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Emirates salary and schedule, realistically

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Emirates salary and schedule, realistically

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Old 20th Nov 2007, 01:37
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Emirates salary and schedule, realistically

Whats up everyones hope all is well, I was hoping i could get some info on FO
salary and schedules for emirates airlines. Just want to make sure it's worth it. thanks
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 04:36
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There was a thread about the average take home pay for Captains at Emirates but for the life of me I can't find it. Anyone remember the thread (and give the url)?
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 05:15
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There are many threads on the subject.
  • F/O starting salary has decreased steadily for the past 7 years when measured against other currencies.
  • Some Exchange Rate Protection (ERP) may be built in but it depends on where you come from. In any case it washes out with time. Pound based ERP has halved in the past couple of months for instance. The max you can possibly get is 7.5% of basic. (which is unlikely)
  • The salary structure is moving to greater amounts based on flying pay while basic salary remains largely static in Dirhams (Decreasing in most other currencies). Leave and sickness will reduce you takehome pay by a greater proportion each year.
  • Inflation is wild in the UAE. 36% reported by local papers since beginning of this year. 9.2% over 2007
  • Bonus, ERP, Provident Fund are all based on the basic salary and not on Flying Pay. Therefore they have and will continue to reduce rapidly in real terms over the years ahead.
  • The buying power of an EK F/O salary has approximately halved in the last decade.
  • EK recruitment website figures, while accurate, hide many facts that could cost you dearly.
My advice: Think VERY CAREFULLY. Dubai is expensive with many hidden costs. Saving capacity of an EK F/O is basically zero unless he/she lives like a hermit. If you have a family, you need external savings or the wife must work. Leave will be miserable as you will face a reduced pay packet on your return and will probably pay for the holiday for the rest of the year....
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 06:55
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Thanks very much for the information but what I am trying to find out is how much a CAPTAIN can expect to make gross.

Would any captain be kind enough to mention how much he earnt in the last convenient 12 month period?
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 08:13
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You would be looking at roughly 82000$ basic pay, 9300$ flight pay and a (variable) bonus of appr. 8500$.
Total of a approximation of 100000$.
This will be a constant, unfortunately, as the inflation outruns the basic + (eventual) yearly increment by a factor of 2, the flightpay will most probably be fully covered and the bonus (if any) is strung to the basic.
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 08:37
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GMDS,

Thanks for the answer. Is this 100k US$ the gross for a captain or an FO? If the former it seems extremely low - (about 50kSTG). It must be the gross for an FO surely?
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 09:36
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Remember to factor in the company provided accommodation, or add on the "utility allowance" of about 11,800 Dhs a month.
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 09:38
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No mate, it's for a skipper around 1st or 2nd year. But consider it's tax-free and housing provided. Still, it's by no means industry leading, it's probably fair to average. You can live on it, but don't count on upping anything like a pension fund. On top of that it is fast eroding, because the dish-dashs couldn't care less about inflation. They get it compensated with a local bonus, just as govt employees(70%), so for them it's negligable. The expats however bear the brunt.
If you count on getting a wb rating on modern equippment, it's fine, you'll leave after 3 years and 2000h. If you plan to stay and ie. have your kid completing some PYP or MYP, then the last few years will get extremely tight. Basically you will then fork out of your savings to complete your stay. Now if you have a nice contract in spe when leaving, go for it. But i wouldn't count on a huge choice in the mid term, as aviation has always been cyclic. The next downturn is around the corner. Once it hits us, believe me, EK will not wait when jobs get a little scarce and lower the package extensively, to their liking , because you will be stuck with them.

If I had to consider moving again, with what i know now, i would realise that my savings were insufficient and definitely not meant to subsidise the greedy local bunch.

That's the uncomforable truth.
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 09:46
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On average, between North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, housing is worth about 2000$ a month.

If I was living someplace where renting a villa was 2 million dollars a year (even a crap one), I would not consider this salary.

Might as well include schooling! Oh, want a pay raise, make another kid! The more the kids, the more the schooling allowance!

The bottom line is the Salary, the rest is relative.
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 19:39
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Thanks guys. For me, the compensation package does not compensate enough for living away from my home.

