The Real Deal at EK

[grumpy_bugger]

8 years ago the starting basic pay for an FO at Emirates was circa 16 000 dirhams per month. The exchange rate between the US and Kiwi was 0.39 (US$ to Kiwi$). At the dirham pegged rate of 3.68 to the US that was about NZ$ 11 150 a month. Now the exchange rate is 0.75 and an 8 year Captain's salary is circa 35 000 dirhams a month. That equates to NZ$ 12 700 a month. UAE inflation is rampant; so much so that accurate figures aren't publicised in case it scares people off. Look for example at real estate prices/rents. Even more startling is the price of a 'Grilled Chicken Full' at The Chalet. Prior to renovation it cost 25 dirhams; now it costs 36 dirhams; 50% increase and you get less humous and that delicious (but unknown) spicy stuff with it (offsprings of unmarried parents). Lets call it an average of 5% inflation for the past 8 years and thats being exceedingly generous. NZ$ 11 150 by 5% for 7 years is now NZ$ 15 700....... Hang on a minute.....we only get NZ$ 12 700 a month! So now after enduring 8 years in the desert and upgrading from FO to Captain we get a conservative NZ$ 3 000 less than when we started. As expats the most relevant aspect of our package is the amount we get in our home currency as we are (mostly anyway) going home and we must compare what we get to what we would have got if we had stayed at home.
I would suggest for the next pay review a scrapping of the ERP limit and a 100% pay rise and we would be looking at some semblance of a realistic package.

[Lord Flashhart]

Gees you sound like a Grumpy Bugger.

There hasn't been ANY inflation in Kiwi Land in that time has there?

Hey- You can always go back there.

Apparently there are a hell of a lot of Kiwis migrating to Oz, perhaps you should throw your hat in the ring.

:p

(But I agree that what you have pointed out - sux)
:)

[dusty777]

in the last 6 years the CAD went from 2.3 to 3.68 . Now equal to the USD. Around a 60 % change for a total 30% pay increase from EK Momcorp .. Good deal if your single or want to be, want a rapid upgrade for a move onto JET, KO,JSTAR or some place better, but for a career move with wife and kids, not a good choice. Stay home, pay tax and keep sanity. You may have to keep the same wife though.:\

[Wizofoz]

Just a thought.....

I suppose if EK DID give an enormous pay rise because of the weak dollar, you all would only think it fair if, when we get rid of Dubya and the greenback recovers, they then gave an equivilent pay CUT?

[disconnected]

Yes scrap current ERP system. Its useless, illogical and discriminatory.

The ERP should be based on a basket of currencies and given to all.

EK is laughing all the way to the bank on the plunging USD. Most of their revenue is in currencies that have appreciated hugely against the dollar but their wages bill is more or less fixed.

That salary "increase" earlier this year has been conveniently eliminated. In fact its probably less in real terms. By the time the next review comes along the salary will be less than prior to the previous years review.

Bottom line is disposable income for EK employees is shrinking drastically with a declining dollar fueling rampant inflation.

[Ahad Adump]

Amen to all the above.

Plus.

Sim support guys are now officially graded:
If they score a 2, more sim support the next month.
If they score 1, off the roster for a PPC or remedial.
If anyone goes sick for sim support, more sim support the next month.

The ULR roster allows you to fly 10hrs per flight and you will do ULR stby the day before.

This place sucks big time.

[watertheflowers]

Hey, disconnected.

Why stop at ERP? Lets's cancel seniority increments and have a basket of everybodys salary thats been at EK for more than a year and give it to all. After all, a fresh DEC's doing the same job as a 15 year Captain.

You know it makes sense.

[Backwater]

Ahad...

What you detailed re sim support is not new. Is it unreasonable? Would you like to do your LOE with a F/O performing to minimum acceptable standards?

[White Knight]

Absolutely agree Backwater - if a very small few are performing like this in the sim, you have to wonder what they're doing on the line too:uhoh: And forget the LOE, what about coming out of Male in the monsoon with something going wrong? You need to know that your colleague is going to do things right!!!

[Bring Back The Biff]

I'm with you on that one BW;

If guys are incompetent in the sim - the company has a responsibility to flag them and provide extra training.

Don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be sitting down the back with someone who can't even fly the sim deciding my fate...

[Wizofoz]

These days, I think you're an idiot.

Geeze Mutt, tell me what you really feel!!

My point was that this has been one of a number of threads started on the basis that EK isn't as attractive as it used to be due to the exchange rate of the pegged Dirham.

I have no argument with that, it's obviously true.

What I don't accept is that there seems to be an underlying sentiment that it's Emirates fault. This is just as obviously false. Does it need to react to the situation? Well, if the current package doesn't attract and retain sufficient suitable Pilots, then yes. If people are still willing to come and stay, why would they?

My point is this- Plenty of people (including the starter of this thread) give the idea that there has been no pay rise as their wages have slipped compared to their home currencies. How many of them would accept a return to a more favorable rate as a pay-rise?

I suspect the silence would be deafening...

As to every thing else you commented on,well, I may be a bit slow (the Idiot thing you understand) but you'll have to explain how anything I said has any thing to do with any of that!!

I guess anyone expressing an opinion even slightly different to yours must be the absolute enemy on any subject- not related to George Dubya are you???

