Dubai Retention Packages-Hit or miss
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Dubai Retention Packages-Hit or miss
Miss
So all that extra money for the guys who where going to stay in any case?
(rewarding loyalty is a good thing but the monthly package still short by 8-10 K)
Considering Dubai from elsewhere in the world????
....be warned
Your school allowance and housing allowance WILL fall short and no matter what BS
you are fead by the recruitment people you will end up paying in out of your own pocket! (even with the new housing allowance unless you want to stay on final approach for Dubai or in a Shole)
Remember to budget for the 25 % average increase in inflation,toll fee's and other hidden cost in Dubai.
Did they tell you that you will be working on age old equipment with 10-12 % increase in traffic yearly? Do NOT BE FOOLED BY THE WONDERWORLD OF JEBEL ALI and the wonderfull new equipment!!!! That is still a Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong way of. Also ask the recruitment people to elaborate on the compulsary working of more than 2 nightshifts in a row over the summertime. (Even though the DMATS state that it should be avoided to work more than 2 nighshifts in a row!!??!!) They play the psycological card every year by telling people that this is in order to accomodate the people's leave over the summer!! If they have enough staff this will never be a problem!
Retention for people with 3 years and more experience in Dubai, great! Please ask for an explanation on why those leaving this summer are all guys who have not even finished there 3 year contracts some are leaving after just 11 months in the sandtrap!
The reality is that if you have been living in SERCO accomodation for last 3 + years and your kids are in Jebel Ali Primary you will score !!!!! If you have to find a new Villa/Appartment and school other than JAP you will pay in!!!
If JEBEL ALI AIRPORT is to become the biggest in the world then surely the package need to reflect this, sadly I see a Big Airport with 6 runways and not enough ATC's. Maybe SERCO can go and recruit in the Phillipines or India or Sri Lanka that will fit in with the rest of the services in Dubai as well as with the money they offer?
ATTENTION Management .....package way short.....expect more resignations soon!!! Watch this space for Other increases such as Abu Dhabi App and Area heard you boys might be able to buy more BEER soon! Good luck ! At least I will know some well paid controllers!
As Always
DCT NO SPEED!
So all that extra money for the guys who where going to stay in any case?
(rewarding loyalty is a good thing but the monthly package still short by 8-10 K)
Considering Dubai from elsewhere in the world????
....be warned
Your school allowance and housing allowance WILL fall short and no matter what BS
you are fead by the recruitment people you will end up paying in out of your own pocket! (even with the new housing allowance unless you want to stay on final approach for Dubai or in a Shole)Remember to budget for the 25 % average increase in inflation,toll fee's and other hidden cost in Dubai.
Did they tell you that you will be working on age old equipment with 10-12 % increase in traffic yearly? Do NOT BE FOOLED BY THE WONDERWORLD OF JEBEL ALI and the wonderfull new equipment!!!! That is still a Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong way of. Also ask the recruitment people to elaborate on the compulsary working of more than 2 nightshifts in a row over the summertime. (Even though the DMATS state that it should be avoided to work more than 2 nighshifts in a row!!??!!) They play the psycological card every year by telling people that this is in order to accomodate the people's leave over the summer!! If they have enough staff this will never be a problem!
Retention for people with 3 years and more experience in Dubai, great! Please ask for an explanation on why those leaving this summer are all guys who have not even finished there 3 year contracts some are leaving after just 11 months in the sandtrap!
The reality is that if you have been living in SERCO accomodation for last 3 + years and your kids are in Jebel Ali Primary you will score !!!!! If you have to find a new Villa/Appartment and school other than JAP you will pay in!!!
If JEBEL ALI AIRPORT is to become the biggest in the world then surely the package need to reflect this, sadly I see a Big Airport with 6 runways and not enough ATC's. Maybe SERCO can go and recruit in the Phillipines or India or Sri Lanka that will fit in with the rest of the services in Dubai as well as with the money they offer?
ATTENTION Management .....package way short.....expect more resignations soon!!! Watch this space for Other increases such as Abu Dhabi App and Area heard you boys might be able to buy more BEER soon! Good luck ! At least I will know some well paid controllers!
As Always
DCT NO SPEED!
