DH8_driver

Hey Cessna95, how long after your online assessment and video interview did you get the email for the interview? Thanks

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Hi folks,

I got the online tests done....had almost immediate response re the interview....and this is where I let the team down a tad and failed to get it done within the 5 days period.....TWICE!! They were very cool about it. I then did it and during question 2, my computer had a bit of a "moment" and it threw me slightly as it skipped to question 3!! Quick bit of composure and thought and off I rambled. Received dates for assessment ranging from November 17 to end of Jan 18....just need to pick (thinking of early December if anyone else here is going then, let me know via PM as I "may have" some inside info regarding sim stuff for you). I received that email about a week after the online interview.

Hope this helps someone.

Forgive me for not reading back very far at all....but wondered what the group exercise stuff is like? I'm from a Corporate background and haven't had to do such things before....

DH8_driver

Hey, thanks for the info! I believe Latest Pilot Jobs has a good prep course with few simulated scenarios. I found some candidates experience online when I googled the process too. Think of it as a personality test, don't be the guy you wouldn't want to be paired with for a few days and you will be ok.

cessna95

Got the email 2 days after.

You might want to follow up with ms. Bota of HR

DH8_driver

Thanks for the info. I will give it a few more days and if no contact I will get in touch. I just don't want to come across to them as pushy.

Underrated and Moderated

Hi folks,

Requested a day myself in December....anyone else thinking of going then?? Let me know if you are and maybe we can hook up. I still haven't had a reply....maybe HR got bored of me asking?

It's a big step....major life change....obviously, there are people on PPRUNE, that are here to air their grievances etc.....and thats understandable, but are there any FZ guys/gals on here that are lurking/reading, that might like to share some positive news...?

I see/hear that there are plans to do a recruitment day/s in the UK (aimed at the poor Monarch peeps maybe...?)....are any of you thinking of waiting for those dates to come out?

U and M

High Energy

Don't worry. There are folk on the line who love the job, including myself. Yes it is not perfect but which job is... It all depends on what you find interesting and what you want out of the job. But it's easier to keep quiet and avoid the typical burn.

Underrated and Moderated

HE.....thanks for taking the time and sticking your neck out and saying "Yeah....I quite like it mate!"

I knew a Captain there who was tired of it and went back to Spain to fly for RyanPants. He messaged the other day to say that whilst his wife and family were back, where they came from (he was actually Argentinian himself), he said he missed the money, the decent folk he flew with and the interesting routes. Prior to leaving, he said he was considering a commuting contract to the Far East and is already looking at doing that again, from Spain, because he just doesn't enjoy what he is doing now, as much as FZ.

I'm going for it with eyes open and a long term goal. I have been in the Corporate jet World for years and become disillusioned by it. The corner cutting. The wage cutting. The back stabbing....its all a bit too "personal" for want of a better expression. I'd like to fly the Boeing. I'd like to gain a Command again on one at some point and I'd like the chance to challenge myself in an airline environment. I am under no illusion that FZ will be an easy job/walk in the park....but am expecting it to be pretty tough.

I'm going to risk sounding (more...) like a dunce now....how does the whole "bidding" system work for time off for annual leave etc?? I'm not after any yet...just like to know how it works at an airline...never having dealt with it in the past.

Cheers all.....

High Energy

I'm LHS and relatively senior so it's not really reflective of how your situation is gonna be. I know the junior guys have it very tough. BUT, the junior FO's have it easier than the junior Captains. There's a really big gradient between LHS and RHS in terms of what you can get bidding wise. Bidding works purely based on seniority. We are tight on Captains and I think are slightly over on the number of FO's requird. Having said that during the winter season we have more nightstops and that's heavy on crew. Basically you tell the system what you want to do. Days off and flights/stby's then get assigned according to your seniority and bid preference. There is a massive rumor that the system get's manipulated manually but I'm not getting mix up in that argument. Getting your days off when you want them is VERY difficult. And it can be very frustrating when the system throws in a stby just before your leave and after a batch of 4 days off. That's a discussion that's been going on for a long time. Hopefully one day we get a solution. Inshallah...

