Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > PPRuNe Worldwide > Middle East
Reload this Page >

Flight deck positions at FlyDubai Master Thread - Merged

Middle East Many expats still flying in Knoteetingham. Regional issues can be discussed here.

Flight deck positions at FlyDubai Master Thread - Merged

Old 10th May 2015, 19:15
  #2901 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: London
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Flydubai roster

Hi everyone

I'm hoping to be moving to FZ in the coming weeks as an second officer peogramme they CAE

I wonder if anyone could give me an insight into a roster, I understand if no one would like to help. I understand it's much night work but wonder if anyone could shed some light on it.

Thanks
onthekeys is offline  
Old 10th May 2015, 23:22
  #2902 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Florida
Age: 45
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by henriksch
Thanks for your replies. I am going as DEC, starting on june 14th.

Know the city and area quite well, but the company not so much, and learning alot from reading here.

Looks like I will need to become a roster bidding god
When was your interview? Mine was in February but still haven't heard anything.
kboretti is offline  
Old 11th May 2015, 06:40
  #2903 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: on earth
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Onthekeys,


For the first 3 to 4 months ( your training ) you will mostly fly only day flights with sometimes flights landing back to Dubai around 23h00 local.
Your destinations will mostly be in Saudi Arabia ( JED , MED , RUH , TIF , AHB , ELQ , DMM ) with some DOH , MCT , BAH , KWI , BEY...
But once you will be released on line this will be a complete different story , you can expect a lot of night flights and to the less desired destination ( war zone for example ) Afghanistan and Iraq.
dubaigong is offline  
Old 11th May 2015, 08:57
  #2904 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ha ha, that's funny . That's about as much light you could possibly shed on a low seniority roster.....

Seriously, the previous post is quite accurate. After training, however, expect to be hammered with numerous night flights, minimum rest, alternating day/night duties and the dreaded war zone destinations.

Best of luck with the rating
what-to-do is offline  
Old 13th May 2015, 15:03
  #2905 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone going for assessment??

Hello all.

I have been invited to assist the assessment on Southampton on the 11th of May, anyone going for that dates PM, so we can share some info.

I have been reading this thread for a long time, I will update after that date and I hope I can use some of the info you guys share here.

Letīs see what happened after 11th.
migair54 is offline  
Old 14th May 2015, 14:16
  #2906 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: IMC
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
migair54 best of luck! Just curious when did you apply? I applied a few weeks ago, wondering if i really have a chance or not for a call/email.

Regards,
sanjet is offline  
Old 14th May 2015, 15:49
  #2907 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I applied long ago, but recently I also did for the SouthAfrica one, so I donīt know which one is the one they consider, but I have been invited to Southampton.

I have 5.600 hours on ATR the last 800 PIC.
migair54 is offline  
Old 15th May 2015, 01:30
  #2908 (permalink)  
ACP
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I got a reply from CTC and also from another agency. I can't believe CTC ask 230Ģ for an interview. I will certainly never pay for an interview. Shame on you CTC we are pilots not prostitutes! The other agency does not ask for any fees and they even pay for the accomodation during the interview...
ACP is offline  
Old 16th May 2015, 11:58
  #2909 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sky
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fees ??

CTC is asking money for interview ??? Since when ? I never heard they ask money for FZ assesment. More info will be appreciated

Cheers
JACK14 is offline  
Old 16th May 2015, 14:08
  #2910 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: everywhere
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think ctc has been asking this fee since a while now, about a year now.
Any idea how many people are the holdingpool? I'm swimming since March... without any news of course.
Cheers
cccc is offline  
Old 17th May 2015, 10:58
  #2911 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up in the skies
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No hiring agreements

So I'm hearing on the rumour tree that Qatar might be dropping their no poaching agreement with FZ. Also that Emirates are or are considering not enforcing their 3 year no hiring agreement. And that someone even got out without paying off their bond. Any truth in these? If so then I imagine Etihad would follow...
jetstreem is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 10:34
  #2912 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Emirates Living - The Meadows
Age: 79
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angel When it looks like a duck, talks like a duck and walks like a duck....

ACP et al

It is a simple case of supply and demand. We are prostitutes! If it looks like a whore, talks like a whore and acts like a whore then what is it?

We pay them for an opportunity to make them money in the hope that they will deliver us our dreams. This is mostly true unless they decide on the way that they can't be bothered, you get sick or are invovled in a traffic accident with the wrong person.

No one cares about the quality of the pilots that we hire, no one cares about their trainability, or background as long as you will be loose and fast with the rules when it suits the company (munitions of war anybody) but adhere to regulations whether they exist or are made up on the spot to suit.

The company sets limits as targets because pilots are disposable and replaceable (for now) so unfortunately until that changes you need to pay for an opportunity to join the circus.

If you wonder why pilots feel under enough pressure to commit suicide you should come and work here for a few years.

There is and always and will be great rewards to come out of working here financially. But rather like a ponzi scheme it matters when you get in and when you get out.

