Diz

Thanks F-C...
Actually now I'm thinking twice and figuring if it's worthwhile working for FZ considering everything from working condition to family quality life.I am from Asia.will be bringing along wife and 2 boys..Still employed and quite comfortable ..reason is money...But before I decide,need to calculate the expenses...etc.

Been to DXB ,layovers..the last was in 08...so I know a little bit about Dxb..the heat the people.From this forum I know the crew are fantastic to work with.

Who knows one day we'll be flying together...saw yr plane inCMB...nice

CAP B767

how Many airplanes are coming end 2011 to December 2012, how many drivers per plane need FZ? Real numbers for a captain flying 70 hours a month, and average flying days a month? What one receive cash, and how is the deal of loan to pay the rent in advance to the landlord ?
FZ stopped screenings for non type rated , and expect January start again with it.
Thanks
CAP B767

Alaska737

Many companies are now offering DEC to FOs with over 6000hrs, I can't see why guys would stay at FD now. Company treats you like 1st graders!!

cedex

Hello Cap,

Average scheduled flying seems to be between 70-80 hours. But if you want to fly more that can easily be done by taking on flights from other guys.
I believe you can get 6 months advance on your housing allowance, that usually covers your first payment on housing. Rent is paid every 6 months most of the time.

Dio

What companies are you refering to?

While Flydubai has many major problems, and I think Emirates is the place to be if you come to Dubai, particularly if you have a family, I'm not in favour of bulls##t for bulls##t's sake!!

People who read this site have enough info in these pages to make up their minds without having to read rubbish!! I have been critical of this place(rosters/layovers/payscales) but if people still want to come so be it!!

I for one have seen no real exodus, yes one or two, but where are the 40ish who are off to Etihad?

Tolerant Dubai

The 30-40 or so pilots were never ‘off’ to Etihad. A large number of pilots had ‘applied' to Etihad. Maybe this was due to the unofficial two year ban on joining Emirates....

However, as recruitment there (Etihad) is currently quite slow, naturally there has been no mass exodus. I think it’s fair to say some pilots are unhappy and ready to jump out of the flydubai fire..... but we are not stupid, and won't do so without first securing another job first. Basic economics!

Dio

I find it hard to believe that the lack of movement is down to the ban on Emirates!! You can "apply" to a lot of places!! Most people who can leave Flydubai without paying a penny towards the bond have been in the company for 2 years(simple maths)

As I say, I don't agree with a lot of things in the company but facts are better than BS any day of the week, and from what I can see there is a lot BS out there, be it 30-40 "applied" to Etihad or command jobs for F/O's with 6000hrs or pilots being fired(i've heard nothing of that one on line) I'm all for pilots finding better terms elsewhere or improving the exisiting ones they have but to do so by talking smack is not the way forward. Management know the amount of BS that is out there about this place and have done nothing to change what is on offer, the only way I can see a change happening is if there is constructive critisism, to add to the BS does not help!!

People will read this and think what they want, we can't help that, but if you want a guy to say he/she is not joining having been offered the job, they have to have valid reasons to put to the company otherwise we may all accept that the company will not change it's policy, because it's all nonsense that they have heard before.

Tolerant Dubai

I was simply making the point that there were a lot of applications to etihad. The reason being, in my opinion, that some flydubai pilots were suitably fed up enough to put an application in and with a two year block on joining Emirates, Etihad seems the only viable choice if you want to stay in the UAE. So lack of movement has nothing to do with Emirates at all. It is the rate of recruitment at Etihad which is currently quite slow.

However, of those guys that applied, how many will be offered a position or even still wish to leave Flydubai, no one knows. One thing for sure though, it’s an indication of pilot moral here at FD.

P.S. I actually know people who applied

flyermd

Guys, I don't know what to think of this thread any more. A lot of you complaining about things, wondering why people are still applying for the job....
This is how I see it:
-bad rostering is a common thing to meet in many companies, even with 90+ hours a month; so, how bad can it be with 70hours average? how many sectors per day?
-being home every night ( for a family guy like me ) is a target, something that you don't get for sure with Emirates....
-when what you take home now is half of what you could get with flydubai, again, why not joining? I know that you have to pay for everything, but if my math is right, you have a decent life stile with 25000aed out of the 48-50.000aed for a DEC. Not to mention that the projected income of a DEC with flydubai is higher than that of a F/O with Emirates (checking both web sites).
I'd be more interested in reading here the latest things about fleet (numbers, maintenance etc) training, updates regarding the routes, schedule, insurances, places to live in dxb ( to form/join an expat pilots community) and stuff....
I'm really considering joining this company so I would appreciate some subjective (as much as possible ) minuses and pluses regarding flydubai.

ManaAdaSystem

Minus: No pension.

flyermd

that's if you're thinking loooong term (the pension scheme). by let's talk about 5 years. at least I don't think I can cope with the climate for more. and once again, let's compare a captain with flydubai with (the obvious position for new entry) a f/o with emirates.

