what-to-do

Don't be too despondent, count it as a blessing in disguise! The rosters here are diabolical and extremely fatigue inducing..... and have been for the last three years.

Beats me why people are still applying, when scrolling back through this thread reveals a rather unhappy pilot fraternity.

Unless your out of work and need to pay the bills - avoid this place! Emirates or Etihad would be more suitable. Remember though, once at Flydubai you're handcuffed for three years with regard to jumping ship to another UAE carrier. So if you come here and don't like it, you're stuck. That won't be mentioned in the interview by the way.

Good luck with the job search.

ironbird123

Guys, I have read and understand your grief at flydubai, but I really don't think it is as bad as some other places, BELIEVE me on that one. I would like to understand something however, understanding how CTC conduct their interviews and their end results, for them to be going to America to conduct interviews and assessments and to see how much advertising going on for the said dates, IS SOMETHING REALLY SIGNIFICANT GOING ON AT FLY DUBAI? Why the sudden need to do road shows? How many pilots are they looking to hire? Just don't see the point to go around the world just to select 2 people for a job.

jimmyg

Watch for aircraft order with Dubai airshow this April will give some clue as to future growth.

Guided accordingly

The simple answer...

FZ is desperate for F/o's (at least 30 I hear) due to upgrades, guys leaving and the recruitment system not meeting demand..

Crew planning have emailed explaining that Captains s are being rostered in the RHS to cover the shortfall. (True low cost !)

Maybe this explains why after over three years of operation the schedules are a complete and utter mess.

Gents, this is how it rolls at FZ.

Guided accordingly

6 more coming this year.

Rumour of another 50 at the airshow.

Some expansion predicted, but expect replacement the older spec aircraft on the present fleet.

wellsey

So just how bad is the roster? Coming from a place where 6 on 2 off ain't unusual and 4 or 5 sector days are the norm here.
I understand FD have flights all times of the day and early days followed by nights regularly, but arent the majority of your days 2 sectors?
An example of your recent rosters would be very helpful in making this difficult decision. My missus is keen on the move as she can work in Dubai too so our income would be reasonable. It would be nice to see her occasionally though!

Thanks.

BritishGuy

The Dubai Airshow is in November BTW...... 17th-21st Nov 2013.

seven3heaven

Another roster is issued and it's just more of the same. 3 nights in a row, starting with the shortest and getting progressively longer followed by 2 days off and then straight back into earlies. I don't have more than 2 days off together for the whole month. Unfortunately the manager of the department who issues these rosters has to be the most incompetent individual I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Then again, the office staff only get 2 days off a week so why should we get more days off than them.

If you do want to come out to the UAE I strongly advise you to apply to the big boys first. No job will ever be perfect but this place should be your last choice.

- You will fly between 850-900 hours a year with minimal days off
- You will fly rosters that would not get through a fatigue management system
- You will do layovers in third world countries
- You will fly into war zones
- You will fly deep night shifts returning mid/late morning

Doing all of the above knackered!

Don't get sucked into the trap of thinking that you will see more of your family here than what you would at Emirates because you are home after 99% of your duties. Think about it, 4/5 lengthy days on followed by 2 days off, finishing late on your last day and starting early on your first. On your first day off you are shattered and on the second day off you are already preparing yourself for the next duty.

A previous post mentioned that we mostly do 2 sector days/nights. On the whole that would be a true statement but you have to consider that the destinations are constantly challenging ( terrain/RT/incompetent dispatchers/difficult passengers ) Some of our 2 sector days consistently go into discretion, all of which takes its toll after a while. We do also have 4 sector duties even through the night, fancy that?

Do your homework on house prices if you are considering coming out here. You have been warned !!!

Guided accordingly

Do not make the mistake of comparing FZ to European LCC.