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Its not all beer and skittles down south, yes Abu Dhabi is a much nicer place than Dubai but all of the big pay rise from last year has been eaten away by inflation (e.g. butter was 4.75AED 250gm in late 2005 now 6.50AED) and plummeting currency (was 2.74 to the Aussie now 3.06). School fees and rent increases have also been above 25% in the last 12-18months.
Even the Norwegians are starting to trade in their Porches
Sorry there isn't nuff money in the world to pay me to live & work in Dubai.
Even the Norwegians are starting to trade in their Porches
Sorry there isn't nuff money in the world to pay me to live & work in Dubai.
Last edited by Funk; 5th Jun 2007 at 05:03. Reason: coz
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Well if you don't like it,then return to the real world.
Kiwiland,Norway,Canada,South Africa,Netherlands,Denmark,Australia,Sweden all calling there prodigcal sons and daughters back home. If nothing changes in the bring home pay soon, the list of departures migh grow some more!
The reality is that the Dubai contract did not keep pace with the rise of cost and that it is no longer a nice quiet station, where you can save some money and leed a nice lifestyle.
In the past the single guys where the ones that left and the families stayed. 5 out of the 7 leaving Dubai by end of this Summer are married with kids.(All leaving before there 3 years are up)
If you have to spend 34 000 a year on topping up on Accomodation and school fees the math is easy, it is just not worth staying for 50 000 after 3 years!
Do consider Dubai if you have Double income and no Kids or as a place to come and retire when the kids leave home,(or if you have the ability to negotiate a little SPECIAL DEAL with Mr M) but be warned the place is getting busier by the day so you will still require your A game when it comes to controlling!
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sinking ship
lads et al
well this is just the usual bs that comes from the sandpit. It has been like this for years and will be like it for years to come. does not matter what you all think or say, Serco and the Arabs will never play ball to your rules irrespective how much the ATC shortage bites. they dont have the pockets or the fortitude to be the first to move.
While you have a chance to make the move back to reality with some certainty, rather than staying in HOPE that all will work out in the end.
Be proactive not reactive and end up having a pole shoved up your arse, cause that is what usually happens. Look at the Emirates pilots and how shortchanged they are. Its never going to happen.
out
well this is just the usual bs that comes from the sandpit. It has been like this for years and will be like it for years to come. does not matter what you all think or say, Serco and the Arabs will never play ball to your rules irrespective how much the ATC shortage bites. they dont have the pockets or the fortitude to be the first to move.
While you have a chance to make the move back to reality with some certainty, rather than staying in HOPE that all will work out in the end.
Be proactive not reactive and end up having a pole shoved up your arse, cause that is what usually happens. Look at the Emirates pilots and how shortchanged they are. Its never going to happen.
out
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Guys,
we all KNOW that this so called 'Retention Scheme' was a BIG MISS!
We all know aswell, many are in to hand in their resignation, besides the ALREADY 8 on the way out!!
6 to go?? or EVEN MORE??
It seems management is ONLY bothered about the PROFIT MAKING , than the Retention of Current Staff, & also to mention NOT MANY MORE APPLYING TO COME OVER......
This course running right now.. was it 5, then 4, then 3.......
Lets hope our dearRobbie gets LISTENED to from DCA & Oh Dear EBM... maybe they will do SOMTHING SERIOUS!!
Rumours are rumours... we've been hearing all sorts of stuff for quite alot now....but we need more $$$$ to buy Chc-o-late & to cover this DAMN INFLATION!!!
we all KNOW that this so called 'Retention Scheme' was a BIG MISS!
We all know aswell, many are in to hand in their resignation, besides the ALREADY 8 on the way out!!
6 to go?? or EVEN MORE??
It seems management is ONLY bothered about the PROFIT MAKING , than the Retention of Current Staff, & also to mention NOT MANY MORE APPLYING TO COME OVER......
This course running right now.. was it 5, then 4, then 3.......
Lets hope our dear
Robbie gets LISTENED to from DCA & Oh Dear EBM... maybe they will do SOMTHING SERIOUS!!Rumours are rumours... we've been hearing all sorts of stuff for quite alot now....but we need more $$$$ to buy Chc-o-late & to cover this DAMN INFLATION!!!
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P,
You did not mention the fact that we are also hearing more rumours, that the new(mot even approved) increase will only be next year.