For anyone out there doubting that we are indeed prostitutes then look up the definition. We do do it for money and we do take it both ways from the firm even when we know its illegal (lithium batteries anyone) but we continue to do it as it pays well and the longer we do it the easier it is to justifiy it and the more we enjoy the trappings the more difficult it is to leave.

Just look at FZ business model. Think things like fuel hedging, aircraft leasing versus sales (do we own our own aircraft or do we just sell them on and lease them back as soon as we take delivery?) Those of you out here the next time you walk around when you enter from L1 look at the plate in the door frame. Who actually owns the plane you are about to fly? Profit share, sadly we spent the real profit on capital expenditure so we could manipulate the reported profit to be low enough to not have to do profit share but high enough to make the result seem good to the world.

Then look at this statement :

complex business model and unethical practices required that the company use accounting limitations to misrepresent earnings and modify the balance sheet to indicate favorable performance.

Then google the text in italics. Then work out the future of this scheme, compared to how THAT now infamous company fared! I am not saying don't join (even now in the summer of our discontent, even now having just been informed of the derisory pay rise!) I am saying join with your eyes open if you need to advance your career, get on the jet, gain some hours yes do it but do it knowing that this firm is now clearly joined in the race to the bottom that Ryanair started and in reality I would not think that it will survive the next round of world aviation austerity.

So join the ponzi scheme but do so with a plan B preferably including an offshore bank account to get you out of dodge when required. Keep schtum about everything transgressions wise whilst you are out here and save evidence of where the bodies are buried, you will likely need it!

Good luck in your application, the one saving grace is that 90% of the guys you fly with here are nice, professional pilots and are swimming in the same ****e that you are so will help you through the day to day. Please though please have a plan B.
Vortex Thing is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 15:13
  #2913 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: N/A
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the infos. I too have an interview coming up and I'm now wondering if I should go ahead.
I am FO on the A330 in North America and I just don't like the job. I am commuting for the job as I can't afford to buy a house in the city where my base is. I am never at home and I only make 3000$ net per month at the moment. It will slowly increase over the years but it would take 13 years to make the equivalent of the year 1 FO salary at FD (as it's tax free). When I will get the opportunity to move on the left seat here (in about 5 years) the salary will start a the year 1 Captain payscale which is still less than year 1 FO at FD.
I prefered the lifestyle I had when I was flying the B737NG; that's why I was looking at Flydubai.

Last edited by Gmax; 18th May 2015 at 16:23.
Gmax is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 16:49
  #2914 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gmax,

As a pilot from the US, your salary is not tax free. Unfortunately, you still pay tax to Uncle Sam. Not too sure what the threshold is, but you pay.

On a side note; all that glitters is not gold. Don't be fooled by the salary advertised here. Life here is very expensive as is rent. On top of that you will work mainly night flights, which believe me, take their toll.

Eventually you'll upgrade, true. However, the rest bite you gained after 2-3 years as an FO will be lost as you become a low seniority Captain...... yep, you guessed it, back to mainly night flights.

My humble advice is don't come unless you're really in the sh*t. Money can buy you short term happiness, but won't buy back your health.

Best of luck
what-to-do is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 17:42
  #2915 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: N/A
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What to do,
Thank you very much for the advice. Regarding the night flights, how does it work? You do a ~8h turn including an hour stop at destination? It means you are almost everyday "at home" in Dubai? You do about 10 turns in the month (~90h) and then you're done?
Gmax is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 17:46
  #2916 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Under the sun...
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the infos. I too have an interview coming up and I'm now wondering if I should go ahead.
I am FO on the A330 in North America and I just don't like the job. I am commuting for the job as I can't afford to buy a house in the city where my base is. I am never at home and I only make 3000$ net per month at the moment. It will slowly increase over the years but it would take 13 years to make the equivalent of the year 1 FO salary at FD (as it's tax free). When I will get the opportunity to move on the left seat here (in about 5 years) the salary will start a the year 1 Captain payscale which is still less than year 1 FO at FD.
I prefered the lifestyle I had when I was flying the B737NG; that's why I was looking at Flydubai.
Gmax, whether the salary would be enough for you or not depends on your current situation: current debt (if any), single, married, kids/no kids, etc. If you're single or married with no children its is definitely possible to save a pretty chunk of money each month. You dont have to live in the gettho to save some house allowance money for example. It is definitely possible to send some money home.

As stated above, US citizens do pay taxes, but for current FOs its not that much compared to what we would have to pay if we made that amount back in US. In a nutshell, we are tax exempt up to $99,200 per year (for 2014), you also get to deduct part of your housing expenses in some circumstances, so that helps you stay below that $99,200 threshold too. If your yearly income exceeds that number, then you pay taxes only on the amount that exceeds $99,200, but at a pretty big tax bracket (the one you would land at considering your total yearly income). Of course, you have to make sure you meet the requirements in order to qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, according to the IRS.

I strongly suggest to give this a good read: IRS Publication 54, it explains all the details on income taxes for expats.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf

Disclaimer: Im not a tax professional, you should consult with your local tax guy, yada, yada, yada...

