Sorry to bother

[le soixante neuf]

I see that Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are all looking for direct entry Captains, although the latter two don't much interest me.
I have a few questions about life at EK that I can't seem to find answers to.
With regard to the "provident fund", where does this money go? Into the bank, fund, country of your choice? How much would a Captain reasonably expect to accrue after seven years? How much is the end of service bonus?
I see that there is an option for unfurnished accomodation, how many square feet do they normally run?
What is silicon oasis?
Can an expat buy/own/sell property in the UAE? Is there oceanfront available?
Can I import my vehicles into the UAE from Canada?
Does one have to take the 42 day leave all at once or could you take a week every second month?
Is there deeply discounted travel on EK and other airlines?
I heard a rumour that EK's budget for schooling is often maxed out leaving employees to pay for their own childrens' education?
I understand the sales of alcohol are limited, but can you bring alcohol into the country that you bought on a pairing?
Is it true that the government restricts internet use including VOIP service?
Finally, I can't imagine that there is a need for DECs every month, how often does EK take on DECs and are they welcome by the rest of the pilot community , realistically, what is the mood toward someone stepping straight into the left seat?
I realize these things seem inconsequential to some, but they are importatnt to me. Fact is, I have an excellent job with an unmatched savings plan, I just thought a change might be as good as a rest.
One final thing, I see that 3000 hours PIC is required on aircraft larger than 55 metric tons, is that hard and fast? For example, the B737-200 at 119500 lbs, is 54.3 tons. Was this number picked in order to exclude, the -200, the F-28 and DC-9 etc...

My thanks to those that take the time to answer,

le 69


le 69

[Wizofoz]

With regard to the "provident fund", where does this money go? Into the bank, fund, country of your choice?

No, it goes into a managed investment fund. Within that you do have the option to diversify between several investment options.

How much would a Captain reasonably expect to accrue after seven years?

How long's a piece of string? Contributions (minimum) are 17% of base salary (5% employee, 12% employer) so around 5100DHS at the moment, increasing with pay rises and increments. Investment returns would hopefully be about 10% so do the math. Also bear in mind that whilst the Dirham is currently pegged to the US dollar, there are strong indications this will change in the next few years.

see that there is an option for unfurnished accomodation, how many square feet do they normally run?

It's the same accomodation whether furnished or unfurnished. If you take furnished you get the company issued furniture package. If you take unfurnished you get 30000DHS to ship or buy furniture. As Captain you get a Villa (which is to say, a free standing house). Couldn't give you square feet, but mine has four good sized bedrooms, large lounge, Familyroom/kitchen, 3 Bathrooms and a maids room. Adequate for a family of four.

What is silicon oasis?

It's where I live!! Compound 15 mins from the city with 560 Villas (more being built), several apartement blocks and a comunity centre. Very good for families, maybe a little quiet for singles.

Can an expat buy/own/sell property in the UAE?

Yes

Is there oceanfront available?

Yes, but bring your money with you!!!

Can I import my vehicles into the UAE from Canada?

I think the answer is yes, but you would almost certainly be better off buying a car here. They are cheap compared to most of the rest of the world.

Does one have to take the 42 day leave all at once

No

could you take a week every second month?

No. There is a bid system that means you end up with two or three leave periods per year.

Is there deeply discounted travel on EK and other airlines?

Yes, one freebee a year, discounts the rest. Avaiability can be an issue.

heard a rumour that EK's budget for schooling is often maxed out leaving employees to pay for their own childrens' education?

Completely untrue, Education is part of the contract.

I understand the sales of alcohol are limited, but can you bring alcohol into the country that you bought on a pairing?

Yes in Dubai, but you can also buy unlimited (and untaxed) amounts in the neighbouring Emirates, Um Al Quain and Ras Al Khama.

Is it true that the government restricts internet use including VOIP service?

Yes, but there are "Fixes"

how often does EK take on DECs

No regular pattern, depends on what they need at the time and who's available.

realistically, what is the mood toward someone stepping straight into the left seat?

FLAME SUIT-ON!! I came as a DEC on the 777 and, honestly, the only direct critisism I've had has been- here on PPRUNE!! The Airbus F/Os who have been held up for command have a legitimate gripe with the company. This SHOULD be solved once the A380 start arriving, and everyone should get their commands in the minimum three years. I have friends of both ranks on both types, and have never copped any grief over being a DEC (at least to my face!!)

I see that 3000 hours PIC is required on aircraft larger than 55 metric tons, is that hard and fast? For example, the B737-200 at 119500 lbs, is 54.3 tons. Was this number picked in order to exclude, the -200, the F-28 and DC-9 etc...

Yes it's hard and fast, and I don't know, that's just how it is!! ( I THINK it was chosen to exclude the BAE 146, but don't quote me!!)

Hope that helps!!

[le soixante neuf]

Two more questions...

Thank you for your time and answers, my wife and I read it with interest. I also found the website www.siliconoasis.org. Pictures mean thousands of words. Very nice setup indeed, not what I expected to see. If you chose to make this your permanent home, will EK move you without cause?
My last question is this, Is it true that EK keeps posession of your families' passports, or are my wife and boys free to travel without me?

Thanks again.

[linedriva]

EK don't keep possession of your or your families passports. EK sponsor you, and you need your passport to travel. You personally sponsor your family.

Good luck.

[Backwater]

Does one have to take the 42 day leave all at once

Maximum 3 weeks in any one go.
You can bid for 3 chunks of 'peak' leave (summer, xmas, Easter)
Also 3 chunks of non-peak leave.
You will only be awarded one peak leave slot and the dates can be vastly different to your bid.

DEC s integrate well here as long as they adopt the EK philosophy. For details on EK philosophy click here.

[watertheflowers]

Right now there's around soixante trois F/Os who have been at EK for close to or over four years. Some of them have medium jet command time with major carriers. All of them were experienced crew at their time of joining EK.

Pre DEC program most of them would have expected a command opportunity at EK at around three years and they joined with that expectation.

The DEC program was created as a stop-gap in late 2003 to crew the sudden arrival of the ex Singapore Airlines 340s. EK realized how cheap the DECs are and they're still recruiting them.

The result is that EK now gets plenty of DEC applicants (although many fail the selection process) but no longer gets the quality of F/O applicants in the quantity that it needs because it is well known that progression from right to left seat at EK has become a lottery.

So who wins? Not the F/Os for sure. Cost-wise maybe the company, for the moment anyway. The DECs win but at the expense of the command salaries and seniority of the four years and counting F/Os.

No surprise that a lot of the bad press that EK gets on this forum is a direct consequence of the DEC program. Go figure.

[helen-damnation]

Backwater

For details on EK philosophy click here

[pt_flyer]

Do F/Os get offered the same accommodation as captains?

[boofta]

Do all the research available then come to Dubai for a week in
June July or August before you make a final decision.
9 months of summer 3 months of hell!