"buzzer eeeeeeehhhhh" too late again!!!!!!
NO Tower course for an entire YEAR!!!!!! How is that for forward thinking and future planning! Ooooh Mr M, try and find out what has happend to the guys who said they will come on the next course from SA. One started at Jo burg this week and the others have all signed the ATNS retention package. So no more cheap labour from SA, that will be forced to pay in on their schooling and housing because they have nowhere else to go.
The Aussies are also sending out their offers and I know of at least 3 more SA controllers that will be going Downunder rather than coming to the sand pit.
Stop promising and start delivering Management!
You did not mention the fact that we are also hearing more rumours, that the new(mot even approved) increase will only be next year.
"buzzer eeeeeeehhhhh" too late again!!!!!!NO Tower course for an entire YEAR!!!!!! How is that for forward thinking and future planning! Ooooh Mr M, try and find out what has happend to the guys who said they will come on the next course from SA. One started at Jo burg this week and the others have all signed the ATNS retention package. So no more cheap labour from SA, that will be forced to pay in on their schooling and housing because they have nowhere else to go.
The Aussies are also sending out their offers and I know of at least 3 more SA controllers that will be going Downunder rather than coming to the sand pit.
Stop promising and start delivering Management!
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Stupid question?
I very appreciate information given for ME by Dct no speed and others but let me give an oportunity to ask something stupid.
If it shortage obvious how can you work at all? I haven't noticed that number of flights from ME has been reduced.
At the end of last year I became "short listed" for ME job position but since then there haven't been any contact . That means that you have enough qualified ATCOs.
Loking forward....
If it shortage obvious how can you work at all? I haven't noticed that number of flights from ME has been reduced.
At the end of last year I became "short listed" for ME job position but since then there haven't been any contact . That means that you have enough qualified ATCOs.
Loking forward....
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SINGAPURCANAC
Very simple.....
LESS BREAKS
WORKING ON MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS...
& soooooooon.......
FEWER TO GO ON LEAVE........
How worse can it get????
The new 'deal' that Management are 'TRYING' to Re-NEGOTIATE with DCA.....
Well if it does Happen, MAYBE FROM NEXT YEAR, like MOST of our Accomodation Allowances 'INCREASE'.........
& remember that SERCO is a PROFIT MAKING-Stingy Co. who only cares about profit, & not the ones in the pit!!
IF, we get the so called increase, lets see if SERCO keep a SHARE % of it for themselves, like they did this year in January, with the last 'payrise'....
We were to get 20% as per DCA/SERCO Contract, but of course, we ONLY GOT 10%...
& THE REST?????
Where did it go?
Very simple.....
LESS BREAKS
WORKING ON MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS...
& soooooooon.......
FEWER TO GO ON LEAVE........
How worse can it get????
The new 'deal' that Management are 'TRYING' to Re-NEGOTIATE with DCA.....
Well if it does Happen, MAYBE FROM NEXT YEAR, like MOST of our Accomodation Allowances 'INCREASE'.........
& remember that SERCO is a PROFIT MAKING-Stingy Co. who only cares about profit, & not the ones in the pit!!
IF, we get the so called increase, lets see if SERCO keep a SHARE % of it for themselves, like they did this year in January, with the last 'payrise'....
We were to get 20% as per DCA/SERCO Contract, but of course, we ONLY GOT 10%...
& THE REST?????
Where did it go?
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Singapurcanac,
Here managers are send on specialist b,courses:
There always seem to be a long list of "good" people on EBM's table but this place is going to be in so much BS soon, we needed tower controllers yesterday and no course this year yet, eccept for the golden oldies who are getting there Tower ratings back. If You have another option than Dubai, consider that rather. With no tower course for this year and no real effort to try and retain staff or get working on the so-called interest; Dubai must surely not need any staff!
