EK Accelerated Command
Thread Starter

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Room 506
EK Accelerated Command
As per the title, looking for some more info on this.
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: At your mother’s
I just have one question if I am currently rated on Boeing. What are the total PIC hours needed if I have the 1000 hours covered? Do I still need 2000 total in command? Again only Boeing Command hours here
Thread Starter

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Room 506
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 85
From: Boldly going where no split infinitive has gone before..
They were offering accelerated command when I joined (as a DEC) in the 2000s. They summarily decided not to honour it and people who joined with a promise of 6 months to command had to wait over three years- and even then only because the growth meant the slots were available.
Beware!!
Beware!!
Last edited by Wizofoz; 7th May 2024 at 01:40.
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 11
From: New York
As per the title, looking for some more info on this.
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance


Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 184
Likes: 56
From: Dubai, once... now London
As per the title, looking for some more info on this.
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance
Currently narrowbody capt in the UK, looking for a change. Have flown long-haul, but only in the RHS, so not eligible for DEC.
Does the scheme work, or is it a carrot to get you in, and then you get stuck as an FO for the next 6 years?
If you get put forward for a CMD course, what is the failure rate?
Seems a little risky giving up the LHS, but if its a well trodden path that works as advertised, then I might apply.
Thanks in advance

Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 8
From: Alberta
It works fine as long as you have the talent to match your experience. The candidates that have the most difficulty come from less ‘rigorous’ operational backgrounds. Most of the top LC airline pilots have no issues. The numbers are the numbers and you must meet every requirement, don’t bother applying until you do. 1999.9 = no, 2000 = yes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 8
From: Alberta
The policies change to widen the net then change back when they realize the new candidates don’t match the training course. They learnt the lesson in the 2000s that BAe146 Captains did not necessarily understand long haul and changed the requirements after multiple training failures. The policies appear to lack logic, an A400M pilot is probably just as capable and experienced as any other Airbus pilot. But they got bitten in the arse the last time they tried to take TP guys so changed policies to reduce training risk.


Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 2
From: Not Syderknee
But they got bitten in the arse the last time they tried to take TP guys so changed policies to reduce training risk.
Minimum of 2,000 hours total flying time on turboprop or jets with MTOW of >20T (excluding P3, rotary and single/multi-engine piston aircraft).
The batch of TP guys they took last time are either in the pipeline to upgrade, or are already Captains.
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 8
From: Alberta
Excellent.
Can't have been bitten that badly, the current requirements for NTR FO allow turbo-prop pilots.
Minimum of 2,000 hours total flying time on turboprop or jets with MTOW of >20T (excluding P3, rotary and single/multi-engine piston aircraft).
The batch of TP guys they took last time are either in the pipeline to upgrade, or are already Captains.
Minimum of 2,000 hours total flying time on turboprop or jets with MTOW of >20T (excluding P3, rotary and single/multi-engine piston aircraft).
The batch of TP guys they took last time are either in the pipeline to upgrade, or are already Captains.
Thread Starter

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Room 506
Thanks for all of the replies.
Looks like if the stars align, then its a good option. But not without risk. Whilst I am ready for a change, I think I just need to be patient and wait it out here.
Looks like if the stars align, then its a good option. But not without risk. Whilst I am ready for a change, I think I just need to be patient and wait it out here.
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 15
From: Not in UK
Terrible advice! Do your research FIRST. There is plenty of information out there regarding accelerated commands at EK in the past.


Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 182
Likes: 20
From: Internet
Just be aware:
Recruitment - just want to get you through the door.once you’re here job done.they have no influence on training or fleet .
Fleet -do upgrade interviews, if they don’t like you then you don’t get upgraded,simple.
Training - separate from fleet, if you’re not meeting their standards, you fail that’s it!
In short,ompany short of experienced pilots, easy way to get that experience on the books is by accelerated command and direct entry. Accelerated; the moment you join you’re increasing the experience levels in RHS so job done. Whether you upgrade quicker or not doesn’t really matter, all they want is experience in RHS. DEC; moment you join they can say we have experience in LHS. if you fail course (like a few have done recently), no problem you can stay in RHS and they gain your experience! Either way they win!
basically it’s a numbers game, at moment one they’re not winning!
let’s wait and see what pay review and profit share are!
Recruitment - just want to get you through the door.once you’re here job done.they have no influence on training or fleet .
Fleet -do upgrade interviews, if they don’t like you then you don’t get upgraded,simple.
Training - separate from fleet, if you’re not meeting their standards, you fail that’s it!
In short,ompany short of experienced pilots, easy way to get that experience on the books is by accelerated command and direct entry. Accelerated; the moment you join you’re increasing the experience levels in RHS so job done. Whether you upgrade quicker or not doesn’t really matter, all they want is experience in RHS. DEC; moment you join they can say we have experience in LHS. if you fail course (like a few have done recently), no problem you can stay in RHS and they gain your experience! Either way they win!
basically it’s a numbers game, at moment one they’re not winning!
let’s wait and see what pay review and profit share are!




