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Emirates (EK) Interview - all you need to know about it (threads merged)

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Emirates (EK) Interview - all you need to know about it (threads merged)

Old 4th May 2003, 00:21
  #61 (permalink)  
 
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Doug - you must be tied into a really poxy currency. What has dropped that much ????
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Old 4th May 2003, 12:44
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Conversely W.K I am tied into a good currency, which is why it is strong to the USD. The people tied into crap currencies are probably still doing allright. Having said that, I notice the Euro has strengthened at least 20% to the USD over the last 12 months, with sterling almost as strong. So it isn't just my currency. If you knew much about currency exchange you would be aware that it is the USD that is losing value more than other currencies strengthening. Thus everyone here is being affected to some degree, except for those whose home currency is tied to the USD.
The other point worth noting is that our management made a big song and dance just over a year ago explaining that although our salaries are low, when you take into account the tax free status and the strong USD, then we are doing OK. That was probably a fair comment at the time. Now however the USD is not doing so well, and probably heading further south, so accordingly our salaries are going with it.
I expect you will trot out the exchange rate protection line next. That is an excellent benefit we have, but it is only applied to half your salary and capped at 15%, so there is a very definite limit to how much benefit that will gain you.
As I have said earlier, I am not trying to put EK down, I am happy with my decision to come here. I just find that a lot of posts here are from reasonably new guys who have not been bitten, or seen anyone bitten by the fine print. Therefor their posts tend to give a one sided rosy picture. As a counter point, i am trying to let people know a few of the glitches to being here so that they can make an informed decision on whether to come or not. Given the present climate in aviation, I suspect that nothing would stop a prospective aviator from taking up a position here, and i say good luck and welcome to them. On the other hand, even guys who have no other job to go to will be far happier here if they come with an awareness of a few of the less attractive aspects of life in Dubai.
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Old 4th May 2003, 23:55
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I don't intend to trot anything out with regard to currency exchange rates 'cos I ain't a merchant banker and haven't got a clue!!
I do know that the £1 has dropped against the Euro and I get very little salary extra at the moment but heh, I'm ALWAYS broke anyway..
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Old 5th May 2003, 07:21
  #64 (permalink)  
 
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Just for clarification Mister Ghostflyer: WE didn't go on strike, just before the bankruptcy, for more money it was a last and desesperate action before dying !

Before writing hurting and, probably heard at the bar, stupid assertions try to verify them !

Ex-Sabena pilots are all around the world now and I didn't hear any complain about them as far !
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Old 5th May 2003, 11:47
  #65 (permalink)  
 
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Angry STAY OUT OFF ASIA

LOOK YOU WHITE BOYS. GO BACK TO YOUR DAM COUNTRY AND STAY OUT OFF ASIA.
LEAVE THE JOBS FOR THE ASIANS.
DONT COME HEAR AND CREATE TROUBLE AND TAKE THE COULOURED MANS JOBS.
GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY.

FOR ALL YOU ASIANS IN EMIRATES:
BE-AWARE OF THE WHITE MAN THERE. YOUR COMPANY IS BECOMING ANOTHER CATHAY.
THEY COMPLAIN WHERE EVER THEY GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
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Old 5th May 2003, 13:04
  #66 (permalink)  
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Thumbs down

HEY WILCO 77

IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO OBSERVE PROFESSIONAL PILOTS OR THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE PROFESSIONAL, MAKING RACIST REMARKS. PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE A BAD NAME FOR NON-WHITES AND THE AVIATION PROFESSION AS A WHOLE.

BY THE WAY, PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY, BUT YOU MAY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SPELL ENGLISH CORRECTLY.
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Old 5th May 2003, 15:01
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Exclamation

On the subject of the pros & cons of EK.

There are some questions I urge prospective EK pilots (especially those with family) to check CAREFULLY prior to commitment.

