EK how much $$ are you saving while working there?
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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EK how much $$ are you saving while working there?
Hi, I am considering EK as an underpaid US regional pilot. I know there are many compromises for the money-which is the point of becoming an expat. I would appreciate any input as far as how difficult the Dubai lifestyle is and more importantly how much people are saving by going there. I would predict to spent 30-40k and save 50-60k. I know it would take discipline but is this realistic? thanks in advance, Fred
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If you are single, with no kids, and are frugal like you say, you still need to switch those numbers around. Dubai is a really expensive city, especially for food and drinks. Don't forget you don't get free travel here except 1 ticket a year to an EK destination (this is known as your annual leave ticket) There are also all sorts of little hidden fees like the tolls on the roads, UAE ID card fees, and pricey costs to transfer money home just to name a few. I would say you will spend $50-60 a year and save $20-30, and thats if you are frugal with your money. If you have kids, well, you are going to stuggle to save. Dubai has a way of taking your money at every turn. You can save a bunch more money here than you ever could at a regional, but not near as much as you might think. Throw in all the other stuff such as fatigue, working like a slave (90 hours here is way way more difficult than 90 hours at a regional with the time changes and general environment here) frustration of daily life, and your general lack of rights here, and I would say you're better to touch it out and wait for the majors to pick up hiring in the next couple years. Just my 2 cents.
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I have 2 friends fo's with Etihad, both married, 2 little kids still not in school. They are able to have a normal life and save 2/3 of their monthly total payment. They are westerners, cook at home mostly, drink like schmucks but buy their booze and drink at home. I guess if you wanna eat, drink, fk.... out of your home every day then reverse the numbers. Some people never have enough.
Join Date: May 2010
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At Emirates you will be overworked and underpaid.
a747jb hit the nail on the head.
I live a simple life and have little to show for my three years here. The 90+ hours per month has taken a huge toll on me and I feel as if I have aged 10 years.
The US majors will start to hire in the near future because of the upcoming retirements. Indeed Continental airlines announced this week that they are recalling all pilots from furlough.
The first of baby boomers (pilots) born after WWII are about to turn 65.
I recommend that you look for opportunities within the US.
At Emirates you will be overworked and underpaid.
I live a simple life and have little to show for my three years here. The 90+ hours per month has taken a huge toll on me and I feel as if I have aged 10 years.
The US majors will start to hire in the near future because of the upcoming retirements. Indeed Continental airlines announced this week that they are recalling all pilots from furlough.
The first of baby boomers (pilots) born after WWII are about to turn 65.
I recommend that you look for opportunities within the US.
At Emirates you will be overworked and underpaid.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Stay where your at.
This job is not what it used to be and the terms and conditions are continuously eroding. EK has lost it's touch and when your flying 90+ hours a month and your head aches from jet lag, what is an extra $10,000 - $20,000 you might save? Not much for what you have to put up with.
Saving is not really that realistic with the cost of living in Dubai far outreaching any of our annual pay increments. If you chose to live like a troll, eat peanuts and fly like a robot, fill your boots and have at it. Not really what I would call a fun lifestyle.
Dubai has gone downhill and the lifestyle is far from tax free anymore. They tax you at the restaurants, road tolls everywhere you turn it seems like and prices climbing at a weekly rate.
This job is not what it used to be and the terms and conditions are continuously eroding. EK has lost it's touch and when your flying 90+ hours a month and your head aches from jet lag, what is an extra $10,000 - $20,000 you might save? Not much for what you have to put up with.
Saving is not really that realistic with the cost of living in Dubai far outreaching any of our annual pay increments. If you chose to live like a troll, eat peanuts and fly like a robot, fill your boots and have at it. Not really what I would call a fun lifestyle.
Dubai has gone downhill and the lifestyle is far from tax free anymore. They tax you at the restaurants, road tolls everywhere you turn it seems like and prices climbing at a weekly rate.
Join Date: Dec 2007
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The first year I did not save much at all. Your start up costs are pretty high. I have one child starting school this year. (I have been budgeting for this since I started to off set the initial cost) The second year I was here I have saved around $30000 USD. We are very good at budgeting our money. I put aside our money to the states like it does not exist.
I am one of the happy guys here. I left a regional and I have not looked back.
We have a very nice lifestyle here and enjoy our time. I actually have more time off now than I did at my previous company. Some months are better than others, but I am just as tired as when I was commuting to four day trips. It really is not that bad.
I am one of the happy guys here. I left a regional and I have not looked back.
We have a very nice lifestyle here and enjoy our time. I actually have more time off now than I did at my previous company. Some months are better than others, but I am just as tired as when I was commuting to four day trips. It really is not that bad.
