Flydubai Vs EK
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Flydubai Vs EK
As someone who knows a small amount about EK and close to nothing about FZ, would there be a major difference between DEC FZ or FO EK? Salary wise of course a captain at FlyDubai seems to make more but does that include a reasonable education allowance and any of the perks EK pilots seem to get(insurance, chauffeur drive, staff travel)?
Would it be better over a 10 year period doing 4/5 years as an EK FO then moving for command or going in as a DEC 737 at FZ?
Are the hours similarly high at FZ?
Would it be better over a 10 year period doing 4/5 years as an EK FO then moving for command or going in as a DEC 737 at FZ?
Are the hours similarly high at FZ?
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As someone who knows a small amount about EK and close to nothing about FZ, would there be a major difference between DEC FZ or FO EK? Salary wise of course a captain at FlyDubai seems to make more but does that include a reasonable education allowance and any of the perks EK pilots seem to get(insurance, chauffeur drive, staff travel)?
Would it be better over a 10 year period doing 4/5 years as an EK FO then moving for command or going in as a DEC 737 at FZ?
Are the hours similarly high at FZ?
Would it be better over a 10 year period doing 4/5 years as an EK FO then moving for command or going in as a DEC 737 at FZ?
Are the hours similarly high at FZ?
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I know right! ;-) It just depends on what you want out of it. Both are stable and secure jobs and ever expanding. Both have pro's and cons. For flydubai it's a fun job in a relaxed atmosphere, no stress, no drama and good training and management. Paid well for 737 and with good perks. Good rosters and roster control incl swapping, no fatigue, good stafftravel too and easy life. Con's are no basic pay increases, no provident fund and only sometimes bonus. Less extra perks in general. Average of 2-3 nightstops per month. Can opt for more or less. And with the 787 incoming, so we'll see how that goes. No info know yet.
EK is better pay, perks and provident fund. Wouldn't call chauffeur or housing a pro but that's personal. More layovers, more fatigue, less roster control. Can't speak for anything else there.
Two different companies. Don't forget that Dubai is all about EK. And that's understandle. If you purely want more money then go EK. In my opinion there is a bit more to life than more money. Again, that's personal. No company is perfect but as an expat these two are the ones to go to in the ME.
EK is better pay, perks and provident fund. Wouldn't call chauffeur or housing a pro but that's personal. More layovers, more fatigue, less roster control. Can't speak for anything else there.
Two different companies. Don't forget that Dubai is all about EK. And that's understandle. If you purely want more money then go EK. In my opinion there is a bit more to life than more money. Again, that's personal. No company is perfect but as an expat these two are the ones to go to in the ME.
Last edited by High Energy; 20th Nov 2023 at 11:08.
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I know right! ;-) It just depends on what you want out of it. Both are stable and secure jobs and ever expanding. Both have pro's and cons. For flydubai it's a fun job in a relaxt atmosphere, no stress, no drama and good training and management. Paid well for 737 and with good perks. Good rosters and roster control incl swapping, no fatigue, good stafftravel too and easy life. Con's are no basic pay increases, no provident fund and only sometimes bonus. Less extra perks in general. Average of 2-3 nightstops per month. Can opt for more or less. And with the 787 incoming, so we'll see how that goes. No info know yet.
EK is better pay, perks and provident fund. Wouldn't call chauffeur or housing a pro but that's personal. More layovers, more fatigue, less roster control. Can't speak for anything else there.
Two different companies. Don't forget that Dubai is all about EK. And that's understandle. If you purely want more money then go EK. In my opinion there is a bit more to life than more money. Again, that's personal. No company is perfect but as an expat these two are the ones to go to in the ME.
EK is better pay, perks and provident fund. Wouldn't call chauffeur or housing a pro but that's personal. More layovers, more fatigue, less roster control. Can't speak for anything else there.
Two different companies. Don't forget that Dubai is all about EK. And that's understandle. If you purely want more money then go EK. In my opinion there is a bit more to life than more money. Again, that's personal. No company is perfect but as an expat these two are the ones to go to in the ME.
Finally a nice balanced review that is not 100% doom and gloom like 99% of the ones on here.
Out of interest why is the chauffer not a benefit? Surely it is a big one, I know it's subjective but still. Is there something I am missing? Housing understandable.
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Yes, they have announced $52 billion of Boeing orders, but these are replacement aircraft. Without the new airport there's no room for growth. The new airport, now open for 13 years and planned to have five main runways still has just one.
Would it be better over a 10 year period doing 4/5 years as an EK FO then moving for command or going in as a DEC 737 at FZ?