Firstly, and most importantly, insist on knowing where you are accommodated. The majority of accommodation is fine, however, there are a few inappropriate locations and once you have been allocated a location there is very little chance of moving under the new rules. This is a commonly trivialised issue, usually by those in good accommodation, but where you expect your wife and children to live can make or break your life in an expat environment. There is an option to take an allowance and make your own arrangements but this is 70% of what the accommodation dept. has been allocated for you so you are not going to find much better on that amount.

Secondly, do make time to think about schooling. There are a rapidly increasing number of expats needing schooling for their children in Dubai and very little expansion in schools and no known plans for new ones. Ask about schools and prospects for your children getting into them. Don't get brushed off with generalised statements like, "it'll be fine."

There are a few other issues that I could mention here but they are small compared to these and we were lucky and pleased with the schooling so that is fine for us but we do know of several parents that have been very unhappy with the schooling here. I do appreciate the many pros to flying for EK and contrary to some suggestions I believe command will be quicker than suggested due to greater numbers of aircraft arriving than projected.

If you are well accommodated and your children are well schooled then all the other issues here may be important but are not critical.

I left an OK, secure, command job to come here, and on the issue of accommodation alone I question whether it was a good decision. May be time will tell.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for the comments of wilco77 may I suggest that he is not who he appears to claim. He is most certainly not a professional aviator.
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Old 5th May 2003, 21:20
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wilco77 and learn how to spell coloured while you are at it!!

Silly boy!!
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Old 5th May 2003, 23:03
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"It is a deliberate policy not to provide a ticket,it tests your incentive"

If the recruitment process was up to speed, they wouldnt need you to prove your incentive with your wallet.
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Old 6th May 2003, 09:15
  #70 (permalink)  
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For the record wilco77 is banned from this thread. There's a lot of hotheads out there at the moment. He's a classic. If you've got nothing to do, check out his profile & click on his previous posts. He hates expats and a few days ago he was talking in support of the ex-Iraqi information minister. A twisted lad. Every village has one.

Any further such outbursts, by any member, will result in loss of privileges.

wilco77 any more loudmouth trash from you & you'll need a new IP address.

4HP
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Old 9th May 2003, 01:07
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Actually I have a soft spot for the ex Iraqi Information Minister.

I expect to see him on Letterman any day now.

As for this thread.

It depends on your attitude to a new place and how adaptable you are.

I have lived in ME and know DXB well. I have not lived there, but nevertheless like it very much.

Yes it has its faults but so does everywhere else. Nowhere is perfect, especially if you are looking for faults.

IMHO you could do a lot worse. Good advice though to take the missus to look first. My wife and kids loved the ME and we were all very sorry to leave.

I thought about retiring there, but it was not to be.
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Old 11th May 2003, 11:33
  #72 (permalink)  
 
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wilco 77
a) there is nothing wrong in constructive criticism
b) cathay is a good airline
c) labour problems are not uncommon in any part of the world
d) in todays world if one were not fit for a job he/she would not last for a day longer.Regardless of colour or gender.
e) nothing is perfect certainly not the airplanes we try to fly being imperfect ourselves ,keeps the thinking going,and then don't we land safely?however,if one part was perfect would there not be a problem?
f) some one told me years ago that the worst nightmare for a flyer was crashing and moments before crashing realising that he had no idea where he was.When you are angry you are lost too.
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Old 11th May 2003, 17:42
  #73 (permalink)  
 
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Now that we know what the basic salaries are, what are the AVERAGE net incomes at the end of the month for a first year F/O? How many hours do you generally fly each month? Can you bid for a commuter schedule like 15 days on, 15 days off if you do not want to live in Dubai? I heard from a friend that if you choose to commute to work and not reside permanently in Dubai, the company will give you an exta $2,000 a month. Could you please verify if this is true?
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Old 11th May 2003, 21:19
  #74 (permalink)  
 
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Talking

Yes it is true,
they give you 15 days off each month, they pay for your 1st class ticket back home every month, they give you a company car, they give you 5 months of holidays, and on layovers they pay for the hookers.

