Why Fly.... Dubai?
Been reading this for a while and decided its time to have a say…
I have been at FD for over a year and I’m sad to say I agree with much of what’s been posted above by Ex xl and a2k.
Sure there are worse, but during the past year I have witnessed the changes (as described above), and whilst there is a happy camp of mainly newcomers, there is underlying concern amongst pilots that things will not improve quickly, if at all. The usual suspects such as rostering, leave, decreasing T&C’s, Management and HR, are all playing their part in slowly making FD a less desirable place to work. The current issue for many is fatigue due to unintelligent rostering that combines early, day, and deep night flights all in the space of 5 days! None of this is helping morale.
FD may have a recruiting problem on its hands by the end of the year.
For first officers especially, the big question they have to ask is why come to FD? Emirates are looking for 700 pilots, have virtually the same recruitment process and offer a vastly better package. (I’m sure someone will oblige by posting the T&C’s for EK and FD on here for comparison.) We’ve all read the moans on pprune re EK, they appear much the same for any company in the ME. If the decision has been made to come to the ME as an F/O the choice would be clear. Do you sit in the RHS of a 777 for more money, or a RHS 737 for less?
Time to command at FD is not going to be quick either, despite the obvious need. Ask any F/O here that applied. Few met the criteria, I heard only 6 applied.
Command upgrades have been delayed, this can only mean more DEC’s. (Another morale booster!)
As a captain the choice is more complex, but an FD skipper nets about 10000Dhs more than an EK F/O, not inc the hidden benefits at EK (ie. discounts, staff travel, proper medical cover, etc) The jury is out on that option at the moment, but I know it’s being considered by some.
With 4 more aircraft scheduled to arrive this year, and 12 next year. The company is expanding alright, but unless some issues are addressed, 18 months down the line may see a big turnover of guys as the bonds expire. 3 capts and 2 f/o’s have already quit, even the Chief financial officer is on his way next month.
FD has great potential, brand new aircraft, plenty of routes and some great people. But I think they will need to up the ante with T&C’s and improve morale, to attract and retain both pilots and cabin crew in the future.