Thanks for taking the trouble to respond.
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Old 16th Feb 2008, 20:05
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drifting a bit from the topic!
Does any of you Guys at EK still have a place at "home" and needs to pay mortgage for it?
What does a UAE bank in average charge for a money transfer to a european Bank account of lets say 7000 to 9000Dhs?
Or did you transfer all your financial things to a local UAE Bank?
Any advice is highly appreciated!
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 00:27
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I'm wondering the same thing about having an additional mortgage overseas to pay. And as far as the transfer fees for funds, what does that usually run?

If I am offered the job, I will be moving to Dubai with my wife and three children. Will I be able to make it on EK FO salary alone?

All of a sudden a little bit of uncertainty is beginning to creep into the perfect picture that I imagined just a few weeks ago!
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 02:04
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I'm feeling the same way you are. I'm thinking $70K U.S. to start tax free with housing and utilities covered what are theses hidden expenses? I do eat a lot but damn! Not that much

A320
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 02:10
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Lots oguys are sending $$ back home to pay for various stuff. It depends on who you use to send the money back home, but figure on 75-150 dirhams/transaction to send stuff back.

AS for cost of living, depends on what you do. Groceries are damn expensive here and getting worse...if you have a modest lifestyle and keep the going out, boats, TV's to something reasonable you can get by on an F/O salary, with 3 kids it becomes harder with school fees, activities etc. You'd have to ask someone with a bigger family than me

I manage to pay a few bills off each month, but am not putting alot away as an F/O.
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 02:16
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When you say groceries are expensive in what terms are you refering? Eggs $5 bucks a dozen US? If ever there were an incentive for me to lose weight the cost of food would be one!! I don't see getting a boat but I do like TV. If I can get US programing then it's slingbox pro and good highspeed internet for me. One son still school age but it's my understanding that school is covered or atleast supposed to be!!.

Thanks Bro for the info

A320
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 02:19
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All of a sudden a little bit of uncertainty is beginning to creep into the perfect picture that I imagined just a few weeks ago!
Guys, some FOs point out that they get by with their salary. But consider the trend!!!!!
If it is barely enough to get by now, the erosion of the salary, or buying power/send home power, whatever you call it, has eroded dramatically the last four years. According to some studies by 70%!
This means you need a good fat layer in your lifestyle or bank account until you get your upgrade. And this exercise will be expected to take five years plus, if the attrition rate does not go up dramatically. And maybe a stagnation will hit in and it will even take longer.

Bear this in mind. FO in Dubai is survivable, but not desirable, believe me.
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 03:17
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Iguess I'm still stuck on what is costing so much?? Here at. Home I have to pay mortgage,utilities, insurance,food, car note and gas. Now my biggest expenses are mortgage and utilities which is my understanding that EK takes care of. So I still have food, insurance car note and gas. How much is it going to cost me for my 8yr to play scoccer opps I mean football?
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 04:24
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A320PLT

Look, first the newbees ask how expensive it might be in the sandpit. Then they get a few silly answers and a few reasonable ones. One or two say it's ok, most others warn you that it took out more of their pockets than they initially figuered. After these answers there is the ever coming back scepticism and rhethorical "how do you manage not making money in this paradise??".
You will not get a answer to this, it's close to an insult like you guys think we're financial morons. So, come down and find out yourselves. I'm not mad at you, but if you want an oppinion, take it as such, analyse it and make your decision. But being so far away right now, don't smartass our contributions. We're merely trying to pass on experience we didn't anticipate ourselves in the first place.

Good luck at the interview

GMDS

Last edited by GMDS; 17th Feb 2008 at 04:41.
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 05:17
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Here is some info that I was able to gather in rather short order guys, hope this helps a little more.

The overall cost of living in Dubai is similar to that in most European countries, if you’re living in the style of the average western expatriate.


But the general lack of taxation has a significant impact on the cost of certain items, e.g. cars. On the other hand, the cost of accommodation is sometimes high, as is that of certain food items, particularly imported foods. If you buy internationally recognised branded foods and household goods, you might pay higher prices than in your home country, but there are usually plenty of cheaper locally and regionally produced alternatives that are of excellent quality. Clothing can also be expensive if you favour designer labels – this isn’t peculiar to Dubai – although there’s little need for winter clothing.

