If you're considering EK take the time for a read:
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If you're considering EK take the time for a read:
Everybody's experience is different. This is from a friend who decided enough was enough and left over 9 months ago.
It sums up the increasingly common opinion among folks. It is very well what you could get yourself into, and how your life will be under the current rostering and management. Simple things can make that change, but as has been written elsewhere many, many times it is highly doubtful that the changes needed will occur.
It sums up the increasingly common opinion among folks. It is very well what you could get yourself into, and how your life will be under the current rostering and management. Simple things can make that change, but as has been written elsewhere many, many times it is highly doubtful that the changes needed will occur.
It’s now just like a bad dream remembering what it was like to be in a constant state of jet-lag and tiredness. My memory is working much better again, I don’t feel like I am forcing my brain to think (it is running in oil again, not in muck) connections are back to normal and available to use, not constantly looking for things in there. I remember days where I couldn't pick up a book, had the attention span of a gold fish, and could barely have a coherent conversation. I know it was bad, but it is hard to really bring back how it felt on those days. Like you said, my mind is free of all that now.
It did take a long time, and I do feel sometimes that it has left marks. I’m doing a lot of things that were left on the shelf for years, putting pictures in order of the last decade, can sit there for a few hours doing the same thing without either falling asleep or losing interest. I am able to come with ideas to do with the kids, as in, things that will be fun for them, and either teach them something about science or show them something from nature. For the first time in a long time I am playing and laughing frequently with my children. I am bounding out of bed again.
It doesn't all revolve around work anymore, work is something that interrupts life now, not control it. Again, perhaps its just me getting older, or having learned a lesson from my time in the middle east, but I do think being in that state of mind, many times a zombie, sometimes being able to see what I used to be like from before EK, and at the end of holidays actually being myself again, for a short time. The sheer exhaustion, jet lag and undeniable fatigue is not for me. it was slowly grinding me down, I am just not suited for the life we lived in Dubai. Is anyone? Maybe, but I think there a quite a few who kid themselves about that because they have forgotten how it feels to be ‘normal.’
The trap is well and truly set for those joining. The way things are set up, with the Bond, zero interest loans, free housing etc EK are making you theirs for 7-10 years. You are most definitely their slave. They don't care about you, your life, or your family. It is about you flying their jets and that is all. Get back from a trip and just manage to get yourself functioning again before being sent away on another trip. As you well know, many times - most? - you aren't even functioning again before being sent on another trip. They don't care that they are burning you out, their goal is set on 7-10 years and then throwing you away. If you make it that far. I am certain people leave after that many years and suddenly go "what happened? Why did I waste my life there?"
I, my wife, and my family are the happiest we have been in over 5 years. We are functioning again and living life.
Not merely existing.
It did take a long time, and I do feel sometimes that it has left marks. I’m doing a lot of things that were left on the shelf for years, putting pictures in order of the last decade, can sit there for a few hours doing the same thing without either falling asleep or losing interest. I am able to come with ideas to do with the kids, as in, things that will be fun for them, and either teach them something about science or show them something from nature. For the first time in a long time I am playing and laughing frequently with my children. I am bounding out of bed again.
It doesn't all revolve around work anymore, work is something that interrupts life now, not control it. Again, perhaps its just me getting older, or having learned a lesson from my time in the middle east, but I do think being in that state of mind, many times a zombie, sometimes being able to see what I used to be like from before EK, and at the end of holidays actually being myself again, for a short time. The sheer exhaustion, jet lag and undeniable fatigue is not for me. it was slowly grinding me down, I am just not suited for the life we lived in Dubai. Is anyone? Maybe, but I think there a quite a few who kid themselves about that because they have forgotten how it feels to be ‘normal.’
The trap is well and truly set for those joining. The way things are set up, with the Bond, zero interest loans, free housing etc EK are making you theirs for 7-10 years. You are most definitely their slave. They don't care about you, your life, or your family. It is about you flying their jets and that is all. Get back from a trip and just manage to get yourself functioning again before being sent away on another trip. As you well know, many times - most? - you aren't even functioning again before being sent on another trip. They don't care that they are burning you out, their goal is set on 7-10 years and then throwing you away. If you make it that far. I am certain people leave after that many years and suddenly go "what happened? Why did I waste my life there?"
I, my wife, and my family are the happiest we have been in over 5 years. We are functioning again and living life.
Not merely existing.
short flights long nights
And I get hate mail because I say i am enjoying walking the dogs!
short flights long nights
I must say, I did not realise how tired and jet lagged I was until I stopped flying. I can't believe how much better I feel.
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It only has been a week since I left the asslyum but I feel so much better. I can't imagine how I will feel in a month.
I didn't know how bad I felt until I left. Try it you will like it as well.
I didn't know how bad I felt until I left. Try it you will like it as well.
short flights long nights
Neptune...just a word of advise. Do not come on here and say how great it is to leave...you will get lots of mail in your in box. And what ever you do, never ever talk about dogs, wine or fires. This will set off a real flood of mail.
