This from what I consider a very reliable source and only relaying what was said to me as I consider it "interesting."
When EK was looking into the 343's they were going to crew them with Atlas guys, much the same way that Atlas runs the 747 Cargo flights. The GCAA would have nothing doing with an American operation flying A6 registered aircraft on a leased/contract basis so hence the rush to hire DEC's and of course as many F/O's as they could interest as the 343's came into the EK fold.
EK will make whatever contract they see fit on an individual basis in order to get the DEC's here. Believe me, all the DEC's do not have the identical contract!
I agree with most posts that the DEC program was not and is not needed considering the quality of F/O's here. What management is telling us in effect is that they don't have any faith in the quality and level of their own training program. If they did they would be saying something along the lines of.... Our training is so superior that our F/O's are ready for the left seat after employment here of 18 mos - 2 years, that coupled with their previous experience.
I haven't looked back in the thread to see who said what but it seems to me that one post assumes that "we are leaving good paying jobs as Captains to come and work here (some as F/O's)so quit the whining." What that person fails to acknowledge is that many who have been hired here in the last 4 or 5 yrs have come from failed Airlines with no where else to go, especially after 9/11. I won't go into naming the bankrupt companies because we all know who they are...except for that one poster apparently!
Would I have come here if the last Airline hadn't gone into Bankruptcy? HELL NO! Even with taxes it was a lifestyle and Country our family grew up in and we miss it and extended family tremendously. We have made the best of Dubai and it ain't so bad after all except for one minor point, when Management at EK get invovled it usually has a negative effect on all. Just the seperated distance from parents, siblings Uncles Aunts etc is what makes it difficult. To have someone brag about his ability to come and go from Dubai (or wherever) at his leisure and drop what ever amount of money he wants because he gets loads of cash after taxes is antagonistic. Just a hunch that as long as he has money he has blood suckers hanging around masquerading as friends.
As far as the transitions are concerned the way I understand it , a newly upgraded Captain is frozen on that type for 6 years from FLC. I suspect that not many DEC's will be coming on to the 380 from anywhere else as the other Airlines operating them by then are fairly decent to work for. As well, the A330 up to the 380 is considered one type by Emirates. Management will have to revamp the transition upgrade policy most likely by then and that would allow senior 777 guys to transfer over, apparently to the disappointment of some. Hopefully for those that want to, management would allow those on the Airbus who wanted to transfer to the 777 an open door and not continue the DEC format.
Just one man's point of view.
Last edited by XKV8; 23rd July 2005 at 15:31.