Who will blame any operator to reconsider T&Cs if constantly faced with employees or contractors breaking the rules? Too many of our colleagues have left the country overnight as they didn't like the challenges. Reason? They did not do their homework. Fatiguing FDTL and constantly changing schedules have initiated many fights between crew and screwing departments, and this across all operators in the country.
A new FDTL is in place, will take some time to settle in, things may change.
What will never change is the mentallity which expects you to be available 24hrs, even on so called 'blank' days. These days appear in your schedule with no duty. They are automatically considered as standby.
When going for interview, ask for a sample schedule, see what your job will be, try to communicate with others before you sign the dotted line.
Talk to the agency, Contractair for Jet4you and Parc or Rishworth for Atlas Blue, don't know Air Arabia's agent yet but, the grapevine says that a direct word to them in headquarters leads to an offer for qualified Bus drivers.
And it is not only the companies check you have to pass. There is the DAC which requires a checkflight as well. Also it complies to most checks you are familar with, there are sometimes odd bits which are thrown at you, leaking fuel tank with engine failure on the other side and wx at limits for a circling approach as the ILS RWY has 18 kn tailwind, all followed by a nice go-around in obstacle filled environment, just forgot, the gear may not retract after go-around......
Not everyone has passed the DAC check; it is all a question of how far are other country interests are involved. And the loophole in the agency contracts was to get out of the contract without penalty if company training and check was passed successfully.....it did not mention the DAC check.