Fast track command in EK

[Flyboy_SG]

Hello everyone,


EK is now luring pilots with this promise. You may see the advert right next to this window. Is it any where close to reality? And how fast is fast? Say 5 years? EK employees kindly shed some light.


Happy landings :ok:

Flyboy

[donpizmeov]

This one should get interesting.

[TangoUniform]

Ah yes. That old chestnut raises its ugly head again. Many have come with that promise, and many have found that promise to be, shall we say, written in sand. Have seen that same ole promise at two airlines (this being one of them), and some extremely disappointed pilots when it didn't come to pass.

[LHR Rain]

It is the same promise the company gave its pilots many times before; there are no plans to hire DECs in the future. 2. We don't want to hire DECs. 3. We have finished hiring DECs.
The reality; the DECs we just hired that we said we were not going to just delayed your command by over a year but you are lucky to have a job. If you don't like it there is the door.
Just a small snapshot of what it is like to work for EK

[johnnyramjet]

I can think of two examples of a screw job on the fast track command promise, both on the A330. The first one was when Ed was here. In the first case, several years ago, they stopped the fast track program after the pilot was already on the property. That pilot resigned and returned to her job at JetBlue. The second and most resent case was with an F/O who was told there would be no fast track or DEC positions on the 330. That poor guy was sent to the 380 as an F/O, loosing any chance of an upgrade for many years. I am sure another future resignation in the works. If they offer you a fast track, get it in writing. :=

[JAYTO]

All first officers at EK are currently on the "fast track" command system. As of today, it is taking first officers on the T7 about four years to upgrade on this "fast track" system. A couple of years ago it was taking as little as three years to upgrade on the "fast track" system. Rumour has it that over the coming years and beyond it may take five, seven or some say, over ten to upgrade on the "fast track" system. If this will be the case then the "fast track" system will be renamed the "normal track" system at the companies discretion.

Hope this helps.

J.

[Rotaiva]

And what is more; I have encountered numerous colleagues whom arrived in Dubai in good faith, with a Boeing course date, only to be told (once they have formally resigned from their previous company i.e. - trapped), that: -

"Sir/Madam, there has been a change and you will now be on the Airbus (classic) fleet; but don't worry - you will surely upgrade or transfer to the A380 in less than a year."

The point being, at the moment they will tell you exactly what you want to hear as they are getting desperate to recruit!

Be wary!

[Avid Aviator]

Where did you see an advert for Fast Track Commands??

I don't believe they are advertising such a position. Vacancies currently being advertised are FO and A330 Captain.

They may be suggesting upgrades will come faster at EK than your current company. I guess "Fast" depends on:
1. which fleet you go to, expansion and resignation rates at EK, and
2. your perspective. For some, 4 years is fast, for some 10 is fast....

[aussiefarmer]

As far as I know, fast track commands ended about 3 years ago on the A330 fleet. They were designed to bring people with previous PIC experience to the left seat in shorter than the average time. Many people were harmed by the decision to discontinue the policy.

People are upgrading at 4-6 years at the moment depending on the fleet, however you don't need to be Einstein to understand that an FO joining today on any of the fleets is looking at the 10 years mark unless people resign massively or the company net grows 300 airplanes in the forseeable future.

Everytime I see the ad on the far right of the screen makes my blood boil. Because it is designed to purposedly mislead people.

[LHR Rain]

Aussie but many more pilots already on the EK senority list benefited by not having junior pilots jump over them.

[SubsonicMortal]

Everytime I see the ad on the far right of the screen makes my blood boil. Because it is designed to purposedly mislead people.

Totally agree...

[donpizmeov2]

No-one should promise fast track command if they get DEC ... said that ... in all the 3 Major players in the gulf the average time for command is minimum 5 year (either you've applied fast track or normal track!).

[TrinniMcGinny]

How many people leaving EK at the moment?

[The Turtle]

If I was in my 20's (sigh) and someone told me 5 yrs to widebody command......sign me up!


I guess its all a matter of perspective




But the AB guys have, and continue to be, getting screwed. It sucks

[nakbin330]

Plenty of guys already here who more than meet the DEC criteria. EK won't do it (fast tracking) because of the cost involved. The same as upgrading an FO. Far cheaper to employ DECs, but far longer to get them on line.

[Callsign Kilo]

Despite being put off from EK for life I still envisage the airline will have pretty high standards for upgrades. Not everyone will be suitable and therefore will never see a command course. Others will fail somewhere down the line and return to the right seat. Same applies to DECs. I know of at least one guy who failed the DEC OCC course at EK.

There's always that factor. Get a succession of poor DECs and it throws a major swerve ball. I also consider the whole 'fast track' process in any operator to be complete BS. It's at the wim of managers and members of the hit parade. It also instils an element of entitlement among the ranks. A command should be earned, which I know is sometimes complete bollox as well.