Gulf Air Interview (threads merged)
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Hey Mr Panama,
Who pays you to talk like this about GF. I am wondering if you really work for GF? Well I would say that there are bad days and bad days. I think you were a bush pilot before GF. Anyway at least you are happy and thanks to you things will improve in GF.
cheers dude.
Who pays you to talk like this about GF. I am wondering if you really work for GF? Well I would say that there are bad days and bad days. I think you were a bush pilot before GF. Anyway at least you are happy and thanks to you things will improve in GF.
cheers dude.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Sure, GoldenFalcon, appreciate that not everyone shares my point of view and there is plenty of evidence of that on this Forum that anybody considering a job can quickly find using the "Search" function. After I proof-read my last comments I thought to myself 
. In fact, I would sleep better knowing they will do that-- hate to have someone solely base their career plans on my thoughts.
I guess I should qualify my answers. Gulf Air is my eighth employer. I have worked for companies in 7 different countries (baseings)-- including one other major pilot-employer in the Middle East, and although I have never been a bush pilot, none of the employers have been legacy carriers (the Air Frances', the American Airlines') either.
I appreciate that a pilot who perhaps was at a now-defunct airline like Sabena finds himself unhappy at GF or any of the other GCC airlines. At my previous airline, which would have been rated a major airline, I watched things go from a happy place, into a rapidly descending spiral into bankruptcy protection, then recovery, while management/labor relationships had turned into one of mistrust and kept getting worse. I enjoyed my time there, what I miss most is the people I worked with who were top-notch, but I am happy to be out of there.
In a conversation with a colleague from Lufthansa a few years ago, we both agreed that the whole industry "isn't what it used to be." So when I listen to a Gulf Air long-termer reminisce about multi-day night stops in places like Athens or other exotic destinations, I am also saddened that it isn't that way anymore-- but it isn't that way anymore at most airlines!
So my happiness with GF comes from assessing my personal situation. I feel I work overall in the best airline environment in the Middle East, and compare it to my personal options worldwide. What I hear from people who know guys who have left GF to go to other GCC carriers is that things are not any better there than here. My options do not include going to British Airways (and I cannot fault the guy for going there) and quite frankly, I am not looking anywhere else.
A few years ago, before I came to Gulf Air, I seriously considered getting out of aviation, going back to university, and dedicating myself to a different career field that would be more stable (and less bitter). I wasn't able to then, and while I still think of doing continuing education based on the benefits of self-improvement, I am glad I stuck with it.
As far as me doing my part to improve things at GF-- be nice to my crew members, have some fun downroute, and enjoy to the fullest my days off.
Rgds,
PJ
. In fact, I would sleep better knowing they will do that-- hate to have someone solely base their career plans on my thoughts.I guess I should qualify my answers. Gulf Air is my eighth employer. I have worked for companies in 7 different countries (baseings)-- including one other major pilot-employer in the Middle East, and although I have never been a bush pilot, none of the employers have been legacy carriers (the Air Frances', the American Airlines') either.
I appreciate that a pilot who perhaps was at a now-defunct airline like Sabena finds himself unhappy at GF or any of the other GCC airlines. At my previous airline, which would have been rated a major airline, I watched things go from a happy place, into a rapidly descending spiral into bankruptcy protection, then recovery, while management/labor relationships had turned into one of mistrust and kept getting worse. I enjoyed my time there, what I miss most is the people I worked with who were top-notch, but I am happy to be out of there.
In a conversation with a colleague from Lufthansa a few years ago, we both agreed that the whole industry "isn't what it used to be." So when I listen to a Gulf Air long-termer reminisce about multi-day night stops in places like Athens or other exotic destinations, I am also saddened that it isn't that way anymore-- but it isn't that way anymore at most airlines!
So my happiness with GF comes from assessing my personal situation. I feel I work overall in the best airline environment in the Middle East, and compare it to my personal options worldwide. What I hear from people who know guys who have left GF to go to other GCC carriers is that things are not any better there than here. My options do not include going to British Airways (and I cannot fault the guy for going there) and quite frankly, I am not looking anywhere else.
