Emirates (EK) Interview - all you need to know about it (threads merged)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: uae
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I'm happy ! Been here 13 years, just done 380 course ( nice while it lasts ) and honestly I have no regrets leaving my previous UK domestic employer. I have looked at other jobs and cant find anything better for me. They leave me alone, pay on time, give me a decent house, I do the least I can ( dont we all ) and its good for me.
I dont have a scrap of loyalty left for the company, but thats the way they want it and its okay by me - its only a job after all.
Now dont get tooo mean with those reply's !!
I dont have a scrap of loyalty left for the company, but thats the way they want it and its okay by me - its only a job after all.
Now dont get tooo mean with those reply's !!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sandpit
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Great for you wizard1
My question is: Do you have family, and are they happy in Dubai. I mean I have to agree that flying a nice aircraft to nice destinations is great, and the longer away from the sandpit the better. But what about your private life? I also like my house, it is nice with a green garden, but a lot of times I don't even leave the house anymore, especially now during Ramadan I was not outside the house once, except for work.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sandpit
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Well thats good for you
I tried to like the place in the beginning, but then again these mood-swings, glad to go on leave and then when I was back I just hated the place. I wonder why people like this place and if I understood why, maybe I would like it better. 
Join Date: Jun 2001
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If the wife is happy, you're 95% of the way 'home' in the contentment stakes. Unfortunately, the opposite also applies.
Purely a personal observation, but the happiest with life in the Sandpit appear to be those who've come here from the UK. It's a generalisation - (there are many, many very happy people from countries other than the UK, and there are Brits who are hugely unhappy and all degrees in between happy and unhappy) - but the Brits seem to find the Sandpit more palatable than most. My guess would be that the weather back home has something to do with it.
If you're lucky enough to make good friends - and most importantly, if the wife is willing to get out and get involved in activities and make friends - it can be a very pleasant place - unless you're stuck in unsuitable accommodation, which unfortunately, many newcomers are. (If the wife is going to stay at home and not try to get herself involved in something, in 99.9% of cases, no one's going to come seeking her out, so she'll probably be very unhappy.)
Most (but not all) people are more or less tribal - unconsciously seeking their comfort zone, and people from a similar background and shared experiences. So nationalities tend to gravitate towards their own or another nationality somewhat similar.
But there are a significant number of exceptions, particularly if you (or more often, your wife, because she's here a lot more often that you will be) get involved in some social activity that crosses your particular 'ghetto wall' (my phrase, perhaps a little strong) that most nationalities impose upon themselves, it can be really rewarding to mix with a wide range of people and find that most people are pretty much the same, (and rather nice), whatever their nationality or religion (a bigger factor in this part of the world than in the West).
If your accommodation is in a large compound where every neigbour is an EK pilot, some find it a little uncomfortable never being able to escape 'work talk'. However, some love these large compounds, as the kids have a safe environment with lots of playmates close at hand.
Purely a personal observation, but the happiest with life in the Sandpit appear to be those who've come here from the UK. It's a generalisation - (there are many, many very happy people from countries other than the UK, and there are Brits who are hugely unhappy and all degrees in between happy and unhappy) - but the Brits seem to find the Sandpit more palatable than most. My guess would be that the weather back home has something to do with it.
If you're lucky enough to make good friends - and most importantly, if the wife is willing to get out and get involved in activities and make friends - it can be a very pleasant place - unless you're stuck in unsuitable accommodation, which unfortunately, many newcomers are. (If the wife is going to stay at home and not try to get herself involved in something, in 99.9% of cases, no one's going to come seeking her out, so she'll probably be very unhappy.)
Most (but not all) people are more or less tribal - unconsciously seeking their comfort zone, and people from a similar background and shared experiences. So nationalities tend to gravitate towards their own or another nationality somewhat similar.
But there are a significant number of exceptions, particularly if you (or more often, your wife, because she's here a lot more often that you will be) get involved in some social activity that crosses your particular 'ghetto wall' (my phrase, perhaps a little strong) that most nationalities impose upon themselves, it can be really rewarding to mix with a wide range of people and find that most people are pretty much the same, (and rather nice), whatever their nationality or religion (a bigger factor in this part of the world than in the West).
