Gypsy & Jackbauer,
Both of you raise some valid points and even I have to agree that there is a large risk leaving Left seat to return as F/O with a different Company. Many here have taken that risk and for some it's been worthwhile,yet for others it's caused frustration and bitterness. To give up a command, especially with a good Airline, needs some serious thought and planning. Difficult to do at the best of times, even more difficult to do when rules and requirments can change overnight. The simple answer to vote with one's feet is again easier for some. Even after a few months, people are settled with children at schools, bought/renting villas ( 6 month cheques in advance), car loans etc etc. To simply ship up and move out is very difficult.
Although I myself have been adversely effected, I was not that naive to realise that policies never change here in the Gulf. That was the risk I took when I came here so I either accept it or leave. I choose to stay. I'm not,as some have said on here, prostituting myself to the Company. Far from it.I, along with my Family, enjoy a safe and high standard of living here. We have a lovely villa with no hassle attached, excellent medical care and a stable roster that has had only one change in 2 years. My quality of life has improved markedly and along with varied and ever expanding routes and new well maintained Aircraft, It is still a better place to be than the one we left behind. Yes, the salary could be higher but i'm 'richer' in other parts of my life. There are anyway, many opportunities here in Dubai to amass some serious wealth outside of Emirates but that's another story!
I also agree with many others on this forum that we should not be in this situation of recruiting DEC's. With some minor changes in hours requirment and transition upgrades, we have an abundance of highly qualified and experienced F/O's capable of Commands. It highlights what a woeful state our training department is in. Since being here for the last two years, i'm very aware of the 'knowledge is power' ideology that seems to pervade through the Company. Rather than teaching and training pilots, it can appear at times that there are some,and I emphasise the word some, who would rather check than train and almost delight at trying to catch people out. What kind of training culture is that? I also agree with Saltaire that if you ain't hacked it by 8000 hours, another 7000 will not make you any better! I'm also acutely aware of the status of F/O's in this Company compared to that of Captains. Unlike Many Airlines, particularly those in the West, that treat First Officers as Adults and empower them as such, here it is more the 'man and dog' philosophy.
Although he has his critics,'AS' has taken on a difficult job and has implemented some good decisions so far.( IMHO). If he is to retain and build support from the pilots then these issues, and issues such as J'burg need to be addressed now before the will and support of the pilots is lost for good.
BYMONEK
p.s Isn't it about time we were all given laptops to 'read' our manuals. It was NOT a condition of my employment that I had to have a computer so if you want us to be studious pilots, please provide us with the tools to do our job. Far more use than the oven gloves!
Last edited by BYMONEK; 21st July 2005 at 18:43.