Employment in the Middle East
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Employment in the Middle East
Hello all. New to PPRuNe.
I'd like some info on where I would stand with getting employment in the Middle East in the Corportate/Airline sector.
I'm living in Canada (as a Canadian), I have 1300 hours total time with experience on both a Piper Navajo and Beech 1900 (current), first officer time. As well, I will be writing my ATPL's within the next 2 weeks.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
I'd like some info on where I would stand with getting employment in the Middle East in the Corportate/Airline sector.
I'm living in Canada (as a Canadian), I have 1300 hours total time with experience on both a Piper Navajo and Beech 1900 (current), first officer time. As well, I will be writing my ATPL's within the next 2 weeks.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
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You gotta take what you can get man. Especially in the current market. For example, you've got plenty of guys from the US (where I am) out there trying to squeeze into Emirates, or whoever will give em the time of day.
Hell, I've got tons of PIC in Fokker 27s, Dash 8s and the like, and STILL can't even get a polite "thanks, but no thanks." They all want wide body int'l time. But I'm still pluggin along and waiting for the cycle to swing up again.
Dude, you gotta get out there. Go to Falcon, share a pad with other pilots, pay your dues and network like a madman. There are plenty of expat pubs in the UAE. Sh!t man.
I'd say if your not married with a bunch of kids- then go over there.
Hell, I've got tons of PIC in Fokker 27s, Dash 8s and the like, and STILL can't even get a polite "thanks, but no thanks." They all want wide body int'l time. But I'm still pluggin along and waiting for the cycle to swing up again.
Dude, you gotta get out there. Go to Falcon, share a pad with other pilots, pay your dues and network like a madman. There are plenty of expat pubs in the UAE. Sh!t man.
I'd say if your not married with a bunch of kids- then go over there.
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Thing is though, I've got a seat on a 1900 with a very good company. The only unfortunate thing, like most other companies in Canada, is the pay. For what Falcon is paying their F/O's, it's not worth it to move half way around the world. Yes its tax free, and yes it's better than what I make, but its not enough to justify a move. Now, if I did NOT have a seat here, yes I'd make the move to Falcon.
I'm also not too far from a command job here on a twin turbine, but, again, the pay is still not the greatest.
I'm just trying to get a feel for what my options could be if I ventured that way.
Thanks for the replies!
I'm also not too far from a command job here on a twin turbine, but, again, the pay is still not the greatest.
I'm just trying to get a feel for what my options could be if I ventured that way.
Thanks for the replies!
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HiPlnsDrftr's right.
I think the FECA F/O salary is around 11 or 12,000 AED per month with per diem. Its not any good comparatively to other jobs in region, however without jet time or a biz jet type your not going to get a look in at any high paying business jet operator. And FECA is always looking for F/Os with good PIC time and B1900 experience because they can upgrade them quicker.
The GCAA requirements to hold a UAE ATPL are higher than in most countries. They require 1500 hours PIC. As SIC time counts as 50% PIC, it takes the F/Os at FECA who joined with the minimum 500 hours total time 2 to 3 years to get an upgrade. If you are joining with over 1000 hours PIC, your probably looking at a year at most (if your any good!
) for an upgrade, and then the salary jumps to nearly 18 - 19,000 aed with per diems. Once you have 2500 total time with your 500 PIC multi turbine the local corporate carriers becoome interested.
Remember, with the 1900 operators in East Africa and the Carribean parking airplanes, the door at Falcon could be closed for a while. Lots more pilots on the market. And from what I hear the job prospects in Canada arent great for the foreseeable future. Think about it!
Cheers
DB
I think the FECA F/O salary is around 11 or 12,000 AED per month with per diem. Its not any good comparatively to other jobs in region, however without jet time or a biz jet type your not going to get a look in at any high paying business jet operator. And FECA is always looking for F/Os with good PIC time and B1900 experience because they can upgrade them quicker.
The GCAA requirements to hold a UAE ATPL are higher than in most countries. They require 1500 hours PIC. As SIC time counts as 50% PIC, it takes the F/Os at FECA who joined with the minimum 500 hours total time 2 to 3 years to get an upgrade. If you are joining with over 1000 hours PIC, your probably looking at a year at most (if your any good!
) for an upgrade, and then the salary jumps to nearly 18 - 19,000 aed with per diems. Once you have 2500 total time with your 500 PIC multi turbine the local corporate carriers becoome interested.Remember, with the 1900 operators in East Africa and the Carribean parking airplanes, the door at Falcon could be closed for a while. Lots more pilots on the market. And from what I hear the job prospects in Canada arent great for the foreseeable future. Think about it!
Cheers
DB
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Here's the thing though, I've already got a seat on the 1900 here in Canada for a good company. I'm not toooo far from an upgrade to a twin turbine, and I am happy where I am at. So what's the problem? It's pay. Pretty much almost anywhere you look in Canada you'll have that problem, at least as an f/o mostly. I had a shot at Falcon, however, I didn't follow up with it because the pay wasn't enough to justify me moving there. Dubai isn't a cheap place to live, neither is Vancouver, but for me to justify it being worth it, Falcon would have to do a lot better than 36K/yr.
