but gonna dig myself out
Well thanks for your kind sympathies 411A, diplomatically expressed as usual. However, you were of course, quite correct.
As someone who joined a year and a half ago, I want to whole-heartedly dissuade anyone thinking of joining EK now. It is NOT the place you want to come unless you really have no other options.
I agree with the previous estimates regarding time to command. The accelerated command program is effectively dead in the Airbus fleet as deliveries of this type slow and DEC's fill any gaps. Some fortunate Boeing lads will continue to jump the que for a short while longer as 777 deliveries pick up. Once the less experienced Boeing FO's complete their 3 year sentence they will start to upgrade and the accelerated program will cease on the Boeing as well. DEC's will continue on to the 310 freighter fleet (which is rumoured to involve an aggressive expansion plan) as any upgrade from another Airbus type is not allowed under the schitzophrenic EK (miss)management plan....remember however that DEC's have been hired and given a complete type rating and Command on an aircraft that they have never flown before. Some how having no regional experience, no EK experience and no experience on type is all overcome by the fact that they have a magic number of total hours in their log books.
Now of course we were guaranteed that the DEC's would not, in anyway whatsoever, affect the career progression of our FO's. Well my upgrade has gone from a year, year and a half to FOUR years. I can only conclude that the AS***** spouting the guarantees was either naive, incompetent or deceitful. I'll let you form your own opinion. So to sum up, you have no control of your destiny and will simply have to suck-up whatever shafting the fickle BOZO'S decide to give you next. The sycophantic and in-effective CP'S and Fleet Managers do not give a shi* about your whining and simply keep their heads down.
I should also reinforce just how poorly you will be paid reference the ever increasing cost of living here in DXB. It will suffice for a single guy but simply does not cut it if you have a wife, and kids in school. You will be VERY hard pressed to put anything away for the 4-7 years (or longer) you will spend as an FO.
Now of course you have to decide for yourself if the climate and country appeal to you. I came from the most beautiful spot on earth so therefore have a certain point of view. But let's be clear; for 4 months a year it is HELL on earth. Stinkin', unbearble, stay- in-all-day, HOT. For the shoulder seasons it is simply uncomfortable. For 6 months it is lovely.
Depending on your personality or mood, the driving will make you stay home, laugh or go crazy with rage.
So, the point of my rambling on? I'm leaving! Can't say when, can't say how, but I've decided that this airline doesn't deserve my experience (or that of the hundreds of other qualified FO's for that matter) so I'm getting out. And I don't think I'm alone... Don't let anyone tell you that morale is high or that generally things are okay, because the reality is, it just gets worse and worse.
Don't say we didn't warn you.
Sucker