EK time to upgrade

[Mr.White]

Since EK DEC is closed I would like to know whats the average time right know to upgrade at EK.

I know its going to depend on EK needs, but what are the minimum requirements for an EK FO to get upgraded?


Best Regards

[lfrk]

Requirements for upgrade....keeps changing.

Time for upgarde :

B777 very long time
A380 very long time
A330 hallas=never
A340 hallas=never
A350 TBA
B777X TBA but very, very long time

If you're looking for a quick upgrade you should have joined 3-4 years ago, if you join now, you gonna be stuck or it will be very slow.
But the right seat is ok.
Good luck

[Mr.White]

lfrk, thanks for the info, but what it's very long time in the 777? If it's gonna be 4 years, sounds worthy for me, more time..........Im not sure.

It looks that EK right seat sounds good, but QA has open DEC and that's why is so difficult to decide because I could be stuck on the right seat.

[Mr.White]

Thanks LR3 for your answer, would you be more especific on your case?

What was your previous experience before get in EK?

What year did you get in EK?

What fleet did you get in?

How many years before get upgraded?

Being 767 capt before get in, would speed up upgrade?

Best Regards

[lfrk]

I have been here in EK 18 months, on the 330/340 fleet, (by the way life is good here!!) for me, upgrade will be on the A380 and I don't expect it for at least 6-7 years+ from now minimun, and if I am lucky.

Obviously the recrutment team would sell you 4-5 years, that was true, if you would have joined 4 years ago, but not anymore.

777 side, I think the same way, 6-7years+++, my friends on the 777 say that the upgrade will be quicker on the 777, but again not anymore!! There is lot of 777 orders but mainly for aircraft replacement!!!!

If you join now, yes you will become captain within a decame maximun but not 5 years!
Captain within 10 year, on a jumbo, on a major airline, it's still a very deal compare to other airlines.

Now, right seat in EK v/s left in QR (on A320), for me this not even discussion, I would never work in DOHA!! no way... The life style is too important to me. And I had the choose to....

Good luck.

[Mr.White]

Tks for the info.

Where you Capt before get in EK? 18 month later, are you happy?

I know there is no more fast track, but being 767 Capt. Before get in EK, would speed up upgrade?

Best Regards

[captainsmiffy]

Been here getting on for 6 years, 330/340 - then forced onto 380 when 330 upgrades were on the horizon.....current rules, around another 2 years plus for me. Previously lots of command time, but all below the magic 55 tonnes figure. Rules always changing, never in my favour. The reality is that upgrade is a total lottery for some, a given for others depending on fleet etc. so bear in mind, it could be 8 years....fast in terms of some airlines, but not the speedy progression that the recruiters spoke of.

[Mr.White]

Captainsmiffy, tks for your helpful answer.

At this point, that you had PIC time and dont get upgraded yet, would you prefer to be at QA as a PIC?

Are you ok with the choice you made 6 years ago to get in at EK as FO?

Best Regards

[enthusiast]

Is it available to be a a380 skipper directly from the right seat?

[captainsmiffy]

Yes, there is now a route from the RHS to the LHS on a 380. Only problem is that the management see their new toy as somehow 'different' and that you need 2500 hours on type, on top of whatever heavy hours you have accrued on other fleets within EK.

Mr White, overall, yes, happy in that I have a 'secure' job in aviation but bear in mind that this security is only ever as good as your last approach out here! That has been made quite clear in recent months! Am happy that I made the correct decision in terms of airlines in the middle east. The career progression is a concern but am happy that it will move forward, albeit at a vastly different rate to that of others in different fleets. Remember that you are just a number, here, in a vast machine and that the management will do little to help your personal morale. Still, that costs them in the long term.....

[Praise Jebus]

Mr White it sounds like you are weighing up between a left seat at QA or a right seat at EK. In this industry I would be very reluctant to give up the LHS unless....you are prepared to stay in the RHS for a very long time. That is your worst case scenario isn't it? Don't make a decision on say 4 years in the RHS is ok but not 5 etc because you will never know at EK how long it will be, Capt Smithy a case in point, (but at least he has his gold fish...)

[Mr.White]

Praise Jebus

Thanks for the advise, it is a very complicated decision to leave RHS. Would you take the LHS at QR before RHS at EK?

Dont you think my 767 experience capt would speed up my upgrade?


Best Regards

[fatbus]

There are plenty of FO with previous command time that are stuck in the RHS and waiting, so I would say at this time it would not speed things up. 3400 pilots now you would be 3401 so @ 6800 until upgrade and yes there will be retirements so it might or will be less than 6800 but not as many as one would think. Go LHS with your background if you can. EK upgrade is looking like 7+

[Kennytheking]

Mr White,

In short, no. Emirates does not take into account any previous experience for the upgrade, other than a requirement to have more than 6 000 hours. Better experience may help to get you in the door as an FO but once you are in, everyone on your fleet is equal.

Your upgrade is limited by the requirement for 3 years and 2 500 in the company & on EK aircraft. Thereafter, you get to join the queue of qualified first officers, who are taken in turn according to seniority.

This can and does change but judging by what is happening on the FO recruitment thread here, it would appear that EK are having the pick of the crop when it comes to experienced pilots to employ(yourself a case in point).

I doubt that even Emirates could give you an accurate estimate of your upgrade time. That said, EK is a substantial and growing force in the airline world. I would rather be here than anywhere else(I don't know QR, so I cannot comment on them). You simply need to decide if you can live here as an FO for an extended period, which could be anything from 3 to 10 years, but most probably something in the middle.

[Panther 88]

Several years ago they recruited individuals such as yourself with the promise of a "fast track" upgrade. Boeing 75/76/74 skipper and you're in. A number of people joined with that promise made. And of course......that changed. Now they had to wait until they had the requisite 2500 hours on EK type, AT EK. From my perspective you will have a minimum of 4 years in the RHS here before getting the chance for an upgrade. Just too many guys here already in the que. Really, I would think 5-6 years would be more accurate. As far as a career goes, left seat time on a large a/c (>55 tonnes, re. 737,320), will always trump most RHS time, IMHO. Being in the left seat opens many more doors, even within one's own airline, than being in the right seat. If so inclined TRE, TRI, projects, whatever. All designed to fill a CV for possibly the next job. Again, just my opinion based on a couple of decades in this industry. Good luck.

[JuniorMan]

but bear in mind that this security is only ever as good as your last approach out here!

What do you mean by this?

[captainsmiffy]

Juniorman....simply put, that nice 'secure' position that you thought that you were in can be - and will be - seriously jeopardised by a mistake. Make no bones about it, slip up and you will be history in this region. Something to factor into your decision to move.

Praisejebus, am still feeding the fish....!

[Iver]

Is EK still planning to add the A350 in bulk? Thought EK was pushing for more 777s and a large A350 order (as per original order numbers) was looking less likely. Sounds like I am in error.

When is the first A350 (900 series?) expected to arrive?

[Mr.White]

Kennytheking

Thanks for your answer, once I would get the 3 years, 2500 hrs on EK aicraft and type....... My upgrade would be on señority? Or my 4000 hrs PIC on 767 would give me any advance on the upgrade list?

What is the EK rule on this cases?

Best Regards

[Mr.White]

Panther 88

Thanks for your answer, do you know where are right now those 75/76/74 skippers right know? RHS?

Could you get me in touch with any of those guys to learn about their experience at EK?

Best Regards