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Emirates Pilot Meeting

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Old 1st Mar 2004, 05:27
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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Hmmm, seems more than a few are rather upset.

Face facts, the expat world has changed a lot over the years, and at EK, apparently not for the better.

TOLD you so...some time ago.

Some never learn.

Tough beans...
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Old 1st Mar 2004, 09:06
  #22 (permalink)  
 
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To all the EK pilots thanks for sharing your thoughts........ After reading this forum my decision to join EK has been somewhat shattered. There seems to be a lot of uneasiness, and when you are making a major life time decision, it is issues like this that can not be taken lightly. Not only myself but others I know who also have course dates are know questioning whether or not it is the right move and whether or not it is worth giving up present job.

Really disappointed to hear the way issues are being addressed and handled by management. I was always under the understanding that Emirates treated their employees really well. If this is any indication of where things are headed, what is it going to be like in 5 years, never mind 15 or 20????????
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Old 1st Mar 2004, 15:57
  #23 (permalink)  
 
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Giovane,

Time to hop onto the fence; I feel very uncomfortable at the slagging match that has begun and I am not sure it is particularly helpful. All it will do is polarise opinions.

I was at the meeting and was surprised that so little new was forthcoming and at some of the arguements made and attitudes expressed, by both sides of the house but don't believe this is necessarily the best forum to air any grievances. However, if you want to come to EK and base your decisions solely on what has been said over the last couple of days, I think you would be paying yourself a dis-service.

Were I applying now I would make a list of the reasons that I wanted to come to Dubai and then another of the things that I thought might be show stoppers. I'd see what I could live with and what I couldn't and then make a reasoned decision.

There have been a lot of frustrations expressed over the last few days. Have the underlying fundamentals of the company or the quality of life issues really changed enough to make you wary of coming? I don't know the answer, only you do based upon your personal situation.

Obviously, had the news with regards to pay and allowances been more positive, the picture would have been different. There is more to life than money, the judgement is whether you believe EK will make you feel valued and whether your family will enjoy their time here. Its perhaps better, if you know someone, to talk to someone within the company away from the glare of recent events to see if you can get a better feel for the overall picture. I am certain you do not get a fair reflection of the views of all EK pilots on this forum, some of the views aren't even from guys in the company.

Idunno,

I have no idea how the DECs have been received, not many have filtered through yet. Personally, I'd be horrified if anyone would be so unprofessional as to let their own disappointment in a company policy effect the way in which they dealt with the individuals on the flightdeck.

There seems to be a lot of mis-trust and lack of faith from some individuals on both sides of the arguement. I hope that over the coming months, in the cold light of day, that facts rather than emotions will come to the fore.

It would be easy for disenfranchised pilots to cook up all sorts of schemes but it would be just as easy for managers to let emotion rule their heads and begin a vendetta. Either of those options is untenable from my point of view and would surely spell disaster. I hope that the issues can be resolved maturely, so that confidence and trust can be rebuilt on both sides.

Worried but optimistic as always,

Ghost

Last edited by Ghostflyer; 2nd Mar 2004 at 10:44.
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Old 1st Mar 2004, 18:59
  #24 (permalink)  
 
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The thing that saddens me, Is the so called SGM’s that are too weak to speak up.
Most of these guys are formally, or still, line pilots and should fully empathize with our feelings and comments. The truth is, that with the odd exception in fact they do.

Why then are they silent ? Because they know they’ll go the same way of former SGM’s in the blink of an eye. Drawers cleaned out and a meeting at the airport by immigration officials with a ticket home.

What are you doing wasting your time in the office ! You’re giving yourself a heart attack, and neglecting your family and kids.
You’re powerless to make change ! Your strings are pulled from well above and if you step out of line, they’ll be cut.
Your taking it up the rear end, why ?
If you’re lucky, you may end up back on the line as a Lazy Pilot.

Nobody will remember your efforts, or care ! In the western world you may have some power in airline management. Here, you’re a step up from the rest of us minions, a baggage handler who wears a tie.

Listen, Speak up, shout, and make a change, or Get A Life !

Your close mates will come to the American Hospital with a bunch of grapes and a magazine. The rest of us will think, what a nice bloke, Shame.