[Hook]

He's still reasonable, methinks.:p

[watertheflowers]

I don't.

He's a recent arrival from a European loco who joined EK just as a bunch of guys were going in the opposite direction.

Every so often he steps in with a bit of provocative twaddle that makes him feel all warm and fuzzy about his new job.

And it's only a couple of months since he posted on here that he was in recruiting, training and checking and that others should watch out.

By the way rammo, I have never applied to Easyjet, I lied to you.

[Wizofoz]

And it's only a couple of months since he posted on here that he was in recruiting, training and checking and that others should watch out.


No, I didn't.

When a little upstart (who turned out to be a troll, my bad!!) had a go at me for picking up his obvious lies, I told him that those SUCH AS myself and others on this forum were his future Captains, recruiters, checkers etc. I made no claim to personally hold those positions, just told him that by coming on here he was addressing (and insulting) people he might have to deal with in the future.

Of course you, WTF, have taken it upon yourself to jump on anything I write and do your best to put it in an unflattering light. Apparently you've even decided lying to me is fair game. I'm really interested in exactly what it is I've done to you.

By the way rammo, I have never applied to Easyjet, I lied to you.

As you are so obviously unhappy at EK, I'd be interested to know why not. It's a great company that I enjoyed working for (because, and this is obviously something to be apologized for around here, I actually enjoy my job) , but Dubai is a lot closer to home.

PM me your mobile and I'll be happy to discuss it personally.

[watertheflowers]

"I'm really interested in exactly what it is I've done to you."


You as a fresh DEC have no knowledge of what this company was and what it has become.

And you have a posting style that is irritating and annoying and as such I feel compelled to shoot you down, with some success over the last year or so I would say.

But you keep coming back for more. Happy to oblige.

[disconnected]

Watertheflowers

Do I really need to answer the question? If you can't figure that one out then try question two:

Explain why the current ERP is appropriate. Try and use joining writing and not too many coloured pictures.

[watertheflowers]

"........too many coloured pictures."


Is this an obtuse reference to large parts of Africa being annexed a couple of centuries ago directly leading to disconnected not getting ERP because he ended up with the 'wrong' passport?


And I think he means 'joined-up writing'.

[disconnected]

When there's no useful argument then the thinly veiled racial slurs come out.

I suppose we all deserve our fate and Mugabe's a good guy?

Get a life.

[Wizofoz]

Oh, he's got a life, disco...

Mercilessly hunting me down and making pompous attempts to humiliate and "out" me.

Strange hobby for such an obviously intelligent proffestional....Must be a joy to fly with (or be married to!!).

[watertheflowers]

Hard to see what the racial angle is in my previous text unless you think that I'm having a stab at the Brits, Dutch, Belgians, Germans etc and their history in Africa.

And Wizofoz has been doing a fine job in outing himself over the past few years, as I've mentioned to him in the past he doesn't need any help from me.

How many posts have you made Wiz? A life well lived?

Until the next time.

wtf

[disconnected]

Wiz,

Your irony with regard to WTF is not lost. He does make some poorly deliberated statements for the cheap shot. Furthermore if he cannot see his racial inuendo, he doesnt even know himself. He's already admitted he's a liar so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on what he says.

If he can't make his point without slighting others, its not worth reading.

[watertheflowers]

You really are the chap with the chip aren't you disconnected.

Forgot to mention that Wizofoz posted the larger part of his roster on this board a couple of months ago. Who said 'Outing'?

Just wonder how long I can string you two along for. You're like a couple of grumpy old men.

[grumpy_bugger]

You're pathetic the lot of you. Read the first post on the thread and try and relate your childish little hissy fit to it. Piss off down to the Lime Tree Cafe and slap each other with your handbags you girls.

[disconnected]

Yes back to the issue. My apologies to those who try to keep these threads on track.

Here is a link to the USD index:

http://www.fxstreet.com/rates-charts/usdollar-index

The graph is not pretty with a well established down trend. Analysists say not likely to stop the overall trend anytime soon for a number of reasons, amongst which is the US Fed printing its way out of recession.

The index is the USD vs a number of currencies. The economists sensible way to measure it objectively, hence my thoughts that its high time the ERP is treated with similar logic, reassessed in principle, (including its caps and rolling period) and applied to all at EK in order that we are protected against the issues illustrated in the Gulf News.

The recent moves in the Gold price also appear to confirm the USD's projected fate. Inflation will grow in the US but nothing like as fast as what the UAE is in for.

Our only real hope is either a salary increase or for the UAE to de-peg the AED but both seem unlikely for now. A logical review of the ERP would help everyone.

[disconnected]

This in from DailyFx:

"Anyone long Australian, New Zealand or Canadian dollars over the past month are being rewarded handsomely as these commodity currencies continue to hit significant highs against the US dollar. Less than six months ago, many traders could not fathom seeing USD/CAD below parity. Now, it is time to think about whether the Australian dollar will also hit parity against the US dollar. There was no economic data released out of any of the three countries overnight. Instead, the rally was fueled by the continual rise in commodity prices. Gold prices hit a 28 year high while platinum prices rose to an all-time high. Oil prices dropped, but it remains above $80 a barrel. Unless commodity prices reverse significantly, there is nothing to stop these pairs from moving higher."

Now that would be a serious pay cut!!