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It really does come down to balance..... if you want a lifestyle that gives you trips away with the family to all those places that we only ever dreamed about and want to eat and drink out at the best (actually it doesn't have to even be that good) dining establishments in town then as an FO you will not have a lot left. If you want to live like a sand hermit you will probably save some cash.
Having said that if you on the other hand want to stick it out till that elusive upgrade happens, things get remarkably better. I have been able to save (after upgrade not before) without too much sacrifice and sometimes when I look at what we actually spend I feel a little guilty at the amount of cash that flows out of my account for more luxury items than I would have ever been able to have back home in the 1st world.
Working 90+ hours every month..... not fun, and yes agree with all above it is not sustainable and God only knows where this sorry mess that the management here have created will end.
You come here and first off you love the place but after a while you start to see the crap that flows under the surface and realise just how unimportant you are in the grand scheme of EK. You are working for an Arab Airline, they don't allow unions for the simple reason they don't want the workers to have a say, so the contract you sign is pointless and empty the minute you place the pen on the bottom line, it only serves them if you by some strange reason you want to request something. i.e. "oh no that's in your contract" when you want to move from the crap villa in the back blocks of Mirdiff.
As you guys say.... my 2 cents worth.
Having said that if you on the other hand want to stick it out till that elusive upgrade happens, things get remarkably better. I have been able to save (after upgrade not before) without too much sacrifice and sometimes when I look at what we actually spend I feel a little guilty at the amount of cash that flows out of my account for more luxury items than I would have ever been able to have back home in the 1st world.
Working 90+ hours every month..... not fun, and yes agree with all above it is not sustainable and God only knows where this sorry mess that the management here have created will end.
You come here and first off you love the place but after a while you start to see the crap that flows under the surface and realise just how unimportant you are in the grand scheme of EK. You are working for an Arab Airline, they don't allow unions for the simple reason they don't want the workers to have a say, so the contract you sign is pointless and empty the minute you place the pen on the bottom line, it only serves them if you by some strange reason you want to request something. i.e. "oh no that's in your contract" when you want to move from the crap villa in the back blocks of Mirdiff.
As you guys say.... my 2 cents worth.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Wonder if EK gives joining allowance for new joiners. I know EY does. can't remember the amount though. 30k ++ maybe. Sure that helps you settle down with not all but most of the stuffs.
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Been here a bit over 18 months, so far so good.
I have a Wife and a Daughter (who goes to nursury).
In USD terms, we are putting away about 2.5K per month, without too much trouble.
We live a relatively simple existence, but enjoy good food, wine, and catching up with friends.
There are definitely two types of people here, the ones such as ourselves who are sensible, or at the very least have a bit of a plan. Then there are the types who want the newest flashiest items, eat out 5-6 times a week, drive the flashiest cars...designer cloths..cosmetic surgery for wifes etc etc, who then complain about never having any money.
Its not THAT bad here, but wobetide if you ever inject some balance into a discussion here on PPrune
I have a Wife and a Daughter (who goes to nursury).
In USD terms, we are putting away about 2.5K per month, without too much trouble.
We live a relatively simple existence, but enjoy good food, wine, and catching up with friends.
There are definitely two types of people here, the ones such as ourselves who are sensible, or at the very least have a bit of a plan. Then there are the types who want the newest flashiest items, eat out 5-6 times a week, drive the flashiest cars...designer cloths..cosmetic surgery for wifes etc etc, who then complain about never having any money.
Its not THAT bad here, but wobetide if you ever inject some balance into a discussion here on PPrune
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Spot on Falcon.
I started in the days before flight pay when a f/o salary was about 6-7000 dhs less than now excluding flight pay. Bread and milk cost the same back then and I still saved loads of money with wife, kids etc. You have to decide for yourself what you are doing out here and adapt your lifestyle.
If you want to save it is easy, if you want the lifestyle, forget it! I had a flight attendant tell me once that a breakfast buffet with unlimited champers for over 400dhs was great value, go figure! (Some dumbass pilot will marry her and and then bitch about not getting paid enough!!)
I started in the days before flight pay when a f/o salary was about 6-7000 dhs less than now excluding flight pay. Bread and milk cost the same back then and I still saved loads of money with wife, kids etc. You have to decide for yourself what you are doing out here and adapt your lifestyle.
If you want to save it is easy, if you want the lifestyle, forget it! I had a flight attendant tell me once that a breakfast buffet with unlimited champers for over 400dhs was great value, go figure! (Some dumbass pilot will marry her and and then bitch about not getting paid enough!!)