I suspect there are no european LCC's that operate :

1. 4 sector nights !
2. 3 consecutive MAX FDP nights, followed by single day off, then rest before starting over.
3. Ignore the 18 - 30 hrs rest principle.
4 Consistently depend on crew operating into discretion with no plan B.
5 deep nights, 2000 rpt , off duty after the sun comes up.
6 Call crew during rest, before the standby starts

what-to-do

Adding insult to injury, management now write to pilots to suggest pilot sickness levels are too high.........

I ain't no rocket scientist but even I can guess the probable cause here!

guasty

hi guys,

but with this high demand of first officers, what about command courses?
What are min requirements by the company?
how long does it take for a first officer to be ready for that?

Thanks guys

celester340

hi guys i had earlier applied to flydubai but my application status said

"This is a previous and now in-active application"

I want to reapply and change a few details/update my application but the system doesnt let me do so....anyone know how i may work around this?

Thanks.

RJ900NG

I am in the same position.... need some help

Non rev

Did you call them?

Iver

Allow me to re-post the articulate post by seven3heaven regarding life at Flydubai again for those interested. Sound appealing? See below:


Another roster is issued and it's just more of the same. 3 nights in a row, starting with the shortest and getting progressively longer followed by 2 days off and then straight back into earlies. I don't have more than 2 days off together for the whole month. Unfortunately the manager of the department who issues these rosters has to be the most incompetent individual I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Then again, the office staff only get 2 days off a week so why should we get more days off than them.

If you do want to come out to the UAE I strongly advise you to apply to the big boys first. No job will ever be perfect but this place should be your last choice.

- You will fly between 850-900 hours a year with minimal days off
- You will fly rosters that would not get through a fatigue management system
- You will do layovers in third world countries
- You will fly into war zones
- You will fly deep night shifts returning mid/late morning

Doing all of the above knackered!

Don't get sucked into the trap of thinking that you will see more of your family here than what you would at Emirates because you are home after 99% of your duties. Think about it, 4/5 lengthy days on followed by 2 days off, finishing late on your last day and starting early on your first. On your first day off you are shattered and on the second day off you are already preparing yourself for the next duty.

A previous post mentioned that we mostly do 2 sector days/nights. On the whole that would be a true statement but you have to consider that the destinations are constantly challenging ( terrain/RT/incompetent dispatchers/difficult passengers ) Some of our 2 sector days consistently go into discretion, all of which takes its toll after a while. We do also have 4 sector duties even through the night, fancy that?

Do your homework on house prices if you are considering coming out here. You have been warned !!!

Non rev

That is why I am applying too. These European pilots do not know how easy they have. American conditions are way worse. I have seen pilots complaining about night flying. I, here in states do stand ups, with only 3 hours of sleep at night. 100 hours a month. Luckily, I moved to domicile, otherwise,commuting is extra toll for only $40/hour!! Health insurance sucks and no living expenses. For us many, FLyDubai is going to be increase in QOL.

what-to-do

Don't make the general assumption that we're all European, we're not. People are posting their personal views with regard to FZ. Whether or not you accept or disagree is really down to you as an individual.

Nobody is saying don't apply to FZ, just look around first as there are better options. This way you have at least been given an honest perspective of what to expect if you make it here.

Trust me, it ain't just Europeans complaining and leaving FZ.

Best of luck guys.

rj2driver

Iver and seven,
Really? What kind of "other" options does a career regional FO with nothing but an RJ type and no jet PIC have?

RandyBMC

If you are having issues with the online application, you can always try this trick. Re-register a new user. You have to use a new email address. Let me know if that helps.

Randy

PS - I did stand-ups in the US. I worked at a regional flying turboprops. These rosters (at flydubai) are worse. Hopefully they are addressing it with PBS, but take heed of the warnings. Our COO is now in fix-it mode and has met with the guys from AIMS recently about the implementation process of PBS, so it is more than a rumor.

rpmranger

Randy,
I was hoping that might work, so I actually just tried to do another app with a "new" email address earlier tonight before your post. It wouldn't work. I guess it's based off our name or something. Still said I had an app on file already.(which is in-active, and won't help)