EK A330's

[b737bbj]

Hi all, does anyone have any info on when EK's A330's will start to be withdrawn from service? And when they'll all be gone?

I've just been offered a course date with EK on the A330 and was surprised because I thought the size of the fleet was reducing and was wondering why they would be recruiting on a dying fleet.

Thanks.

[scanman24]

Hi there and congratulations on getting the new job,

It's probably not my place to answer but as far as I'm aware, Emirates recruit onto the 777 and A330/340 families simultaneously. New recruits onto the Airbus initially fly solely the A330 whilst getting to grips with all of the changes associated with moving to Dubai and starting in a new company. MFF begins fairly quickly though (I'm sure Emirates employees here can correct). I'm sure you know this having just been employed.

The reasoning behind recruiting onto a dying fleet is so that the company can train pilots for the A380 and fill positions on that type as more of them arrive. Emirates do not recruit straight onto the A380 meaning that all Airbus new-joiners fly on the A330/340. The idea is that these pilots progress to the A380 once they're senior enough.

Please correct me if I'm wrong,

Cheers

[BigGeordie]

EK's manpower requirements change, literally, on a weekly basis. The last I heard (about a month ago) was that the last of the "Classic" Airbuses will depart in 2017, with the 330's departing from this year onwards.

However, anybody who was around when the 310s were phased out won't be surprised to see the 330/340 in Emirates colors well into the next decade.

[JPHIL68]

Hello
Regarding the A330 what is the typical roster ?
Thank s

[IndAir967]

Off topic I was recently paxing on one of Ek's twin eng bus :rolleyes: .. and everytime the brake was applied a loud thud was first heard followed by deceleration.. No it was not the PTU Barking noise but this was much louder and very significant in the cabin.. could be something to do with the hydraulics (apologies if I am wrong , I dont fly french planes ) Any explanation would be appreciated !! Cheers :ok:

[vfenext]

Most probably a sticky brake. There is no PTU on the 330.

[Bahamapilot]

Out of curiosity, what is a PTU, Thanks

[groundtoflightdeck]

"Power Transfer Unit" transfers hydraulic power between systems to ensure they are all operating at the proper pressure. It mitigates the threat of a single hydraulic pump loss.

[scanman24]

Regarding the longevity of the 330/340's - a quick search on the internet tells me that the 340-300's will have all gone by the end of 2013, the 340-500's by later this decade and likewise with the 330's. As BigGeordie said, that could mean anytime between 2014 and and 2020 onward. They've got roughly 30 330's at the moment and a total of about (just under) 20 340's. Point is, they can't replace the fleet overnight and are limited by the development speed and status of the 350.

Expect to be on the Airbus long enough to get your command.:ok:

Cheers

[White Knight]

They've got roughly 30 330's at the moment and a total of about (just under) 20 340's. Point is, they can't replace the fleet overnight and are limited by the development speed and status of the 350.

Expect to be on the Airbus long enough to get your command.


I doubt you're very much in the KNOW at all... Roughly???

27 330s including one "whitetail' and 18 340s...

Who knows when they'll be gone:{:{

[BenCartwright]

...I heard that the present A332/A343/A345 might be replaced by new A333s in some kind of a sugarcoated arrangement by Airbus if the A350 will be further delayed (or in case that EK cancels the A350 deal altogether). So my guess a classic Airbus fleet will be in EK for quite some time.

[Craggenmore]

at 45-50 hours per month average flying time for SFO's - do you want them to go..?

[groundtoflightdeck]

Is 45-50 hour blocks due to bidding min time or just really low productivity? I can't imagine working many days a month to get 50hrs...

[JPHIL68]

Yes i would like to join EK if the Life could be better with my familly of course !

[Flying Spag Monster]

Firstly a caveat...everything at EK changes almost daily so we have no idea for certain what will happen..

