QF to EK. Should I?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QF to EK. Should I?
Hi guys,
I have read through much of these forums and I know there are vastly differing views on living and working in Dubai but would just like to get some suggestions on what to do in my situation.
I have been with QF for 7 years and I am relatively young, 26 years old with 3 years of S/Oing and 3.5 years of 737 F/Oing.
I find myself pretty jaded with QF at the moment, seeing that Jet* is to expand 10-fold with little chance of getting that flying unless I resign from QF, I also see QF as a very closed shop operation with a very limited route structure and an uncertain future.
I have NFI when a command will come up, I can't even see myself changing types for another three years.
EK to me seems like a very positive option for my life, I would like to work with people from different backgrounds, the route structure is very impressive in comparison to QF and the equipment is second to none.
I am single and think that living in Dubai would suit my personality, the only problem is that at 26 I still have a lot of flying years to go and the desert could wear thin at some point.
What do you think? Is Dubai and EK better suited to those who perhaps got their lucky break in aviation a little later in life?
I have read through much of these forums and I know there are vastly differing views on living and working in Dubai but would just like to get some suggestions on what to do in my situation.
I have been with QF for 7 years and I am relatively young, 26 years old with 3 years of S/Oing and 3.5 years of 737 F/Oing.
I find myself pretty jaded with QF at the moment, seeing that Jet* is to expand 10-fold with little chance of getting that flying unless I resign from QF, I also see QF as a very closed shop operation with a very limited route structure and an uncertain future.
I have NFI when a command will come up, I can't even see myself changing types for another three years.
EK to me seems like a very positive option for my life, I would like to work with people from different backgrounds, the route structure is very impressive in comparison to QF and the equipment is second to none.
I am single and think that living in Dubai would suit my personality, the only problem is that at 26 I still have a lot of flying years to go and the desert could wear thin at some point.
What do you think? Is Dubai and EK better suited to those who perhaps got their lucky break in aviation a little later in life?
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Stockholm / Sweden
Age: 48
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You must be kiddin' mate ....
You can'T compare life-Style down under to strugglin' in the sandpit;
i should know, as i've spent my best years around Cottesloe beaches at PER
;
and the F/O package in EK is by now, after that minimal payrise of merely 6% - sorry to say - pretty crappy
, specially for the european guys, as those 20 Grand Dirhams buy you merely any more than 4.000 Euros nowadays - which leads lots of them resigning;
i know personally three F/O's will beleaving after next profit-share payment, going to outfits such as Easy (beased in spain) Jet Airways , Net-Jets Europe - which pay a Captain (after half a year as F/O) more than 100 Grand Euros per year;
that tops the EK package by far - especially with that crappy housing allowance as it is right now, which merely rents You a two bedroom appartment in one of the - so plentyful - dusty construction sites over here!
Stay put & wait for other/better! opportunities coming up - such as Virgin Blue new 777 - that will make the perfect career step instead!
'cause - sorry to say again - EK has become just another average paid "flying-job" with incompetent managemant (obviously unwilling or unable to learn anything from their mistakes) in the middle east, and has lost most of its recent appeal (at least to me!)
You can'T compare life-Style down under to strugglin' in the sandpit;
i should know, as i've spent my best years around Cottesloe beaches at PER
;and the F/O package in EK is by now, after that minimal payrise of merely 6% - sorry to say - pretty crappy
, specially for the european guys, as those 20 Grand Dirhams buy you merely any more than 4.000 Euros nowadays - which leads lots of them resigning;i know personally three F/O's will beleaving after next profit-share payment, going to outfits such as Easy (beased in spain) Jet Airways , Net-Jets Europe - which pay a Captain (after half a year as F/O) more than 100 Grand Euros per year;
that tops the EK package by far - especially with that crappy housing allowance as it is right now, which merely rents You a two bedroom appartment in one of the - so plentyful - dusty construction sites over here!
Stay put & wait for other/better! opportunities coming up - such as Virgin Blue new 777 - that will make the perfect career step instead!
'cause - sorry to say again - EK has become just another average paid "flying-job" with incompetent managemant (obviously unwilling or unable to learn anything from their mistakes) in the middle east, and has lost most of its recent appeal (at least to me!)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Surrounded by aluminum, and the great outdoors
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Keep your focus on lifestyle and standard of living, the "bird in the hand" philosophy...don't think about "quick commands" or "loads of discretionary income" two things that went by the wayside here in the gulf years ago...lots to be said for working for your home carrier than the potential left seat of that shiny jet and the green grass it sits in...loads of fertilizer keeps that grass green...this post is not EK specific btw...just expat life in general no matter where u work the gulf and others are a great SECOND career...but you still have your first one intact and at your age, I'd keep it that way
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Australia
Age: 60
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oz,
it all comes down to how badly you want a change. If staying with QF means you become depressive, divorced,and desperate for something different then EK will be fine for some time. How long all depends on your abillity to adapt to how things are done here. As stated above, lots of people have complaints about EK, myself included, but you will get the same from any pilot group. QF as well. I came here from OZ under simmilar circumstances and have no regrets at all. However I have been here for too long now and am in need of a change. Finding something that competes with EK and takes DECs is a problem. You will have to face the same problem if you come here, the gulf is not a long term career option for westeners.