Now you think why to hell do they pay for everything?
The answer is because in times like that they can't get enough qualified pilots and there is a worldwide shortage of pilots.
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Old 15th May 2003, 21:07
  #75 (permalink)  
 
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Dear Gents and Ladies. Would somebody be kind enough to info me with the type of entry experience ek is looking for. Also curious about the rosters? Many thanks.

Happy Flying

Can somebody be kind enough to info me with what type of entry experience ek is hiring. Also what are the rosters like? Many Thanks
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Old 16th May 2003, 12:13
  #76 (permalink)  
 
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The starting salary for EK is jsut under 17,000 dirhams a month. Convert to your own currency. The company is great to work for. If you have a command already and take the plunge. Providing you have over 6,000 hours, you will have your command inside 3 years. There are guys who have been in EK for just over a year on their command courses now. You can choose your work, the 777 goes more far east and the 330 goes more europe. Thats just rule of thumb but changes as with most things. You will fly about 750 hours a year give or take 50 hours.

The interview is what I would call a do or die. You get one shot at it. Just be yourself and enjoy it. You have to want to come here. Remember Dubai, the lifestyle and the job does not suit everyone. If you want to come here to see what its like do it. But dont try to get a few days in the sun whilst on the interview. You will waste your time and everyone elses. If you like the local pub in a village and are a true anglophile this is not really the place for you. I gave up a command to come here with a perfectly good company. I dont regret it for one second. But then that is me.

Good luck.
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Old 16th May 2003, 19:26
  #77 (permalink)  
 
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Chuck,

As usual here is some persepective to the previous one sided post.

If you have previous command time and 6000 hrs you may get a command inside 3 years. Yes there is one guy who has been here just over a year doing his upgrade. There are also guys with the same qualifications on the other fleet who have been here 3 years, who also have accelerated command time and have been bypassed by the previously mentioned lucky individual along with many others and they are none too happy about it. But that is life at EK. There is little right of appeal.

You can choose your work within limitations. When you are near the top of the bid, yes, you get most of what you want. When you are at the bottom, you are on standby and often end up doing the worst flights that others call in sick for.


The Rev

Last edited by Reverend Doctor Doug; 17th May 2003 at 01:57.
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Old 16th May 2003, 23:37
  #78 (permalink)  
 
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Doug,

Beg to differ but there are 5 people I know who are all on upgrade courses and they have all been here just over 1 year. The call is that all the accelerated commands will be used up by the end of next year. I am one who has been by passed as I fly the Boeing. All the above joined after me and are personally known to me. There is no logic in why they have done it that way but we have to accept it. The 6,000 hours was put into place because of Gulf Air. There have also been alot of people passed over this year who all fit the bill. We are however talking a couple of months here not years. This year is the Airbus year, the Boeings turn comes next year.

You say may get a command with 6000 hours and previous command. Like any job though the proviso is that you make the grade. At the bottom of the bid pile I get usually what I want. But then depends what you bid for. Finally Rev might be an idea to keep the 2 gentlemen in question close to your heart. Not good to air that in public or private. Unless you were involved.....
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Old 17th May 2003, 02:39
  #79 (permalink)  
 
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8way - glad I'm not the only one sided poster (with my rose tinted specs) anymore. According to the good vicar i know jacksh*t about EK. Even though it's the best move i ever made. Isn't it a bummer to actually enjoy going to work .

I'm sure he'll find greener pastures elsewhere one day!!!
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Old 17th May 2003, 10:12
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We are here because we want to be. I do enjoy Dubai and also the villa they gave me. I like the fact that they pick me up for work and I have no bills. If I dont see the UK again it would be too soon.

I have found in my life in aviation that those that constantly moan are going to moan wherever they are. Maybe they should change their career.
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