EK DEC's- Future Recruitment?

[Netset]

I appreciate that I am venturing into dangerous grounds by posting such a thread, however may I please enquire whether there any plans to recruit DEC's with Emirates in the near future?

It seems that at present they are finding enough First Officers for interviews and recruitment. However as I read the aviation industry is envisaging a global shortage of pilots.

Could anyone with inside information shed some light on EK's future plans? Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Saltaire]

You may, but EK is not planning any DEC's for the forseeable future. Looking for a 380 DEC job?

Carry on.

[MosEisley]

If they do they will then experience a shortage of first officers soon after. I know many current FOs that are on the brink of leaving as it is. If they don't step up this spring with a nice raise and bonus that may be enough for a bunch to leave. If you add DECs to that mix it may very well be a critical tipping point.

[ManaAdaSystem]

And where would the EK Effohs leave to?

If EK takes DECs, it would generate more noise on PPRUNE, but that's pretty much it.

[MosEisley]

That's exactly the attitude that will bite EK in the a$$, flamebait. There are many other places to go now, EK isn't the only game in town.

[fatbus]

If there is so many other options then why don't they leave and why do they still come? DEC's hope not but EK do not care about people they only care about money.

[MosEisley]

Because leaving is a drastic step. There are families to consider. If you read what I wrote, most are waiting until spring to see if EK steps up. If they don't then we will see if I'm full of it.

[ManaAdaSystem]

Spot on, Banana!

[skyvan]

One of the bigger challenges for companies run by beancounters and emotionally deficient managers is understanding the concept of the value of skilled staff, and the benefit of staff loyalty.

While the numbers say that you don't need to pay a 10 year employee any more than a 1 year employee doing the same job, the reality is that few if any of the recent crop of efficiency and economically beneficial ideas that have recieved awards have come from the first year wonders. Also, when non-normal operations occur, the employee with experience will often just get on and get the job done, unlike the person with little experience who doesn't know what can be done, and so will allow the situation to deteriorate while waiting the arrival of a senior person.

To say that pilots have not been leaving in droves recently is as much a smokescreen as saying that all the pilots are looking at leaving soon. Very few pilots, worldwide, do not keep their ear to the ground about better positions (not necessarily monetary, but also respect and culture based).

While there has not been a huge number of pilots leaving, there has also been a economic crisis at play which has kept many here as economic prisoners. As the effects of that crisis decay, the rest of the world is also recovering, and many are watching with interest to see what jobs come available that are best suited to their particular requirements. The only way to keep those people here is to provide a motivation, and for to FOs, that motivation tends to be the Upgrade. Jeopardise the Upgrade and the FO has little or no reason to stay in an environment that is far removed from his comfort zone.

And as each day passes, the crew become more experienced, and more attractive to other operators. The carrots offered to entice you to stay are needing to get bigger and better to be effective.

Of course, having said all of the above, I have no doubt that for the managers it is just a numbers game, so long as enough pilots are applying, the courses are being filled and there are no planes left on the ground through a lack of crew (which could be blamed on them, thereby placing their bonus at risk!), they really are not too concerned.

[ManaAdaSystem]

Jeopardise the Upgrade and the FO has little or no reason to stay in an environment that is far removed from his comfort zone.

Except moving to an airline where he would end up at the bottom of the list, and in another environment far removed from his comfort zone. That would see him move from one forum to another here at PPRUNE, followed by endless "how bad things are here in Turkey, Korea, China, Japan, India, Singapore, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait".

Can't even go to FR as they only hire pay to fly Effohs.

[skyvan]

Yes, Manadasystem, you are right, to a certain extent, for that does apply to many of the older FOs who may be getting a bit long in the tooth to look at a seniority system that will take 10 years or more to command. That does not apply to the younger pilot, who, having been here a year or so, and having experienced the culture of "no mistakes allowed", and then DECs start to join, and he sees his Upgrade slide to 7+ years away. He has nothing to stop him from walking away and, now that he has Big Shiny Jet time, joining a Major in his home country.

Of course, maybe the management have done their homework, and have been able to estimate just how hard the screws can be turned before crewing becomes a problem. Maybe, but I doubt it.

[ManaAdaSystem]

I think they have done a pretty "good" job so far.

[Instant Hooligan]

Wait till the "sleeping giant" awakes and the Americans go home. Now the 2nd largest pilot group at EK

Large portion of which were RJ captains, now being bypassed for command (pissed off). Nothing really to keep them here and they have all the mins for the US majors already.

Thanks for the fish EK

[MosEisley]

To answer one of the questions, this is not the same group as before. These are people I know personally who have simply had enough of the games and bs. Mana, you and the like can continue to believe what you want but people from my part of the world can only be pushed so far. We have never been too keen on totalitarian authority that operates without any form of checks and balances.

[411A]

Wait till the "sleeping giant" awakes and the Americans go home. Now the 2nd largest pilot group at EK

Suspect a correct statement.
Massive pilot hiring (not to mention, recalls) for the US majors, in the next couple of years, due mostly to the age 65 guys going away.
EK might just have to pony up more reasonable conditions.
DEC's included.

[Instant Hooligan]

411A,
I would never normally agree with you but this little fact may just bite EK. I don't think they have any idea the numbers involved once the retirements kick in not to mention growth.

[fliion]

I know a lot US FO's and NONE of them are planning on going back to a taxable $26,000 (CAL) 1st year pay with no healthcare and upgrade a decade away - none. Fedex is out due residency rule. Not to mention commuting to NY for a couple of years (cant raise a family there - too expensive)

Are they frustrated? Yes, in particular the Airbus guys as they dont get their monthly fix a la T7 crew - but stupid? No.

[IXNAT]

Ah, but what about the over 100 American pilots that still have active recall rights at their US carriers. EK was always a stop gap measure. Most have recall bypass rights, will bypass until the bond is over and then zap---go back to their airline, have a 1000 or so behind them on their seniorty list and roll in at about 5+ year pay. Stay at EK? Whadda you think?

[fatbus]

Where are these American pilots suddenly going to go? and if the "100" got up and left all at once so what, do you really think that would make any difference an extra 2.5 % flying /month until they replaced them ( that is another issue) but any number of pilots leaving will not cause a reacting by EK. Sorry boys but don't get your hopes up.

[Instant Hooligan]

Like has been said you literally have no idea of the numbers involved with retirements not to mention growth. The new Delta has over 12,000 pilots and that's just 1 airline.
Time will tell.