Rotana Jet requirements

[Champagne Lover]

Does anyone know what the requirements are to join Rotana Jet as a pilot?
Do you need to be type-rated with experience on type?
What is the pay?
Is a rotation system used?
What contract will you have to sign/agree to, is there a work ban if you leave them?
Are you bonded, even if you are type-rated and current?
Is there a medical insurance?
Do they assist with accommodation?
Do they assist with children's schooling?
etc, etc.

[tropikflyer]

Does anyone know what the requirements are to join Rotana Jet as a pilot?
Varies -E145- Fo- 2000 hrs, Capt - 3000hrs with some PIC in type. Company upgrades type rated FO's,. You will have to pass an initial P1 LPC at joining even for FO's.
(3 training days and 2 sim session's)(current or not) The current trend has been to hire E145 First Officers, then upgrade them to Captain E145. The Trend for the A320 has been Direct entry, Type Rated and experienced Captains - qualifications unknown - most likely 500 in type / PIC- with the exception below. This could and has changed with demand. You need an ATPL ICAO License to be considered, and all training is according to CAR OPS / EASA Compliant.

Do you need to be type-rated with experience on type?
yes/ yes - E145 / A320 / G450. The first 2 E145 Captains have transitioned to the A320 as P1 rated FO's. Company provided the type rating with a 24 month bond plus repayment of all training costs should they leave prior.There is no guarantee that any more E145 crew will transition to the A320.
Upgrades on the E145 : 3-6 (+/-) (?) months, Transitions to A320: ? Upgrade A320: ? G450 - only hiring (?) Type rated, high time First Officers.

What is the pay?
E145 FO- 21,000 aed p/mth ($5600) , E145 Capt 30,000 aed p/mth ($8000), A320 Fo 32,000 aed p/mth ($8600), A320 Capt 40,000 aed p/mth ($11,000) - all salary. There is no additional flight hour pay, productivity pay or completion / on time bonus. There is no overtime pay. Per diem is 18 aed ($5) per flight hour / time away from base - International only.
Training Captain / Nominated Commander / TRI Pay E145 is currently $0. TRI / TRE A320 Pay is currently -$0.

Is a rotation system used?
Previous hires were offered 2 months on / 1 month off - with tickets home, or full time of 11/1 if they wanted to take the housing allowance (additional 5000 aed ($1366) p/mth. Now, (for the past year) all new hires are offered 11 month on /1 month off with tickets to "point of hire - home domicile" ONLY. Day's off varies weekly and constantly changes. 7 - 8 scheduled day's off per month. - no guarantee. Undetermined number of "available" (reserve) days per month - could be as many as 23 per month. Airfare is economy and possibly they may place you in "staff" travel with one of the 2 major Gulf region airlines.

What contract will you have to sign/agree to, is there a work ban if you leave them?
YES -UAE Labor law, open end contract with end of service benefits after 1 year. Work ban in the form of "joining bond". ($20,000usd and 3 years) probationary period of 6 months.

Are you bonded, even if you are type-rated and current?
Yes, Joining bond of $20,000usd and 3 years. Upgrade training bond of 2 years and repayment of all training cost; Type rating - hotels - travel - per diem.

Is there a medical insurance?
Medical -yes / Vision -no /Dental -no.

Do they assist with accommodation?
Company provides "shared" - serviced accommodation ,in a company owned 3 star "Hotel / Apartments. You could have 2-3 roommates from various departments of the company. A very"sub standard" 5,000 aed p/mth ($1366) housing allowance is offered in lieu of company provided accommodations. Typical, decent apartments in this region rent for double the housing allowance offered, plus utilities and transportation. Lease's are one year minimum, paid in advance - usually 2 installments. Short term, month to month apartment leases are rare and cost even more. There are other hotels that offer long term month to month leases. Married or not married couples not permitted in company provided housing. The Company Hotel / Apartment is a very active, 20 floor building with many transient, non employee - guests.(it's a hotel)
For employees staying in the company provided Hotel / Apartment - there is a shuttle service to / from Rotana Jet Operations.