I'm really just trying to get a feel for what else is out there, like coporate gigs. I figure if I'm going to be moving anywhere, either it be on a jet or large turboprop, or stay on the 1900 with a much better salary. More of a feeler post. I do appreciate the info guys! Thanks
I'm really just trying to get a feel for what else is out there, like coporate gigs. I figure if I'm going to be moving anywhere, either it be on a jet or large turboprop, or stay on the 1900 with a much better salary. More of a feeler post. I do appreciate the info guys! Thanks
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You are right, its not worth moving to Dubai for that salary. Infact the situation here is really bad. Inflation is high and people are barely surviving with 15,000 to 20,000 a month! There are no savings here and if you have a family to feed, things can turn nasty.
Therefore, I can only suggest you keep your patience and wait for an upgrade. Hopefully things will turn out good. Keep looking for opportunities though.
Good luck.
Therefore, I can only suggest you keep your patience and wait for an upgrade. Hopefully things will turn out good. Keep looking for opportunities though.
Good luck.
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FECA might pay only 38000 USD a year (yes, just heard they got a payrise..) plus per diem, healthinsurance and anual leave ticket, but in about a years time you might be a cpt there and on 58.000USD. 2000 hrs total time and you become employable for the biz jet operators in the UAE, starting on i.e. a Hawker with 66000 to 108000 USD a year (lowest to highest starting salery dpendent on company).
So I would advise you to think outside the box and evaluate as well what progress you might do in CAN versus the UAE.
Just my 2 cent..
... and FECA is a great company, great guys working there, one of the few operators in the region treating their pilots fair and human.. can say that from my own experience, it was a pleasure to work together with those gents!..
So I would advise you to think outside the box and evaluate as well what progress you might do in CAN versus the UAE.
Just my 2 cent..
... and FECA is a great company, great guys working there, one of the few operators in the region treating their pilots fair and human.. can say that from my own experience, it was a pleasure to work together with those gents!..
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Yup,
The only way into one of the middle east countries where you can buy a pint of lager and you only hold light turboprop time is FECA. With these hard times, look at the big picture, this is the region where the jobs are. You can't get a cushy biz jet job here with turbo time unless you are here to network. MOST of the biz jet operators over here have ex FECA guys working for them, so you already have a foot in the door.
Pardon my ignorance if I have this wrong, but I would have thought 58,000usd tax free for a captain would be far more than a captains salary in Canada, even with the high cost of living in DXB.
Anyway, enough now. I've given 4 cents. I don't want to be branded as an advertisment for Falcon. That will cost them 70,000usd a year
Cheers
DB
The only way into one of the middle east countries where you can buy a pint of lager and you only hold light turboprop time is FECA. With these hard times, look at the big picture, this is the region where the jobs are. You can't get a cushy biz jet job here with turbo time unless you are here to network. MOST of the biz jet operators over here have ex FECA guys working for them, so you already have a foot in the door.
Pardon my ignorance if I have this wrong, but I would have thought 58,000usd tax free for a captain would be far more than a captains salary in Canada, even with the high cost of living in DXB.
Anyway, enough now. I've given 4 cents. I don't want to be branded as an advertisment for Falcon. That will cost them 70,000usd a year
Cheers
DB
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FECA Captain's Salary
Hello DB - Seems like you have your finger on the pulse regarding how far your dollar will go in Dubai... On US$58,000 per annum in Dubai, how comfortable a lifestyle can one lead?
Cost of living in DXB
Freo,
The most important factor in any useful answer about lifestyle in DXB on the equivalent of USD 58K is this: Is accommodation supplied? If so (i.e. if the 58K is net and clear of accommodation costs) then you could live well enough here -- if you are single and don't mind sharing an apartment.
If, on the other hand, you'll have to pay for your accommodation out of that 58K, you're not going to enjoy the resulting lifestyle. Even sharing with one other will use up a good chunk of your +/- 17000 AED (Dirhams) per month, unless you are living in an area of Dubai that is likely to be a lot less desirable than you anticipated (in terms of cleanliness, facilities, etc).
Having said the above, Dubai is starting to feel the pinch many have predicted for some time, so rents are likely to start dropping. Let me know via PM if you want more info.
Grizz
The most important factor in any useful answer about lifestyle in DXB on the equivalent of USD 58K is this: Is accommodation supplied? If so (i.e. if the 58K is net and clear of accommodation costs) then you could live well enough here -- if you are single and don't mind sharing an apartment.
If, on the other hand, you'll have to pay for your accommodation out of that 58K, you're not going to enjoy the resulting lifestyle. Even sharing with one other will use up a good chunk of your +/- 17000 AED (Dirhams) per month, unless you are living in an area of Dubai that is likely to be a lot less desirable than you anticipated (in terms of cleanliness, facilities, etc).
Having said the above, Dubai is starting to feel the pinch many have predicted for some time, so rents are likely to start dropping. Let me know via PM if you want more info.
Grizz