The money issue is a debate that will always exist.
For such a large expansion plan DEC’s are an agreed necessity.
To my mind, the two problems that will change moral almost immediately and enormously .

Stop ignoring a huge Existing command potential in the right seat !
The training dept is coming apart at the seams !
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Old 1st Mar 2004, 21:29
  #25 (permalink)  
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Oh Gulfa, pure poetry my son, pure poetry. !!!!
 
Old 1st Mar 2004, 23:52
  #26 (permalink)  
 
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And! don't forget that when you do eventually get your command you will earn significantly less money than a brand new Direct entry Captain, even if he has less experience than you!

If you become a training Capt. he will still be earning more money than you when you are training him, and will continue to do so for the rest of your career!

Wake up Emirates! We will not survive long enough to reach the forcasted expansion targets if you continue to employ stupid, inexperienced, asskissing, brown-nosing, idiots for upper management positions.

I doubt that I will ever carrry minimum fuel again, or work on a rostered day off, proffesionalism, peace of mind and safety now take on a whole new meaning. It saddens me greatly to admit it but every man has his limits and that includes us.

Well done to the EK management! THANK YOU for the demonstration of goodwill, comradery and appreciation for all the many years of hard work and sacrifices made on an almost daily basis by your hard working and loyal captive slaves.

I am not being paid enough to put up with this crap! but like the rest, I will stay until something better comes along.
Shame.....!
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 00:03
  #27 (permalink)  
 
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Just got an email from a friend that succesfully passed the interview early JAN 04....but...

He wisely decided not to come to EK and will keep on flying as a CPT with his present European A320 Charter company.

He changed his mind due to the present very low crew-morale, the future upgrade prospects and last but not least the way EK managment is treating it's pilots...

I can tell you, he was highly motivated in the beginning, even if he had to give up 30% of his present salary... guess too much is "too much"!

Maybe the holdpool will be drying up before the next rainseason...


Lets wait and see... the A340-300's might be spotters paradise, if parked against the fence on the Northside, as from May.


Of for a drink now, ( if I can afford it...)

Cheers : to a man that today made a wise decision!

Last edited by EK380; 2nd Mar 2004 at 01:31.
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 02:19
  #28 (permalink)  
 
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Hi Guys,

Hope you don't mind me posting to your forum, I am a pilot's wife and we are just about to pack up our lives here in Canada and move to Dubai. My husband is away on a layover right now (thank goodness he has not quit his job yet) and because this move clearly has a major effect on my life as well, I am trying to find some clarification. After reading all the posts from this latest meeting, our once very confident decision to sign on with Emirates is in serious question.

I just don't get it?????? I was a huge supporter on moving the whole family over to Dubai, for many reasons. The climate, the lifestyle and especially the company. We were under the impression that Emirates really cared about its employees. From what I could see from the outside looking in Emirates was doing everything possible (of course within reason) to make sure that the pilots and their wives were happy. Which obviously makes sense, there is a lot of cost in relocating, training etc. My husband was told that he would see a Captains seat within 18months- 3 years, for him this was a MAJOR factor in making his decision. It now appears that this is just some sort of carrot or Capt. Seat on a string that they are dangling in front of these guys faces...... to get them over there. Talk about making people unhappy, it very obvious from what I have been reading there is a lot tension and animosity. We do not have to move half way around the world for that type of enviroment, we have pleanty of it right here at home. This was another major factor in our move, looking forward to working for a company who respected its employees. We have been researching this whole deal for over a year, have we had ours heads in the sand the whole time?

Why is Emirates telling these guys things that are just not true?
Bottom line is.... They are messing with people's lives, expecting these guys to make major decisions based on out right lies.

I think the thing that is most upsetting to me is that in my mind Emirates was a First Class Airline all the way and we were really excited about being a part of it. Not so sure now. At the rate the management at Emirates is going they are going to drive this airline right into the ground.