Do they assist with children's schooling?
NO educational allowance is being offered.

The company is in the first couple of years of start up Flight Operations and the target market appears undetermined. Rotana Jet is pursuing a UAE GCAA Air Carrier Certificate, to conduct scheduled flight operations within The Middle east, Southern Europe and Asia from their Al Bateen Excutive Airport, Abu Dhabi , UAE base of operations. The company maybe considering moving flight operations to another airport in the region with more expansion capabilities. Current flight operations have all been designated as charter and operate out of the Al Bateen Excutive Airport Terminal in Abu Dhabi.

Current fleet: 2-E145, 2 A319, 1-G450. Aircraft orders for undetermined additions to the E145 and A319 fleet, although the expansion appears to favor the Airbus fleet.
Pilots
E145 - 18 (10 Capt / 8 Fo)
A319 - 8 (4 Capt / 4 Fo)
G450 - 3 (2 Capt / 1 Fo)
Flight Attendants - 15 (most are qualified on all company aircraft)
Total Employees - 73 (Office, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Maintenance, Pilots, Flight Attendants) 2 offices - Marketing - Dubai, Flight Operations - Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The company pays for air travel to start and end contract, entry visa, resident visa, medicals, and any license , training course's and permits required to perform your job - pilot / flight attendant / mechanic / operations. Uniforms are provided when required and recurrent training, travel, hotel and per diem is provided when required. Occasionally they place you in staff travel for recurrent training. (no seat selection).

The company is implementing new restrictions to prevent employees from leaving for more lucrative jobs within the region, via bond and contract limitations. Being familiar with the UAE labor laws and Visa's is recommended prior to joining. Jumping ship to another carrier in the region may be difficult or impossible unless proper procedures are followed, concerning bonds, contracts and visa's. To join another carrier in "the region," your bond or contract limitations must be met or they simply will not cancel your visa, and you will need that accomplished before another employer can accept you for employment in the UAE. If you happen to come back to the UAE at some time in the future with a "not cancelled" Visa, you may face an issue with UAE Immigration.

[BeCareful]

Wow... those T&C's are horrible!!!

[twotigers]

Thats' laughable. They'll only get the out of work and unemployable on that.
That's seriously a 1/3 of what guys I know get on 320 in HK, and well under 1/2 of most contract jobs in China.

[Sina320]

Current FO on the 145 for a U.S regional (2800 TT 700 isn in the 145). I applied a few months ago but haven't heard anything. Does anyone know if they are still actively interviewing FOs?

I've been to Dubai many times (have family there) and wouldn't mind moving down there at all.

Any info (phone numbers for HR, email addresses) would be greatly appreciate it

[BeCareful]

Good luck living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi on that... Maybe in RAK.

[Sina320]

It beats making 1600$ a month while based out of New York and commuting from the west coast :D

[Whose your daddy]

Are there plans to introduce education allowance ?
This package would only appeal to single pilots !
Any inside info greatly appreciated .....

[tropikflyer]

[email protected] / [email protected]

[tropikflyer]

according to the head office --- there is no planned increase in housing allowance and a no educational allowance being offered.

[tropikflyer]

please see the information posted above--concerning the "joining bond" $20,000 USD / 3 years, and no guarantee of transition to other equipment. Also, confirmed recent reports -- that there is a "block" in place with another Major carrier in the region, and it is expected that this process will continue with other Major carriers. Don't expect in the future to be able to easily jump ship to another carrier once here.

[tropikflyer]

The company is seeking (but not hiring apparently) Type rated crew for the A319 and EMB145, and experienced flight attendants in any aircraft - Flight attendants are currently expected to work all fleet aircraft. The 3rd EMB145 is arriving 1st of May. The 3rd A319 is arriving 1st of June.

The company is maintaining a understaffed mode of operation, resulting in stress and fatigue with most employee's, not to mention constant scrutiny from the GCAA. Day's off are legal minimum or less (7/8) (depending on interpretation) and "day's off down line" are being considered legal day's off and being scheduled as "day off". Currently half the legal day's off for all flight crew in the A319, are down line in another country. You do receive per diem while downline and off, but currently no additional compensation for being out of base. Emb Crew are flying 4-6 short sector day's (20-40 minutes) and some International flights with minimum day's off spread thru the month.