Flydubai is a good place to hang out if you got nothing better back home, IMHO it can be a good temporary hide out for some. Definitely not a place to stay long term I think.
Vortac1 is offline  
Old 18th May 2015, 17:58
  #2917 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Over here & there
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My employer does not pay for schooling costs and although I make a good living, with three kids and the continual rise in educational costs, we are thinking of leaving after 4 years here. My schooling and housing costs are $8000/month.
NGFellow is offline  
Old 19th May 2015, 03:26
  #2918 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gmax,

If only life were so simple.

The long night flights will probably be requested by the guys more senior to you, for the very reason you mentioned.

In reality, you should expect to do short day flights, alternating on to deep night flights and sometimes back again, minimum rest and rest periods of between 18-30 hours. The net result of all this is fatigue, constant fatigue. Don't expect more than 8-9 days off a month and rarely will you get more 2 days off in a row.

Yes, you'll be at home at some point in the 24hr period, but if you have a family you'll be like ships in the night.

In contrast, senior pilots here at FZ can often get as little as 8 duties per month and occasionally in excess of 20 days off. Unfortunately, hell would have to freeze over before you get to that stage...
what-to-do is offline  
Old 19th May 2015, 09:05
  #2919 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Emirates Living - The Meadows
Age: 79
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angel GMax

Though I believe that what-to-do paints a fair picture. 8 flights a month was a rarity for me. It was not often I flew that much! Most months as an FO were in the 6-7 flights per month region prior to upgrade.

I am not supporting the disparity merely pointing out that it more than exists. The passing like ships in the night thing is very fair indeed. Prior to the inception of PBS it was like that for most of us. Mrs VT actually started complaining about the fact that the food budget had increased as I never seemed to go to work!

The point however is that whilst my end of the seniority may appear desirable as an FO it was still back to the drawing board of life the moment you upgrade. Now reasonable day flights i.e 3-4hrs are the best that you can hope for with the odd night thrown in an about 10-12 days in the office per month. So it is still way better than your average long haul guy at EK but everything else pales into insignificance compensation wise.

As for GMax if you leave the US to come here when you have a job on the A330 you will regret it for the rest of your life. I am not known for sitting on the fence but you would literally have to be barking mad to give up that life to come here as a B737 FO. The money may seem attractive AND to be fair it is but you spend all of it to have a reasonable life as an FO you would be lucky to even get through the month on it unless you have no children and are debt free.

So 18 months to 3 yrs of eeking out and existence followed by making a little bit of cash. I mean little bit perhaps you can save $3000 a month so $35000 or so a year. Any decent property purchase will net you that amount and you won't have to live with the constant uncertainty, gross general incompetence in retail and banking and poor service combined with an unbelievably weak work ethic that is the everyday life here.

Life here is very good when you don't have to get involved with the admin side of life and I still fully intend to stay here for years but the difficulties are numerous and you must accept very low standards on most things.

Do you really want to leave a country where things work to come to one where they don't. What real gain do you have by coming here. You are employed in your home country flying a long-medium haul plane that is something that most of us here can never have in this airline, hence why we move on.

Why would you choose to go down the pecking order rather than up it. In 5 yrs time you will be an A330 captain. How bad can your company really be! I am willing to bet your bottom dollar that it is not worse than working here!

If you just want to fulfil your adventurous streak or phase in life then take up wing suit flying or something or get a motorbike but coming here is for those on turboprops who need to get jets, those who need command or those who are unemployed. This is a place to start or end your career definitely not a place to have a career.

It suits me but I have fairly unusual circumstances and those of us from Europe are only 4-7hrs flight from home with good connections and a large expat community.

What both Vortex and What to do are alluding to is basically this is place for those who have nowhere else to go. It is not somewhere that you leave a reasonable job to come to. You may not like your current employer very much but you have rights, protections, freedom of speech and action and you are employed in a permanent job. Perhaps you have not been through what many of us have been through but when you have been unemployed for any period of time you will value what those things really are. Don't give that up for this! Unless you need to get out of dodge or avoid a nasty divorce, et al. then this should not be a choice it should be a bolthole.
Vortex Thing is offline  
Old 19th May 2015, 14:27
  #2920 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ThefacePalm
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are only a few reasons for an American to come here right now with the hiring boom that's taking place in the U.S.:

1. Your current employer is downsizing and you lack enough PIC to move forward to a major. That is the main reason for the influx lately of Yanks. Regionals in the U.S. are stagnant at best or even shrinking with lots of downgrades.

2. You have a blemish on your record or career that keeps national or major airlines from hiring you and you are stuck in an RJ for the next 30+ years.

3. You have a paranoid feeling that the U.S. is falling apart because the Democrats are fu&k!ng everything up and next week the zombies will come across the border and you can't shoot them because the government took all your guns away and stole all your money.

Just understand cost of living is high, good schools not cheap, and for the first year it will be a big transition moving to a Muslim country. Otherwise, the winters are fabulous
LostinT2DXB is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.