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Thinking About Emirates???
Hi folks!
Just thought I'd drop a line to my colleagues still in the USA and Canada. Lately, us Emirates pilots have been hearing a lot of noise from our management about how lucky we are to have jobs in this downturn, duh! We are also informed every week about how many unfortunates at legacy carriers are finding themselves out of work.
These masters of the obvious spare no opportunity to let us know how many well qualified heavy jet drivers are chomping at the bit to come here and take our place in the pilot paradise known as Dubai. If we can't appreciate their constant negative changes to terms and conditions of our contract and work agreements, someone else certainly will.
Please do yourself and your family a big favor and look carefully at all available information on the Prune before even coming out here for an interview.
Although it seems shiny from the outside looking in, the reality is quite different. Unfortunately, the more folks that are fooled by the recruiting "sales pitch" the less likely the downward trend at Emirates will ever be reversed.
If you want to work for a low-cost carrier, do it from home. You have more rights, and you will be happier in the long run.
If you insist on giving EK a try, insist on the following:
1. EK pays your way to the interview, or you don't come;
2. If you are offered a job on the Airbus Fleet, say no thanks and insist on a B777 slot;
3. Do not accept temporary accomodation under any circumstances, you and your family could remain there up to a year-and-a-half, it has happened;
4. DO NOT resign your position at a reputable legacy carrier, and think that this act of good faith does anything other than narrow your options once you see EK for what it really is;
Please understand the following:
5. Do not expect seniority to matter with respect to anything at EK, not for line bidding, upgrading, vacation awards, or fleet transfer (FO to CA or FO to FO/CA to CA),;
6. Live with the fact that Direct Entry Captains have and will continue to be hired by the airline solely at its discretion;
7. Expect guys junior to you, to be upgraded before you, because they have more "time on type" accrued prior to coming to EK, total time or previous command experience notwithstanding;
8. Expect rostering to the limits of your endurance, and 24-26hr. layovers after 16hr. Ultra Long Haul duty sectors;
9. Thoroughly research the PPRuNe Middle East Forum and only make your decision after collecting the maximum available intel.
Best wishes to all of you dealing with the down turn and its impact on our industry.
Cheers,
SHR
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