Originally Posted by
CaptFlyer
I am interested to know how is the roster currently for F/O with low seniority. Roster pattern, average block hours per month (about 70 from what I heard ?), and leave allocation. If any current F/O could share these information (here or via PM please).
It seems not many people are complaining at Flydubai lately unlike the bigger brother, yet I see many ex-FZ joining a certain European loco carrier lately... I am in the hold pool btw but still making my mind, whether to wait for FZ or try EK.
It looks like hiring and first start dates are planned for Apr 19. The operation is being refined and coordinated with EK. Loss making sectors are chopped and the two route structures further aligned. Old aircraft are being retired with new MAX 8 and 9's to join. I believe 4 new aircraft are to join the fleet before the end of the year; 1 MAX 8 and 3 MAX 9's. Possible 2 more 9's but not sure. Fleet expansion next year now looks to be around 7 iso 18 new aircraft. Just rumors though.
Leave allocation for 2019 has just finished and as an FO it's pretty ok irregardless of your seniority. For FO's only 3 leave weeks were gone after the first round of bidding. Many summer weeks were still available! Unlike Captains leave where 11 weeks were gone incl the entire summer. Year 1 FO's still managed to get summer leave and 8+ year Captains didn't even managed to get 1 week in summer. A big frustration point for the skippers.
Quite a lot of junior FO's I fly with have some pretty decent blocks of days off, some 5 or more consecutive days off requested and given! Flying seems around 65-70hrs. Depending who you talk to but most people seems really content at the moment. This generally due to the reduction in flying and roster improvement efforts to assign blocks of days off. I forecast it will stay like this for 2019.
EK and flydubai are very different animals. One might suit you whilst the other one doesn't. Very different atmospheres too. flydubai IMHO is a really nice place to work. If only they increased the pay and allowances and had a provident fund. If they had most people wouldn't leave anymore. Turnover now seems close to 10% from what I hear.