Abu Dhabi Aviation
I am not sure how to respond to these posts, since a lot of the stuff written here is riddled with half truths and half lies. These are more dangerous than a real lie. So I am taking the time to clarify some of the questions asked in all fairness to ADA.
Fact- pilots who are competent are highly respected here by their peers. The nicest thing about working with ADA is that there are a wonderful bunch of pilots here, with the exception of a few. Nearly all of the pilots here are very competent- in this multifaceted job. The managers and coordinators know these pilots, and they are all treated with courtesy and respect by the Ops manager, the CP and the HCM. Even the local UAE pilots treat you well and they are courteous. Above the level of the Ops Manager, things may be different, I have never experienced any disrespect there and I have not heard any other person complain.
Fact- Indians are indeed running the place, and they are very efficient. Having worked in Africa where we had to do all the manifesting, my job here is very easy. So I have no complaints at all.
Fact- pilots WERE leaving in droves because ADA’ s upper management refused to address the increase of market wages globally. They were not leaving because of harassment by management, but because the pay elsewhere was much better. After the recent pay raise and daily allowance, the rate of leaving has dropped.
Fact- the training department was disbanded, and things were in a state of confusion for a while, but training is settling down and streamlined now.
Fact-The CP is in a straightjacket because he cannot get anything done, and because he keeps bumping his head against a wall when he wants something done. It makes him look incompetent, but if we are fair, with the prevailing Middle East culture, that is the way things are. The HCM is a very efficient and hardworking guy, and is well respected. Both the CP and the HCM have open door policies, and I have never been turned away. Some of us have been lied to, but with the changing daily situations, that is not surprising. Plans change on a daily basis.
Fiction:-I read another post which stated that the previous CP fired him because he reported that the lead pilot was overtorquing the machines. That is stuff from Grimm Fairy tales. ADA is very serious about overTQs. You have to screw up really big to be fired from ADA. There have been a few exceptions, one which sued ADA recently and won. But the issue of being fired because the lead pilot was a friend of the previous CP is ridiculous. The previous CP was and still is respected highly here, by those who know him.
That is my two cents.