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Most guys/girls at flydubai are pretty happy. Those with the big shiny jet itch, or very long term plan, will perhaps leave for EK. But now flydubai is getting 787's too the dynamics have changed a little bit. For some...
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Ever expanding - EK?
Yes, they have announced $52 billion of Boeing orders, but these are replacement aircraft. Without the new airport there's no room for growth. The new airport, now open for 13 years and planned to have five main runways still has just one.
Right now, the opportunities at EK are the fallout from 'letting go' more than 1500 flight crew in 2020-2021. When that's soaked up and it will be within two years or so, command slots will come from attrition only. Joining EK now may mean command coming at closer to 10 years, it's a lottery. Joining FZ as a DEC is left seat from Day 1.
Yes, they have announced $52 billion of Boeing orders, but these are replacement aircraft. Without the new airport there's no room for growth. The new airport, now open for 13 years and planned to have five main runways still has just one.
Right now, the opportunities at EK are the fallout from 'letting go' more than 1500 flight crew in 2020-2021. When that's soaked up and it will be within two years or so, command slots will come from attrition only. Joining EK now may mean command coming at closer to 10 years, it's a lottery. Joining FZ as a DEC is left seat from Day 1.
Also look at how flydubai treated their workforce during covid vs EK. Also something to consider in my opinion. But I'm digressing.
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Reg Housing. It's a fixed allowance and you get to keep the difference vs what you pay. So you can stay where you want and be free. You also don't have to live amongst work collegues, that social control and their families. No offence. Flip side is you are at the mercy of Dubai's housing market and landlords and/or property developers. Dubai's rental prices are going crazy atm. .
A workaround could be to buy the cheapest studio apartment you can find to access the allowance, rent that place out and use that money and the remaining housing allowance to rent a place wherever you want. May end up saving some too.
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I’m not sure if there is much of a debate in the medium term since FZ isn’t hiring DECs. As far as I’m aware there is still a reasonable hold pool of DECs that were advised they could be swimming for a while until they get a call up…if at all. That’s not to say there won’t be a need in the future if the expansion exceeds the capabilities to upgrade. But in the medium term they seem to have plenty of qualified FOs to upgrade, a number which will increase dramatically next year once the huge influx of experienced FOs that were hired post pandemic meet the length of service requirements to apply.
Attrition within FZ is much greater within the FO pool than the Captains pool. I think it was anticipated that a huge number of Captains would leave to the US when they relaxed their visa requirements for pilots but that hasn’t happened yet. Point is, if the ME is your goal any time soon it would probably be better to apply to EK and get your seniority going.
Back to the question, you’ll make marginally more as an FZ Captain over an EK FO if you take the whole package into consideration including provident fund. That’s if you’re not forced into EK accommodation. If you are, you’ll make more cash as an FZ skipper IF you choose a small place out in the desert somewhere. If you need a villa then you’ll probably use your entire allowance from FZ for something half decent with todays prices. If that’s the case you’d be better off with EK in a 4 bed place in Meydan.
if it’s not all about money I’d say more people are happy at FZ with regards to the job of flying. 4-6 months of the year you can get the stuff you bid for. Roster flexibility is probably better and the flying is probably more enjoyable and challenging than what you’d see at EK.
Long term however there is no question that you will be far better off financially at EK. I mean there is absolutely no comparison. The disparity between an EK Captain and FZ Captains wages is enormous. Do 15 years at EK and you’re probably looking at a 7 figure USD difference.
Attrition within FZ is much greater within the FO pool than the Captains pool. I think it was anticipated that a huge number of Captains would leave to the US when they relaxed their visa requirements for pilots but that hasn’t happened yet. Point is, if the ME is your goal any time soon it would probably be better to apply to EK and get your seniority going.
Back to the question, you’ll make marginally more as an FZ Captain over an EK FO if you take the whole package into consideration including provident fund. That’s if you’re not forced into EK accommodation. If you are, you’ll make more cash as an FZ skipper IF you choose a small place out in the desert somewhere. If you need a villa then you’ll probably use your entire allowance from FZ for something half decent with todays prices. If that’s the case you’d be better off with EK in a 4 bed place in Meydan.
if it’s not all about money I’d say more people are happy at FZ with regards to the job of flying. 4-6 months of the year you can get the stuff you bid for. Roster flexibility is probably better and the flying is probably more enjoyable and challenging than what you’d see at EK.
Long term however there is no question that you will be far better off financially at EK. I mean there is absolutely no comparison. The disparity between an EK Captain and FZ Captains wages is enormous. Do 15 years at EK and you’re probably looking at a 7 figure USD difference.
