Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > PPRuNe Worldwide > Middle East
Reload this Page >

Fast track command in EK

Middle East Many expats still flying in Knoteetingham. Regional issues can be discussed here.

Fast track command in EK

Old 10th Mar 2015, 20:53
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere near an Airport
Age: 42
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fast track command in EK

Hello everyone,


EK is now luring pilots with this promise. You may see the advert right next to this window. Is it any where close to reality? And how fast is fast? Say 5 years? EK employees kindly shed some light.


Happy landings

Flyboy
Flyboy_SG is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2015, 22:12
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: overthere
Posts: 3,040
Received 26 Likes on 10 Posts
This one should get interesting.
donpizmeov is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2015, 22:17
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: >FL310
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ah yes. That old chestnut raises its ugly head again. Many have come with that promise, and many have found that promise to be, shall we say, written in sand. Have seen that same ole promise at two airlines (this being one of them), and some extremely disappointed pilots when it didn't come to pass.
TangoUniform is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 05:10
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Desert
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is the same promise the company gave its pilots many times before; there are no plans to hire DECs in the future. 2. We don't want to hire DECs. 3. We have finished hiring DECs.
The reality; the DECs we just hired that we said we were not going to just delayed your command by over a year but you are lucky to have a job. If you don't like it there is the door.
Just a small snapshot of what it is like to work for EK
LHR Rain is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 05:12
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ME
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can think of two examples of a screw job on the fast track command promise, both on the A330. The first one was when Ed was here. In the first case, several years ago, they stopped the fast track program after the pilot was already on the property. That pilot resigned and returned to her job at JetBlue. The second and most resent case was with an F/O who was told there would be no fast track or DEC positions on the 330. That poor guy was sent to the 380 as an F/O, loosing any chance of an upgrade for many years. I am sure another future resignation in the works. If they offer you a fast track, get it in writing.
johnnyramjet is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 05:28
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UAE
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
All first officers at EK are currently on the "fast track" command system. As of today, it is taking first officers on the T7 about four years to upgrade on this "fast track" system. A couple of years ago it was taking as little as three years to upgrade on the "fast track" system. Rumour has it that over the coming years and beyond it may take five, seven or some say, over ten to upgrade on the "fast track" system. If this will be the case then the "fast track" system will be renamed the "normal track" system at the companies discretion.

Hope this helps.

J.
JAYTO is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 06:11
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wherever the moment takes me!
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And what is more; I have encountered numerous colleagues whom arrived in Dubai in good faith, with a Boeing course date, only to be told (once they have formally resigned from their previous company i.e. - trapped), that: -

"Sir/Madam, there has been a change and you will now be on the Airbus (classic) fleet; but don't worry - you will surely upgrade or transfer to the A380 in less than a year."

The point being, at the moment they will tell you exactly what you want to hear as they are getting desperate to recruit!

Be wary!
Rotaiva is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 06:23
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Expat land
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where

Where did you see an advert for Fast Track Commands??

I don't believe they are advertising such a position. Vacancies currently being advertised are FO and A330 Captain.

They may be suggesting upgrades will come faster at EK than your current company. I guess "Fast" depends on:
1. which fleet you go to, expansion and resignation rates at EK, and
2. your perspective. For some, 4 years is fast, for some 10 is fast....
Avid Aviator is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 08:35
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As far as I know, fast track commands ended about 3 years ago on the A330 fleet. They were designed to bring people with previous PIC experience to the left seat in shorter than the average time. Many people were harmed by the decision to discontinue the policy.

People are upgrading at 4-6 years at the moment depending on the fleet, however you don't need to be Einstein to understand that an FO joining today on any of the fleets is looking at the 10 years mark unless people resign massively or the company net grows 300 airplanes in the forseeable future.

Everytime I see the ad on the far right of the screen makes my blood boil. Because it is designed to purposedly mislead people.
aussiefarmer is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 10:26
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Desert
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aussie but many more pilots already on the EK senority list benefited by not having junior pilots jump over them.
LHR Rain is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 10:38
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: North of 0
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Everytime I see the ad on the far right of the screen makes my blood boil. Because it is designed to purposedly mislead people.
Totally agree...
SubsonicMortal is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 11:07
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: moon
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No-one should promise fast track command if they get DEC ... said that ... in all the 3 Major players in the gulf the average time for command is minimum 5 year (either you've applied fast track or normal track!).
donpizmeov2 is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 11:21
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N/A
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How many people leaving EK at the moment?
TrinniMcGinny is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 11:54
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: i'm in the parking lot
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I was in my 20's (sigh) and someone told me 5 yrs to widebody command......sign me up!


I guess its all a matter of perspective




But the AB guys have, and continue to be, getting screwed. It sucks
The Turtle is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2015, 14:16
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sandpit.
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Plenty of guys already here who more than meet the DEC criteria. EK won't do it (fast tracking) because of the cost involved. The same as upgrading an FO. Far cheaper to employ DECs, but far longer to get them on line.
nakbin330 is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2015, 14:53
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cloud Cookoo Land
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Despite being put off from EK for life I still envisage the airline will have pretty high standards for upgrades. Not everyone will be suitable and therefore will never see a command course. Others will fail somewhere down the line and return to the right seat. Same applies to DECs. I know of at least one guy who failed the DEC OCC course at EK.

There's always that factor. Get a succession of poor DECs and it throws a major swerve ball. I also consider the whole 'fast track' process in any operator to be complete BS. It's at the wim of managers and members of the hit parade. It also instils an element of entitlement among the ranks. A command should be earned, which I know is sometimes complete bollox as well.
Callsign Kilo is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.