A typical new hire takes 4-8 weeks to process with Emirates Visa/medical/ GCAA licensing/permits/medicals/initial training / travel. Not a worry for the new hire, as you are getting paid---but the hiring decision comes post haste and affects the current under staffing. It will not change, as it is more economical for the company to maintain this method of operation, than to be properly staffed, and to offer quality of life conditions or allowances - such as standard housing allowance or education allowance for kid's, to the employee's. Flight crew are on salary, no flight pay and per diem for only International flights.

They have not reached the level of "having" to offer better terms and conditions--yet. But if and when they do, it may affect all employee's---which is why it is not likely to happen. There are already issues with senor initial employees having different T&C (rotation), and some training / management pilots not being aligned with each other in level T&C (over ride /additional salary).

For some, this is an improvement over their current or previous employment- for some it is merely tolerable - for the rest, it is a stepping stone to better conditions. The grass is usually greener on the other side, if you are looking.

"Submitted respectfully, on this day, 27 March 2014 - Douglas C. Neidermeye".

[tropikflyer]

Rotana jet currently offers "Shared" accommodation for single employee's at the company owned 3 Star Hotel Apartment. Current housing allowance for all "full time" Pilots is 5000 AED per month, for those who elect to take the housing allowance in lieu of company accommodation.

If you elect to accept the housing allowance, you are giving up company provided transportation from your residence to airport of departure (OMAD/OMAA +) (we have no parking permits or allowance for parking permits). Parking at OMAD is free in company lot---if you can find a spot - next to impossible during day time. Best to report to OMAD and ride the company bus for OMAA departures.

Current average single housing (1 bedroom) in - Abu Dhabi 7320 AED per month (+ utilities and transportation)
Current average Family housing (2 bedroom) in Abu Dhabi - 10,883 AED per month (+utilities and transportation)
Average cost of utilities (electric/internet/ etc) in Abu Dhabi - 1200 AED
Average cost of rental car's - 2000 AED per month
Average coat of Private schooling - 3000 AED each kid per month (foreign kid's not allowed in free public school system). (Rotana Jet offers no education allowance)

Average cost to purchase a decent used car is approx 120,000 AED
Average cost to purchase a good new car is approx 150,000 AED

Average Taxi cost (R/T) from from a point 15-30 minutes to OMAD - 50 AED
Average Taxi cost (R/T) from a point 20-30 minutes to OMAA - 170 AED
Average Taxi cost (R/T) to anywhere within 10 minutes from the Company housing - 20 AED

EMB crew can expect to report for duty 20 day's per month (most flights return every night with few exceptions) (consider parking cost - if any) (most flights are out of OMAD)

A319 crew can expect to report for duty 12 days per month (consider parking cost - some trips are 2-4 days out of base) (most flights are out of OMAA - no parking permit / must pay for parking or report to OMAD and ride company bus)

Gas is 1.95 aed per liter

Generally--food / beverage / eating out - is slightly above average expensive.



Do the math.

Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi | Expat Arrivals (http://www.expatarrivals.com/abu-dhabi/cost-of-living-in-abu-dhabi)

[Champagne Lover]

Has anything improved in their package lately? Is it really that bleak to try and leave them and take up a position with a non-steppingstone airline in the UAE??

[tropikflyer]

Nothing has improved. Post Holders, Flight Deck, Cabin and Groundstaff resigning faster than "rats jumping off a sinking ship". Constant scheduling nightmare, future roster beyond 1-2 weeks does not exist, short staffed, min days (or less) off. Rotation going away / not being offered, no benefits improvement / no allowance improvement. Word now is no transitions for EMB crews to Airbus anytime in the near future. But, they did receive their "AT" Air Carrier Certificate. Airbus Fleet still at 2, EMB Fleet has increased to 3, Corporate Fleet still at 1.