Basically as a junior guy you fly a lot of nights and body clock flips. For an FO that will change after about 1.5 year and you get some nice trips thrown in too. Stuff that you requested. For a new Captain that won't change for at least 3-5 years. (my guess) Hence some junior Captains are leaving early. The expansion with the MAX and associated rumored nightstops might change that a bit. But the nice thing about flydubai is being home every night so how attractive that is is left to be seen.

Leave works on the same seniority system too. Six round of bidding to assign 7 weeks of leave. The 1 golden day off bidding per month works in reverse seniority.

Underrated and Moderated

Thanks for this HE.

To be fair, as a Corporate jockey, I've spent most of my flying career, being away for weeks at a time and then getting a few days off between....and sometimes longer. However, whilst that can work well....and the time off is great, the time ON again, is filled with dread, as you go on to fly crazy long days (due to lack of regulatory authority.....I pulled 30-40 hour long days without rest, more times than I would like to think about)...have no idea when you are getting home....cant book holiday at all....so it's all horses for courses. As I have said previously, I believe that you need to go into these things with your eyes open. Sure, it's not perfect...show me a job that is and I will show you a waiting list of applicants to get into it, as high as the Empire State Building! Getting home every day is appealing.

Any idea what routes are rumoured? European?? More Far East? Just interested.

Seems to me....go in...pay your dues...move up the ranks slowly, but surely and have a rethink after 3 years if it isn't for you?? At least there are other opportunities in the Far East then...?

High Energy

Spot on. I've flown with a few ex-corporate guys and they (and their families) absolutely love it here. Tough at times but no way near how their corporate life used to be. The longest day we do is around 14hrs IIRC. (deadheads)

There are many rumored new routes ranging from Europe to the Far East. I'll believe it when we see the announcement. The big unknown is this unfolding Emirates partnership.

Underrated and Moderated

Its all the rage, chatting about it at EK too. My mate is an FO on the Triple for EK and he says the rumour has gone on and on for quite some time. My understanding is, that FZ are already "easing the burden" on some of the EK network, by fulfilling flights/codeshares with the 737, meaning EK aren't having to fly those routes with three quarters of the plane empty. Who know what a full partnership could mean for the crews up front and down back? Sideways moves for some? Similar recompense/deals on accommodation and transport??? Who knows?

So, are there particular parts that FZ families tend to live....?? Sorry H.E....I've thrown loads of questions at you!!!

High Energy

I think most families live in The Ranches, Springs, Meira, Downtown, Remraam, The Marina and JVC. Families with kids tend to choose a place close(er) to their kids school.

Underrated and Moderated

Thanks for all the answers H.E....much appreciated. I had been looking at the Ranches. Looks to me like the latest package from FZ re accommodation, will cover the basic rent of a decent place (nearly...have to throw some extra at it for an ideal spot).

So, does anyone have any idea of timespan involved if you go ahead and complete the final assessment/sim and get offered a position? Do they want you to move within weeks....months...?? I am just wondering how quick you, as a candidate, has to move (not just physically...I mean, in a get your into gear kind. of way!). I am thinking, have to sell up in the UK, sort out school and preschool for the kiddywinks....stick furniture into a container etc....seems like there would, obviously be, a massive upheaval prior to actually arriving.

Lastly (for now) peeps..... how long does the TR take at CAE?

U and M

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Folks ..... thanks for all the responses. Really appreciate the time.

Will look at a few other areas as suggested. I was thinking I would need some additiona time to get sorted before the family joined me. I wonder what thentime span is from “Job offer “ to “Get your arse down here and start a course...!”??