Truly a sad state of affairs.........
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 03:20
  #29 (permalink)  
 
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OOtheB,

Well I'm sorry to say that EK generally (and I hate to generalise, but this is the case), don't give a Monkey's #oss about its employees; and I'm TRULY sorry to say this. On a 'one to one' basis, this is not 'generally' true. We all look after each other and enjoy our working environment. However, when you look higher up for support, you WILL get that support 'only if' it doesn't affect the job prospects of the Manager above you'. Any threat to the 'said job position' and you will be royally shafted.

Now, this shouldn't put you and your Hubby off in coming to DXB. You just need to be aware that 'nobody cares' on a managerial level. We all do on a 'humanistic' (one 2 one) level, but apply that to decisions that will affect you and your family long term, then you may have a problem. If anyone disagrees, then I'll mention subjects such as: accommodation, upgrades, medical (e.g. changed policy re pregnancy), professional support (FCI 001/04: 'the pilot is solely responsible for everything and the management take no responsibility for: morale, communication or issues that may affect our jobs).

Mmmmm - See, there I go again: and I hate doing it, but we are at crossroads in our development where we need to decide where we are going on a personal and ‘personnel’ level; and that takes MORAL COURAGE. This means making choices that aren't based on selfish motivations (protecting our annual budget so we get a nice bonus) or 'being scared' that if we support our staff we'll get 'shafted' in a few months. It really amazes me that people still live in fear of making decisions because ‘their boss may’ not promote them or keep them in their comfy pipe and slippers lifestyle. Won’t these people look at themselves in 10 or 20 years time and ask some REALLY important questions?

Anyhow OOtB I’ve said enough. Make a decision that is based on facts and what is good for your family, not the thrill of another lifestyle. It may fade if it doesn't meet your expectations. I love DXB, but only on MY terms....
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 07:33
  #30 (permalink)  
 
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What did I say in 2000?

Fellow aviators,

I remember me posting a remark about Emirates and The United Arab H@merroids in 2000....
I was truly telling you all what I have seen living in Dubai. Seeing how non locals, born and raised there where forced to leave because their father went broke and could not support himself nor his family. And this due to a local company going bust and not honouring the gentlemans pension rights after 30 years of service!!!
How the locals praise themselves of inventing the wheel better than anyone else....and how all looser wannabe pilots who would not have made it to any major carrier in the civilized world ended up in EK management. It was as a warning to all of you going there, but all the response I got back was stupid remarks of me not qualifying for the job, or me being an airhead etc. etc. -Yes I did not get the job...after telling the selection team that their health-insurance was poor....their arrogance was inappropriate (working with professionals does require some basic principles of respect and manners). The walking over corps mentality was so obvious that eaven a blind would get his 20/20 vision back
Well gentlemen, there is no golden heaven.....reality does catch up with fake promises and hype. I just hope for all of you that left a decent company and country to fly for those will find themselves in a better position sooner rather than later.
Some of you will write all kinds of things about my posting I am sure, but previous postings on this thread speaks for itself.....only it took you all 4 years to figure it out......some must learn the hard way it seems.....inventing the wheel again was it?

Good luck to you all.....
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 07:35
  #31 (permalink)  
 
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What I couldn't figure out that if they desperately need pilots why my age was that important. Somehow I don't think they got it right and they told me I was too old. Now that is a first.
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 11:15
  #32 (permalink)  
 
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Is it just me, or does this all sound like Cathay a couple of years ago?

Sorry to disillusion you all, but it hasn't changed that much here. When I came to EK well over a decade ago I was told by a wise old training captain that when you join you are issued with two buckets - one marked sh!t and one marked money. When one was full, you left! Looks like we know which one is spilling over!
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 13:01
  #33 (permalink)  
 
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Sandpit, at current resignation rates soon there'll be no more "wise old training captains" left!
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 13:49
  #34 (permalink)  
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OO the Blue,

Seriously reconsider coming here and I mean seriously. The contract your old man signed is not worth the paper it is written on, conditions change monthly for the worse.
From what I hear in the woods, aviation is beginning to turn around for the better in Canada (only what i hear) and a number of Canadian jockies here are kicking themselves for leaving.
Be aware, you and your family are in the eyes of the locals "a nothing" and you have no protection whatsoever in regards to the "Law of the land". One just has to have a car accident here at no fault of your own and life as you knew it turns into a bloody nightmare.
Having utmost respect, I would strongly suggest that when your husband walks through the door next, you yell out " There is no f###**g way I am going over to that sh##hole. !!!!!!

