White Knight seems to be a typical fatality of EK. I do not know his past but basically one does not leave a healthy European Airline to go to the Middle East, so I leave this issue open.
It is clear and even normal that in such a fast growing environment as the UAE things are bound to get overlooked or mismanaged.
There is plenty of evidence on PPRuNe that this is the case at EK but that is not the real issue.
The real issue is that soon or later because of this, you might have a difference of opinion; could be in any field. The way these differences of opinion are handled is the real problem.
In an Airline with so many different cultures and backgrounds this needs special attention by people with the right qualifications and personality. I am not saying that these individuals are not there but they are not always in power and if they are they have to be very careful not to act against the system.
It’s all about money and power and almost never about a genuine cooperation to make things better. Yes, things do improve from time to time, but only at a moment when the one who initiates the change can take credit for it. Very often the idea comes from someone else who with a lot of patience and tactics managed to convince a superior to change things.
What has happened to the guys involved in the A 340 incident, nobody knows. PPRuNe has gone completely silent.
White knight has been very cooperative on that tread in delivering some data. Data that would never have seen the light if I had not pushed him a bit to do so. But that is how it works at EK, do not expect an open and hones constructive debate on anything.
In the end other PPRuNers opened the can of worms and the conclusion was that the crew did not even land on the longest runway available after mishandling the rotation for whatever reason. It was only because I criticized the crew that other PPRuNers, in their defense, came up with some real and genuine information. Information, that in the end may safe the reputation of the crew.
People are too scared to show their opinion in such an environment, the price you pay for that is simply too high. That’s the real difference with Europe. Although there are many Europeans in Dubai, basically they are there only for the money and that makes them so protective and closed about the decisions they make.
Everybody tries to be friendly to everybody because they do not want to reveal what they really think; therefore you will never really get a complete picture.
On the psychological level, there are quit some managers and trainers that are not very sure about what they are doing, this makes them so defensive, as true sign of their vulnerability.
There are things they do not know and are afraid to ask because of the risk of exposing themselves. I managed to tap into that by getting their confidence and that’s how I got into the inner circle very quickly.
I somehow sacrificed myself by asking the questions they were afraid to ask and as a consequence we made some quick progress on many issues. It’s because of jealousy and greediness of those that were not involved that I got into trouble and that the system showed it’s true face.
If in the end you decide to go to EK then I hope that this information will serve you to navigate around the cliff’s and maybe, just maybe this post will serve to many about to made that decision in a prudent and balanced way.
Personally I give a lot of credit to those that show their real feelings about things. They may not always be right, but most of the time they are genuine and that’s what counts.
Those that are charming and friendly to everybody usually have something to hide. So if you get an interview, just be honest to yourself and ask the questions you really want to ask. If then EK does not take you, you have no reason to regret anything.
Dungfunnel
You are right; the UAE accepts the rating from any ICAO country. EK is desperate for crews and you may be babysitting for a long time. The fact is that things are going too fast at EK and that is not very healthy. Slow and prudent growth is the way to success.
However in the UAE they may get away with it because of the huge amount of money the have to repair the mistakes. But it is not easy to change the foundations of a building that is already there while everybody is saying no problem I will fix it. The tread on the ATC delays is another symptom of this problem.
max AB
THe EK management is from....yes....the UK