Flydubai vs Oman Air employment

[biggles72]

Lets say for argument sake I was offered a job on the 737-800 at both of these places and had to make a choice....

For me my priorities are saving cash over a 10 year period so I can retire, and quality of life.

My own research tells my I would prefer Muscat in Oman to live at least for a few years as I prefer the quieter life and there seems to be more scenery and so on. Muscat is cheaper to live, less traffic, less pollution, more character, but less to do.

Oman Air could upgrade me in the future on the A330. At Fly Dubai I would be stuck on the 737.

Package for the 2 companies...
Flydubai - total 15,517.59 USD per month
Oman Air- total up to 11,400 USD per month?

Which place could I save the most money?

Does Oman Air have an agreement with other UAE airlines preventing me from being employed elsewhere in the UAE in the future? I imagine if I took the Flydubai package I could not go over to Emirates or Qatar or Etihad?

And just out of curiosity. Would it be fair to say that Etihad is the best job in the desert at the moment for a long term career? (I think Abu Dhabi is = to or better than Dubai for me personally)

Any advice or comments welcome.

Any feedback would be appreciated

Thank you

[Old King Coal]

Fwiw, I was offered a job at OmanAir and also at FlyDubai... and opted for FlyDubai.

As for being 'stuck on the B737';... on the flip side, on the B737 you'd be much more likely to be sleeping in your own bed at night than if you were on an A330... (speaking as one who's done long-haul and didn't like it)... but veritably it's different strokes for different folks, eh?

[KRUGERFLAP]

OMAN AIR is FAR FAR BETTER OPTION !:ok:

MUSCAT and it's down to earth people is a big asset.Far better enviroment,both inside and outside,drop a visit and see for yourself.



FLY DUBAI? Dream on. Dubai now is sinking and the new " real " rulers will be the the Abu Dhabi Rulers.

Is the company flying? Where are the planes?

It doesn't exist yet. just a EK department

And the mentality will be from the ****RATES.:yuk:

flydubai : Our News : flydubai secures and prepares its pilots and crew (http://www.flydubai.com/news/20080318_flydubai_announcement.asp)

[long-gonner]

A department of EK? Really? Doesn't it make more sense for an already up and running airline to assist with the startup rather than to do everything "cold turkey"? If anything, being on the 9th floor of the Emirates building is a benefit and just temporary until T2 is ready for the airline's launch. Also, the airline is not scheduled to start flying until mid-2009, as it has always been planned. First airplane is painted with at least 5 more planes coming in 2009. Yes, things can change....but so far everything appears to be moving ahead for the launch. Initially the fo's that interviewed in January were told not to expect class until after the summer, now there are classes in May and June. I'd take my chances at flydubai anyday :ok:

[Geebz]

Having lived in both places, IMO I would say Oman Air. Better family life, less hustle and bustle means less money spent.

A330 upgrade would seal the deal for me.

[RMC]

The answer to the how much money can you save question depends on your status. If you are single, small apartment, one mouth to feed etc. Dubai is one of the most expensive (cost of living) cities in the world...bad news if there are four or five of you.Also if you have a family of four to support (you can get a decent four bed villa for much less in Oman...compared to the same property in Dubai).

Fly Dubai is a good single persons package (will be even better if you want to commute and they give you EK staff travel). There are a lot of hidden costs if you have a family (see my calcs on http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/366619-fly-dubai-missing-info.html ).

Checkout also a similar attempt (with not as much info forthcoming on http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/358164-oman-air-4.html ).

[biggles72]

Thanks for the good insight. I have made up my mind.

One unanswered question. Do airlines in the M.E employ pilots from the other airlines? Or is there some "agreement" between airlines that prevent poaching?

For example could I get future employment at Etihad if i was working at FD or Oman? Or do I need to fully resign first before applying?

thanks for your replies.

[KRUGERFLAP]

Yes you can man. And you gonna be more than welcome in ETIHAD,if at time they need DEC's.