A few years ago, before I came to Gulf Air, I seriously considered getting out of aviation, going back to university, and dedicating myself to a different career field that would be more stable (and less bitter). I wasn't able to then, and while I still think of doing continuing education based on the benefits of self-improvement, I am glad I stuck with it.
As far as me doing my part to improve things at GF-- be nice to my crew members, have some fun downroute, and enjoy to the fullest my days off.
Rgds,
PJ
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Another honest post from PJ. There will always be one or two who hate to see anyone saying they enjoy their work and Golden Falcon is one. The "If I'm not happy then nobody else can be either" type. These people always shout loudest but have no balls to just leave and go somewhere else. As Ironbutt would say they "Talk the talk but can't walk the walk". All mouth and nonsense.
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Nice to see a pragmatic post that isn't negative and bitter.
If joining with a few thousand hours on the 767, whats the chances of getting onto the 330/340. Also, what are the routes like on the 767, is it all Gulf Traveller around Africa and India.
If joining with a few thousand hours on the 767, whats the chances of getting onto the 330/340. Also, what are the routes like on the 767, is it all Gulf Traveller around Africa and India.
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Panama Jack, I think any airline need more guys with attitudes like yours. I recently joined Gulf Air and have met people with good attitudes towards the airline and also a few who do not have much good to say. What I've found is that the ones who complain are generally the ones who have not seen what "bad" really is like. Although I haven't worked for 7 other employers in my aviation career like you have, I have been through a few and can honestly say that what I see at Gulf Air is exceptional to my previous experiences. I am confident that I will be happy on the long term at this airline. I believe that you will find complainers no matter where you go; Cathay, BA, Lufthansa, Virgin, the list can go on...
I'm happy to know there are people like you in the pilot pool with great attitudes.
Cheers
I'm happy to know there are people like you in the pilot pool with great attitudes.
Cheers
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Thanks for the pat on the back guys.
Mr. Gammon Flaps. The 767's do fly mostly to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, intra-Gulf and the occasional trip to places like Bangkok and Jakarta. Probably the least-appealing of all the night-stops-- probably a reason why it is considered a "junior airplane" although there are a few guys who are sworn Boeing fanatics who wouldn't want to touch an Airbus.
The days of the Boeing 767 are numbered-- keep your eyes open to the headlines-- Gulf Air has secured the funds for a replacement for these very experienced birds and many of us are holding our breath in anticipation to what the fleet renewal plans will be-- supposedly to be announced sometime in April.
Whether it will be Boeing or Airbus remains to be seen-- plenty of enticing theories, but the airline has mused about a fleet replacement that may well see us being an operator of only two types of widebody airplanes.
So while I think your Boeing 767 will definately be seen as attractive, it will only be a matter of time til you fly something else. Guess we'll find out soon!
Mr. Gammon Flaps. The 767's do fly mostly to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, intra-Gulf and the occasional trip to places like Bangkok and Jakarta. Probably the least-appealing of all the night-stops-- probably a reason why it is considered a "junior airplane" although there are a few guys who are sworn Boeing fanatics who wouldn't want to touch an Airbus.
The days of the Boeing 767 are numbered-- keep your eyes open to the headlines-- Gulf Air has secured the funds for a replacement for these very experienced birds and many of us are holding our breath in anticipation to what the fleet renewal plans will be-- supposedly to be announced sometime in April.
Whether it will be Boeing or Airbus remains to be seen-- plenty of enticing theories, but the airline has mused about a fleet replacement that may well see us being an operator of only two types of widebody airplanes.
So while I think your Boeing 767 will definately be seen as attractive, it will only be a matter of time til you fly something else. Guess we'll find out soon!
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Panama thanks for the great response!
