A post from one year ago. I had to read it a few times to remember what I had said and the intention of my transcipt. This should be interesting, a snapshot on opinions and life a year on. I will give it a go.
If my memory serves me right this would have been written just about the time we had been paid and received our "bonus" At that time from what I can remember the big boss had allowed the lesser bosses to part with 20%. I think I am right in saying at the time I wrote this we had received a 3% increment and 8%.
The first question is, how many have resigned since then. It certainly wasnt the number 200. I think following the pay rise it wasnt even 20. However this year, January onwards ,I think the figure 45 has been batted around. I am under the impression that this figure also includes the guys who have not turned up for courses. More about that later.
My first couple of paragraphs dealt with commands. What has changed since then. Firstly the Airbus guys are still waiting for their turn. The Boeing Fleet have now used all presently eligible upgrades for the moment. The Airbus have been offered a chance to have transition upgrades, not sure how many have taken up the offer. This includes the ex Boeing F/O's who were the last to go through transition upgrade and ended up on the Airbus. I am seeing some familiar names coming through from the airbus fleet now. The one thing that has changed is the DEC's. For that I stand corrected. Last year the only DECs coming through went to A310. Now they are coming to Boeing. I am led to believe that the number 90 was again suggested. Or more to the point required. Further to this, that number has not been reached. The EK roadshows have not amounted to much. The DECs we are getting generally speaking are candidates who have little or no experience on wide body, glass cockpit and world wide travel. It seems that the main body of candidates have come from 737's and such like. It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Certainly a recent joiner from the US and is now being slated on this forum, may have sent a huge message to the outside world.
Recruitment is still going on. The change here is that the pilots have now become involved again. This I am glad about. My statement concerning people not joining still stands. Several senior bosses have been heard to say that they think 5 aircraft are going to be parked by august. We ran out of crews in January and I think I am right in saying 16 flights were cancelled. I dont think this was put down as crew shortages, but I am led to believe technical problems were stated as the reason for the cancellation of these flts. Something I also am led to believe will not be repeated. Theshow still goes on though and pilots are still coming here. The experience level has however significantly decreased. There is, in addition, a large increase in pilots not turning up for courses. eg, a course of 8 and 2 appear. I do however see posts on here about people still inquiring about whats it like in EK. I stand by my comment that they should come and find out for themselves and not base their opinions on things written here.
Resignations; I would be very interested to find out how many have actually resigned in the last 12 months. In addition, how many will resign in the next 6months. On the crew portal under duty you can still enter RG in the duty column. There have been only 3 in the last 3 months. One Boeing Capt and 2 F/O's. Thats all I can see. Unless more people are leaving. Many people write in that their resignation is in, but I do not see their names appearing. It may be worth opening a post as to who is leaving and we can then get an idea on numbers. My best guess by this time next year would be max 5% of the total pilot force here. That is only an educated guess. That would equate to about maybe 80 pilots.
As far as the package goes, we have had 2 increments and 15% in the last 2 years. Is it enough......NO. The question is though, the package as a whole. Here I mean the package not just the money. Is there any airline out there that offers significantly more. When I say significantly I mean in the range of 20% more. This would be the only amount or more that would tempt me to move, otherwise financially it it not worth it. (for me). I made a statement about other airlines last year, and with the exception of CX I dont think alot has changed. Everyone needs pilots, everyone is offering about the same as a package. The package suits some but not others. We are getting people coming in from Ryanair, as quick as we are loosing people to the same company. Maybe the 2 should meet in the middle and ask each other why they are leaving their respective companies.
Overall, the only thing that has changed my views from a year ago is the introduction of more DECs. I am not a big fan of this. The rumours of them getting more money last year was not entirely correct. The figure of 38,000 dhs a month was batted around for a while. This figure I am led to believe was quoted by the bosses. It did however include the pay and part of the package. It was not the cash payment alone each month. I am disturbed to hear this raise its head again. In additon a few replies on the site from pilots who have been offered this. Though I have not seen any DEC enter the company on this enhanced salary. I think from the EK perspective it would be a very very unwise move. The F/O package is still very inadequate. The dollar is now dropping, and the cost of living going up. That needs to be addressed more than anything.
For the future, and this is mere specualtion, I think they have tested the water with this payrise. I think it is inadequate by a long way. I think I am right in saying that in 1989 a mid financial year payrise was awarded (30%). This may happen if they park aircraft. Not necessarily to that amount, but something to plug the hole. I see a reshuffle in the senior management happening. Top man going side ways and 2 slightly less senior going up. The question that finally needs to be asked, is how much of an increase in pay would people actually have been satisfied with.
Kiwi, I hope this gives you some kind of insight into my views a year on. A year is a long time in the world of aviation. For me, I still enjoy my job and my life. I work hard but not too hard. A gentleman posted a quote the other day. He was from a charter airline in Europe. This is some thing I can identify with. He stated that He has not received his roster yet and when he does it will change many times before the end of the month. He is rostered 104 hours. The only message this sends to me is that the grass is not any greener.