However, I took the dogs for a walk this afternoon. Came home, opened a wine and cooked a BBQ. The dogs checked my BBQ cooking progress.
It was getting warmer today, so no need for a fire, but at almost 10.00pm, it's down to 15 degrees, so just might lite one for the hell of it.
However, I took the dogs for a walk this afternoon. Came home, opened a wine and cooked a BBQ. The dogs checked my BBQ cooking progress.
It was getting warmer today, so no need for a fire, but at almost 10.00pm, it's down to 15 degrees, so just might lite one for the hell of it.
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I'm on my way out too. 4 weeks to go. It can't come soon enough. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Everyone has to do what's best for them, but to all potential new EK joiners, think VERY carefully !!! EK isn't an airline, it's a forced labor camp.
Good luck to all -- I'm outta here !!
Everyone has to do what's best for them, but to all potential new EK joiners, think VERY carefully !!! EK isn't an airline, it's a forced labor camp.
Good luck to all -- I'm outta here !!
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@Neptune Congrats 
Don't think it's hate, I would call it jealousy. Btw what kind of dogs ?
And I get hate mail because I say i am enjoying walking the dogs!
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Once after a few months off flying and spending each night in the same bed the wife said i was actually quite a nice person, hasn't said that after 12 years at ek
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My wife said just last night that it was good to have the man she married back. That made me feel good and as I said before I feel really good now. My personality is back, I'm not fogged headed anymore and I put my suitcase away for days at a time.
Yes the haters are out there filling my inbox. I can't believe when you speak from the heart and speak no lies you get blowback. Just goes to show everyone the closer one gets to the truth the more forceful the push from the other side. I can't understand why they try to defend this airlines' practices. With everything the airline does to its pilots, and now DECs? I am so glad I'm outta there. What a slap in the face to the hard working and long suffering FOs.
Yes the haters are out there filling my inbox. I can't believe when you speak from the heart and speak no lies you get blowback. Just goes to show everyone the closer one gets to the truth the more forceful the push from the other side. I can't understand why they try to defend this airlines' practices. With everything the airline does to its pilots, and now DECs? I am so glad I'm outta there. What a slap in the face to the hard working and long suffering FOs.
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Neptune spear,
The difference between you and the haters is that you choose life!! It is afterall just a job, nothing more. If there is a balance between brain and heart, than it is a good decision.
Enjoy with your family!!!!
The difference between you and the haters is that you choose life!! It is afterall just a job, nothing more. If there is a balance between brain and heart, than it is a good decision.
Enjoy with your family!!!!
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"It was like to be in a constant state of jet-lag and tiredness. I don't feel like I am forcing my brain to think. Had the attention span of a gold fish and could barely have a coherent conversation."
Scary. It's really scary to think that he was flying in those conditions. Like many others at EK and other airlines are.
Scary. It's really scary to think that he was flying in those conditions. Like many others at EK and other airlines are.
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I am fortunate enough to work for an over all good company and I like my job on most days. But when I've had a long duty, or just having one of those days where work is not that great, my wife always tells me what dboy said:
A short sentence but the best thing I've read on these forums in a very long time.
Decisions are sometimes hard to take and you're always asking yourself "am I doing the right thing here?" and to those of you who took the decision to change your situation, good for you.
CP
It is afterall just a job, nothing more.
Decisions are sometimes hard to take and you're always asking yourself "am I doing the right thing here?" and to those of you who took the decision to change your situation, good for you.
CP
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Striker26.
On the 1st of July 2015 you posted how you are 23, have a BComm (I only have a B.Ec so not as good as you) and are now looking at starting Flight training. Because you have family in Dubai you want to
It is incredibly amusing how somebody who has no flying experience, let alone airline flying experience, comes here and puts their 'wisdom' on show for all. All you are showing is how wet behind the ears you are. You are half right though -
but not for the reason you claim. It is quite simple - it's anonymous so anybody can post and we have no idea of whether they are a gardener or bona fide airline pilot. What I trust is the pilots sitting next to me commenting in face to face conversation. And that face to face conversation is represented here. The EK flight deck is now the most toxic I have ever seen. Even those who have swilled and force-fed others the koolaid are now complaining about the company and the rostering. Why? Because everybody is exhausted. They are exhausted by a company that has systematically removed any form of control over your life. No leave, or leave when it is useless, back to back to back to back flying that leaves pilots in a permanent zombie state. But you have read all that and denied it is true so I won't continue here. It is pointless.
Don't worry your dream of
is closer than you think. You are the perfect candidate - you ignore those who have thousands of hours of experience (I'm in >10,000 hr range) and put your head firmly in the sand.
Quick, hurry up and get your 1500hrs and ATPL done so you can come here and then post with some form of authority on how great it is in EK.
