CI400

[CaptainChipotle]

Harry is happy here. He won't tell you directly but he'll brag about his investments and his friends (which we all have plenty).

It is a good point though, Harry. My contract isn't commuting, but it's not suicide either. It's been morphed into the ladder in the previous years.

[harry the cod]

If ever it's come across that I've bragged about investments then shame on me. Please tell me where and I'll remove it. That was never the intention and one that would hardly be appropriate anyway. I'm not a financial guru and have never claimed to be, merely following the basics of regular saving and living within your means. As for friends, no doubt the same number as everyone else although seeing less and less of them over the last few years. Which brings us nicely back on track.

I'm not agreeing that the T&C's we endure are by any means seen as ideal and I don't think I've ever said that. I will, however, admit to being content with my current lifestyle but this is in no way a direct reflection of the worsening conditions we've all experienced of late. My point is that Dubai is where we have to live and work. Those that try to make a real go of it with happy wife, kids at good schools, good villa location etc. have adapted far quicker and easier than those that don't. Some never do. Achieving this 15 years ago was easy, now less so and very much down to luck. For those that try to commute it's a nightmare and merely feeds the anger and resentment that so many hold. Add to this a reduction of leave to 30 days, forced leave, full flights and only 1 ALT, lack of credit for ground duties during a full months work and restricted days off and it's easy to see why the frustration builds. The list goes on. If you don't view Dubai as 'home' while you're employed here, forget it.

Unfortunately, whether we like to admit it or not, the overall package we have is still a pretty good one and while people still apply, the conditions will not improve. Only the recruitment team and senior managers will know how many and from what backgrounds are applying. That will be the giveaway for this years pay review. Having said that, how many of us would forgo this years pay rise for a return to a regular and guaranteed 80 hour month? Most, if not all i'd imagine.

We are all fighting to achieve the same goal. Work hard but get acceptable rosters to do so with sufficient rest. Receive a remuneration that's the going rate for professional pilots working for the 'Number 1 brand airline'. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, expect to be treated by management as they themselves would like to be treated, fairly and with respect.

I don't think that's too much to ask, do you?

Harry

[glofish]

I don't think that's too much to ask, do you?

Neither do most of us, but you said yourself:

My point is that Dubai is where we have to live and work.

and that seems to be an oxymoron!

[SOPS]

Good points Harry. Just one thing. If you have boys, when they turn 19, the can no longer live in Dubai. Then people may be forced to 'commute' just to see their families, and the happy family story suddenly changes very quickly.

[JammedStab]

What was the old cost Index?

[170to5]

Originally Posted by JammedStab

What was the old cost Index?

Between 25 and 40...

[rakedwings]

No more short cuts please, spread the message around. Let's be wise in telling them how we are the missing link in this equation. Flying near the barber pole is sheer madness, just to cater for pilot shortage?.Some goon has come up with this bright idea to kiss up his boss. Otherwise let's all brace, brace for the upcoming salary review.

[justanexample]

So the company is solving an apparent pilot shortage with shorter flying times...?

But forgets to look at the consequences this "cost saving structure" has on:

• - safety ( almost fatigued pilots, will be now really fatigued, but not according to the FRMS model, that is NOT taking into account the exposure to higher noise levels)
  • Fatigue after work in noise - an epidemiological survey study and three quasi-experimental field studies Kjellberg A, Muhr P, Skoldstrom B - Noise Health
  • http://www.google.ae/url?sa=t&rct=j&...92189499,d.d2s
• - The EK brand, from being the greenest suddenly you are the brownest
• - etc...

Interesting, and well thought of, short term solution!

[Sheikh Your Bootie]

Has anyone posed the question at a Recurrent wash-up about this loony Cost index policy?? Interested to hear answers!

Personally habibis, I reduce to .85 (777) and save more fuel for eventualities that may occur (holding, wx etc..) No need for extra uplift these days Short sectors maybe different as i haven't done any yet to play around with the FMS CI.

Its mighty fine sailing past most other planes at .85, or If I need .86

SyB

[motley flight crue]

The cost index is completely irrelevant to fuel uplift. Fly 400, as before, if you need fuel for holding, wx etc. then bloody take it. Your the captain. What's the difference on your decision for fuel CI400 or CI 20?

[Eau de Boeing]

Apparently according to rumour control in the college of knowledge, this was meant to come out only for African flights in a bid to improve OTP, however the "needful" was done at some point and it got transmitted to everyone costing thousands and thousands.

Not claiming this is a definitive answer but if it is true then I think someone responsible won't be sticking around for the Prophet Cher.

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Justanexample

So the company is solving an apparent pilot shortage with shorter flying times...?

But forgets to look at the consequences this "cost saving structure" has on:
- safety ( almost fatigued pilots, will be now really fatigued, but not according to the FRMS model, that is NOT taking into account the exposure to higher noise levels)

I'd probably be more worried about the effects of shift work for things like diabetes than noise related - You might be clutching at straws but i'll do some checking
The FRMS Model EK use is a "One size fits all" so I'd also be wary of that.

[jack schidt]

Gentlemen,

Could the answer to the unexplained CI400 be that it is designed to get people back to Dubai quicker to allow them to go onto their next duty that much sooner and not make the following day a day off or rest? There could be a lot of smoke and mirrors around the few flights that this is actually meant to be targeting which will change the roster times and make people work the following day?

Beware rushing, this increase in fuel burn and a throw away of the departure from a destination for gate occupation in DXB is a shambles. Something is going on and the reason that you are not being told is because the result is not good news for you.

900 hrs will always be 900 hrs no matter how fast you go, fly safe.

J

[sluggums]

No, basically what happened was that little Timmy threw a hissy fit during a meeting...

[Kernow 101]

OTP targets..............and we prob wont even hit them with CI400

[alwayzinit]

As we all, who fly em, know. The best place to make up time is on the ground!

True to form our push back and pull forward, at a snails pace, took over 15mins from brakes release, then another 10 mins wait while another jet did the same thing.

CI400 is not going to help with numpty stuff like that.

[Panther 88]

Bottom line. With the closure of Yeman airspace the Eastern Africa flights were running close to an hour late. A proposal was made to speed up THOSE flights only. That is until commercial got involved and said, wow if you can do that with those flights, why not all flights? And of course who won that argument? Just wait a week or two until the ASRs top out and fuel used figures come in. CI400 will be a distant memory and we will be back to not leaving a few minutes early without approval from VPNC.

[donpizmeov]

I freaking hope not. Cost index 999 next please. Less time in the tube the better.

[Wingman82]

Ek is short of pilots. Many fo's gone. With ci 400 they are generallyreducing the crew costs due to overtime of many pilots (many pilots called out on days off and many rostered overtime!) AND by the same time reducing your flight time for each sector by 10-15 min in average. They now can plan you on a KWI or DOH or DMM,MCT in addition. Easy guessing.

[trimotor]

We will only really know the depth of any FO shortage when 2 captains are rostered together, if on is RHS qualified. I am and have recently had quite a number of XX days in a row and not been called..