Best of luck for your decision and if you end up here, I would say bloody good luck, actually.

Lizard
 
Old 2nd Mar 2004, 14:34
  #35 (permalink)  
 
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OOT Blue,

As you can see there are lots of people telling you not to come. I'm not disagreeing with them, but I would add a couple of possible considerations.

If hubby was told "possible command after 18 months" then he must qualify for the "accelerated list", which means he must already have 2000Hrs command time on B737/A320 or bigger. (Otherwise he MUST do 3 years as an F/O, and may get stuck there for many more years as previously posted numbers indicate)

If this is the case then he only needs to wait to 3000 command to qualify as a DEC. You guys would then arrive in Dubai about 18 - 24 months later, and be earning about 10,000 Dhs more per month than you would be if you joined now. Follow that earning difference down a 10 -15 year career time line, and I think the technical term would "no brainer"? The added advantage would be you get the next 18 months or so to see what happens in EK, and do so without burning any Canadian bridges.

A bitch of a decision for you as a family, but good luck with it, and maybe we'll all get to enjoy your company here in a couple of years.


All the best....
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 17:19
  #36 (permalink)  
 
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To make a plan like that assumes the goalposts won't shift again! If pilot's start waiting until they satisfy the DEC requirements then the supply of F/Os will all but dry up. Then what will become of the DEC 'policy'?
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 19:34
  #37 (permalink)  
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Devil

Sounds like EK is turning into a bigger version of GF. Heaven help you if that happens. Then you really will have something to complain about.

Good luck.

666
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 20:11
  #38 (permalink)  
 
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For o.o.t.b,

You have my sympathies. This is a very tough decision. We moved from Canada just over a year ago. The upgrade was a huge factor. 4 months after I got here, they up and changed the rules. I now don't even qualify until a minimum 3 years. The "experience" issue for DECs is horse-bleep. There are 2-3 year F/O's here, over 40 years old, with tons of experience - Captain - wide body - excellent ride reports - you name it. They aren't upgraded for 1 simple reason...economics. It's cheaper to bring in DECs. When questioned as to the obligation by the company to keep its promises, the CP said, “When you take an ex-pat job, you have to expect this kind of treatment. YOU should have factored that in to your decision to come here.” (That’s a direct quote.) I suggest you heed his advice.

We do like the lifestyle in DXB, and the guys are excellent to work with, so I don't mind being an F/O. However, with a family, we don't save a dime. If you have kids, you need the Captain's pay here to have a savings plan. The SrVP Flt Ops was recently bragging to a new class how well the DEC program was working. He said it would go on indefinitely. Therefore, I think you must prepare for at least 5-7 years before the left seat. That’s IF the planned expansion continues.

Bottom line: if a quick upgrade is a clincher, don’t come.

PS. Good for you to care enough to get on here and ask questions!
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 21:33
  #39 (permalink)  
 
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out.of.the.blue

In the words of George Bernard Shaw – Advice to those contemplating …(fill in as appropriate but the original was matrimony)..Don’t!

If your husband and you are busting to join EK for some crazy reason, for god’s sake wait ‘till he has the required hours (by EK reckoning) and then get him to join as a DEC. Surely you can both see the current writing as put on the wall by a conniving bunch of liars masquerading as EK "management"?
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Old 2nd Mar 2004, 21:35
  #40 (permalink)  
 
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Danger

Emirates' Flt Ops management is extremely disrespectful towards the pilots. BOTTOM LINE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IS: IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT YOU CAN LEAVE.(but you can't have summer leave) I have difficulties to respect a local boss that makes TCK appear like one of the good guys. His inability to operate MS Powerpoint in this day and age just makes me roll the eyes.
One major problem for the pilots is that senior management thinks that we are all happy with pay and conditions.Reason being that our poor excuses for meetings are not minuted. EK is rapidly joining the Gulf Air spiral dive. Emirates is not a good job anymore. Do not waste your time applying.

Have fun,
Porkandbrew
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