On the 1st of July 2015 you posted how you are 23, have a BComm (I only have a B.Ec so not as good as you) and are now looking at starting Flight training. Because you have family in Dubai you want to
apply to the middle east soon for a bigger pay cheque
You cant trust half the posts here
Don't worry your dream of
i guess i want to be as attarctive as possible to a ME Airline as possible!
Quick, hurry up and get your 1500hrs and ATPL done so you can come here and then post with some form of authority on how great it is in EK.
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Agreed. Striker, how many hours airline flying do you have? Oh that's right, NONE. Put a cork in it pal until you're qualified to comment.
Just looked back at his/her previous posts. Breathtaking naivety/ignorance.
Just looked back at his/her previous posts. Breathtaking naivety/ignorance.
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Striker is a few things:
At the top of the list is "uninformed w anker" or put in a nicer way "just plain ignorant".
He is 23 and from Canada. As a Canadian he has been told how smart and more worldly Canadians are than their American brothers etc. and of course being from Toronto he is the "cream of the crop...or was it crap?", in the north we used to refer to this type as "Toronto Wankers".
So of course he knows everything, how couldn't he? His mommy and daddy probably tell him how special he is everyday since he probably still lives with them in their basement.
Thats the real picture of aviation in Canada.
On the other hand he needs an audience to show off his big "pilot watch" and the Ray Ban case on his belt, this is just the place to do it! Just imagine how impressed the cabin crew are going to be
!! Be sure you don't have a reaction to penicillin, you may need it one day here...
So Striker, as a fellow countryman I'd say to keep following your dream and come...EK is resuming operations to Baghdad and will need more pilots to replace those on the 330 fleet who have just gone nuts, been shot at or have been in a coma trying to recover from lack of rest.
Basra and Kabul are nice places this time of year too and India is best seen during the night hours so you'll fit right in!
At the top of the list is "uninformed w anker" or put in a nicer way "just plain ignorant".
He is 23 and from Canada. As a Canadian he has been told how smart and more worldly Canadians are than their American brothers etc. and of course being from Toronto he is the "cream of the crop...or was it crap?", in the north we used to refer to this type as "Toronto Wankers".
So of course he knows everything, how couldn't he? His mommy and daddy probably tell him how special he is everyday since he probably still lives with them in their basement.
Thats the real picture of aviation in Canada.
On the other hand he needs an audience to show off his big "pilot watch" and the Ray Ban case on his belt, this is just the place to do it! Just imagine how impressed the cabin crew are going to be
!! Be sure you don't have a reaction to penicillin, you may need it one day here...So Striker, as a fellow countryman I'd say to keep following your dream and come...EK is resuming operations to Baghdad and will need more pilots to replace those on the 330 fleet who have just gone nuts, been shot at or have been in a coma trying to recover from lack of rest.
Basra and Kabul are nice places this time of year too and India is best seen during the night hours so you'll fit right in!
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LMAO im actually laughing, you think i'd put my real info online? Nice to see the assumptions. Im not even going to go there.
I think its clear there's a handful of EK pilots (as with any airline) whose wives have had enough of Dubai because they miss home, and the expat has found the perfect environment to complain in. EK is a great airline. I haven't seen one EK pilot revolution or strike - go figure.
"My wife said just last night that it was good to have the man she married back. That made me feel good and as I said before I feel really good now. My personality is back, I'm not fogged headed anymore and I put my suitcase away for days at a time." - Boo-hoo - why'd you choose to fly a wide body?
Come back to me when the airline is shut down for violating international air law, when flights are cancelled because the pilot was a no show, when pilots walk off the job in a revolution, when EK doesnt have one of the best safety records of any airline. And if you say "its coming", havent seen anything for over 30 years and you'll never.
To all those applying to EK - good luck and remember, as with any company, there is always going to be people within who dont like it. Lets hope they get home safely
Forgot to mention most who don't like it, ARE STILL WORKING FOR EK lolll - too scared to quit. Quit, end your visa and go home. Dont be a hypocrite and come home after every successful flight and complain.
I think its clear there's a handful of EK pilots (as with any airline) whose wives have had enough of Dubai because they miss home, and the expat has found the perfect environment to complain in. EK is a great airline. I haven't seen one EK pilot revolution or strike - go figure.
"My wife said just last night that it was good to have the man she married back. That made me feel good and as I said before I feel really good now. My personality is back, I'm not fogged headed anymore and I put my suitcase away for days at a time." - Boo-hoo - why'd you choose to fly a wide body?
Come back to me when the airline is shut down for violating international air law, when flights are cancelled because the pilot was a no show, when pilots walk off the job in a revolution, when EK doesnt have one of the best safety records of any airline. And if you say "its coming", havent seen anything for over 30 years and you'll never.
To all those applying to EK - good luck and remember, as with any company, there is always going to be people within who dont like it. Lets hope they get home safely
Forgot to mention most who don't like it, ARE STILL WORKING FOR EK lolll - too scared to quit. Quit, end your visa and go home. Dont be a hypocrite and come home after every successful flight and complain.