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You have to have a plan. If you don't make sure you put some money in a savings account every month before you get the chance to spend it you will quickly discover that Dubai will soak up all your spare cash like a camal at an Oasis.
For my first couple of years here we (self, wife, no kids) had a really good lifestyle but didnt' save anything
. Now we have done all the "fun" stuff, had the nice toys and so on, and are making a concerted effort to send some cash home each month. It is surprising how much you can save if you put some thought and effort into it.
You are also at ther mercy of exchange rates of course. The ERP doesn't really help much.
For my first couple of years here we (self, wife, no kids) had a really good lifestyle but didnt' save anything
. Now we have done all the "fun" stuff, had the nice toys and so on, and are making a concerted effort to send some cash home each month. It is surprising how much you can save if you put some thought and effort into it.You are also at ther mercy of exchange rates of course. The ERP doesn't really help much.
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Juzlime,
Both EY and EK give settling in allowances. EY gives you AED 44,000 and EK gives you either a fully furnished apartment or in lieu of furnishings AED 30,000 to buy your own.
Both EY and EK give settling in allowances. EY gives you AED 44,000 and EK gives you either a fully furnished apartment or in lieu of furnishings AED 30,000 to buy your own.
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You are also at ther mercy of exchange rates of course. The ERP doesn't really help much.
Good and bad here. The exchange rate for the USD is fixed, but Americans don't get the ERP.
Oh yea, I easily saved $2000/month as an F.O. and that's when starting pay was 16,000 dirhams a month ( wife, no kids and before the massive inflation of the mid 2000s ). Didn't buy the newest Landcruiser and 42 inch plasma TV ( they were 10,000 dits back then ), but watched a lot of people do just that and then complain they weren't able to save money
TP
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thanks laker
I guess it's down to us whether to save or to speed off with a shiny new porsch down that dusty road.. A lil bit of money sense will take you places by the end of you tenure there in the sandpit.
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Flyer1015: Please get your facts straight before posting... The below is from the EK recruitment website and there is absolutely no mention of 30 tonnes. As a matter of fact that's a number that I have never heard of here...
Requirements: For the position of First Officer (prior to joining):
* A minimum of 4000 hours total flying time (may include 25% P3 or FEO time to a max of 500 hr).
* A minimum of 2000 hours multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft. (P3 time cannot be used for this requirement).
OR
* A minimum of 2500 hours total flying time on a modern commercial multi-engine, multi-crew aircraft jet. (P3 time cannot be used for this requirement)
* Must hold a valid ICAO ATPL
* English language fluency (written and verbal comprehension); ICAO English level (4 or above)
* Experience commensurate with age
* Type rated would be advantageous
As such anyone with JET time (regardless of weight) can apply. Yes, there is a weight requirement for upgrade which should possibly be part of your decision making but as far as getting hired... no weight requirement!
Good luck to anyone applying!
Will
Requirements: For the position of First Officer (prior to joining):
* A minimum of 4000 hours total flying time (may include 25% P3 or FEO time to a max of 500 hr).
* A minimum of 2000 hours multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft. (P3 time cannot be used for this requirement).
OR
* A minimum of 2500 hours total flying time on a modern commercial multi-engine, multi-crew aircraft jet. (P3 time cannot be used for this requirement)
* Must hold a valid ICAO ATPL
* English language fluency (written and verbal comprehension); ICAO English level (4 or above)
* Experience commensurate with age
* Type rated would be advantageous
As such anyone with JET time (regardless of weight) can apply. Yes, there is a weight requirement for upgrade which should possibly be part of your decision making but as far as getting hired... no weight requirement!
Good luck to anyone applying!
Will
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Will you are completely wrong about no weight requirement. I went to an info session and they stated in no uncertain terms that if you did not have 2000+ in aircraft over 30 tonnes you won't be eligible. I e-mailed the dir of training and he confirmed this policy. As a 7000 hour pilot with over 3000 hours PIC in aircraft below 30 tonnes I can assure you of this.
That policy may change later but it is still in effect now.
That policy may change later but it is still in effect now.
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I stand corrected
leadingedge12: Thanks for the update. 
In that case I stand corrected. It's just not published anywhere public I guess. Much like a lot of other things here...
On the subject of savings I manage to save just over 1000 USD a month with a wife and no kids. And we live a good, "high quality" life.
Will
In that case I stand corrected. It's just not published anywhere public I guess. Much like a lot of other things here...On the subject of savings I manage to save just over 1000 USD a month with a wife and no kids. And we live a good, "high quality" life.
Will