RandyBMC

Actually, 5 years you receive a significant pension pay out from EK, and at 7 years, you receive the full payout if I'm not mistaken. I will have to check with some EK friends, and maybe some can comment in the meantime, what the amount is, but it is very significant.

As for pluses and minuses, I'll throw out a few (and I will be as objective as possible -subjectivity just clouds it all).

Pluses:

Great guys to fly with 99% of the time, in both seats
Excellent, respectful and fun cabin crew
Home most nights or days - except for the new CGP layover
Great westernized culture for the middle east
Good housing options within budget
Active expat and pilot community - lots of social events
Perfect shiny new airplanes with very rarely even a single MEL
Management that has potential to be good
Very solid financial stability
42 day leave
Education allowance
Lots of good schools for the kids
Great weather 7 months out of the year
Huge continued expansion potential

Minuses:

Rosters (to include vacation and bidding), enough said
A few spots some people aren't comfortable with from a safety perspective
Roughly 70% night flying
Still some walls between departments (something most places have)
Lack of any retirement
No flight pay for sick usage (you lose pay when you call in sick)
Unpaid 42 day leave
Education allowance is partial for most institutions
Mediocre health insurance at best
Only 3 children are covered for everything (same as EK)
Above mentioned health care not provided in North America
Very weak travel benefits
SUMMER
Payscales are skewed now
Management that has potential to make huge mistakes
New company relatively speaking, so still quite a few rough edges

There are some small changes that could be made at flydubai that could have a huge impact on pilot morale and lifestyle. We just changed Chief Pilots, and I know the office is aware of what those concerns are (including rosters, health insurance, payscales and retirement). I am a bit of a guarded optimist in that I am hoping to see change in these concerns over time - which to be honest I have since I've been here, mostly for the better.

Like I stated on both lists, management can make good decisions that will have a huge boost for morale, and they can conversely make small changes or even no changes that will worsen pilot morale. We all know that the probable and realistic outcome will be a balance of good and bad decisions - which will give us all something to complain about during trips! As long as the company will acknowledge the issues and work toward correcting what can be changed without negatively affecting the business, I will be happy and I think most of the pilot group will be (most of the changes - even payscales - can be accomplished without jeopardizing the business BTW).

I am sure there can be additions to both lists - feel free to add or argue.

Hope that helps!
Randy

BritishGuy

Surely, the medical benefits for one is something that has decreased over time. Being a singleton, this can sometimes not really bother you. But having a family, well others depend on that benfit which I feel is very poor indeed.

flyermd

very helpful post indeed, Randy. Thank you!
Could you elaborate a bit on the issue of health insurance? What is it not covering? Can you pay extra to make it a good one?
what do you mean by "no flight pay for sick usage" ? you receive just the basic salary and no flight hour pay? (which makes sense once you don't fly). there's no compensation from the insurance if one calls days off on medical reason?
the unpaid 42 days leave is indeed something to worry about....

ManaAdaSystem

Regarding no recruitment of non rated pilots:

Pilots - work with us - flydubai

Read the banner on top of the page.

RandyBMC

We are definitely still taking non-typed pilots. They are great guys - most of the FO applicants are current turbo-prop guys with a lot of experience.

Health insurance has co-pays with in network, and out of network or dental stuff has to be reimbursed, which seems to be hit or miss. There is a max cap as well. It used to be great (Amman Gold), but has changed twice since we started and is absolutely not an improvement. There is not a way to bump with more money to a different policy.

The sick leave is just different from any other carrier I've flown with. So yes, you keep your basic pay, but lose the flight pay.

Not totally sure on the recruiting side - we only see them once through the CTC assessment. We are probably about 75% pass rate or better on the final flydubai assessment.

Hope that helps!
Randy

flyermd

morning Randy! once again thanks for the shared info. any comments on the final interview in dubai, after passing CTC.

float flyer

Whats good for one is not always the case for the next guy...weigh up the facts as put by Randy (Well done by the way!)

Annual leave IS paid, it is your basic! Should make sense, don't fly, don't get flight pay...that's way it is called Flight Pay. Same with sick pay...

Like I say it aint rocket science!

Adamsm

Transport Jock - you will have to pay your own way to CTC But if you are selected, flydubai will pay for your ticket to Dubai for final interview

RandyBMC

You are absolutely right - you don't lose your basic salary. I wrote that it is unpaid because the compensation package listed uses 80 hours for an average of flight pay for your monthly remuneration. We don't get that during leave, or sick pay. Since our flight pay is a much larger portion of our package than, say, EK, I think it is definitely worth mentioning.

Our monthly flight pay for FO at 80 hours is 8000AED, and for Captains it is 12000AED. EK has significantly less of their salary in flight pay. For comparison, the US airlines are mostly paid completely in flight pay, though there is a monthly minimum guarantee (around 78 hours) so that acts like a basic salary. In addition, you are paid for any trip you call in sick for (or have vacation during).

I just want to make sure everyone is aware of what they sign up for so they are happy when they get here!

Hope that helps,
Randy