I did just over 10 years at EK and I have no regrets about joining when I did but I have no regrets about leaving when I did! During my time at EK, I made some great friends, but I missed out on many holidays and special events, leading me to decide it was time to leave a job where I had no control over my lifestyle. What was very surprising is that my eyesight improved after I left EK and those specs I needed to pass the medical each year at the EK clinic are now a thing of the past! I never realised how tiring the job could actually be.
One risk of joining as a DEC is if you struggle to pass the course, they may offer you an F/O position, and if you have moved the family over and the kids are settled in school, it can lead to career suicide if you have been in the LHS for many years. On that note, my biggest piece of advice for any DEC is do not move any of the family over until after your line check is done!!!
Last edited by Emma Royds; 25th January 2026 at 13:05.