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I’m not sure if there is much of a debate in the medium term since FZ isn’t hiring DECs. As far as I’m aware there is still a reasonable hold pool of DECs that were advised they could be swimming for a while until they get a call up…if at all. That’s not to say there won’t be a need in the future if the expansion exceeds the capabilities to upgrade. But in the medium term they seem to have plenty of qualified FOs to upgrade, a number which will increase dramatically next year once the huge influx of experienced FOs that were hired post pandemic meet the length of service requirements to apply.
Attrition within FZ is much greater within the FO pool than the Captains pool. I think it was anticipated that a huge number of Captains would leave to the US when they relaxed their visa requirements for pilots but that hasn’t happened yet. Point is, if the ME is your goal any time soon it would probably be better to apply to EK and get your seniority going.
Back to the question, you’ll make marginally more as an FZ Captain over an EK FO if you take the whole package into consideration including provident fund. That’s if you’re not forced into EK accommodation. If you are, you’ll make more cash as an FZ skipper IF you choose a small place out in the desert somewhere. If you need a villa then you’ll probably use your entire allowance from FZ for something half decent with todays prices. If that’s the case you’d be better off with EK in a 4 bed place in Meydan.
if it’s not all about money I’d say more people are happy at FZ with regards to the job of flying. 4-6 months of the year you can get the stuff you bid for. Roster flexibility is probably better and the flying is probably more enjoyable and challenging than what you’d see at EK.
Long term however there is no question that you will be far better off financially at EK. I mean there is absolutely no comparison. The disparity between an EK Captain and FZ Captains wages is enormous. Do 15 years at EK and you’re probably looking at a 7 figure USD difference.
Attrition within FZ is much greater within the FO pool than the Captains pool. I think it was anticipated that a huge number of Captains would leave to the US when they relaxed their visa requirements for pilots but that hasn’t happened yet. Point is, if the ME is your goal any time soon it would probably be better to apply to EK and get your seniority going.
Back to the question, you’ll make marginally more as an FZ Captain over an EK FO if you take the whole package into consideration including provident fund. That’s if you’re not forced into EK accommodation. If you are, you’ll make more cash as an FZ skipper IF you choose a small place out in the desert somewhere. If you need a villa then you’ll probably use your entire allowance from FZ for something half decent with todays prices. If that’s the case you’d be better off with EK in a 4 bed place in Meydan.
if it’s not all about money I’d say more people are happy at FZ with regards to the job of flying. 4-6 months of the year you can get the stuff you bid for. Roster flexibility is probably better and the flying is probably more enjoyable and challenging than what you’d see at EK.
Long term however there is no question that you will be far better off financially at EK. I mean there is absolutely no comparison. The disparity between an EK Captain and FZ Captains wages is enormous. Do 15 years at EK and you’re probably looking at a 7 figure USD difference.
Can I just ask however, according to both companies websites, EK captain is approx 44k AED and FZ 59k. Obviously with EK you have housing provided and a provident fund, but enough to make a 7 figure difference?
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Hello fellow aviators I hope each and everyone of you is having a good day. I have a question regarding the initial Assessment call from EK recruitment team. How long does it take to get that call and especially that on their careers website they changed the Registration to now a proper hiring ad this month. I applied since last year but only managed to complete all of their criteria just recently and I have already informed the recruitment team through Email, now how much of a wait period am I expecting?
Thank you and best regards.
Thank you and best regards.
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For a long term stint in the UAE there is no question you’ll be far better off financially at EK. The comparison can’t be financial. It has to be quality of life, cockpit environment, relationship with management, training environment, roster satisfaction, days at home etc etc. Each to there own and people have there own agendas, but for the company and flying related stuff I’d say people are generally happy with their job at FZ.
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So in conclusion, all the numbers mentioned are a lot lower than EK.
The EK pfund payout after 10 years on year 1 FO pay with zero growth is over 60% higher than that, based on only company contributions. It’s more than double with the employee 5%. 10 years on Y1 CN pay puts the company contributions at 3.5 times that FZ EOSB.
There may be valid reasons to pick FZ over EK, but money is definitely not one of them.
The EK pfund payout after 10 years on year 1 FO pay with zero growth is over 60% higher than that, based on only company contributions. It’s more than double with the employee 5%. 10 years on Y1 CN pay puts the company contributions at 3.5 times that FZ EOSB.
There may be valid reasons to pick FZ over EK, but money is definitely not one of them.