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15,000 $US a month or Emirates?

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Old 9th Feb 2011, 05:21
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Wink 15,000 $US a month or Emirates?

Here is a hypothetical for you all.

I am now working in China earning 15,000 a month after tax. The job is ok and we get fairly well looked after. Job security and lack of holidays are the main problems, also no schooling, housing and no communication or involvement by the company. Crappy hotels and rostering also are a problem. Just do as they say and if you don’t like it your shown the door.

I am considering applying to Emirates as an First Officer.

I have read all the negative comments about the company, but maybe some of you should try working in China. You guys work hard but actually have quite good terms and conditions. Yes they have eroded over the years, but so have all airlines.

Money is not a consideration for me. And I can live on an First Officer salary.
Flying as a First Officer for 5 years is not a problem.
Heat and desert living is not a problem.
Culture is not a problem.

I am looking at something long term. (10-15 years)

Any ppruners with a positive view on Emirates got any comments? What should I do?
Thanks guys. Lets not turn this one into another biyarch fest.
Also...quick question. On the 777 fleet in a typical month do you get a block of days off? Say 4 or 5 or more?
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 06:50
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Sounds like you've already made up your mind! Not much left to say, really.

Enjoy.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 07:48
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Thats the problem. I can not make up my mind. Here aint so bad. But long term it seems good there.

Do you get enough time off a month in a block of 4 or 5 + days? So one can jump on a flight to Vienna or some place to get normal again before starting work. Or is it like here which is only 2 or 3 days off consecutive?

Thanks in advance
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 07:57
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what's with commuting contracts on the market?
Doesn't that suits you?
Can you get past the credo "once a captain always a captain"?
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 08:04
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DD , I take it you are living in china as well. because if you are making 15K tax free and living where you want, WTF over , what kind of time off do you get and why would you want to move yourself and family here? Some guys are getting large blocks of days off ( top bid months), Don't even consider commuting
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 08:39
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dd,

Obviously comes down to individual circumstances.

EK works best for those who have a family and want to live with them. The value of housing+ education allowence+ cheap medical/dental for the family greatly adds to the value of the package, which is only so-so if you are a singleton.

As had been said, it is NOT commutable-if you ever want to see your family, bring them with you- but decent blocks off to do some near-term traveling are achievable.

One word of warning, 5 years to command is not a given. There may be some road-blocks to growth coming up, so you would have to be prepared in case it is a longer spell in the RHS than that.

There are worse places to be if you come prepared and with the right attitude.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 08:45
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China has some commuting contracts, but I aint on one. Commuting with a future family is not really ideal. Kids in School etc. Good for a single guy though.

If I moved to Duabi I know its not commuting, just wondered if one can get away from the desert once a month or so for 5 +days.

Can you get past the credo "once a captain always a captain"?
yes I have been quites senior in the various jobs over the years, and have no problems going to the bottom of the food chain.

Some guys are getting large blocks of days off ( top bid months)
So once every 3 months you can expect to get a block of days off if you bid for it? What about non bid months? what would be a typical block of days off in a non bid month?
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 08:48
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Wizofoz

Very usefull info.Thanks for the post.

An I am aware that it could be the end of LHS for me for the next 10 years, which might mean my remaining career. But I do not mind. Been there done that got all the boxes ticked.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 08:50
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Expect to take home about 8k/USD month at EK after basic expenses (housing, transport, schooling, medical). Food, entertainment, the price of goods are reasonable in Dubai, definitely not cheap. You didn't stipulate how much money you have left after expenses in China. Assuming they are not huge I am surprised you want to move to the Middle East to take a huge paycut and a downgrade. Usually people come here for an increase in terms to offset the challenges of living in the ME. However if you love Dubai, EK would probably be a great move for you. If you make a nuisance of yourself mgt will show you the door here as well. There isn't anything in the way of job protection, unions, etc.

Hotels are generally quite nice. Crew are a pleasure to fly with. Rosters are difficult. Expect 12 days off per month. You could probably get 5 days off in a row most months on the 777. Good mix of layovers. You won't be guaranteed a 5 year upgrade. That's difficult to predict at present. 10-15 years downline who knows what will happen with the airline. A lot will depend on landing slots, debt payments, etc. EK managers are quite sharp so I expect the airline to continue to succeed.

China is predicting the greatest pilot shortage going forward. I would bet that region will also be seeing the largest future pay increases. You will be leaving a lot of money on the table but I guess you can't put a price on happiness. Just make sure you know what you are signing up for. Good luck.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 09:16
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You didn't stipulate how much money you have left after expenses in China.
quite alot almost 10 grand.

I am surprised you want to move to the Middle East to take a huge paycut and a downgrade.
It is about long term lifestyle. China has NO lifestyle, and polution is terrible and shortening my lifespan (no joke it is that bad) Paycut is an issue, but im looking at the overall package. for example pension fund is non existant here. Emirates puts away 15%

However if you love Dubai, EK would probably be a great move for you.
There is not lifestyle at all in China.