There are no guarantees in this job, but with the number of planes on order at EK and what will be ordered shortly you should get an upgrade in about 3-5 years and fly to a lot of very interesting/demanding destinations. You will enjoy life here but as with anything eventually you will tire of it and get p_ssed off with your lot in life again. Then you can move on and explore another part of the world...
it all comes down to how badly you want a change. If staying with QF means you become depressive, divorced,and desperate for something different then EK will be fine for some time. How long all depends on your abillity to adapt to how things are done here. As stated above, lots of people have complaints about EK, myself included, but you will get the same from any pilot group. QF as well. I came here from OZ under simmilar circumstances and have no regrets at all. However I have been here for too long now and am in need of a change. Finding something that competes with EK and takes DECs is a problem. You will have to face the same problem if you come here, the gulf is not a long term career option for westeners.
There are no guarantees in this job, but with the number of planes on order at EK and what will be ordered shortly you should get an upgrade in about 3-5 years and fly to a lot of very interesting/demanding destinations. You will enjoy life here but as with anything eventually you will tire of it and get p_ssed off with your lot in life again. Then you can move on and explore another part of the world...
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Surrounded by aluminum, and the great outdoors
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never quit a job because you're pissed off at the old one..the same frustrations will resurface in different disguise at your new job...quit your job because the new one presents a new and exciting opportunity for CAREER advancement...many made their careers here and successfully so...but there is a lot to be said for being on home turf...particularly if wife and kids are involved..
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: "como todo buen piloto... mujeriego y borracho"
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OzStriker, while I agree with everything the previous posters have mentioned, I also believe it is necessary, especially at a young age, to live out your dreams. If it turns out to be a mistake, so beit-- learn from it and move on. You are young and are fortunate to have progressed so well in your career, and even if you decide after a few years that having gone to a Middle Eastern carrier was a bad choice your life experience will be all the richer, and the widebody time won't be too damaging to your logbook either.
Just become aware of whatever you are going to do before you do it, be aware that no airline is perfect, and wherever you go, try not to burn the bridges you left behind. From your question, it is obvious that you are already well aware of that and this is a healthy sign. Be aware also that regardless of how good a job may be, most expats do become homesick after a few years. Good luck in whatever you chose to do.
Just become aware of whatever you are going to do before you do it, be aware that no airline is perfect, and wherever you go, try not to burn the bridges you left behind. From your question, it is obvious that you are already well aware of that and this is a healthy sign. Be aware also that regardless of how good a job may be, most expats do become homesick after a few years. Good luck in whatever you chose to do.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys I really appreciate your input, both here and via PMs.
It is probably hard to beat my current lifestyle of mostly daytime flying, 15-odd days off a month, but there are other factors to consider.
I have plenty of thinking to do, as do many of my peers......
It is probably hard to beat my current lifestyle of mostly daytime flying, 15-odd days off a month, but there are other factors to consider.
I have plenty of thinking to do, as do many of my peers......
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EK
And guess what? I am very sure that EK is much better off with out negative lazy individuals like you are.
Also for your information,i am not a EK employee .
You guys need to be more positive about life.
Any one who reads pprune and follow all of the negative stuff from some of you unhappy pilot's .
Will hate being in aviation and also being a pilot.
In any company the lazy one's or the individuals who thinks that they know every thing.
Always be the one's to give the most trouble and complain.
Please don't follow these negative minded individuals if you intend to have a successful aviation career.
Cheers,
USA
Also for your information,i am not a EK employee .
You guys need to be more positive about life.
Any one who reads pprune and follow all of the negative stuff from some of you unhappy pilot's .
Will hate being in aviation and also being a pilot.
In any company the lazy one's or the individuals who thinks that they know every thing.
Always be the one's to give the most trouble and complain.
Please don't follow these negative minded individuals if you intend to have a successful aviation career.
Cheers,
USA
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Skylab
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OzStriker.......I have similar dilema. Get a peice of paper, write down all the pros and cons and take it from there. I'm leaning towards EK.
The grass may not be greener on the other side...but honestly, these days..is there such thing as the perfect aviation job? We all just have to bite the bullet and do the best thing for ourselves, that suits OUR situation..put aside all the warnings from well intentioned folks and do what you feel is right.
Put your application in, if you get the call, go have a look, if you don't like the feel or what you see, what have you lost?
I reckon a few more of our QF brothers will be seen in the Middle East in coming months.
The grass may not be greener on the other side...but honestly, these days..is there such thing as the perfect aviation job? We all just have to bite the bullet and do the best thing for ourselves, that suits OUR situation..put aside all the warnings from well intentioned folks and do what you feel is right.
Put your application in, if you get the call, go have a look, if you don't like the feel or what you see, what have you lost?
I reckon a few more of our QF brothers will be seen in the Middle East in coming months.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The Pilot Grinder
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well said Pete,
The "go and see for yourself" is the only way to decide whether this is for you.
Aviation T&C's are in decline everywhere in the world, EK is still offering up some opportunities that will never be available in an Oz domestic arena.
Oz your single, young and have the opportunities, either way you are in the box seat man.
Take the interveiw when it comes, you can always say no if it's not for you.
Cheers
The "go and see for yourself" is the only way to decide whether this is for you.
Aviation T&C's are in decline everywhere in the world, EK is still offering up some opportunities that will never be available in an Oz domestic arena.
Oz your single, young and have the opportunities, either way you are in the box seat man.
Take the interveiw when it comes, you can always say no if it's not for you.
Cheers