Already 3 controllers have been diagnosed with serious cronic fatigue,booked off from work and another one is now working in the office no longer controlling. The management is oblivious to the fact that controllers are over worked here and there are more ready to move to the real world soon. They have also lost touch with reallity at how busy we are at night. We have had a constant +/- 15% increase in traffic over the last 3 years off which we did work most of this on 1 Runway. The Dca gave there staff a nice big thankyou bonus this year serco got ............................all
Here managers are send on specialist b
,courses:- Delaying tactics 101
- Lies like not telling the truth version 3
- Selecting useless people into important positions bad boss 101
- Pound foulish penny wise course (special course for tight arse Scotts)
- Evasive question answering
- Emty promise making course
There always seem to be a long list of "good" people on EBM's table but this place is going to be in so much B
S soon, we needed tower controllers yesterday and no course this year yet, eccept for the golden oldies who are getting there Tower ratings back. If You have another option than Dubai, consider that rather. With no tower course for this year and no real effort to try and retain staff or get working on the so-called interest; Dubai must surely not need any staff! Already 3 controllers have been diagnosed with serious cronic fatigue,booked off from work and another one is now working in the office no longer controlling. The management is oblivious to the fact that controllers are over worked here and there are more ready to move to the real world soon. They have also lost touch with reallity at how busy we are at night. We have had a constant +/- 15% increase in traffic over the last 3 years off which we did work most of this on 1 Runway. The Dca gave there staff a nice big thankyou bonus this year serco got ............................all
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Really that bad?
I'm a young controller in the UK and have been thinking about applying to Jobs in the middle east and abroad. When you say the salaries are no good working conditions poor etc etc, is it really any worse than the average UK unit? I'm at the bottom or the pay scale at the moment so can't imagine a tax free salary being that bad. Where else can you work overseas? anyone out there made the move? I like the unit I'm at but can't imagine working there for the next 30 years, I have no kids and don't want to get stuck wondering what if. Should I be put off by this thread or will I regret not atleast sending a CV?
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Attn: Dct no speed
Have you moaned to EBM as well? Why haven't you resigned yet? Apparently the working conditions are so bad that there isn't a reason to stay, or is the tax free salary and easy life style to good to walk away from? By warning people not to join DXB, aren't you just hoping that lack of staff will get you a higher salary once the realise to pay more???
Have you moaned to EBM as well? Why haven't you resigned yet? Apparently the working conditions are so bad that there isn't a reason to stay, or is the tax free salary and easy life style to good to walk away from? By warning people not to join DXB, aren't you just hoping that lack of staff will get you a higher salary once the realise to pay more???
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JD 11(age1)
If I look at your age things make sense. No wonder you show such immature reasoning skills. Your way of asking questions also smell of great "office material" EBM does not listen to anyone, he has that BIG PILE of CV's on his table remember!!!! Why then will we have no tower courses for a year and only 3 on the latest radar course.BIG PILE OF CV's My Arse!
We are 30% understaffed and are now forced into opening the second runway with only one tower controller, while the powers that be said we will never open if we do not have enough staff.
I am not knocking this place to get an Increase, but mearly giving the facts to those that might turn up here, with a picture of paradise and lots of money and great equipment as painted by EBM to find it far from the truth.
I have made my plans and will be moving on soon thank you very much, I am not
but just giving them a heads up. Make sure that this place is your cup of tea! Come see it for yourselve first and then make your decisions! It could be a great place to work depending on your type of personality and your reasons for coming here as for trying to negotiate anything with EBM, get it in black and white before you sign anything and dont believe any empty promises. 
If I look at your age things make sense. No wonder you show such immature reasoning skills. Your way of asking questions also smell of great "office material" EBM does not listen to anyone, he has that BIG PILE of CV's on his table remember!!!! Why then will we have no tower courses for a year and only 3 on the latest radar course.BIG PILE OF CV's My Ar
se!We are 30% understaffed and are now forced into opening the second runway with only one tower controller, while the powers that be said we will never open if we do not have enough staff.
I am not knocking this place to get an Increase, but mearly giving the facts to those that might turn up here, with a picture of paradise and lots of money and great equipment as painted by EBM to find it far from the truth.
I have made my plans and will be moving on soon thank you very much, I am not
warning people not to join DXB
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WELL DONE 'Dct No Spd' ,
poor young JD II can't get a REAL Taste of whats going on here!! He has to dream about being here, BEFORE he CAN START to 'post-argue' ABOUT WHAT WE ARE REALLY going through!!
As you said, HIS AGE reflects his 'THINKING' or arguments as he PUTS them......
Different FREQUENCY I guess.....