If your accommodation is in a large compound where every neigbour is an EK pilot, some find it a little uncomfortable never being able to escape 'work talk'. However, some love these large compounds, as the kids have a safe environment with lots of playmates close at hand.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dubai - sand land.
Age: 55
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I think we Brits are natural expats, you know - taking over the world and all that in the good old days
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.....
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.....
Join Date: Jun 2001
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White Knight, I'm reliably informed that the Noel Coward estate has approved an updated version of that. It's now
"(only) Mad dogs and Englishwomen sunbathe on Jumeriah Beach in the Dubai summer midday sun."
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick
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Emirates FO Application Q
Hi,
Some time last year Emirates had an option to apply to them with less than 4,000 hours, on the basis that you would make up the remainder in a year (or 6 months not sure) and on date of joining you would have 4,000+ hours. Is this still the case, I just can't see it on their site?
Many thanks,
MK
Some time last year Emirates had an option to apply to them with less than 4,000 hours, on the basis that you would make up the remainder in a year (or 6 months not sure) and on date of joining you would have 4,000+ hours. Is this still the case, I just can't see it on their site?
Many thanks,
MK
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Travelling East
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Apparently that provision has been removed as there is now enough applications from guys with way more than the minimum requirements.
You have some time though, interviews will start up again early next year, and will be for anything up to 500 pilots to join.
Of course, those numbers are about a week old, and things change quickly here, so may no longer be valid.
You have some time though, interviews will start up again early next year, and will be for anything up to 500 pilots to join.
Of course, those numbers are about a week old, and things change quickly here, so may no longer be valid.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Europe
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Emirates Direct Entry
Thinking about joining EK but only have another year or so before I have the required minimum hours to apply for DEC. Only problem is that I only have command experience on the NG and narrowbody Bus on shorthaul.
Setting aside the many arguments on whether or not this would be a good or bad thing, (I am sure there would be a steep learning curve in the beginning) I would like an honest and unbiased response to how likely it is that EK will take on a DEC with only the minimum requirements and shorthaul experience only? Guys inside EK must know the answer to this. If unlikely, I will need to have a good think about whether or not I wish to join as FO, and if so better to get in early rather than late if I need to sit in the RHS for a minimum of three years. What happened to the accelerated command programme?
Setting aside the many arguments on whether or not this would be a good or bad thing, (I am sure there would be a steep learning curve in the beginning) I would like an honest and unbiased response to how likely it is that EK will take on a DEC with only the minimum requirements and shorthaul experience only? Guys inside EK must know the answer to this. If unlikely, I will need to have a good think about whether or not I wish to join as FO, and if so better to get in early rather than late if I need to sit in the RHS for a minimum of three years. What happened to the accelerated command programme?
Join Date: May 2005
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VERY few DEC positions being utilised at the moment, we have plenty of FO's with lots of experience, therefor I suspect that the few DEC's we take have a lot of relevant experience.
I also suspect that the days of the 'CRJ from the good ol' US of A' are numbered as pilots with heavy jet time will start applying, given the current financial stae of the planet
I also suspect that the days of the 'CRJ from the good ol' US of A' are numbered as pilots with heavy jet time will start applying, given the current financial stae of the planet
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: A land far, far away
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Contacted covered 95% of what I was thinking. I believe that the DEC thing will be dead now, Airbus guys are 4.5 years and Boeing is over 3.5 years now and will extend with the machinist strike in Seattle. Yeah, I know, we'll get airplanes fast and furious now, but only as fast as Boeing can push them out the door, which means the time is lost permenantly.
As well, I believe we will see oil spike up again as it's severely oversold and besides, supply and demand will drive it high, fast (read the latest IEA reports). If that comes along with lots of big aircraft in the next couple of years, you could see the parking of some of the older stuff, 345s, 343s, 332s and 772s if this credit crisis is prolonged, which many a great mind think it will be. Most think EK is immune, but the only thing that would keep it all going in REALLY tough times would be arrogance and blindness. Or blind faith maybe.
Just think about it, it is a good job, erroding every year, but still good. But it's not inconceievable to be 4,5,6 years to command. Time will tell.