BBJ the 330s have already started to leave, you are from OZ, take a look at Virgin Oz's 330s, they were once ours. At current plan of two weeks ago, the last bus would be the 345s until late 2017 early 2018. At that time the 343s and 332s will be gone (plan only remember). With the 350 delay making their earliest arrival around 2019 there will be a gap, so if the plan stays then every bus driver will be 380 or 777 at that time. My guess is if you join now you will probably end up on the whale and others behind you at some stage will be locked into the death on the 345.

But that was two weeks ago.....and I am just a pilot so what do I know?

For the guy asking about noisy brakes, it's a shuttle valve, some are noisier than others but normal.

[1000ft Cruiser]

Are many people progressing from 330-340 and then from 340-380 or are the guys on the 340 pretty much stagnant? I'm guessing a few of them must be moving on to the whale as the 340 fleet is shrinking.

[Wizofoz]

You don't go 330 to 340, you go 330 to MFF 330 AND 340.

Previously FO recruits onto the 380 have come both from 330 only and 330/340 Guys.

[1000ft Cruiser]

Thanks for the info guys. I knew about the MFF, but I was under the impression most people tended to be one or the other.

Do the guys doing their command on the 330 then have to do the conversion all over again from the LHS, or do they go straight in on both?

[groundtoflightdeck]

Are guys still going to have a chance to upgrade on the Airbus' or with a mon-expanding fleet are the full compliment of skippers there?

[Flying Spag Monster]

Upgrades still required on the 330 despite shrinking (?) fleet as current Capts move to 380, if they fix the cracks..... Latest rumour is the supply of FOs meeting the criteria on the bus for upgrade will run out in about 2 months. My guess then is accelerated commands....

[Payscale]

...or DECs will save the day....:(
About 90 commands on the Airbus this year...I hear..

[MagicCarpet]

I’ve asked a few maintenance engineers which Airbus A330 hulls they are decommissioning and all of them I spoke with said none whatsoever. I think the A330 will hang around to stink up the joint for another 5 to 7 years until the A350 takes over as the India Express doing those coveted 3:30am turnarounds.

As for upgrade on the shortbus, I heard 8 of 8 failed upgrade in the last batch. All failed in the sim so it doesn’t even count all the guys who were not even allowed to try because they didn’t make it through the upgrade interview & psych eval.

On top of that, I heard the A380 will have some sort of special command review board or some such thing, so I doubt the “lucky” FOs who go to the squarebus will have any better odds of getting that 4th stripe. My guess is the senior 777 skippers will transfer into the left seat of the blunderbus and leave most of the 380 FOs stuck in the right seat or maybe back for a shot at the left seat on the shortbus.

In my opinion, taking an A330 new hire slot is a really bad idea. Just tell Recruiting no, you’ll wait for a 777 class. Boeing & Airbus main fleets at Emirates are like 2 completely different airlines.

[Wizofoz]

380,

Do the A380 FOs have the CHOICE to go LHS on the 330/340?

[captainsmiffy]

That has been recently rescinded, wiz, so we are stuck where we are. My own situation is that with the 2500 hrs on type required, my upgrade chance will not be before 8 years in this company on present rules. This does mean that there are chaps out there who haven't even joined EK yet who will get the 777 and will upgrade before me - and I have already been here for 5 years! Factor in the rate at which I am flying these days and that 8 years is actually looking conservative...

[millerscourt]

Time to change to firstofficersmiffy perhaps?:D

[Flying Spag Monster]

DECs may well "save the day" Payscale but not in a hurry. If they have only just interviewed and guessing most would need to give current employer up to 3 months notice, plus training here they would not hit the streets for at least Aug or Sep which might be abit late to "save the day". So CaptSmithy will have more guys jumping him to the left seat albeit on the small bus. You just can't tell what will happen when you make those fleet choices eh?

[three eighty]

……..I tried but I give up now

I doubt it

[captainsmiffy]

Millerscourt......sad, but probably true!!

[MagicCarpet]

I think Sittingidly is right about quality of life on Airbus vs 777 main fleets at Emirates. Yes, he sometimes employs fiery rhetoric -for a while I thought he might have actually been Kim Jong Il writing under a pseudonym, but that theory went down the crapper when the Dear Leader kicked the bucket last December.

