What would improve EK?
With no small number of threads discussing the woes of working for EK maybe a closer look at the problems and more particularly the solutions is due.
The rot probably started when (T)CK waded through the Ts & Cs of the training department leading to many resignations particularly from Airbus TCs. In time the company took note of this and revised the package.
The message I guess is that eventually the company will notice people 'voting with their feet' but nothing less.
At the pilots meeting of early 2004 AAR announced that all pilots are replaceable and the company has a backlog of 3000 applications waiting to do that replacing. Presumably his department still believe this as the rate of resignations is not reducing with at least three Airbus Captains having given notice this month. The resignations started becoming significant about a year after AAR made his speech which is just about long enough for people to decide where to go and then make it happen.
The next notable event was the 'cost neutral' revision to the productivity package involving no credit for leave, simulator and ground duties. The consequence being that crew can and generally will fly up to the monthly productivity level at which overtime payment will start but the roster period will include several days of leave and /or other duties leading to the monthly flying duties being compressed into short time frames and the expected time for R & R being replaced by the unaccredited duties. To put it another way any month which includes non flying duties will involve min rest/max duties with no reward for working above established levels.
For me this productivity change was significant with fatigue/lifestyle issues and financial penalties. An easy fix would be a return to the previous system which was proven and fair.
However it is only one part of a list of cynical and ill judged changes made to our employment package with mostly minimal benefit to the company but bringing dissatisfaction to the pilot group.
My guess is that the longer the company avoid recognising these issues the greater the medium and long term penalties will be. Not just financially but in recognition as an employer of choice and ultimately as an Airline of choice to the consumer. Unconfirmed reports from scheduling indicate that flights are now being cancelled due to crew shortages.
Coming from someone who would rather stay than go if at all possible, what would improve our job at little or perhaps some cost to the company?
A 20% payrise is taken as read.