Ex-SAA pilots at EK - Do you regret the move?
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Ex-SAA pilots at EK - Do you regret the move?
To all the ex-SAA pilots who left to fly for EK - do you regret the move or are there some of you who are still content? Rumours at SAA is that everyone who knows anyone who left for EK is that you are all miserable and full of regrets.
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Yes, I regret the move from an airline point of view. It was nice to be treated as a professional at SAA as oppose to a high school kid at EK. Seeing how both sides operate, I don't know if we'll still regret the move if SAA ever privatises, it will be a difference company then........it's coming
As for the security issues in SA, I don't regret my move.
As for the security issues in SA, I don't regret my move.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Don't regret the move at all. I miss SAA, but since I've been here, I have not been shot at, robbed, burgled or mugged once. In fact, I don't know of one person here that even knows of another person here that has had any form of violent crime perpetrated against them or someone they know.
As for EK. It's just another airline. Despite what is written on this forum, it's not that bad. There are some here in EK that are just miserable. They won't leave though, they will just bleat like stuck pigs on how kak it is. Oh well - we make our decisions in life. Once the decision is made, you have three choices.
1. Live with it and make it as good as it can be
2. Dig a hole of misery, and bury yourself in it.
3. Change that decision if it is not for you.
Most of the people that lurk on PPRUNE have chosen decision 2.
Do not read anything into this post. I do not love EK. I work here and it is OK for now.
Cheers
Saywhat
As for EK. It's just another airline. Despite what is written on this forum, it's not that bad. There are some here in EK that are just miserable. They won't leave though, they will just bleat like stuck pigs on how kak it is. Oh well - we make our decisions in life. Once the decision is made, you have three choices.
1. Live with it and make it as good as it can be
2. Dig a hole of misery, and bury yourself in it.
3. Change that decision if it is not for you.
Most of the people that lurk on PPRUNE have chosen decision 2.
Do not read anything into this post. I do not love EK. I work here and it is OK for now.
Cheers
Saywhat
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That is just what it is, a rumour. I do not regret the move at all. Enjoy the flying and spending a lot more time with the family and kids. Keep the flag flying.!!
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SAYWHAT and IMPALA, are you from the management, or maybe from the recruitment team?
You both must be joking I guess?
Been here more than 7 years and I have to say that this place is becoming a nightmare; it was great up until 2008.
For the new joiners, please spend some times on PPRUNE and make your decision accordingly. Don’t come here unless you are unemployed or desperate.
You both must be joking I guess?
Been here more than 7 years and I have to say that this place is becoming a nightmare; it was great up until 2008.
For the new joiners, please spend some times on PPRUNE and make your decision accordingly. Don’t come here unless you are unemployed or desperate.
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Dear jbayfan,
If you are thinking of leaving SAA to join EK? My answer is very simple. No.
Look elsewhere in the world. At the moment globally things are not looking too promising, however, this too will change at some point.
What you have in SAA right now you will be very hard pressed to find anywhere in the world. You are not only treated and respected as a professional but more importantly as a person. You have the majority of management pilots in SAA who are very well respected and who are there to manage you and everyone else in a manner that you would like to be treated and hopefully one day how you will manage others too. With dignity and respect.
You have a very strong representation in SAAPA which is something that this profession needs the world over.
Your package is very competitive and nothing to be jealous of in most top airlines.
Your training department is one of the best in the world.
Yes I know that the airline has cut back on a lot of routes and certain decisions might seem illogical. May that be the worst you experience ever.
I know the crime in SA is still horrendous.
You live in a country that lacks nothing. Absolutely nothing. Enjoy each and every little corner of that beautiful country called South Africa.
Enjoy every single moment of flying for one of the greatest airlines in the world called SAA. I might have left the 'Springbuck" But it will always be with me. I still consider myself as a SAA pilot. I just went away for a while. A long while. I was one of the first three that arrived here in EK. One has left and lives now in Canada. There are now 2 of us left. One of us never writes on this forum, as a matter of fact he doesn't even read it. He is the wiser one of the two. Always has been. Me on the other hand? Well that's another story.
EK still has the promise of being one of the best airlines in the world to fly for?
You will fly new and well maintained aircraft.
You will fly aircraft that only a handful of airlines will ever posses. Go to a variety of destinations and earn the experience level of but only a few.
You will meet a great variety of people from all over the world. Some of them will become your greatest friends. The majority of people I have flown with in EK are truly a great bunch. And the same can be said for those working in the offices. I often bump into some of them, and we often talk about when this airline was nothing more than 15 aircraft in size. We all agree it was better "then"
What was better 'then' is that the airline was small and you were someone. Not a number or a statistic on someones excel spreadsheet. Today is a different story. I hope that EK can somehow allow that feeling of belonging to comeback? It is not that difficult to achieve.
In the meantime? Stay where you are.
Check 'Six'
If you are thinking of leaving SAA to join EK? My answer is very simple. No.
Look elsewhere in the world. At the moment globally things are not looking too promising, however, this too will change at some point.
