agent.oen

Exdubai, thanks for the dubizzle tip. From what I gathered one may expect to pay ~120,000-130,000 drh pa. (11,000drh monthly) for a decent apartment. Add the housing utilities which i would assume is 2,000drh monthly still leaves some cash aside from the 15,000 FZ Housing Allowance (~2,000drh).

Of course i am sure I'm missing some hidden expenses which maybe someone may kindly point out...

Assuming other expenses:
4,000drh monthly for car (fuel,insurance,maintenance,loan payback)/uber taxi
8,000drh monthly to survive and enjoy life
4,000drh for babysitters

Left over is about 10,000drh or €2500 for the savings account. Is this a realistic estimate?

Would be nice to have some contacts as you recommended

dubaigong

In three posts you have come down from 4000 Euros saved to 2500 !!!
Furthermore it is not only about money , you have to read what has been said above by some others.
It is about your quality of life and the long term Relationship with your wife if you plan to see you kid growing with you AND with your wife or be divorced in a few years.
Also there is no state pension which means that the saving you are talking about will also be necessary to build up a pension for the future and it will not be added to a state pension it will be the only one.
The medical insurance is also quite bad in the sense that you will have to pay quite a lot on top of what is covered by the insurance provided by the company ( if you are Lucky and never get a long term disease than it fine but who knows )
Also in case of long term sickness or loss of medical , you will be grounded which means that you will only get your full BASIC salary + house allowance for 15 days then another 15 days with only the BASIC salary and no more the house allowance and then NOTHING for the next 60 days as the loss of income insurance only starts after 90 days and it is not huge ( unless you contribute yourself to increase it ) it is around 4000$ for an F/O and 6000$ for a captain ( If I am correct ) and it will be your business to pay what will be necessary to try to get back your medical ( all the expenses will be on you , don't expect any intervention from the medical insurance or the company )
There are plenty of example and I have spoken directly with 3 pilots involved in this painful process.
I don't say don't join BUT make a very good and thorough research before taking your decision.

what-to-do

a small pack of blueberrys 35 AED (7.50 GBP)
1 pumpkin for halloween ca. 200 AED (43.0 GBP)
1 beer 45 AED (9.85 GBP)

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

Quality time with family..... that's a very real issue. Often you will be rostered 1 day off in 7, 2 off in 14, and 8 off in 28 (recently improved to 9 off in 28). Many night flights.....and I don't just mean getting home late, I mean ALL through the night (often 3 in a row), followed by a rest day and then in for an early between 4-6am. You can have anything from 1 night flight to 15 (I've had it).

The roster is random and based on seniority (joke). As a new entry you can expect little of what you ask for and will have to put up with the scraps.

The take home message from me would be:

Don't expect to save much money as an FO with a family. If however, you want to live a frugal life, it is possible, but you won't be able to enjoy your time in Dubai. The working life is tiring to the point of fatiguing and the subsequent strain that that can convey upon a family is not to be underestimated. A few guys (as mentioned previously) have seen their marriages fall apart in Dubai.

Dubai is not for everyone, and the only way to discover whether it is for you or not is to experience it. This thread is populated with all the info, good and bad. Unfortunately, there won't be many people here that will give you the definitive answer you're looking for

agent.oen

From the replies received, it does look more expensive than expected. So the jump to the left is a relief, if lucky enough - as I understand. Or else the missus has to work too.
Thanks for the comments. If i pass the selection, I'll have a good think about it. I understand the schedules are absurdly tough.
Well it's either FZ or FR for me as i need the b737 rating and all i have are 4500+ paddleflapper hours.

