11th Jan 2013, 11:18

I personally think that you are depriving a village somewhere of idiot. Couldn't agree more.

The Dominican

11th Jan 2013, 11:23

I hope that the few last posts are not representative of the truth about working for Emirates:eek:

MrMachfivepointfive

11th Jan 2013, 12:31

My Dominican friend - you are right. Just the usual brawl between the kids. Most of them are Ozzies actually. Don't know why.
Okay - been here for far more than 10 years. Some is good and some is bad, but ten horses won't be able to drag me back to my last outfit. That was a Star Alliance member, main base FRA.

ironbutt57

13th Jan 2013, 15:21

And of course everything over here is all luvly-jubly...

fliion

13th Jan 2013, 16:25

Sitty,

Thanks for the history lesson on a thriving democracy...

Now for some balance lets hear your take on the other two superpowers that presumably you would live in if you had the choice of the three...so come in let's hear it on the moral path that China & Russia have taken...

... And when you're finished with that show some REAL courage and give us the low down on the country you live and work in.

After all anything else would be hypocritical.

You see in my country you can park yourself outside the White House and say what you want about us and our system while enjoying full legal protection - and that my friend came at an expensive price (on the subject of money - the taxes that I pay go into the pot that pays for for part of your protection living here - I digress)

When you' re finished in DC head on over to Red Sq, Tiannamen and finally here in this region... and let us know how you get on.

E Pluribus Unum - a country who's president B. Hussein Obama is black, foreign secretary a woman - and it's greatest city is run by a Jew.

Respectfully,

f.

PS. The US SecDef nominee is from the opposition party ... Eh there is no effective opposition in Russia & China...beyond that I will let you handle our current locale.

Standing by.

Semaphore Sam

13th Jan 2013, 19:47

Sitty's list is less than comprehensive...which does not excuse the criminal activity going on in other countries by THEIR political elites. The massacres of civilians in the Philippines and Korea by the US military are hardly mentioned in the US of A, and many other atrocities; the corruption of the media is a disgrace; they have become mouthpieces for the cabal in power, of whichever party. Oh well, back to Bread and Circuses, and the March to the Superbowl, and the ongoing evolution towards Empire. Sam