Emirates
Joined: Oct 2017
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 249
Likes: 58
From: Civilised part
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: In the twilight zone
And for those of you out there that imagine that we go to all these lovely places and have lots of time off down route then stop, take a deep breath and take off the rose coloured glasses!
We do three man Boston flights on the 777 because its legal ....just - the max FDP = Scheduled flight time plus the report time ie any delay = discretion!! Yes 3 pilots, 13hour 30minute flight Dubai to Boston, 24 hours off and then a 12hour 15 minute return!
Most layovers are 24 hours, usually at an airport hotel.
Between some flights I have done 18 hours in Dubai, so not even 24 hours at home!
Don't expect to get anything you bid for on your rosters, you might be lucky but generally you will not get what you want! It used to be a system where you could bid for a place or country you wanted to go to and you has a good chance of getting it! Since the system changed a couple of years ago, this ability to bid is still there but because of the way EK is using the system, our preferences are the lowest priority so you rarely get what you want!! In the past more priority was given to our preferences, now the system just gives you what it wants!
We have no support from management on our rosters, they can't help even if they wanted to (which they don't!). Flight ops ie the managers in charge of the pilots (Chief pilot , SVP, DSVP), have NO input into rosters, its run by a different department - Network Control and they don't give a damn about flight ops / pilots inputs and Flt ops have no influence or authority on them! So even if you need your flights changed you will get little or no help!
Worry less about if the wife can work, where will I live etc, worry more about can I survive the rosters, flying lots, going to places I don't bid for, getting frustrated at work, spending little time at home and knowing that nothing is going to fundamentally change no matter how long I stay at Emirates!
Happy Christmas one and all
We do three man Boston flights on the 777 because its legal ....just - the max FDP = Scheduled flight time plus the report time ie any delay = discretion!! Yes 3 pilots, 13hour 30minute flight Dubai to Boston, 24 hours off and then a 12hour 15 minute return!
Most layovers are 24 hours, usually at an airport hotel.
Between some flights I have done 18 hours in Dubai, so not even 24 hours at home!
Don't expect to get anything you bid for on your rosters, you might be lucky but generally you will not get what you want! It used to be a system where you could bid for a place or country you wanted to go to and you has a good chance of getting it! Since the system changed a couple of years ago, this ability to bid is still there but because of the way EK is using the system, our preferences are the lowest priority so you rarely get what you want!! In the past more priority was given to our preferences, now the system just gives you what it wants!
We have no support from management on our rosters, they can't help even if they wanted to (which they don't!). Flight ops ie the managers in charge of the pilots (Chief pilot , SVP, DSVP), have NO input into rosters, its run by a different department - Network Control and they don't give a damn about flight ops / pilots inputs and Flt ops have no influence or authority on them! So even if you need your flights changed you will get little or no help!
Worry less about if the wife can work, where will I live etc, worry more about can I survive the rosters, flying lots, going to places I don't bid for, getting frustrated at work, spending little time at home and knowing that nothing is going to fundamentally change no matter how long I stay at Emirates!
Happy Christmas one and all
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 780
Likes: 10
From: Doctor's waiting room
And for those of you out there that imagine that we go to all these lovely places and have lots of time off down route then stop, take a deep breath and take off the rose coloured glasses!
We do three man Boston flights on the 777 because its legal ....just - the max FDP = Scheduled flight time plus the report time ie any delay = discretion!! Yes 3 pilots, 13hour 30minute flight Dubai to Boston, 24 hours off and then a 12hour 15 minute return!
Most layovers are 24 hours, usually at an airport hotel.
Between some flights I have done 18 hours in Dubai, so not even 24 hours at home!
Don't expect to get anything you bid for on your rosters, you might be lucky but generally you will not get what you want! It used to be a system where you could bid for a place or country you wanted to go to and you has a good chance of getting it! Since the system changed a couple of years ago, this ability to bid is still there but because of the way EK is using the system, our preferences are the lowest priority so you rarely get what you want!! In the past more priority was given to our preferences, now the system just gives you what it wants!
We have no support from management on our rosters, they can't help even if they wanted to (which they don't!). Flight ops ie the managers in charge of the pilots (Chief pilot , SVP, DSVP), have NO input into rosters, its run by a different department - Network Control and they don't give a damn about flight ops / pilots inputs and Flt ops have no influence or authority on them! So even if you need your flights changed you will get little or no help!
Worry less about if the wife can work, where will I live etc, worry more about can I survive the rosters, flying lots, going to places I don't bid for, getting frustrated at work, spending little time at home and knowing that nothing is going to fundamentally change no matter how long I stay at Emirates!
Happy Christmas one and all
We do three man Boston flights on the 777 because its legal ....just - the max FDP = Scheduled flight time plus the report time ie any delay = discretion!! Yes 3 pilots, 13hour 30minute flight Dubai to Boston, 24 hours off and then a 12hour 15 minute return!
Most layovers are 24 hours, usually at an airport hotel.
Between some flights I have done 18 hours in Dubai, so not even 24 hours at home!
Don't expect to get anything you bid for on your rosters, you might be lucky but generally you will not get what you want! It used to be a system where you could bid for a place or country you wanted to go to and you has a good chance of getting it! Since the system changed a couple of years ago, this ability to bid is still there but because of the way EK is using the system, our preferences are the lowest priority so you rarely get what you want!! In the past more priority was given to our preferences, now the system just gives you what it wants!
