Conversion @ Emirates

[mociamIII]

Hello all. Am about to join Emirates and have been told that I will be doing my conversion in Berlin. With my present airline I have always taken my wife and kids with me when I have been lucky enough to get an offshore conversion. Is this feasible with Emirates. Is there anyone who has any experience with this and could advise me on the company's perspective and any issues associated with this concept? Thank you.

[EGGW]

You can do that if you like, but for sure the 1st 3 weeks will be in DXB. The cost would be yours of course. My take on it would be that you may get a small room, and not get the course study (self study) done with all the distractions a family with you would bring. I would not do it, but we are all different and what is good for me may not be for others and vice versa.

Good luck matey

EGGW

[kingpost]

So you finally decided to take the plunge and join.

If I were you I would go to Berlin by yourself and concentrate on our transition, make some contacts to take your family there on a holiday. If you're coming from the "SA jungle" you're not from SAA or Comair, where are you from SAX,Link....Nationwide. The company are paying you to do a transition course, leave the family at home.......that will be their perspective, keep discovering.

Good luck

[mociamIII]

No, SAJungle refers to the social and political environment and.....!!! Not too profound just cynical. Am with SAA, or was and current on 340's so not much to do on the conversion and thought it would be a good opportunity to have an adventure with the family.

[Wiley]

so not much to do on the conversion

Current on type or not, I wait with bated breath for some of the comments that will surely follow that little gem.

[mociamIII]

Ya ya..... Instead of trying to read between the lines, a useful comment would be welcome. I fully intend to work hard at my conversion as I have for the last 24 years on every conversion I've done. I enjoy conversions; nevertheless I have done 3 offshore conversions with SAA and taken my family along for the whole time on all of them. I worked, they understood, but when I had free time we enjoyed being together. I fly in the airlines for the life it gives us, not for the airline or flying. I used to fly properly in the beginning but that is over. So when an opportunity like this comes up, that is my angle.

With this one although I will work hard and my family will understand as they always have, I will not have the pressure of not knowing what's coming and trying to fathom a new aircraft. And that takes some pressure off and that is what I mean.

But I take the hint...I will probably not take them on this one. They can wait in a more benign environment and we can start our adventure together when I am finished.

[JLQ]

Mociam III, I like the way you think.

[White Knight]

Berlin in summer would be ok for the family - but if you're going in winter then not good. It can be grim...

[dunerider]

Hi Mociam III,
Are you doing a Airbus or Boeing conversion?I actually think you could get away with taking them.No problem although it would cost a few euro's.

[brabazon1]

I like your outlook M3, work to live not live to work.

I think Emirates will make it difficult for you, not impossible though.

[dunerider]

M3 you are from a good airline with a lot of experience.The transitions are more frustrating than difficult. The majority of the study will be getting your head around some of the SOP's. Anyway it is a given that in two or three sessions in the sim on your return to DXB they will clear up any misconceptions or mistakes that the overseas provider has shown you and ten sectors later you are on your own. Besides you only need a 2/5 to pass in this high standard operation.

[sanddude]

M3,
If your already rated, I would bring the family. I was in the same position and its actually a breeze. Was quit bored to be honest, and this was in house training. Besides that Berlin is an awesome city and certainly a great family adventure. Go for it!