Regardless, I think he’s right about quality of life on Airbus vs 777 main fleets at Emirates. Wannabees,... think really hard before you believe the handful of Airbus guys who can’t seem to admit they got the short end of the stick and keep pushing the line that Airbus main fleet is peachy. Hold out for the Boeing in your interview. EK 777 life is waaaaayyy better than Airbus on the main fleet. Geez, even the hosties know that.

[Easy Ryder]

Magic I don't think anyone is deluded to the point of thinking Airbus life is 'peachy'. It sucks in comparison, but nowhere near as bad as made out to be, once you get some seniority of course....

Since Nov I havnt worked over 50 hours in a month. And in that same period I've had 5 night flights including a reserve month and second bottom bid month. That to me is good compared to what I was doing when I joined, and Yes I still get envious when I see mates on 777 globetrotting. But 330 is hardly a death sentence especially if you want to be home for the wife n kids (quality time.....?)

So anyway what I'm saying is if and when the 380 ccqs get running again, your seniority will move up in a rapid pace on the fleet & as new hires join behind you. So look at it as short term pain for potentially long term gain (lifestyle wise on 380).

[oz in dxb]

Emirates Plans Final A340-300 Service on 28FEB13: Update 1
by JL

Update at 1540GMT 29MAR12

As per 29MAR12 GDS timetable and inventory display, Emirates’ initial plan for final Airbus A340-300 flight is currently scheduled on 28FEB13, Venice – Dubai EK138. In Feb 2013, the remaining A340-300 routes include Venice and Hyderabad. The airline introduced Airbus A340-300 aircraft to its scheduled operation on 10MAR04.

Based on current schedule planning, the airline would be operating a total of 61915 scheduled flights between 2004 and 2013, according to OAG Schedules iNet.

Planned Emirates A340-300 schedule on 28FEB13 as follows. Note that the final Emirates Airbus A340-300 remains subject to change, pending on further route network development.

EK526 DXB0345 – 0840HYD 343
EK527 HYD1015 – 1245DXB 343

EK137 DXB1545 – 1915VCE 343
EK138 VCE2055 – 0545+1DXB 343

[fatbus]

Give me the turns, would rather be in my own bed than down route anytime, each to his own. Also, give it a rest.

[The Zohan]

Give me the turns, would rather be in my own bed than down route anytime, each to his own. Also, give it a rest.

spot on!

just managed to swap my only layover in may for day turns. second bottom bid and only one night flight... 55 hrs + 5 days reserve!!

snug as a bug.

tz

[The Zohan]

sittingidly you are a genius!

my post was just a question and yes, 2 yrs. ago, when i wrote it, i was flying about 90 hrs. a month and didn't like it

so what.

now? much much better...:ok:

tz

[The Zohan]

You are a worry.

maybe, but he's very funny too.

he even has the time to check people's old posts.

can't be working that hard...:E

tz

[White Knight]

Shocking to have people who are supposedly pilots

It is shocking indeed that a certain supposed pilot here thinks that Cochin's code is COC:ugh::{

Funny thread this one:ok:

I read it during my 54 hour bottom bid month. It's been hell... Ok, maybe not:rolleyes:

PS - I would most definitely not want to do those nine day trips to CHC.

[Saltaire]

Sittingidly is spot on in this thread. The 330/340 is a brutal slog most months, without sufficient productivity to make up the bid window hours. Just give me one BNE or MEL back each month. The 777 for the most part has enough productivity to make up the 85-90 hours. Airbus is a short medium haul fleet with too many night flights without enough credit and without enough days off to recover. End of story. Night night.

[etops777]

Calling the moderator...

[Saltaire]

Just laying out the facts Ex 380, but thanks for the heartfelt remarks. You seem like a real level headed guy...:O

[Ketek400]

All I know is that we all work for the same group and we all need each other in order to make money. Unfortunately I am on the 330 at the moment and life is a bit rough. Luckily I know this can only get better!

