EK: Enough is Enough
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Whilst it seems crazy to go from LHS 777 to two stripe 320 you also have to consider how quickly you can get a short-haul command at Gatwick with BA. At one point they sent a notice to their pilots threatening recruitment of DECs as they were so short on LGW short haul command applications internally. I believe it can be done in a year as a DEFO with experience so maybe it's not such a bad option for someone who's family is based near LGW anyway?
Join Date: Nov 2008
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FPP - that's me...
Having been here 10+ years, I always hoped things would get better. They didn't and they won't. While some colleagues have sometimes told me I've been drinking the cool-aid, I understand and (unwillingly) accept logical business decisions and the need for profit. However, the greed, mismanagement, incompetence and "face" at virtually all levels is slowly sinking the ship. Everyone is only looking inside their little box. Cross department collaboration is non-existing, IT is an absolute mess... At our end, over the last decade, productivity has nearly doubled, but nothing to show for it, not even compensated for inflation (as ie increases in school fees would indicate). Vacation and roster bids are a joke (illegal?), and birthdays, weddings, graduations, family celebrations are virtually impossible to attend (although AVA might give little relief and use for all the va days on the bank). Monthly and yearly limits are a target for scheduling, and if you are not productive enough, nasty e-mails are coming your way. Even the threat of termination for low productivity (long term sickness) is real, possibly even without LoL. Now, medical benefits (insurance?) has started to make all kinds of unilateral deductions and limitations both for consultations, test and medications. That's on top of the reduced number of olives, salad leaves, salik dodging, live-out-freeze, other T&C "improvements"...
I am not saying things are better elsewhere, necessarily. I don't know if they are, for sure. But the way things have developed here, I am getting tired, sick & tired... The only thing that keeps me here is that, while effing expensive, schools are still good (at least acceptable) (while greedy) and I will try to survive until the kids are done with high school...
...IF I survive...
Having been here 10+ years, I always hoped things would get better. They didn't and they won't. While some colleagues have sometimes told me I've been drinking the cool-aid, I understand and (unwillingly) accept logical business decisions and the need for profit. However, the greed, mismanagement, incompetence and "face" at virtually all levels is slowly sinking the ship. Everyone is only looking inside their little box. Cross department collaboration is non-existing, IT is an absolute mess... At our end, over the last decade, productivity has nearly doubled, but nothing to show for it, not even compensated for inflation (as ie increases in school fees would indicate). Vacation and roster bids are a joke (illegal?), and birthdays, weddings, graduations, family celebrations are virtually impossible to attend (although AVA might give little relief and use for all the va days on the bank). Monthly and yearly limits are a target for scheduling, and if you are not productive enough, nasty e-mails are coming your way. Even the threat of termination for low productivity (long term sickness) is real, possibly even without LoL. Now, medical benefits (insurance?) has started to make all kinds of unilateral deductions and limitations both for consultations, test and medications. That's on top of the reduced number of olives, salad leaves, salik dodging, live-out-freeze, other T&C "improvements"...
I am not saying things are better elsewhere, necessarily. I don't know if they are, for sure. But the way things have developed here, I am getting tired, sick & tired... The only thing that keeps me here is that, while effing expensive, schools are still good (at least acceptable) (while greedy) and I will try to survive until the kids are done with high school...
...IF I survive...
Last edited by theSandyBear; 4th May 2017 at 06:37.
Odins
The one year to command "event" at BA was very much a black swan event, a combination for the individual (s) involved of right experience, right place, right time.. however something like "normal service" has been resumed so for those considering options a quick command at BA is most definitely not something to be relied upon.
As for the story of 777 captain to BA Shorthaul F/O, well each to their own I guess. It's certainly a brave move....
....they were so short on LGW short haul command applications internally. I believe it can be done in a year as a DEFO with experience so maybe it's not such a bad option for someone who's family is based near LGW anyway?
As for the story of 777 captain to BA Shorthaul F/O, well each to their own I guess. It's certainly a brave move....
Last edited by wiggy; 4th May 2017 at 08:26.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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The last courses for DEP's at BA were end of February, possibly beginning of March. There have been no start dates issued for DEP's in the hold pool or otherwise since the start of the year. That's why I'm highly dubious as to the veracity of this story of a supposed 777 captain who has just left Emirates for a RHS A320 job at BA. The only new pilots to the company this year are coming in the form of graduates of the Future Pilot Program. That's come from internal comms and matches what every person in the hold pool has been told, you only have to look at the consternation on the BA direct entry pilot thread on terms and endearment. Furthermore the training plans for May, June and July do not show any direct entry A320 courses. But never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
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I would say that in the last five years the predominate flow seems to be to BA and not from BA. Indicative of the times we are in at EK I guess.
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Not sure why he'd want to do that... nothing wrong at all with BMI, and the ex-BMI FOs I flew with at EK were first-class aviators. That said, it is true that some BMI guys effectively became BA guys isn't it?
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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Maybe. It helps to be US 121 current. Many of the guys going back to majors were furloughed and have been recalled. They may have previously bypassed a recall.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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ASR'S
Have to say, since leaving the one thing I do miss is the ASR summary. Always provided a chuckle in dark times.
Some memorable ones - the 'major threat arising from the use of the silver napkin holders', the regular 'I was almost unstable but I wasn't', and the legendary 'wake turbulence encounter on approach - probably from preceding aircraft' (as opposed to the aircraft behind or a giant seagull?)
Some memorable ones - the 'major threat arising from the use of the silver napkin holders', the regular 'I was almost unstable but I wasn't', and the legendary 'wake turbulence encounter on approach - probably from preceding aircraft' (as opposed to the aircraft behind or a giant seagull?)
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Ex BMI introduces himself as ex BA.....
Or most of the US Regional pilots saying they worked for United or Delta.
When queried and asked why in the he11 they would leave Delta or United to come to EK they sheepishly say almost under their breath that they worked for United Express or .......... insert sh1tty Regional here.
Do they really think we don't know where they came from?
Or most of the US Regional pilots saying they worked for United or Delta.
When queried and asked why in the he11 they would leave Delta or United to come to EK they sheepishly say almost under their breath that they worked for United Express or .......... insert sh1tty Regional here.
Do they really think we don't know where they came from?
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Or the one about the crew walkways on the ramp not having arrows in both directions
it encapsulates the exact mindset of the muppets in the office who dissect the books in great detail, misinterpreting English language and grammar in order to place blame on the pilot, and not on their poorly thought out practices.