What you have in SAA right now you will be very hard pressed to find anywhere in the world. You are not only treated and respected as a professional but more importantly as a person. You have the majority of management pilots in SAA who are very well respected and who are there to manage you and everyone else in a manner that you would like to be treated and hopefully one day how you will manage others too. With dignity and respect.
You have a very strong representation in SAAPA which is something that this profession needs the world over.
Your package is very competitive and nothing to be jealous of in most top airlines.
Your training department is one of the best in the world.
Yes I know that the airline has cut back on a lot of routes and certain decisions might seem illogical. May that be the worst you experience ever.
I know the crime in SA is still horrendous.
You live in a country that lacks nothing. Absolutely nothing. Enjoy each and every little corner of that beautiful country called South Africa.
Enjoy every single moment of flying for one of the greatest airlines in the world called SAA. I might have left the 'Springbuck" But it will always be with me. I still consider myself as a SAA pilot. I just went away for a while. A long while. I was one of the first three that arrived here in EK. One has left and lives now in Canada. There are now 2 of us left. One of us never writes on this forum, as a matter of fact he doesn't even read it. He is the wiser one of the two. Always has been. Me on the other hand? Well that's another story.
EK still has the promise of being one of the best airlines in the world to fly for?
You will fly new and well maintained aircraft.
You will fly aircraft that only a handful of airlines will ever posses. Go to a variety of destinations and earn the experience level of but only a few.
You will meet a great variety of people from all over the world. Some of them will become your greatest friends. The majority of people I have flown with in EK are truly a great bunch. And the same can be said for those working in the offices. I often bump into some of them, and we often talk about when this airline was nothing more than 15 aircraft in size. We all agree it was better "then"
What was better 'then' is that the airline was small and you were someone. Not a number or a statistic on someones excel spreadsheet. Today is a different story. I hope that EK can somehow allow that feeling of belonging to comeback? It is not that difficult to achieve.
In the meantime? Stay where you are.
Check 'Six'
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Checksix is 100% correct in his assessment.
All I can add is that if you leave SAA to go to EK, you are committing suicide as far as your career is concerned. However, I fully understand that there are other issues regarding living in South Africa. Remember though that no matter how long you live in the UAE, you will never be eligible for permanent residency. Also after your kids finish school, they will most probably have to leave.The thing is if you do not have other options than you will have to return to SA someday. If you are eventually going to go back to SA then save yourself and your self dignity and stay at SAA.
All I can add is that if you leave SAA to go to EK, you are committing suicide as far as your career is concerned. However, I fully understand that there are other issues regarding living in South Africa. Remember though that no matter how long you live in the UAE, you will never be eligible for permanent residency. Also after your kids finish school, they will most probably have to leave.The thing is if you do not have other options than you will have to return to SA someday. If you are eventually going to go back to SA then save yourself and your self dignity and stay at SAA.
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Saywhat - you might have some valid points regarding crime issues. I work for SAA and fortunately have not been shot at, mugged or hijacked. Together with a largely dysfunctional government, these types of crime are an everpresent reality. But we still live very well, my family has a tremendous quality of life and the children have a superb education. I fly a very reasonable and comfortable roster with a bunch of likeminded people. I spend good quality time with my kids and we are able to make use of exceptional sporting and holiday facilities that are abundent in this country.
What appears to be going on at EK cannot be good for the health of your spirit, mind and body and not only for you but your family as well.
I will take my chances, but if I were to balance the pros and cons, its a no brainer - definitley not EK
What appears to be going on at EK cannot be good for the health of your spirit, mind and body and not only for you but your family as well.
I will take my chances, but if I were to balance the pros and cons, its a no brainer - definitley not EK
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since I've been here, I have not been shot at, robbed, burgled or mugged once
Stay where you are if you can, I know everywhere has problems but at EK you are far from home and any support it may offer.
Last edited by Marooned; 4th Mar 2010 at 04:47.
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Saywhat - you might have some valid points regarding crime issues. I work for SAA and fortunately have not been shot at, mugged or hijacked.
But we still live very well, my family has a tremendous quality of life and the children have a superb education. I fly a very reasonable and comfortable roster with a bunch of likeminded people. I spend good quality time with my kids and we are able to make use of exceptional sporting and holiday facilities that are abundent in this country.
I will take my chances, but if I were to balance the pros and cons, its a no brainer - definitley not EK
Bushbuck, I wish you and all my ex SAA colleges well. I have nothing but good memories of the place. May things in SA get better. I would rather retire there than anywhere else.
Regards
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777-300ER....a great recent quote by a reporter from "The National", probably the only UAE newspaper willing to challenge the govt...
"The news is what they DON'T want you to print...everything else is PR".
"The news is what they DON'T want you to print...everything else is PR".
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Just for the record. There is no hostility or malice in my thread and the general vibe with respect to this topic is good. I know most of the ex SAA pilots at EK and they are a great bunch of guys. I sincerely wish all expats working at EK the very best and hope you turn the corner sometime soon. Lets hope this is a temporary glitch in your flying career. At SAA we have certainly had our fair share of those.