We have no support from management on our rosters, they can't help even if they wanted to (which they don't!). Flight ops ie the managers in charge of the pilots (Chief pilot , SVP, DSVP), have NO input into rosters, its run by a different department - Network Control and they don't give a damn about flight ops / pilots inputs and Flt ops have no influence or authority on them! So even if you need your flights changed you will get little or no help!
Worry less about if the wife can work, where will I live etc, worry more about can I survive the rosters, flying lots, going to places I don't bid for, getting frustrated at work, spending little time at home and knowing that nothing is going to fundamentally change no matter how long I stay at Emirates!
Happy Christmas one and all
Even with three guys, I never found BOS to be as punishing as some other trips, since the layover is 31hrs and I would prefer more time in a proper bed than in the bunk. One example of what I consider to be farcical rostering is the likes of ADL, when the layover period is shorter than the combined block time!
The only way you can do that is to disappear on a layover or leave the country in your own time and not return. As has previously been said, you will be detained if you enter the country again if you have outstanding debts. It seems to happen rarely.
Last edited by Emma Royds; 20th December 2019 at 20:35.
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: not at home
In all fairness, the majority of destination hotels are still in the city but the balance is tipping the wrong way slowly but surely. The boys and girls in the cabin will be in for a shock when they go to MEX!!!
Even with three guys, I never found BOS to be as punishing as some other trips, since the layover is 31hrs and I would prefer more time in a proper bed than in the bunk. One example of what I consider to be farcical rostering is the likes of ADL, when the layover period is shorter than the combined block time!
The only way you can do that is to disappear on a layover or leave the country in your own time and not return. As has previously been said, you will be detained if you enter the country again if you have outstanding debts. It seems to happen rarely.
Even with three guys, I never found BOS to be as punishing as some other trips, since the layover is 31hrs and I would prefer more time in a proper bed than in the bunk. One example of what I consider to be farcical rostering is the likes of ADL, when the layover period is shorter than the combined block time!
The only way you can do that is to disappear on a layover or leave the country in your own time and not return. As has previously been said, you will be detained if you enter the country again if you have outstanding debts. It seems to happen rarely.
As I said before: Emirates operation is killing your life(time) and health and....they don't care!!!
Remember this nice gentlemen, who collapsed at JFK airport before flying back and died (R.I.P), he was in his mid 50s. Always under pressure from the company and this lifestyle with mostly night flights and no proper rest.
But everybody has to decide, if it is worthy or not.
Merry X-mas
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 780
Likes: 10
From: Doctor's waiting room
Of course it is no punishment for you, as you are defending nearly everything at Emirates,. Even if they would send you 2 men ULR, it would still be OK for you.
As I said before: Emirates operation is killing your life(time) and health and....they don't care!!!
Remember this nice gentlemen, who collapsed at JFK airport before flying back and died (R.I.P), he was in his mid 50s. Always under pressure from the company and this lifestyle with mostly night flights and no proper rest.
But everybody has to decide, if it is worthy or not.
Merry X-mas
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: In the Air
As for the crew rest areas, they are damn uncomfortable, can't even sit up straight.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: home
Looking for Suggestions
Hello Guys, just loooking for Inputs before i make my decision to Join as FO in Emirates, At present I am flying A320 as Line Capt, early 30's . Take home salary is Almost same as what Emirates FO makes minus the benefits of Housing and Kids Education. Just wondering if its worth leaving A320 Capt job and then join as FO in Emirates . If i join i plan to stay long term like 7-10 years or maybe more.
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Behind the picket fence
Hello Guys, just loooking for Inputs before i make my decision to Join as FO in Emirates, At present I am flying A320 as Line Capt, early 30's . Take home salary is Almost same as what Emirates FO makes minus the benefits of Housing and Kids Education. Just wondering if its worth leaving A320 Capt job and then join as FO in Emirates . If i join i plan to stay long term like 7-10 years or maybe more.
Only half a speed-brake
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 136
From: Commuting not home
Human nature is a complicated one. It might be well impossible to live in gratitude and peace of mind until you go and taste what the green grass on the other side is made of. The deeper the burn-marks, the more joyous existence upon return.
Perhaps all we can hope for is to have such experience, first-hand, early enough in our times. Less pursuit, more happiness.
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Merry Christmas to everyone.
Perhaps all we can hope for is to have such experience, first-hand, early enough in our times. Less pursuit, more happiness.
------
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Up North….
Hello Guys, just loooking for Inputs before i make my decision to Join as FO in Emirates, At present I am flying A320 as Line Capt, early 30's . Take home salary is Almost same as what Emirates FO makes minus the benefits of Housing and Kids Education. Just wondering if its worth leaving A320 Capt job and then join as FO in Emirates . If i join i plan to stay long term like 7-10 years or maybe more.
Not sure where you live, but many European countries have free good schooling. The schools in Dubai are super expensive and the allowance often doesn’t cover the fee’s.
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: UK
Times in your life change, and requirements change. You have an end_goal, right? Figure out if what EK will offer you will be something you can use towards that, and if it does, take it, but be careful not to get caught up and distracted from the end goal.
