If you are still considering EK.....
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New England
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The best thing I did was turn down Emirates. After talking to my friends there and reading the posts it is truly shocking what the airline is doing to you pilots.
I hope you get out soon. Emirates can't be good for your life.
I hope you get out soon. Emirates can't be good for your life.
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again, it depends very much on where you're coming in from (both nation and airline), your personal circumstances (married/Kids/financial status/health and age) and what your expectations and desires are. It's going to be a big improvement for some, and a disappointment for others. For most, I imagine it's a mixed bag of some improvements and some problems. Whether one outweighs the other is very individual.
It's certainly no easy option for the family as well as the individual. There is a lot on offer in DXB, but don't think you'll be wining and dining in glam restaurants or clubbing and sailing every week; you won't be able to afford it and will be very tired. Mothers deal with a lot here raising kids and contending with awful school runs.
The best thing is to visit the place and drive to and from the compounds, the schools and supermarkets and look at what life would be like, not holiday activities, and speak to any contacts you know and trust. But don't think it's a glam lifestyle or that you'll be earning mountains of cash, as it soon disappears on daily expenses, especially for the first year, which will put you well behind.
For me, on balance, it is an improvement for now, though there are issues I think need addressing. What I'll be thinking in a year or two is to be seen.
It's certainly no easy option for the family as well as the individual. There is a lot on offer in DXB, but don't think you'll be wining and dining in glam restaurants or clubbing and sailing every week; you won't be able to afford it and will be very tired. Mothers deal with a lot here raising kids and contending with awful school runs.
The best thing is to visit the place and drive to and from the compounds, the schools and supermarkets and look at what life would be like, not holiday activities, and speak to any contacts you know and trust. But don't think it's a glam lifestyle or that you'll be earning mountains of cash, as it soon disappears on daily expenses, especially for the first year, which will put you well behind.
For me, on balance, it is an improvement for now, though there are issues I think need addressing. What I'll be thinking in a year or two is to be seen.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QR with A.B.? Seriously?
Never forget how scrappy QR a few years back in terms of roster and lifestyle was(I was there!), then they had to make the "package" nicer to attract more pilots because most likely they lost more(even a lot at outstations during layover^^) then they could bring in.
EK was top at this time. Now it seems sides changed a bit and I am sure that can happen again within a blink of an eye.
QR might be the smaller "pain" at the moment, but said A.B. is still at the controls over there and he does not like pilots(never did, still remember the only yearly pilotsmeeting I ever attended how arrogant he approached us - after he kept us waiting for 2 hours. Then he entered the room like the queen of saba, not one word about being sorry about the delay).
Maybe next year EK or the other, "unspeakable" airline here will be the one with the best package. Lifestyle will be crappy with all of them.
Sorry, there is no way really to sugarcoat it differently. It's just the way the ME "ticks".
Goatliner being the one with the best package, who would ever thought that would happen?! So there might be light at the end of the tunnel for the EK guys. Hoping enough pilots leave, then they are forced to do something.
Never forget how scrappy QR a few years back in terms of roster and lifestyle was(I was there!), then they had to make the "package" nicer to attract more pilots because most likely they lost more(even a lot at outstations during layover^^) then they could bring in.
EK was top at this time. Now it seems sides changed a bit and I am sure that can happen again within a blink of an eye.
QR might be the smaller "pain" at the moment, but said A.B. is still at the controls over there and he does not like pilots(never did, still remember the only yearly pilotsmeeting I ever attended how arrogant he approached us - after he kept us waiting for 2 hours. Then he entered the room like the queen of saba, not one word about being sorry about the delay).
Maybe next year EK or the other, "unspeakable" airline here will be the one with the best package. Lifestyle will be crappy with all of them.
Sorry, there is no way really to sugarcoat it differently. It's just the way the ME "ticks".
Goatliner being the one with the best package, who would ever thought that would happen?! So there might be light at the end of the tunnel for the EK guys. Hoping enough pilots leave, then they are forced to do something.
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: France
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help about EK
Hi there,
My husband successfully took EK pilot program. I've been reading horrible things about that company for hours.
Exhausting, bullying, FO salary not being enough, no free time, divorce....
So I was wondering why is that selection program so popular, why do pilots come to take those tests?
Is it only for the aircraft?
Can you say something positive about EK at all?
Why does EK do that to their pilots?