Panama,
Thank you much for your very informative perspective. I forwarded my application and hope I get the opportunity to interview. I hope that my time flying CRJs would be considered by the selection team. In addition I do not have any jet command time, is all SIC. For what I've read so far it seems that most of the applicants have some serious heavy time plus I would assume command jet/turbo-prop time experience as well. And as you know the CRJ-900 is only over 90k lbs. Not even close to you 767 or A-320 guys. Any insight in future hiring plans? Should I be optimistic about possibly getting a shot to an interview with 2700TT, 800 jet sic all glass, 1200 C-130 FE time? Again most of my experience does not come close to many of the high time pilots applying. My perspective is that I would never know if I don't at least try. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you much for your very informative perspective. I forwarded my application and hope I get the opportunity to interview. I hope that my time flying CRJs would be considered by the selection team. In addition I do not have any jet command time, is all SIC. For what I've read so far it seems that most of the applicants have some serious heavy time plus I would assume command jet/turbo-prop time experience as well. And as you know the CRJ-900 is only over 90k lbs. Not even close to you 767 or A-320 guys. Any insight in future hiring plans? Should I be optimistic about possibly getting a shot to an interview with 2700TT, 800 jet sic all glass, 1200 C-130 FE time? Again most of my experience does not come close to many of the high time pilots applying. My perspective is that I would never know if I don't at least try. Any insight would be appreciated.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Comfortably numb
Hello there,
Being loyal to the company doesn't blind me of GF problems.
Rostering, housing and staff travel are departments corroded to the bone and something must be done about this. If you stay quiet, nothing will ever happen.
I cannot call as "creative", a rostering change of a turnaround from 45 to 10 min to make my line "legal".
Hiring direct entry FOs on the 330 now is a very bad sign to hire direct entry captains again in the future. Panama wrote once that DE FOs are not as bad as DE CMD. Fully agreed, my main concern is seeing the company changing rules in the middle of the game.
I'm still very disappointed with the DE policy, it's slowing our transfers down.
What scares me is that in a couple of years, when our turn for command comes up, they come with DEs again.
I realize the 320 FO group became comfortably numb in this issue.
Cheers,
LNB
Being loyal to the company doesn't blind me of GF problems.
Rostering, housing and staff travel are departments corroded to the bone and something must be done about this. If you stay quiet, nothing will ever happen.
I cannot call as "creative", a rostering change of a turnaround from 45 to 10 min to make my line "legal".
Hiring direct entry FOs on the 330 now is a very bad sign to hire direct entry captains again in the future. Panama wrote once that DE FOs are not as bad as DE CMD. Fully agreed, my main concern is seeing the company changing rules in the middle of the game.
I'm still very disappointed with the DE policy, it's slowing our transfers down.
What scares me is that in a couple of years, when our turn for command comes up, they come with DEs again.
I realize the 320 FO group became comfortably numb in this issue.
Cheers,
LNB
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LNB if you think there are problems with upgrade in GF just take a look at the EK and QR threads or any other airline for that matter. When you do that come back here and tell us you have it hard in GF. Fact is we are not unique in this problem and unless you have been in the company for at least 6 years you will not even get the smell of command. So relax and do your time and when you have the seniority then bitch and moan, anything before that is a waste of energy. This thread started as a brief for new joiners and has up to now been honest and fair in my opinion, even with regard to rostering/command. Please don't bring it down to the level of so many other threads which are unbalanced and end up confusing people. People like Panama Jack have made a lot of effort to post the definitive GF position for new guys and it deserves to be heard without a lot of personal axe grinding.
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hi folks,
gf sounds like a good company to work for, i applied half a year ago and keep on updating, but no answer yet. probably because pilots like me,with appr. 4000hrs tt on heavy turboprop as f/o, are not qualified enough.
so,am i right or do you know some guys who made it with the same experience as me???
thankful for any answer...
gf sounds like a good company to work for, i applied half a year ago and keep on updating, but no answer yet. probably because pilots like me,with appr. 4000hrs tt on heavy turboprop as f/o, are not qualified enough.
so,am i right or do you know some guys who made it with the same experience as me???
thankful for any answer...
