Despite the ramblings above, the facts are that over the years it has got more expensive to live here in Dubai. We are getting less money in relative terms than ten years ago, the only pay rise being dependant upon promotion, and I am working nearly 40% harder to earn the pay these days. I am constantly tired and get sick more frequently. These are the facts everyone, which is why many are saying here that things have changed for the worse for those of us that have been here a while, therefore why would it not be any different for those wanting to join?
My personal advice to any prospective new joiner is take note of all of the above comments by EK pilots and then consider that the positive comments seem to be coming from relatively new joiners, the negative from old timers. Sorry if that phrase offends any of my colleagues! It is only a contract job, despite the trimmings, and there are better jobs now available so bear that in mind when you apply, the goalposts do seem be on a sliding track here and they move with incredible regularity. But should you get to the interview stage, be prepared and when asked if you have any questions, you could ask about the 15 Airbus training captains effectively fired, despite the airline advertising for Boeing trainers. Also ask why so many of the recruitment team have resigned and enquire after the status of the standards group and why their pilots have resigned as well. All is not happy in this particular ship, believe me.
Comparing any airline to another is fraught with problems, what we can compare our terms and conditions with is what they used to be like here!
The proof of the discontentment will always be revealed by the numbers leaving, it seems that this may have begun. This may not worry Emirates at the moment as not that many will actually leave and in any case Emirates seems to attract pilots like bees to a honey pot, but just remember that we were those bees once. But I can't help but wonder who the 17 pilots are that applied to VS this year so far? Are they the same pilots on the hold list for interviews with Dragonair? But then what do expect as when you discuss the possibility of moving on with management, they just shrug and say that they can't blame you!
It may not be long before the competition / the falling revenues / the fuel prices / a catastrophic event put paid to the dream and the belts start to really tighten. So in this year, another year of record profits, do those of us here really see our employer as benevolent and caring? What will happen when the belts really tighten?
We used to be Emirates, The Finest In The Sky, The Award Winning Airline. Somehow we have become just another airline. And that is a massive shame as almost without exception, we were once all very proud to work for Emirates.