The price of wines and spirits, where these are permitted, is slightly lower than in the UK but higher than average European prices. Electronic goods, such as televisions, hi-fis, DVD players, photographic equipment and computer hardware and software, are generally less expensive than in Europe, mainly because of lower import duties.

Utilities, such as electricity, water and gas, are subsidised to some extent by the region’s governments, which own the services (except for bottled gas supplies) in order to provide inexpensive electricity and water, mainly for the benefit of the local population. Utilities are therefore cheaper than in most European countries. However, at the height of summer, air-conditioning costs will escalate, rather as the cost of heating increases in winter in colder climates. Newcomers sometimes make the expensive mistake of keeping their air-conditioning on even when they’re out, but this is unnecessary, as air-conditioning systems reduce the temperature in your accommodation quickly when activated on your return home.

You should also allow for the cost of international telephone calls, although these are kept low by Dubai’s government, who wants to encourage international business and investment in the region.

Your cost of living will obviously depend on your lifestyle. When you’re negotiating a work contract, it’s usual for your prospective employer to produce detailed cost of living figures for his country, which are useful in helping you to decide whether the proposed job is financially attractive or not. Average monthly major expenses for a single person, couple and family with two children are shown below (numbers in brackets relate to the notes following the table).

Monthly Costs ($/£)

Item
Single
Couple
Couple with 2 Children

Housing (1)
900/600
1,050/700
1,200/800

Food (2)
450/300
750/500
1,050/700

Utilities (3)
225/150
300/200
450/300

Leisure (4)
450/300
450/300
600/400

Transport (5)
75/50
150/100
150/100

Insurance (6)
100/65
150/100
225/150

Clothing (7)
150/100
300/200
450/300

Totals
2,350/1,565
3,150/2,100
4,125/2,750


Rental costs for a one-bedroom apartment in a modern block, probably unfurnished, a two-bedroom apartment in a similar block and a two or three-bedroom apartment or a modest villa. Apartments might have air-conditioning included in the rent. Satellite television is probably provided but is unlikely to include all channels. A swimming pool and/or gym are usually provided.
Doesn’t include luxury food items or alcohol.
Includes electricity (and air-conditioning), water (and usually sewage if charged in conjunction with the water, as is normal) and an allowance for telephone charges.
Includes entertainment, dining out, sports, newspapers and magazines but not holidays (air fares are often included in work contract terms).
Includes running costs for an average family car plus third party insurance, petrol, servicing and repairs, but excludes depreciation and credit purchase costs.
Includes private health, travel, car and contents insurance. Note that property is rented, so building insurance is usually unnecessary.
Lots of clothing is unnecessary in the region’s hot climate. Office wear for men is a shirt and tie, except for formal occasions.

Last edited by A320PLT; 17th Feb 2008 at 05:42.
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Old 17th Feb 2008, 08:39
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A 320 Plt

Read what GMDS posted one more time. His posts in this thread are very accurate.
I did work for EK 2003-2007 3 1/2 years. My family and myself leaving
Dubai had nothing to do with being upset with the company or delayed command due to DECs etc. We had to leave due to one of my children getting seriously ill and she could not get the proper follow up in Dubai(UAE).

I had 3 children in school in Dubai, they had 2 activities each after school(not horse riding, could not afford that). 1 car in the family, no fancy vacations, only ALT back home. We had a lot of camping trips in the mountains and the desert, both in the UAE and Oman, by the way our fondest memories of the place by far. The only expense for those trips were the initial purchase of the camping gear and whatever gas we used. Took the family out for dinner once or twice a month, and the wife once a week for lunch. We did not have a live-in-maid either. By no means a lavish lifestyle.

I did not manage to save anything, except what I got from the provident fund when I left USD 25.000 approx. When taking into account the moving cost I probably ended up break even. This was all on FO salary.

Different game when you get the upgrade, or if you are here with no children. But I find it amusing that you still believe in the "big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" story.

Good luck to you whatever you decide, but I have a feeling that you will get a brutal reality check once the novelty of the shiny jets and the facade of Dubai wears off.

Fjordviking.

Last edited by fjordviking; 17th Feb 2008 at 08:48. Reason: spelling
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