Crew members are experiencing a "block" in place at other Air Carriers, to prevent leaving for other carrier's in the region.......but, too many other opportunities elsewhere. Also, word is that new hires must sign a sizable "joining bond", and any training requires a bond--even for Cabin Crew members. Most often not mentioned in "job offer", only realized (or not) once you have been on the property for a month and asked to sign the "Employment Agreement". Be aware of Labor Laws before joining a carrier here or anywhere else.

They got those "start up airline blues".

[Ragheads]

I have spoken to more than 1 of this groups pilots.
1) If you join the Airbus, currently it will be only Direct Entry Captains, but the new DFO wants outside F/O's as well, mainly from Indian associated sources.
2) You get accommodation supplied, a 2 or 3 bedroom flat in a 1 star furnished and serviced hotel/residence- WHICH YOU SHARE with someone else, like school or military!
3) You MUST be type rated, be it Embraer 145 or Airbus A320, or G450....
4) If you join, you will be bonded for a minimum of $20 000! Even if you are type rated and experienced. Why? Because they can.
5) YOU WILL NOT TRANSFER ONTO THE AIRBUS FROM THE EMBRAER FLEET!
6) There is most certainly a very enforced and functioning gentleman's agreement between the owner, (a Sheik) and the other airlines within the UAE to block you leaving and going to either EK, the"Unmentionable", Fly Dubai and Arabianair.
7) The assistance for accommodation is not practical to utilise.
8) There is no help with schooling fees, or intention to bring any.
9) A pilot, be it Captain or F/O on the one fleet earns vastly less than the other fleet, but has the same responsibilities.


Before you go there, make sure you are familiar with their contract that they will only show you once you have resigned your current employer and are standing there with no more choice! Short of taking their option of there's the door!
caveat emptor

[Adel33]

I am a new pilot...can I ask what is the roster system? Why this airline schedule is a nightmare thanks.

Ahmed

[cougpilot]

Everything that Tropikflyer and Ragheads stated is true.

I understand that if you fully quit, and then start the app process, then you may get on with the 3 UAE carriers, but I am not 100 percent sure.

Paychecks have been late the past few months, so I wouldn't even call the place a "steady paycheck". I don't see the place turning into a Prestige Jet, but it's future from what I have been told, is in doubt to say the least.

Good Luck

[Adel33]

Does any of you fine gents work at Rotana jet?
Also does this company prevent you from moving to similar fleet carriers in uae or MAINLY any carrier in UAE? I don't think that they are bad as you guys say..or may be you have something more solid, like a frnd working there or something!!

Good luck to all..

[tropikflyer]

read the previous post's----these are factual and first hand experience.

There is no roster more than a few day's in advance and that constantly changes. Day's constantly fall below GCAA / CAR minimum, then you must force the scheduler to add day's off back in so the 3 month average meets minimum requirements. If you dont do this, then the GCAA will be wanting to talk to you -- fact.

This company has demonstrated that it "Will and HAS" blocked nearly every pilot, flight attendant and other staff from joining other carriers of "all fleets" in the entire Gulf region. Like it or not, all these carriers respect a certain code of conduct amongst themselves. They have even gone so far as to refuse to cancel Visa's or transfer visa's---fact.

This company has demonstrated that they do not reveal any bonds or fee's for training or other circumstances in the job offer. This may or may not be revealed later, after you have already been in the country and obtained your Residence Visa and signed the "employment contract". This normally differs from the job offer that got you there --- fact.

[Champagne Lover]

I think everyone owes it to themselves to do some form of background check on a company you may want to join.
From a bit of phoning around and fishing, it seems true that Rotana is really only for the unemployed or unemployable! You would have to be a special kind of stupid to join them! A "joining bond" of at least $20 000. Joining bond? WTF? Am I going to be type rated on a Boeing or Airbus? Hell no! That is the rubbish they feed to their pilots before they join!
As for leaving them, this is practically(in the true sense of the word) impossible because the owner who is the sponsor will not relinquish you of his visa and cannot be forced to do so either. Buggered!
The gentleman's agreement between the owner and all the other (4) carriers in the UAE is definite! It is apparently so bad that if you want an interview with Fly Dubai, you mustn't have Rotana time in your logbook! Even from previous years.
Abuse is one thing, this takes the cake and coke!
Then, when your slot arrives for upgrade, no longer slot, you have to be a 'Goodfella'..... they then bond you on top for that too!
Hell NO!!!