It is a cycle at EK. Once apon a time the 330 used to be the fleet!

[Saltaire]

EX 380, you must be a good little EK soldier not to think the 330 rosters are completely unsustainable. I'm not on the Airbus? Hey, genius, read my post again.... I've been on the bus since day one. Fact.

PS I love my sidestick. :ok:

[model]

I am a type rated A330 f/o seriously considering EK, is it possible for me to request to be inducted on the 777 fleet , instead of a330.

[Saltaire]

You haven't been here that long perhaps...

The Bus used to do BNE, MEL, and hence the whole point; there is a lack of productivity on the fleet! Enough already, back to another recovery nap...

[fatbus]

How do you put someone on the ignore list? It becomes a waste of space. I just skip over it but is there a way to have him just not show up?

[nolimitholdem]

Sorry A380-guy. You still come across as a bigger wank-job. Let me guess, while you were on the Gay-380, you were crowing to all your "mates" about "how great the lifestyle is" blah blah blah, wandering around the Dubai clubs with a button pinned to your lapel that says "Ask me why I'm SUPER!"...but then when you had to move back to the little bus to get a command, why, now, it's not that bad! Why not change your moniker to "Current A-330 driver", if life's so grand?

Funny how we all rationalize to ourselves. Pity it doesn't fool anyone else.

[The Zohan]

so you left that job

no i did not!

yet you take offense

no i don't....:=

Two years at EK

9 years...

you couldn't get a clue during the clue mating season in a field full of horny clues if you smeared your body with clue musk and did the clue mating dance....
(edward flaherty)

tz

[Instant Hooligan]

Fatbus,
Top left- "User CP". The left column, half way down - "Edit Ignore list".
You can probably figure the rest out from there. Hope it helps

[oz in dxb]

Grow up girls! Please!
Back to the original thread..........

[etops777]

I gotta love this thread...

[ernestkgann]

Gotta love EK.

[fatbus]

IH, thanks for that.

[Wizofoz]

you couldn't get a clue during the clue mating season in a field full of horny clues if you smeared your body with clue musk and did the clue mating dance....

Best......Post......EVER!!!!!

[Marcellus Wallace]

A343 gone by Feb 2013 according to Airline Route (http://airlineroute.net/) and also wikipedia.

I heard 10 or 11 airframes combination A332/A343 to be phased out this financial year - 24 B777 and 11 A380 in, so net increase 24-25 frames.

Not sure about how the A388 problems will determine how fast/slow those frames are replaced.

Quote:
Sittingidly, you're yammering on this site in fragmented thoughts, slagging off just about everyone, making yourself look ridiculous. I would be curious to know your background - very lucky to be at EK I would imagine, but now complaining on how hard done by you are. Maybe you should go back to the asian cadet program you probably came from and be happy. Ciao.
Unquote

Not sure about that-lah but I would say most if not all the guys from an "Asian Cadet Program" are generally happy to be here.:E

[BenCartwright]

...a very interesting thread, indeed.

Just saying, I spent a few years on the 330 and it was just getting worse every year. horrible back to back night turnarounds and almost no layovers at all. During my last 330 year I found myself complaining about everything, more or less hating my job, EK and the life Dubai (well by then I din't have a "life" in Dubai and the few off days I had were just for recovery). :yuk:

Last year I came over to the 380, and everyting changed. I enjoy flying again, love the 380 and actually enjoy life in Duabi... :ok:
I have quite a few pals that still fighting on the 330, and I see their rosters every now and then, so my point is:

Anyone (no names...) that says that they are quite happy on the 330 must be HIGH on drugs! :eek: Whatever it is your're on, seriously, share it with your fellow 330-pilots...

:E

[Sober Lark]

Funny Ben, that's exactly how I felt as a PAX on EK162 from DUB on 30-31st Mar 12.

[Saltaire]

Ben C, your feeling were well justified and systemic throughout the fleet.

