Unravel the 'Unrivaled package'...
The package for pilots, says Stealey, is "unrivalled" in the region, and includes a profit-sharing scheme healthcare and accommodation - furnished or unfurnished villas for captains and first officers with families apartments for first officers without families.
Pay extra for the family for health care, accommodation in short supply and sub-standard temporary accommodation will be used for several months prior to getting a villa in the massive EK only Silicon or Mirdif complexes. As for the profit share we will see how much that is really worth in a month or so but don't bank on it to make a vast difference to the salary and adjust it to $s devaluation since the last 'share'.
'Perks for pilots include being picked up from home in one of Emirates' fleet of silver Audi A4s and dropped off at the operations centre'...
or you can drive yourself and fall asleep in your airbag after your ULR back to back 90 hour 'factored' month.
Although all pilots are based in Dubai and salaries paid in dirhams, they are also hedged against large movements in the pilot's home currency.
OK then, how despite this 'hedging' our we 30-40% worse off than 5 to 6 years ago? BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK!!! THAT is why we have found a 'niche' in North America because no one else can afford to come because of the 'unrivaled' $ based package.
Despite competition from other airlines and operators, and Emirates' ambitious growth plans, Stealey insists finding the right pilots is not yet a problem. "Because we are top of the tree
and are dropping our experience requirements,, we are not suffering at the moment
but we are TCAS and we will continue to do so if you really believe this PR BS," he says. "Although we need 18% more pilots next year",
a problem he'll just dump on the training departments desk again.
EK are adjusting to the lowest common denominator; The USD.