EK basic FA schedules, bidding cycles, reserve, etc

[TonyWilliams]

Looking for some basic info about life as an FA at EK:

basic schedule? 28 days?
typical days off for new hire?
how long on reserve?
most junior lines that are typical?
most junior type?
when do you bid?
how do you bid (PBS, paper lines, etc)?
how much vacation?
any other basic stuff that I've not listed........

[TonyWilliams]

Why move my post to "wannabes".... do they have the information I'm asking?

[Little_Red_Hat]

Tony, anything that's asking about joining an airline that's not your own goes to 'Wannabes', it's nothing personal :p

Heaps of info on the Emirates Recruitment thread, I don't think they have 'junior' or senior aside from purser/SFS and of course doing your upgrade to J then Y class, but they do use a rotational seniority system for bidding... perhaps one of the current crew can explain it more fully for you!

[gadgetman]

Looking for some basic info about life as an FA at EK:

basic schedule? 28 days?
There is no regular routine. You can however bid for flights you'd like to get so you can be bitterly disappointed when you don't get them. You can then try and swap them with other crew so you can be bitterly disappointed all over again when they reject the swaps for having too many of one nationality on a flight.
It's not that bad really, rotating seniority means you don't get perpetually shafted as the most junior crew. Being slightly intelligent about bidding also improves your roster hugely.
Expect to fly anywhere on the EK map.


typical days off for new hire?
Dependent on how many crew they have in each position. There are a lot of legalities involved that I really can not be arsed to type out here, and are deliberately made as byzantine as possible. Short answer: You get minimum of 1 a week, then another two in a fortnight off, but with rest days (attached to flights of a certain length or leaving at 0200 etc...) you still get a lot of time off. You will probably be comatose for much of this time however. Jetlag EK style is a humourless bitch.


how long on reserve?
5 weeks or so. a month with a little overlap to make the schedulers life a bit easier. Expect rotating SBY duties that have you sitting at the airport with no idea where you might go or for how long (try packing for THAT one), or any of 5 home based duties that may start at 0500, 1600, 2200 etc...


most junior lines that are typical?
"Hey baby where are you from?"
"You look soooo beautiful, if you were my girlfriend I would never let you out in public. Call me Mo." (repeat to the next 20 crew verbatim)
"Was your daddy a meat thief, because he stole two fine hams and stuffed them down the back of your pants."

Sorry, not sure if they are the 'lines' you're looking for. It's not part of the current terminology at EK.


most junior type?

Apart from the cadet pilots, that'll be the G2s - economy class crew fresh out of training college with generally less than a years experience, still holding on to their faith in humanity (for at least another week), and earnestly thinking that being able to clear 3 meal carts in 1 service will be noticed and get them their promotion to G1 (business class crew) faster.


when do you bid?

Compute based bidding in the first 11 days of the previous month. (Jan 1-11 is bidding time for Feb.) Expect the rosters to come out for Pursers 18-20, SFSs (Cabin seniors) a day or so later, then FG1s (First class crew), G1s (business) and finally G2s if anybody can be bothered.


how do you bid (PBS, paper lines, etc)?

Computer based - 5 bids, you can go for days off, regional (avoid or accept), stations, or even buddy bid with another crew if you are a mildly deranged stalker and think you can build an enduring relationship over a pot of lukewarm coffee.


how much vacation?

Not enough. About a month a year, a bit more if you can add days off on to your leave by cunning bidding. This is being actively clamped down upon however as this may lead to crew enjoying their lifestyle once more and this is clearly not fair on everyone else. (Sadly I'm not kidding about this)
any other basic stuff that I've not listed........[/quote]

There's a ton of other stuff you'd need to know before joining EK, as the lifestyle is rather different to what most adults are used to, or prepared to endure, but hey, they bank on people not doing their research before coming over here.

Disclaimer: I'm not as bitter as this post may seem. In all honesty, I'm one of the most optimistic Dubai dwellers able to use a computer.

[TonyWilliams]

Most junior lines.... assuming seniority based bidding... where would you most likely end up (i.e., what's the poorest, saddest overnight)?

I'm guessing that doesn't happen, if it's a rotating bid.

[TonyWilliams]

Could somebody who is cabin crew at Emirates accept a call for a chat about the airline? Just send me a PM, and we'll figure out the particulars.


Thanks in advance,

Tony

[Skywise7]

"as the lifestyle is rather different to what most adults are used to, or prepared to endure, "

Gadget man..

Could you please elaborate a bit more on this? Do you mean that you work alot longer than most... or have less of a daily routine...or something completely different?

I am trying to do as much research on the job/location before I apply so that I dont waste anyones time. If you give me as much information as possible it would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
SW

[Leito]

To Gadgetman:

"It's not that bad really, rotating seniority means you don't get perpetually shafted as the most junior crew. "


If you were a "senior crew" you'll realize that the system sucks, I can't think of any other job where your seniority don't get recognized and you are placed at the back of the line. := In other words, its a good thig for "junior crew"