Cheers

KF

[Old King Coal]

Somewhat in answer to KRUGERFLAP's gibe that FD doesn't exist (yet):

You might like to take a look at the new website: flydubai website (http://www.flydubai.com)

Fwiw, the first aircraft is at Boeing Field waiting for collection; the 2nd aircraft is very close (days) behind; the pilots have or are going through OCC (I started my OCC today, indeed I'm typing this from inside CAE's training centre in Dubai); a load of very fine looking cabin crew started yesterday, and they are in Ground School as I type. The route, over-flight permissions, nominated crews, for the delivery flights are being finalised. I've just been told that our very first revenue passenger has made a booking on the new web based booking engine. Exciting times!

[KRUGERFLAP]

no flights , no hangar, no selling(ok i give u that,they just start selling) ,no destinations. ( Impressive!!!LOL 2 destinations - Aman and Beirut )

For me doesn't exist yet.The Mother just fired two guys (force than to resign) because of tail strike,both senior.They can cancel the start of this company in a second. And look who is the COO? SKYBUS ? LOL

The money is coming from where now?

DUBAI is in a DEEP sh)@#*$)*$)@ or not?


OMAN AIR is alive and pumping. People are nice and u gonna be more than welcome.

Make ur choice.

[in FACT is]

KRUGER FLAPS is right if you are desperate of your future than OMAN AIR is the place, you might have a lot pilots from South America which no other experience other than B737 only and can't find other jobs also old pilots above 57 yrs add to that more East Europe pilots with fake B737NG rating, and OMAN AIR take what ever they are, the management has no experience in setting up an airlines compare to FlyDubai, so if think about retire come to OMAN AIR

[KRUGERFLAP]

FLY DUBAI has experienced on what?
Have u heard of a company named SKYBUS? The COO comes from there.

Impressive background. The worst operator of Airbus. And The worst salary of A320 in the whole world.

Do you have something against South Americans? If the South Americans weren't here in the middle east ,Qatar would stop or crash somewhere.

FLY DUBAI will be great option when EK start laying off Pilots .

[in FACT is]

Fly Dubai is under management of EMIRATES how can you compare EMIRATES and OMAN AIR:\ do you know who is your CP and your new SMLO do they ever seen Airlines before:8

[Old King Coal]

KRUGERFLAP - from your previous posts it's clear that you were knocked back by Emirates and didn't enjoy Qatar - some might say that this makes you a very balanced person (i.e. a chip on both shoulders!)... how long one wonders until you get p!ssed off with your current employer and then change you tune about them? (I'll bet that you once sang the praises of EK and QA?) Maybe you're just not cut out for the Middle-East, which is a theme that sings loud and clear from some of your posts.

For what it's worth, I've got friends working at Oman Air, and they don't tell me it's quite as nice as you suggest... it being information which influenced my decision to come to FD.

Once apon a time, all the airlines you've worked for, previously and now, were in the exact same position as FD. It's called start-up mode. They didn't all start with hundreds of aircraft, or hundreds of routes, or hangars, etc. So suggesting any lack of these somehow detracts from the reality of how far FD is towards launching, is just purile.

And do believe me when I say that I've been involved in start-up's before, some with a lot less money behind them than FD has (or doesn't have according to you?!).

Like it or not, there's a lot of very smart & hard working people (some of the best I've seen, imho) doing their absolute best to make sure that FD is a success. Really nice people too; the place is buzzing! I've got pics of aircraft #1 at Boeing Field, I've got crew all aroung me, I've can see an office full of my colleagues, there are passengers booking seats on the web. The aircraft delivery dates are set, the GCAA are well in the loop and being very supportive, the launch date is set.

Aside - I earn a lot more here than i would as a Captain in Oman Air, and with prices for pretty much everything in Dubai plunging, I'm very happy with my choice. :)

Just my £$€0.02 worth.

[Aircav]

Old King Coal, it takes a little while to see through the smoke and mirrors. I will check back in a year for your opinion then. Everyone is very enthusiastic when they first arrive but the truth will finally set in. I really hope for all of you it is different, but only time will tell.

keep flydubaing

[long-gonner]

Why is everyone jumping on the guy that ran Skybus? How many airlines that have started up since deregulation in the US are still in business? 2 or 3 maybe? K.G started at Southwest, and that is the model flydubai is supposed to be using.....not just with operations but also with treatment of the employees. However, I agree with Aircav......let's see how it looks in a year or two after everything has settled down.

[KRUGERFLAP]

i gonna give u answer but no here. PM. And u are wrong i have the taste of EK as well.let me explain to u.