[SW1]

Does anyone know whether they upgrade FOs on the A320 to Captain?

[altselect]

Nope not on the bus.

[capt Johnson]

Hey guys,

Would like to know about rotana's out fit for the ERj 145 crew both capt and FO.
What is the current status of the company and its future looking?
What is the salary offered and is is sustainable in abu dhabi?
Any additional benefits for the crew and how they treat crew?
Are pay checks paid monthly and on time , concerning from previous posts they seem to delay.
What is their fleet size like and where are Sim Sessions conducted.?
Any other info to know about the company as a whole and management please do share or inbox.
cheers

[SomeTHING]

does anybody know how much rotana pays for flight dispatcher? are they taking any right now?

[cherokee and bus]

Any updates/news regarding Rotana...? Anybody who wants to share how the situation is down there at the present time ?

[captjim]

People are leaving the place in droves. FACT! If you go to Rotana, kiss working at an real airline in the UAE goodbye. The guys that are leaving are going far east and other countries to outrun the long reaching arms of the owner

FYI Fly Dubai or Emirates, both are hiring big time!

[altselect]

If you require a monthly salary avoid this outfit! Ask the lads when they were paid last month.....sorry this month.....

[cherokee and bus]

Hi guys, well it looks a bit oppressive.. is the roster on the 320 that bad too ?
how many days per month do 320 pilots fly ?

thank you

[altselect]

No roster available!! you are "avail" and YOU must ensure you get your legal days off, no one else cares! Not even the GCAA they seam to get an unending supply of dispensations!! when you do fly the FDPs don't apply but of course these are discretionary and certainly not planned every flight!! :ugh:

[cherokee and bus]

Wow.. It seems like a hell down there.. And just from curiosity how many days per month airbus pilots report for duty.. what is the average down there ?
I heard in the past they used to report for duty only 15 days per month. Was that true ?

[cherokee and bus]

Anybody has any updates from the current situation at Rotana ?

[captjim]

So I hear they've finally been shut down, what's the story?

[Cabinready2020]

So I hear they've finally been shut down, what's the story?

They have had aoc suspended 2 times
company took the gcaa to the court and lost
since then the gcaa don’t let them breath.
all postholders leave on monthly basis and then they force them to pay 20k bond or they report them as absconded and then they get arrested and put to jail when they come back to uae

DO NOT SIGN BOND WITH THIS COMPANY
THIS IS NOT A VIP OPERATOR
THEY EVEN TRANSPORT ANIMALS IN VIP CABIN

current status 1 A319 flying
current status 1 G450 grounded in Savannah non payment since 18 months

A319 gets grounded all the time due to non payments

salary not been paid for 3 months for everyone including ceo
they owe worldwide money
management work like gangsters
Gcaa harass them every day

PILOTS AND POSTHOLDERS CHANGE EVERY FEW MONTHS AS GCAA KEEP REJECTING THEM

AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COST

[slowto280]

Did Rotana Jet get AOC revoked again recently?

[Cabinready2020]

Yes AOC revoked in February 2020 Again
this time’s is because safety Postholder was not approved by Civil aviation authorities and then because salaries were not paid for 3 months and company had lots of people joining and running away . Company has many people joining and leaving because of the way they are treated .

most postholders have ran away as the company is in big mess with no monies . Everyone been sent in unpaid leave and company now looks to takes new postholders but people will not join . When you leave
they don’t pay you what they owe you and you have to go to court which is long process and expensive.

personel are blamed for everything and the company expects you to do work for 10 people .

Rotana Jet is one of the worst companies to work for
and if you do not comply they get you into trouble from law

doesn’t matter what these people promise BETTER TO WORK IN BUTCHER SHOP

please stay away and find a better job and don’t be mistaken by the lies they tell you when they want you to join