Ex 380, searching and posting others previous posts? Single perhaps? The company loves your newbe ignorance and appreciates that it's always legal with the labour camp schedule on the Airbus. It's the most widespread and obvious ****storm disaster in the company; are you living in a cave, or just a lonely lurking ppruner? just give it more time, you'll come around….

[GoreTex]

ex 380 is crying because he went back to the 330, he should have waited like the smart FO's

[captainsmiffy]

Sittingidly, lighten up and you might - just might - get the humour in the earlier typing remark.....did it really go that far over your head?!!

[captainsmiffy]

Also, my good friend, how can you condone your response to a perceived racist remark with another - perhaps more so - racist remark whereby you went so far as to name not just a race but a specific country. This is showing your true colours. Don't call the racist card if you hold such prejudices yourself.......and, for the record, this is said to you without prejudice on my part! (despite being a Brit)

[Saltaire]

Sittingidly,

Sober up and read my posts again for goodness sakes. In this thread, I agree with your assertions. Any sane rational human being knows the airbus schedules are brutal and the schedules are appalling. No Sh&t ! Ask one of the doc's next time your in the clinic. The company knows it too, but heads are in the sand...it's legal :ugh:

Ex 380 is a newbe pest and getting in your head; time for a sabbatical. Enjoy some time away from the slag off.

[MagicCarpet]

Good news for the shortbus drivers. Jeddah is getting an additional four A330 flights per week. EK801 will depart Dubai at 01:55hrs arriving in Jeddah at 03:40hrs. The return journey from Jeddah, EK802 will depart at 05:15hrs arriving in Dubai at 08:55hrs.

Yep, 4 more middle east turns in the middle of the night for the 330. Sure am glad I’m not stuck on the 777 flying all over the world, laying over in exotic destinations. This is much better. Yeah, the 330 is great.

[Oblaaspop]

For your info SI, Ex A380 guy is actually an Aussie...... Think about that next time you slag off Brits you racist pr1ck!!!!:E

[MagicCarpet]

By the way Ex380, we were both right on the A330 upgrade failure rate. It was 6 of 8 in the last group, 8 of 8 failed in the group before. Another year in the right seat doing night turns to Jeddah will surely get those 14 guys squared away. Them and the ones that fail this month. And all the others who never even made it through the upgrade interview or psych eval. (Yes, the 777 upgrade success rate is better)

And it’s 1 white 330 parked over by the maintenance hangar waiting to go, not 2. So we were both wrong on that one. Looks like EAL. Only 2 other A330s have left, to China last year. No others slated to go this year. Still leaves better than 30 of them hanging around to stink up our rosters for a long, long time to come.

[7one7]

If the 330 is really so bad, how come you don't leave EK ? I'll start my 330 training next month. I hoped for 777 but i'm still very proud to join one of the best airlines in the world. Yeah the 777 has better routes etc., but life isn't fairytale. Someone gets the short stick, that's life.

[what_goes_up]

Magic Carpet- Where did you see the extra Jed flights?
Check your grouptoday of May 2nd...

The new service from Jeddah will operate each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, increasing the current service from 14 to 18 flights per week. EK801 will depart Dubai at 01:55hrs arriving in Jeddah at 03:40hrs. The return journey from Jeddah, EK802 will depart at 05:15hrs arriving in Dubai at 08:55hrs. The service will be operated by an A330, offering Emirates’ First Class, Business Class and Economy Class.

[filejw]

If the upgrade fail rate is that dismal somebody in hire department or training needs to be looked at. Shouldn't be hiring that many folks who cant upgrade. Or the training folks need to be replaced because the program is so poor. Don't the management people say anything about the cost and loss of man hours. At most airlines there is a huge issue when people get off the training foot print.

[fatbus]

Just have to look at the candidates, place the blame on them and not the training dept.

[vfenext]

Training Dept? What training Dept? Surely you mean the checking Dept! The lack of training in EK is legend. Stop making excuses.

[filejw]

Well then guess its HR and pilot hiring folks. No reason to bring somebody into the airline you are not 98% you can upgrade.