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Hi, Wingmaaan!
Listen, don't worry about your flight experience, it looks enough for a position as F/O in GF. There are some pilots that joined the company with no previous experience even in turboprops and some pilots with similar experience that joined straight to the A330. On my humble opinion, this is by far, the best work environment among the carriers on the Middle East. Despite the fact that we have some annoyances here (widely discussed here) this is still a good place to work for.
Listen, don't worry about your flight experience, it looks enough for a position as F/O in GF. There are some pilots that joined the company with no previous experience even in turboprops and some pilots with similar experience that joined straight to the A330. On my humble opinion, this is by far, the best work environment among the carriers on the Middle East. Despite the fact that we have some annoyances here (widely discussed here) this is still a good place to work for.
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Gulf Air, a few A's
Hello there,
Gulf Air is a good company to work for, good people, and sometimes you bump into Mr. Hogan saying hi to you.
I am happy here.
Having said that, some facts cannot be disputed, like:
- Do not compare GF with EK or QR, the benchmark should be made with BA, LH, AF or ex-SR. When you buy a car, do you compare it with TATA motors?
Emirates was good 5 years ago, and still there is people leaving GF to join EK. Is not the other way around.
Do you see guys leaving EK to join GF? Do you see people leaving the above mentioned european majors to join GF? Apart from some canadians and swiss, the flow is on the other way. The only advantage GF has is the fast track for command, upgrade. Ask some 767 drivers.
Housing:
We have to spend around 30% of the budget in housing, do you think this is normal? You'll find this rates in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world. Definitely not Bahrain. Our contract states to provide adequate housing. Tell me where you can find a flat for the allowances we get? Not to mention if you have a family with children.
School allowances:
It is simply not enough.
Rostering:
For sure it has improved comparing to recent times. However, the rostering techniques and FD limitations are there to squeeze us. After 11 hours, they can send you anywhere, with complete disregard to you bio-cycles. How do you like the CCU block? It's legal alright, but do you think it is safe?
Staff travel:
No comments.
Seniority:
A concept that GF changes in a weekly basis. Points, DoJ, DoFLC, Date of starting as a trainer, you name it.
Regards,
LNB
Gulf Air is a good company to work for, good people, and sometimes you bump into Mr. Hogan saying hi to you.
I am happy here.
Having said that, some facts cannot be disputed, like:
- Do not compare GF with EK or QR, the benchmark should be made with BA, LH, AF or ex-SR. When you buy a car, do you compare it with TATA motors?
Emirates was good 5 years ago, and still there is people leaving GF to join EK. Is not the other way around.
Do you see guys leaving EK to join GF? Do you see people leaving the above mentioned european majors to join GF? Apart from some canadians and swiss, the flow is on the other way. The only advantage GF has is the fast track for command, upgrade. Ask some 767 drivers.
Housing:
We have to spend around 30% of the budget in housing, do you think this is normal? You'll find this rates in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world. Definitely not Bahrain. Our contract states to provide adequate housing. Tell me where you can find a flat for the allowances we get? Not to mention if you have a family with children.
School allowances:
It is simply not enough.
Rostering:
For sure it has improved comparing to recent times. However, the rostering techniques and FD limitations are there to squeeze us. After 11 hours, they can send you anywhere, with complete disregard to you bio-cycles. How do you like the CCU block? It's legal alright, but do you think it is safe?
Staff travel:
No comments.
Seniority:
A concept that GF changes in a weekly basis. Points, DoJ, DoFLC, Date of starting as a trainer, you name it.
Regards,
LNB
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thanks
thanks ironbutt57, what is your guess for a new joiner about 5 years? do they really respect seniority?
billy 34 kit you shouldn't waste time on the forum if you don't have anything interresant to say .
billy 34 kit you shouldn't waste time on the forum if you don't have anything interresant to say .