777boyindubai

Agent. The last few posts are very accurate re the cost of living. The rosters at FD speak for themselves. Your attitude is very positive. Remember that foreigners subsidise locals for electricity and water bills. Everything is imported. FD and EK help Sheikh Mohammed pay his massive debts of $130 billion. The debts will always come before payrises. Inflation is rampant. As another poster says come for 10 days. Check it out. If it suits you then great. It isn't an easy decision. Nursery places are expensive. All the best of luck to you.

smoothsailor

Anybody know the extent of the company medical. EKG, eye dilution, urine test..from company clinic or privately done?

ifly462

I live in dubai with my 3 kids. My Wife doesn't work and we are saving a ton, and yes I'm an FO. The problem is most of these guys get caught up with the dubai lifestyle and live beyond their means. How in the world can you not save money when you have a housing allowance, school allowance and transport allowance is beyond me. I came from a company where 4000 would have to work for us regardless of how we spun it. I got a villa for me and my family within the housing allowance. I send my kids to schools within the education allowance and i didnt buy the brand new 2017 lexus jeep. If you're unable to save money making 11300 including all allowances then my friend you have a personal problem.

Vortac1

This ^^^^^^^^

GrFly

Hi all and happy holidays !!!
Any updates on the non rated F/O FlyDubai assessment in Dubai ?

Thank you

CaptZeloZelo

Hey guys, I had a question for some of you who recently got hired and have completed your license conversion.
I heard that the UAE has recently added a requirement of 1500 multi crew requirement for everyone coming over.
I am currently flying a multi crew aircraft and have the 1000 on type to meet the other requirements of flydubai, however I do have 1500+ multi time but the remainder would be on a King Air which isn't typed as a multi crew aircraft but was a requirement due to our insurance policies.
How would the UAE see this and would I have to the 14 written exams or get a pass?
I have 3000TT with an ICAO ATPL. 1000+ on Modern EFIS FMS 10T a/c.

Crashlanding

As you have an icao ATPL then no, just air law for you too do.

one mile

hello fellow pilots,

any one attending the assesment on the 12th Jan 2017?
also I got this mail from FZ:


Dear Candidate,

This is in regards to your assessment scheduled for 12th January 2017 for flydubai pilot’s role.

Please note that instead of usual assessment schedule: 1st day assessment, 2nd day medical, 3rd day SIM.

We will have 1 day assessment only: group exercises and interview.

If you are successful through assessment, we would invite you for the SIM session and a medical check at a later stage during the year.

Please let me know at the earliest if you would still like to attend the assessment day.


I wonder if this is normal or just for me?

simba82

So what's in store for new deliveries in 2017? When does the first MAX come online and is there anymore 800NG deliveries left for 2017?

High Energy

8 new aircraft this year & 4 being retired is all we've heard. MAX 8 arriving in July with first flight in Sep. Rumor; MAX 8's initially will operate from DWC in full economy layout on labour routes to DAC/CGP.

one mile

just got this email around 0400 am.

Something I dont get yet.



Hello,

Please re-confirm your attendance for the 12th Jan. assessment.

Best Regards,

Xxxx XXXXXXX| Recruitment Officer
[email protected] | flydubai.com

Jovis

Hi guys, (and further to the previous recent posts)

I am from the UK and have applied for the non type-rated role at FlyDubai.

I've been invited for interview only (I believe) - in Dubai, in February.
(I have to pay my own way to get out there, but as someone has previously stated, you've got to speculate to accumulate!)

Q:
Has anyone else done recruitment this way? As I understood people have their initial interview in their own country where possible?

Any advice on questions asked, any other general points would be appreciated.

striker26

Any info on roster conditions for FO's?

Are people still pushing 80hrs plus with minimum days off...can someone elaborate on the scheduling if possible...thanks

Crashlanding

FO roster, hmmm busy, last year over 870 hrs, last 365 days I'm already pushing 890.

Masteroftheplane

14th January 2017:

Pilots and cabin crew members still waiting salaries for August/September/October/November and December 2016...

Come and john us, Arik is looking for you!

striker26

Thanks guys...how do you feel the roster pattern is evolving (im hearing more and more crew are heading out the door, and new 737 incoming this year)? Is minimum rest time still an issue with respect to the turn from nights to days and vice versa?

Only asking because lots of negative comments regarding pilot fatigue and FZ...i know FZ is not the only ME airline to be accused of such but ever since FZ 981 they've been in the spotlight...