Re: DEC's at EK
What an excellent post EKFO. All the best wherever you are going.
More will follow I'm sure. 50 in 2005? It will be more for sure in 2006 as like a snowball the momentum is just starting. The really damaging changes occurred in the last two years, allowing reduced recruiting to the point where the average line-pilot roster (airbus at least) now has 95+ hours. The decision to leave (like the decision to come here) is not taken lightly, obviously as in many cases involves uprooting family for what is always a gamble. But as the months have passed with no improvement to the working conditions, guys will have looked through red jet-lagged eyes at their families and made a vow to leave as soon as the chance comes by. So over the following months we scan the adverts looking for the break. What is sure, EK is now seen as a stepping stone to another job, not what it once was, a career.
To reverse this inevitable process requires the following:
1. Replacement of our esteemed EVPFO&E. He is damaging our airline through micromanagement.
2. Reinstatement of credit for leave and ppc sim duties.
3. Pay structure that reflects an airline with global aspirations to be the world's best.
4. A return to the old standards of recruiting (assisted by item 3).
5. Reevaluation of upgrade requirements. Bin the 3 yr rule and upgrade on proven ability. Bin the DECs. They can join as F/Os and upgrade according to proven ability.
6. Acceptance by management that EK is an expat airline. Despite the hype we all know that Dubai is no paradise and few would be here if not for the requirement to feed our families or gain those extra wb hours for that lucrative contract coming up. Therefore we need incentive to stay, not reasons to leave.
7. Feel free to add...
For those guys out there with the rose-tinted raybans on, this is not a whinge but rather a pragmatic assessment of what is a needlessly sad situation.
HNY and keep recovering.