There isn't anything in the way of job protection, unions, etc.
I would say China is worse. They regularly take from the contracted conditions and there is no legal options to fight it and win.

Hotels are generally quite nice.
Chinese hotels are the worst.

You could probably get 5 days off in a row most months on the 777.
Thats what I want. I am currently confined to this place and can not escape even for a short while.

China is predicting the greatest pilot shortage going forward. I would bet that region will also be seeing the largest future pay increases.
Your right, there are commuting contracts now paying 16-17,000 a month, but you got nil job security and no quality of life.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 09:30
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Take home salary for EK capt?

What an EK Capt (in usd) takes homes per month,guys?
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 09:43
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I work as much as most FOs do and average 25-26K take home after deductions. Do the math and that's $6800 per month not $8000 as someone else stated. Then start subtracting basic living expenses from that: car, fuel, groceries, mobile, internet, etc.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 09:43
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Base- 'bout 10K.

Flight pay- 'Bout another 2.

Bonus? 0-14 weeks in recent history.

Money in leu of housing- 4K (but you'll need to find somewhere to live)

HOPEFULLY some restoration to a sane overtime threshold- could stay where it is (effectivley 0)- a return to previous (78hrs) would mean anything up to 4 grand extra, but breath is not being held!!!!
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 10:11
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EK Captains Salary

Base- 'bout 10K.
First year is $8,200/month minus Provident Fund contribution and Medical insurance.

Flight pay- 'Bout another 2.
I haven't made more than $1,600/month in the last 3 years.

Bonus? 0-14 weeks in recent history.
Persuade yourself to expect closer to 0 than 14 for the future.

Money in leu of housing- 4K (but you'll need to find somewhere to live)
Can't argue with that.

HOPEFULLY some restoration to a sane overtime threshold- could stay where it is (effectivley 0)- a return to previous (78hrs) would mean anything up to 4 grand extra, but breath is not being held!!!!
Just misleading and mischievous. It should not be mentioned.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 10:38
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DD it sound like all your main draw card would be to get blocks of days off each month. The 777 appears to be able to achieve that in approx 2 out of 5 months with a block of 5 days. But what if you get on the Airbus? No way can you do it. Keep in mind that there was a time when you could get up to 12 days off over consecutive months, then of course the rules changed and like Chine, no recourse.

So come on over, we need more pilots, but you will need a few things to go your way (luck) and then there is no way of predicting if in a years time after joining, you will still be able to get that block of days off, then what?
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 10:43
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First year is $8,200/month minus Provident Fund contribution and Medical insurance.
Yep, fair enough- he didn't specify 1st year, but that's useful info. Increments have been shown to no longer be guaranteed.

I haven't made more than $1,600/month in the last 3 years.
Well, true. The MOST you can make is $1550- as after that you're making productivity, not flight pay- but is that 'bout 1k or 'bout 2k?

Persuade yourself to expect closer to 0 than 14 for the future.
Persuade yourself however you like, (though some justification of that position would be nice) just stating a fact.

Just misleading and mischievous. It should not be mentioned.
How so? Speculative I'll give you but who are you to tell me what to mention and what not to mention? A change (for the better) has been requested of upper management by flight ops- I have no idea if it will come off, just saying it might. The guy isn't entitled to know this?

Some context - (something WTF insists on for everyone but himself.) I joined EK as a DEC and do not bitch as long or hard as most others. According to WTF I'm therefore not allowed to comment without harassment.

So, one more thing if you come, be prepared to put up with a lot of VERY loud whining!!

Last edited by Wizofoz; 9th Feb 2011 at 10:57.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 12:08
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Here's the thing Wizofoz.

Reading your post one would get the idea that any EK Captain would take home about $12,000/month, might get up to 14 weeks bonus this year and next and might in the future be getting another $4,000/month in productivity payments!

Reading my post the same guy would understand that a 1st year EK Captain would be paid $9,800 minus some deductions in any month with a normal 90 hour flying program and he might get an annual bonus, but it will not be close to the 14 weeks which was paid just one time only and before the global financial meltdown of the last 3 years. That's it.

You are not helping people who are considering applying to EK by posting false and optimistic salary data.

wtf
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 12:16
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go work for a hedge fund in NY. average payout last couple of years 5-15 million a year. who cares about taxes and internet expenses...........
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 12:23
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No, WTF,

YOU reading my post through your "Do anything to discredit Wizofoz" filter would get that impression.

Anyone reading it with a modicum of neutrality would read-

- Captains at EK earn around 10k on average (true)- 1st year figures available on the web site-that the least bonus we've received is 0 and the most is 14 weeks (true),no idea about future trands, and that it is a possibility (but don't get your hopes up) that Productivity will be adjusted.

YOU don't help anyone wanting to join EK as the only time you can be ar$$ed to post is to take a swing at me- this being a seemingly pathological obsession.
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Old 9th Feb 2011, 17:14
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I like my JOB here, but the reality is any decision you make has to based on the reality that the company gets a little nastier, cheaper and malicious every year, so 2011 is the top of the hill, it only slopes downwards from there.
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