Lets' wait for Shk.ABSAM's 'SIGNATURE' for the go-ahead of the 'rumoured' REAL DEAL!!
,poor young JD II can't get a REAL Taste of whats going on here!! He has to dream about being here, BEFORE he CAN START to 'post-argue' ABOUT WHAT WE ARE REALLY going through!!
As you said, HIS AGE reflects his 'THINKING' or arguments as he PUTS them......
Different FREQUENCY I guess.....
Lets' wait for Shk.ABSAM's 'SIGNATURE' for the go-ahead of the 'rumoured' REAL DEAL!!
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Grass is greener.
As a young ATCO in the UK with no kids, I have been looking at job prospects abroad and had considered applying to jobs in the middle east. Is it really as bad as made out here or is it just a case of having the problems faced by most ATC units these days. Not enough Staff, not enough leave space, Management etc etc. You could hear that at any unit. I like working at my unit but can't imagine spending the next 30 years here and so would be interested to here from UK ATCO who have moved abroad. Where can you move? I'm TWR APR rated (no area) can I get jobs in NZ SA Europe?
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Dct,
Most units have a certain level of medical problems,and I don't think that Dubai is any different.Is it that the real world levels of traffic are beginning to tell on those who escaped for an easy life?
As far as EBM goes he contributed to wrecking my career in the 80's at ABZ,and if I were you,I would get as far away from him as possible.This is after doing nothing but be about the most reliable Atco on the unit,then out comes the silent knife.Do not under any circumstance trust ANYTHING he says.He only got that job,because one of his blue eyed boys paid him back.Old boys network.He and the GM at the time did a lot of damage at ABZ,which has taken many years to repair.Looks like it's Dubai's turn.Listen to me from an ex expat.Get out of there.
Most units have a certain level of medical problems,and I don't think that Dubai is any different.Is it that the real world levels of traffic are beginning to tell on those who escaped for an easy life?
As far as EBM goes he contributed to wrecking my career in the 80's at ABZ,and if I were you,I would get as far away from him as possible.This is after doing nothing but be about the most reliable Atco on the unit,then out comes the silent knife.Do not under any circumstance trust ANYTHING he says.He only got that job,because one of his blue eyed boys paid him back.Old boys network.He and the GM at the time did a lot of damage at ABZ,which has taken many years to repair.Looks like it's Dubai's turn.Listen to me from an ex expat.Get out of there.
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Tavla Northbound-naay my bru thats not the place for a lanie in Joburg the crime is too woes ek sê! mmmmmmm Blouberg and the Stormers, Red wine and fire place? It is just the boss doen there.....
Throw a Dyce,
Oh do tell more pleeeeaaaaaase! The old boys force here is strong too. If you worked at ABZ, or even just co-ordinated with them at some stage you will climb the ladder. It also seem that having NO people skills is a requirement to get into the exclusive club.
Thanks for the heads up, like you said the Silent knife slices deep!
Thanks to some more options opening around the world, luckly some of us can move on now and hopefully look back on this someday as just a bad experience!
Throw a Dyce,
Oh do tell more pleeeeaaaaaase! The old boys force here is strong too. If you worked at ABZ, or even just co-ordinated with them at some stage you will climb the ladder. It also seem that having NO people skills is a requirement to get into the exclusive club.
Thanks for the heads up, like you said the Silent knife slices deep!
Thanks to some more options opening around the world, luckly some of us can move on now and hopefully look back on this someday as just a bad experience!
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Not from DBX, but within the M/E. JDII has lost the plot here, definately no idea. Why would we encourage people not to apply and keep working harder and harder without leave etc. Really smart, not. All units are extremely short, I applaud those stating the facts to potential new comers. I would have appreciated it back when I applied. On top of the mediocre packages we are all on, lets not forget the adverse effect the weak US Dollar is having on our 'international pay'. We have to consider that GB has f#cked the US economy and confidence so badly that the US will never recover. If that is the case, nothing short of a 30% payrise would restore normality, and that is not going to happen. Things really are not as portrayed by employers in these parts either. Those looking at coming must put a lot of thought into it. I'm not going to say come, so I can have leave, have people arrive and then think what the heck am I doing, thanks for the info mate! Say it how it is so people have the facts to work on, it is a big decision to leave a home country, people deserve to know the truth.