As well, I believe we will see oil spike up again as it's severely oversold and besides, supply and demand will drive it high, fast (read the latest IEA reports). If that comes along with lots of big aircraft in the next couple of years, you could see the parking of some of the older stuff, 345s, 343s, 332s and 772s if this credit crisis is prolonged, which many a great mind think it will be. Most think EK is immune, but the only thing that would keep it all going in REALLY tough times would be arrogance and blindness. Or blind faith maybe.
Just think about it, it is a good job, erroding every year, but still good. But it's not inconceievable to be 4,5,6 years to command. Time will tell.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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If you plan on 5-6 years and it happens sooner, be happy.
LR3 is correct 2200 pilots now would be @ 43-4400 before an upgrade, 4-500 new hires a year might be the most EK can produce( cockpit 4u was a failed attempt at 3rd party training)
Do keep in mind not all new airplanes are additions to the fleet, retirements have started.
LR3 is correct 2200 pilots now would be @ 43-4400 before an upgrade, 4-500 new hires a year might be the most EK can produce( cockpit 4u was a failed attempt at 3rd party training)
Do keep in mind not all new airplanes are additions to the fleet, retirements have started.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Pacific Ocean
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MAX days off is 14??
Gees. Glad I kept my number at a US major.
Why so few days off? Can't they build the trips productive enough to give you guys 18- 20 days off per month?
I mean, a DXB-IAH-DXB trip ought to be worth 30-31 hrs right? So 2 of those is 8 days 62 hrs, then a 3 day Europe should put you at 78 hrs. Seems like enough flying to me. Or do they make y'all fly 100 hrs / mo?
Gees. Glad I kept my number at a US major.
Why so few days off? Can't they build the trips productive enough to give you guys 18- 20 days off per month?
I mean, a DXB-IAH-DXB trip ought to be worth 30-31 hrs right? So 2 of those is 8 days 62 hrs, then a 3 day Europe should put you at 78 hrs. Seems like enough flying to me. Or do they make y'all fly 100 hrs / mo?
Join Date: Sep 2006
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14 day off rule
They "say" that it's because the GCAA has told them to due to fatigue. But the truth has slipped out at a few meetings. It came from higher in the EK management from a non-pilot person. Jealousy is all we think it is.
So instead, guys on the bus are still 8-9 days off and lots of night turns, while others are struggling to stay at or under 14 days. Now if they put a minimum of 10 days off, that could've helped but that would be IMPROVING the pilot's conditions which has not happened over the last 5-7 years.
Ridiculous, of course, but decisions here seem to be unsound more often than not.
So instead, guys on the bus are still 8-9 days off and lots of night turns, while others are struggling to stay at or under 14 days. Now if they put a minimum of 10 days off, that could've helped but that would be IMPROVING the pilot's conditions which has not happened over the last 5-7 years.
Ridiculous, of course, but decisions here seem to be unsound more often than not.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Just a small aside.
The Boeing machinist strike is over (barring a really strange move and the members vetoing the overwhelming recommendation from union leaders to accept the offer when they vote on Saturday.)
Boeing Strike Over—What Comes Next? | After a 52-day strike, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and Boeing reached agreement on a new contract that will run for four years instead of an expected three years | Oct
The strike lasted less than two months. I think it safe to say after bleeding red ink Boeing will be throwing extra resources (shifts, manpower, etc) at restoring production to pre-strike levels, or higher if possible. Therefore I would suggest that the B777 upgrade timeline - whatever it may be - would only be extended by the fairly minimal two months.
This is of course outside of any other factors such as lack of trainers, continued worsening economic conditions, and the like. But just my humble opinion that the strike will prove to be one of the lesser factors due to it's relatively short duration.
The Boeing machinist strike is over (barring a really strange move and the members vetoing the overwhelming recommendation from union leaders to accept the offer when they vote on Saturday.)
Boeing Strike Over—What Comes Next? | After a 52-day strike, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and Boeing reached agreement on a new contract that will run for four years instead of an expected three years | Oct
The strike lasted less than two months. I think it safe to say after bleeding red ink Boeing will be throwing extra resources (shifts, manpower, etc) at restoring production to pre-strike levels, or higher if possible. Therefore I would suggest that the B777 upgrade timeline - whatever it may be - would only be extended by the fairly minimal two months.
This is of course outside of any other factors such as lack of trainers, continued worsening economic conditions, and the like. But just my humble opinion that the strike will prove to be one of the lesser factors due to it's relatively short duration.