Somewhat shocked to read people have quit during the TR at CAE due to abuse etc. Now, I have to say, I have been on initial type ratings where twice, people have wound the instructors up to the point of them letting rip.....first time, was on the Citation Sovereign where two guys talked and discussed in their native tongue, through the written exam. I was angry....as it was off putting and unnecessary....however, the instructor was livid and made them sit it again...different papers though and at different times and, the second time was on the Challenger initial I did where the guy I was with, refused to adhere to a particular procedure or checklist and got all shi**y about it when the sim instructor told him he had to do it a particular way. That was a case of the guy thinking he knew better ..... and didn’t....and I ended up telling the guy that if we wanted to get through the checkride, he’d better pull his socks up and do what was needed. What I am getting at is, maybe the guys getting abuse hurled at them, were not listening/paying attention....maybe they had literally wound the instructor up the point of “BOOM”?? Just interested....as I happen to know a couple of guys at CAE and neither are in any way, impatient and short tempered and take their job seriously...trying to ensure people have the required knowledge and beyond??

Thanks all

excrab

As had been said on here there are many choices of areas to live, best plan is to get here, do the type rating and look around, preferably with spouse and family before you choose an area to live in, and if you have school aged kids think about where you want them to go to school, and how you will get them there. School busses are expensive (although the education allowance should cover it). However the traffic is appalling at school run time, and if you live furthest from the school the bus can be picking up at 0630 every morning and the kids will be knackered.
It also might be an idea to consider letting your house in the UK if you can cover the mortgage, and putting furniture in storage. Its easy to ship
a container out here, but unless you're sure that you, and importantly the family, will be happy here it might be a good idea initially to keep a base in the UK.
Also don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the promise of a decent roster within 1 - 2 years. If you plan to upgrade to captain, at the moment people are upgrading after two years (not all, obviously as it depends on experience, ability and luck), and when you upgrade you are right back there getting all the flights the senior guys don't want, in the middle of the night, possibly with relevantly inexperienced F/Os, plus finding it difficult to have quality time at weekends or evenings with the family.

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Thanks excrab......all makes sense. I think we may well keep the house in the UK if at all possible and try to get out to DXB in the New Year together, if I get through the selection process. I've had quite a few visits to DXB myself over the years (most rich folk go there for various reasons, in their pet jets).

I've actually seen they are having UK assessments in London next month (through different recruiter) and I may well try and get in on that.....I may have to ask Bota in HR very nicely! I have a couple of issues that I need to clear up (electronic logbook....and last recurrent was last year...but then, I'm not rated on 738 anyway...!). Would be easier than travelling to DXB etc.

I think I may have asked before...but not sure if there was a definitive answer. What is the approx time from "Zero to Hero" re the TR course? Also, I guess there is a licence conversion process....

High Energy

I really think coming without family is the best option. From getting the job offer to passing the linecheck took me exactly 4 months. I had almost six weeks between job offer and starting. It could have been 1 week but that was too quick for me. Now I'd wish I'd taken that offer as I would have been quite a bit higher in seniority. I remember we had full classes every 10 days or so.

I believe that flydubai still does not officially give you the housing allowance cheque untill you've passed your final linecheck successfully. BUT there is a workaround they apply for you to get the allownce earlier. Basically have your other halve look at propertyfinder.me and search areas and get a rough idea for what you both want. Then go have a look after you've done your groundschool.

Underrated and Moderated

Thanks H.E. It all makes sense.

I do have some other complications to figure out for family and healthcare (long, sad story), but this is something I would sort. I'm due to go to DXB for the assessment in December. Who knows how I will get on, but will give it my best shot. The whole "Group exercise"thing is very new to me....but I am hoping that I will get on okay, otherwise I will be sat around in DXB for a few days having been kicked out at lunchtime on day one ....H.E.....I will buy you a drink if I am!!!

I am sure there are a load more questions....but I don't want to bug people, so will give a few days before I bring them up.... thanks all....awesome feedback

Galaxy32

Hey all, Has anyone on here got some FZ roster examples?