[MagicCarpet]

If the 330 is really so bad, how come you don't leave EK?

Sure, I’ll just call up my old airline and ask them to give me back the years of seniority I gave up to come to Emirates. Think man.

[glofish]

It is just a bit of a tortuous process for some, especially these days.
Guys don't get a lot of help from the Training Dept or, come to that, line pilots in the run up to their upgrade.
It's just a bit of a tough, uncompromising system.

You reap what you saw.

If you hire experience, common sense and airmenship, but then beat it out of each and every candidate with the too-narrow-minded-sop-stick during the 5 fo years, then you get the above result on upgrade.

I take it as a direct insult if presumed not helping upgrade-fo's!!
You just can't expect the line captains to promote the crap procedures they had to emulate to pass their upgrade.

Experience and airmenship eventually returns when left alone to operate with one's own common sense.

[The Zohan]

Experience and airmenship eventually returns when left alone to operate with one's own common sense.

amen

tz

[Flying Spag Monster]

Glofish if anyone allows their experience to be lost, their common sense and airmanship to be taken then I would have to question their suitability not just for the left seat but to remain in the right one as well.....

[BigGeordie]

There is a lot of help available for people coming up for their upgrades on the line, they only have to ask. I've never, ever, been asked by a candidate coming up for upgrade if they can do the cabin crew brief or fill in the tech log for example. They are small things but if you can do the normal stuff without having to think about it too much you have more spare capacity to deal with the unusual.

Similarly, it is very rare to be asked "What would you do if.....". I'm not a trainer so I wouldn't pretend to have all the answers but I think most Captains would be happy to have a chat if asked.:ok:

[EK380]

Sorry to bust your rumours...

Upgrade failures are close to industry standard. Last 12 months just above 10% on the 777 and just over 5% on the 330! Yes, quit a few not unexpectedly failed in the last 330 courses but NOT 8 out of 8. The best BS I've read on PPRuNe for a while.

Check your facts guys before writing!

[donpizmeov]

No matter what fleet you join you will end up working hard and having average rosters, it will just be the time frame in which it happens that differs.
Airbus FOs aren't working too hard now, but mini Bus Captains are having cr@p rosters. This is true.
Boeing fellas are having reasonable rosters now. But everything comes with a price right?
Consider:

1. Tcas explained after the last 777 order that we had almost 100 777s then (we have that now right?), and that after older aircraft are sent back to leasors, with the new deliveries EK would have a fleet of 160 777s by 2022. So overall growth of 60%, not bad at all, unless of course you are a new joiner on it, as that's not enough for a seat change is it. At 10 crews per aeroplane 600 of the 900+ 777 FOs on the list now are good for command. People will leave and retire and that will increase the number of new commanders required, but we are also taking DECs as well.

2. There are now 26 x 330s, 8 x 343s, 10 x 345, 22 x380. 500ish FOs. Taking the 380 commands only (forgetting about the 25 350 firm and 25 options), 260 new commands will be needed by 2019 (last 380 delivery year). The bottom 200 Bus FOs on the list now would need the A350 order to happen to upgrade. Nothing has been said officially that this is not going to happen.

3. We were also told that as of 2022 the fleet would total 270ish (capacity at DXB restricted they say). We have 170ish now. So since we are going to have 160 x 777, and 90 x 380 it would seem that the order for the 25 x 350 may still be a goer, or as the rumour goes they may be canceled and replaced by 777s (no one on this forum knows). With this fleet mix, what will be doing the nasty turns, and what will be doing the trunk routes? The Boeing pilot will argue the 777 will still be the fleet to be on, as will the 380 pilot. They both have vested interest to do so. But only time will tell for sure.

No one can pick the future here. But it does seem to turn in round abouts. At some time something will happen that disadvantages you. The command criteria changes very often, and rarely for the better. Seniority means nothing. If your fleet no longer requires new captains, you will be by passed by more junior FOs from another fleet. But going by present orders, new joiners would need to plan on being FOs for a long time.