What benefice can they get? If you want to keep your pilots 5 to 10 years only, it means you have to pay for training to every new pilot, and pay new allowance to new family with young kids again.
So you have to pay for 10% of school (x3 for 3 kids) and 4xprice for food but How much can you save for retirement savings/fund?
If pilots work so much, it's mean bigger salary?
If pilots are so stressed and tired, can medical check reports it?
I'm sorry about all the naive questions.
Best
My husband successfully took EK pilot program. I've been reading horrible things about that company for hours.
Exhausting, bullying, FO salary not being enough, no free time, divorce....
So I was wondering why is that selection program so popular, why do pilots come to take those tests?
Is it only for the aircraft?
Can you say something positive about EK at all?
Why does EK do that to their pilots?
What benefice can they get? If you want to keep your pilots 5 to 10 years only, it means you have to pay for training to every new pilot, and pay new allowance to new family with young kids again.
So you have to pay for 10% of school (x3 for 3 kids) and 4xprice for food but How much can you save for retirement savings/fund?
If pilots work so much, it's mean bigger salary?
If pilots are so stressed and tired, can medical check reports it?
I'm sorry about all the naive questions.
Best
How true...
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Dubai
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Imjustagirl. Very good questions. A mate flew with an FO just recently. The FO has been here 5 years. Joined with a batch of 30 FOs over a fairly short period of time. He said there's only six left now as he's coming up for his command.
Speaks volumes huh?
Speaks volumes huh?
Guest
Posts: n/a
iamjustgirl...
Ugh.... dear girl, you are going to get eaten alive by the Emirates Machine. You simply have to just experience it yourself.... but at some point, you will realize... you're now in too far and "stuck" with the old "golden handcuffs". You'll see......
Best of luck.
Ugh.... dear girl, you are going to get eaten alive by the Emirates Machine. You simply have to just experience it yourself.... but at some point, you will realize... you're now in too far and "stuck" with the old "golden handcuffs". You'll see......
Best of luck.
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's a hell of alot of negative posts on here and trust me I understand but surely there are positives...
I mean (forgetting families) if a single person went for the pilot job without partners or kids would the job not be particularly enticing? It looks enticing for me and I don't plan to marry so is there any positives?
- The Typical Brit
I mean (forgetting families) if a single person went for the pilot job without partners or kids would the job not be particularly enticing? It looks enticing for me and I don't plan to marry so is there any positives?
- The Typical Brit
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: free Europe
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TypicalBrit,
yes, there are a lot of advantages especially for people who like to be alone. You won't even have to bother with your mates and family back home any more. The company will provide you with an endless list of excuses for missing reunions, funerals and other useless family business. As long as you enjoy the vibrations and recycled curry in the crew bunk you will feel right at home. Luckily it doesn't count as work and you can have as much of it as you want.
You also won't have to sleep with the same flight attendant twice. It is mathematically impossible to meet them again - for sure not on a day off at the home base. And before you know it they resign.
Also no need to pretend you like your course mates. They will never have days off when you have yours and you can always say you need to sleep.
In fact it's perfect for someone who wants to be completely lonely. In fact half the year the entire population locks up indoors because it's absolutely unbearable outside.
In addition you will save massively on booze. Between the radiation doses from regular polar crossings, permanent lack of sleep and the world's most polluted air at home base you will feel completely whacked after a single pint.
It's brilliant, you should try it
yes, there are a lot of advantages especially for people who like to be alone. You won't even have to bother with your mates and family back home any more. The company will provide you with an endless list of excuses for missing reunions, funerals and other useless family business. As long as you enjoy the vibrations and recycled curry in the crew bunk you will feel right at home. Luckily it doesn't count as work and you can have as much of it as you want.
You also won't have to sleep with the same flight attendant twice. It is mathematically impossible to meet them again - for sure not on a day off at the home base. And before you know it they resign.
Also no need to pretend you like your course mates. They will never have days off when you have yours and you can always say you need to sleep.
In fact it's perfect for someone who wants to be completely lonely. In fact half the year the entire population locks up indoors because it's absolutely unbearable outside.
In addition you will save massively on booze. Between the radiation doses from regular polar crossings, permanent lack of sleep and the world's most polluted air at home base you will feel completely whacked after a single pint.
It's brilliant, you should try it
Last edited by in freedom; 18th Apr 2016 at 20:59.
