DECs are coming to GF

[brassplate]

DECs are coming to Gulf Air.

i know i sound premature but i've forecasted this in a previous thread over a month ago. just thought I'd renew it in light of the meeting tomorrow.

[411A]

So, what's the beef?
If you need good experience, you hire it.

Seems reasonable to me.
GF has done this before, on occasion, I believe.
So, what's the problem now?

[Yo767]

The problem my 411 friend is that our boss, CC, made a promise to all FOs a year ago that DECs were thing of the past in GF. Several FOs made a career decision of staying in GF after hearing the good words of the said manager. But now it has become obvious that this promise will have to be broken due to total lack of planning. The only way to avoid DECs at this point is to upgrade direct on 330.

[obsidian]

promises,promise...yet they break them again!,decs on way for sure:( this is confirmed from some one in the office! training department cant handle all the pilots...makes it easier for them and relieves some of the pressure on the training dep. as well..they will probably down play it as usual at the meeting,keeps everyone quiet for a couple of months..:E

[411A]

Several FOs made a career decision of staying in GF after hearing the good words of the said manager.

Those several First Officers made a mistake often encountered in the middle east...believing verbal promises.
This is rather bad form, and in addition, I am reminded of some very good advice I received many years ago when I went to work in the area....always hire in at the position that you expect to attain, that way disappointments are far less severe.

Also, First Officers are generally easier to replace than Commanders, so I expect the company has less to be concerned about, should these 'career' First Officers decide to jump ship.

[ironbutt57]

For whatever reason, recruitment was stopped during the early months of the year by???

It has now caught up with them..otherwise we seemed on track to avoid DEC's and hiring into the widebody fleet, and GF did seem to have a career progression...

Haven't heard anything about DEC's yet..maybe more from the meeting..

[Cam32]

No Dec's... was confirmed at the meeting. I think the words were "DEC's, don't even think about it, not going to happen" (or similar)

Will follow the seniority.

[411A]

A reasonable and prudent alternative....provided it happens.:}

[mensaboy]

If Gulf Air is considering DEC's then that is an admission of poor management. I feel for you guys. THE most established airline in the ME, 10 years ago, is now considering DEC's? Especially considering the present environment, with an abundance of unemployed pilots around the world. That speaks volumes.

There is definitely something wrong.

[brick in the wall]

Get your facts right mensaboy.NO DIRECT ENTRY CAPTAINS.

[Sal-e]

411A=Circling vulture.

[brassplate]

the shortages are in the first officers and training capacity.

the one solution i can think of to keep cc an honest man is:

to train and transfer a320 and a330/340 f/os with the hour requirements to the a320 left seat and,
those who do not have the requirements to the a330/340s as f/os.

this will make way for new recruits joining the a320 fleet from the bottom.

gf can still get undone because the training department is busting at the seams. solution is to immediately increase the training allowance to retain and attract prospective instructors.

the only issue will be the experienced but junior f/os who transferred straight to the a320 left seat may find themselves there for a long time.
at the end of the day, seniority is preserved.

it is not the perfect solution but a far cry better than decs.

[ironbutt57]

gf can still get undone because the training department is busting at the seams. solution is to immediately increase the training allowance to retain and attract prospective instructors

Bingo!!!

[brassplate]

apparently, today is your lucky day ib57. that got approved....not backdated, unfortunately.

[Chuck Y]

Glad to heat that the trainers are finally getting something, although there are a few that hardly deserve being called training captains let alone getting an increase!!!
DEC have always been a part of GF. in fact if you take a close look around 30% of the capts around were DECs. I am not saying it is right but its history & the only people that suffered then were the locals. I personally dont want to see DEC cuz most of them have a very poor standard & quickly forget what a gift GF has given them. Whereas our F/O have a much higher standard & better attitude. IF the company really want to speed up tranfers they can, they quickly upgraded junior F/Os on the 76 when it suited them so there is no reason why they cant do it.
But how much would you put on CCs word?

[brassplate]

DECs are coming to GF!!!!

call me paranoid but i'm not going to let up in keeping these guys honest. i've offered a solution. anyone care to contribute or elaborate?

[ironbutt57]

If we are able to continue the intake and training of new folks to the 320, as we are doing now, I would suspect the command time will be down to 3-4 years in the next year or so as it looks now..the roster will be "fluid" to say the least for the next 3 roster periods or so, but unless things get slowed down again by trainers having to cover line flying, the progression will stay intact..and that's something no other gulf carrier has at this level..all others hire into fleet, and there you stay..so while we may not have the shiny new planes, or the flash destinations..the one thing we can have is a clear career progression for the ones joining us, and the ones who have stuck out the b.s. over many years..there is a strong comitment to NOT hiring capts, but if operations become unsustainable, then we all know what the result will be...

[brassplate]

so they had BETTER GET THE FRICKIN' ROSTERING RIGHT. it's killing everyone.

[ironbutt57]

Rostering is in a horrible state at the moment isn't it?

the phrase "pissing out forest fires" comes to mind..

[Not too small]

Can anyone tell me when did captains with staff no starting with 5xxxxx joined GF.

I hope im wrong . proooove it.

[ironbutt57]

they passed age 60 and then re-started...thats the drill....wake up dude

[Not too small]

Im awake but CP Dxxvid does not look like 60 to me how does he look to you.

[ironbutt57]

dont know him...but thats the story behind the "high staff number" capts..

[Not too small]

Ok i think i got it thanks ironman
hes the AQP manager or some thing to do with it.

[Joe Monsoon]

No he doesnt the one u thinking of is Ricky Martin is the AQP he is the only one still on B767 GET IT MATE:confused: