Originally Posted by
donpizmeov
The EK now is the same one you joined 2yrs ago. You just didn't see it as those jets were big and shiny. You probably saw some video showing an EK pilot kite surfing on one of his many hours off per month. But the word about EK has been on the streets for decades. That's why requirements were lowered to 2000hrs on a tonka jet, and those experienced wide bodied many thousand houred pilots stopped applying.
You made your decision to join, even with lots of real information available on how things were.
No-one is stopping you leaving. And no-one made you sign a bond which is for a period close to 20% of period you have existed (as happened to recent new joiner I have met, who is whinging after 9mths here). If you are going to hang around for the rest of your bond period, try and make the most of it. If you can't do that don't stay here and be miserable. Life is way to short for that, and this place is not worth the angst.
I have been flying jets long enough now that the shiney syndrome is long gone. Never watched the recruitment videos... I came to EK to improve my family life and to that end it has worked. I was warned about EK, I read these topics and I accept responsibility for it. I don't regret joining and I won't leave before the 7yr mark. However flying rosters and pay aside, things like this alcohol tax raise serious concerns about Dubai and EK in general that I did not foresee or account for when joining. In that respect I don't think it is the same EK as 2 years ago, it is getting worse. But as you say, maybe it is the honeymoon period wearing off (I didn't realise I ever had one......) It is just sad to see what could be such a great place go so quickly down the drain over a few dirhams