In recent times, EK has proven that their word isn't really carved in stone. Actually, they have changed our T&C's whenever they wanted to (in a cost neutral way). The process is quite easy actually, you just keep to whatever is in the contract, but for everything else, EK just issues this little paper called FCI and says 'Hey guys, now your working under these conditions. Take it or leave it..' So at least, they had to guts to tell us to bend over and take it as a man..
More recently, one of the most important issues for our F/O group, the upgrade policy, has been changed:
First, we hear from a recruitment website that DEC's now only require 8000hrs. Confirmation came through the requirements on EK career website.
Now, F/O's who are eligible with 3 years are being bypassed by Accelerated guys without the criteria.
Both these issues are against the upgrade policy as printed in the FOM (Operations Manual Part A, Chapter 5 pp3-4). EK didn't even issue an FCI, or any other communication towards the pilot community to announce or explain these decisions.
Actually, since nothing of this is in writing, EK is breaking it's own law.
Of course, as I stated before, EK's word isn't carved in stone, but now, there isn't even a word...
What me worries the most is that we are actually evolving towards an ad hoc command policy. Next thing you know, Pablo, the (imaginary) Bolivian F/O with 3000 hours on Turboprop in the Andes, who has been here for 6 months, bypasses everyone because they could use him for his route knowledge for the new South American routes we will fly. And for our Asian routes, passengers like to have a Lee in the flightdeck, while Roger seems to be popular on English routes and Jurgen is a German option. So guys, you are lucky, bypasses are available... All the requirements are just there to fill a meaningless chapter...
And the downward spiral continues...
As far as I understand, the guys who have been delayed can't be missed on the Airbus sector because they are CCQ. We on the 340 are flying our @sses off, putting in 100hrs each month and most of us have some kind of a spreadsheet running to keep track of our monthly and yearly limits (yes, we all approach 900hrs..). So not only are we the workhorses of the pilotgroup (no offence to the other guys, I know you work hard as well), to thank us for our hard work they just delay our upgrades! I wonder how EK will find any more volunteers to go on the 340 now? You must be completely crazy to join our group of zombies, no reward at all.
Ok, there is a little reward: we do each month get overtime paid, unless you have some leave where they will fly you 78 hours in two weeks under the new cost neutral system.. and the good part is, we don't have time to spend our extra money. Now I think of it, I must be sitting on a golden egg...
I just can't believe the lack of communication from AAR, TCAS or Ed.. It's just pathetic and it shows a complete lack of respect for the pilot community.
MR8