Glofish, I would think that if someone has experience, airmanship and commonsense, they will not have any problem with the upgrade course. EK has plenty of Captains that finished the course successfully, this would seem to prove the point.

The Don

PS. I have no clue what the future holds for Bus or Boeing pilots. Nor does anyone else who argues otherwise. But new joiners need to consider would they still come to EK if command was to take a long time. Several FOs on the 380 have been shafted and will now not be eligible for command until 8yrs in the company after the last command criteria change. FOs too junior to be 380 FOs at the time these guys were sent (they did not volunteer) to the 380 are doing 330 commands now.
Beware of Big Shiny Jet Syndrome. It tends to cloud the judgement.

[glofish]

Concerning the upgrade failures there is a lot of smog on the numbers.
Listening to the guys coming back with a failure does not uphold the official numbers (by management dudes on this forum), although their view is slightly impaired by their fate, I agree.
Nevertheless the stories are mainly backed up by fo's who did assists in the sim.

Concerning the rosters on the 330, anyone accepting a course on the 330 must be desperate. The truth lies in the rosters of the 330.
Just go on the portal and see for yourself.


Don
I do share your outlook and to a certain degree your comment:

Glofish, I would think that if someone has experience, airmanship and commonsense, they will not have any problem with the upgrade course. EK has plenty of Captains that finished the course successfully, this would seem to prove the point.

But then I read the weekly reports .....
Either there is a problem in recruiting, or the beating out of airmenship is very successful!
It is appalling at times.

[donpizmeov]

I know what you mean by the reports Glofish. I believe that they are thinking of issuing gloves with "left" and "right" marked on them to add the Boeing pilots with arrivals to their home base. :} At least the outcome seems to different from the famous MAN incident.

The Don

[joselu]

Question to any EK 330 pilot.
I´m going to apply in the next future but i´d would like to know how many nights you have to spend outside home (Dubai) every month. I have a kid who need special care and it is important for me. Thanks

[captainsmiffy]

To the Don, I know what you mean....missus smiffy used to wear knickers with C&A in them.....(until C&A went bust in the UK)

[givemewings]

Joselu, just a quick caution- look into the level of education/treatment/care or whatever it is that your child requires (if needed) and see if it is available here, I have heard stories of many families with special needs kids finding it hard to get the same support they get back home, especially when it comes to ongoing treatment and/or education for kids with learning disabilities. Not meaning to be a buzzkill but the ME is still kind of catching up with the rest of the world when it comes to that stuff. Also look into what is/isn't covered by insurance and whether you will need your own. Care can be expensive here if not covered by employer. All the best.

[fatbus]

Health care , including special needs, has improved over the last years. But do some injuring for your own peace of mind if you do come.

[givemewings]

Fatbus, I thought that's what I said? While it has improved, it is still not as easy to get the same standards as one might be used to 'back home'. I know this for a fact as a good friend of mine is working with kids with special needs, she told me this herself. That yes, it's available but it might not be so feasible for families whose cover/circumstances won't provide any assistance- that's all I was trying to say. Didn't mean to imply it's not up to standard- merely that what is considered 'normal' or 'usual' here can be a lot different to one's home country. And the attitudes of some people here can be undeniably cruel/rude to those kids- it's only ignorance and not knowing better. Definitely worth looking into, especially in a household where one parent will be absent a good part of the time. At least Joselu is asking the questions now, not later on.

[BigGeordie]

Joselu, to answer the question you asked (as opposed to the one you didn't!) if you don't want layovers on the A330 they are easy to avoid most of the time. It is getting them that tends to be a problem for most people! You will be doing a lot of night flying though, if that makes any difference.

If at some point you end up on the A380 (and you may not have a choice in this) it will be a very different story, but you will have more days off.

[givemewings]

Because this forum only ever answers what was asked.... :rolleyes:

Forgive a person for trying to help a guy out, apologies if it seemed I was 'butting in'- just know that it can be hard to find out stuff here...

Back to 330...

[donpizmeov]

Like it Smithy. Wouldn't want to wear them back to front. :ok: