8way - glad I'm not the only one sided poster (with my rose tinted specs) anymore. According to the good vicar i know jacksh*t about EK. Even though it's the best move i ever made. Isn't it a bummer to actually enjoy going to work .
I'm sure he'll find greener pastures elsewhere one day!!!
We are here because we want to be. I do enjoy Dubai and also the villa they gave me. I like the fact that they pick me up for work and I have no bills. If I dont see the UK again it would be too soon.
I have found in my life in aviation that those that constantly moan are going to moan wherever they are. Maybe they should change their career.
As a final response to 8way and wknight. I have found many people to be fairly insecure about their decisions to be here. Me included sometimes. Often this results in overstating the good points about EK and turning a blind eye to the down side. The good points about EK are very good, and the bad points can be very bad, if they affect you directly. For those of us already here, it makes no difference, and i have no beef with anyone who has chosen to come here. After all I did too! This thread is all about giving advice to anyone thinking of coming.
Additionally, I try my best not to get personal about those who have differing opinions, I just try to provide a balance to many of the one sided posts here. It doesn't do anyone any good to just be told the good points. Any thinking person needs to get the whole picture and make his own decision. Remember 8 way, not everyone is from the UK. Some people like where they live, and need to know what they are getting into if they choose to leave home and come to the desert. Not to mention that for many of us there are other people involved in the decision. Not everyone involved cares about shiny new aircraft and good rosters. Some have an interest in schooling, safety on the roads, security, and a miriad of other non aviation related issues.
The blokes I know who have been interviewed lately have been very grateful for your words of advice. They have spoken of some of these issues at the interview, and made the time to contact schools etc while here to find out the chances of getting kids into classes etc. Because of your advice they have had a better base from which to make a pretty big decision.
It is a shame that some people can not see the difference between moaning and a balanced view.
Donpizzy - real shame mate, real shame but I can tell the difference between the balanced view and MOANING !!!!! There is nothing about the vicars view that is balanced - or am I the only thick bastard to see it that way?? Also I would like to point out Doug that there is absolutely nothing about my decision to come here that makes me feel insecure - my wife and my children and I LOVE being here. Tough luck if that goes against your view. If you are unhappy then I am sure another airline may employ you - or then again probably not because virtually no-one else is hiring. Is that your sole decision for staying ?
White Knight I think that the Rev's remarks are well balanced and just giving the other side of the story so that people do not think that everything in EK is a bed of roses.
I think therefore that you are indeed 'the only thick bastard to see it that way' as you so well put it.
You have made your bed with EK and you wax lyrical about it and that is good for you, though as a new boy it is early days still.
Most pilots have no choice but to stay where they are once they have chucked in the old job.That applies even more so given the current employment situation. Who would employ you as an ex 146 Captain and now a F/O on a A330/B777 presumably if you were to leave EK. Answer probably no one at the present time so it is just as well you like it so much there!
Mr Knight, I'm with the Don, gyspy and the Rev. They, I believe, give a balanced view even from the perspective of someone from the UK. I don't think they're thick bastards.
Can someone tell me where most of the villas are located? Are they on the Diera side of the creek? Are they all in one area or spread out? Thank You rwelch
Just from a hearsay point of view, i believe there are a few guys with applications in at the moment. I understand the position you guys are in at CX and wish you well. Bear in mind from a financial point of view, a CX F/O earns more than a EK Captain. A CX Captain earns more than twice as much as an EK Capt. Before i get the howls from the masses, I know that money is not the main issue; lifestyle, command, education, management etc are all factors. It just seems that many people believe that lifestyle comes as a product of how many fun tickets you have. At EK you dont have as many as at CX. It can be argued that they probably go a little further here though.
Just wondering if there are many guys at EK who decided not to live in Dubai and take the utilities allowance instead. In order to accomodate the commute, can you usually request a block of days flying then a block of days off?
With the recent Emirates mega-order is it reasonable to suppose time to command would be significantly reduced, at least for the
"accelerated command" pilots?
I have an interview for a ground instructional job with Emirates in the near future and one part of the selection procedure is a "short technical test".
Has anyone out there had experience of this and could you give me a heads up as to what it may involve?
Thanks
PS - Interesting to note, in the light of some of the posts here, that they a) offered me an interview within 1 week of my application being submitted and b) they are paying for my ticket!
kiron, I met once a guy who got in with 3000 hours on 737's, but that was before the expansion, now it's rather unlikely because they have thousands of applications with more than the min. requirements.
I've just been reading through this thread and can't help but notice a bit of slanging going on. Just wanna go on record and add my insignificant two cents worth -
As a non EK bloke, I for one want to say that I appreciate the good Rev highlighting the other side of the coin. When decisions are to be made, you've gotta have all, or as much, info as poss. We all know EK is a good oufit, just that the whole deal suits some better than others. I really dont know why some of you have to get all antsy and suggest that one should leave the company just because he doesn't see things the way you do.
If 'real' info incites just one person to think twice about making a career decision that has huge family/lifestyle implications, then its good info in my books. As an expat, I've seen the results of individuals either finding out its not what they thought it would be, or the family not being happy - not good.
To the Rev, cheers. And to any potential posters, please tell it how it is, it's appreciated.
