Virgin or Emirates
Guest
Posts: n/a
You can't go wrong at Virgin
I agree with Reverend and CapeAviation and I don't agree with Ghost! As you said your house is Ok! but is not yours! life style ... where? Good schools? so far I haven't seen nothing yet!
Stay at Virgin man! I am willing to trade my A340left seat for your right seat!
Bye!
PS. Sunhine in my backyard home at MIA
Stay at Virgin man! I am willing to trade my A340left seat for your right seat!
Bye!
PS. Sunhine in my backyard home at MIA
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Narnia
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Big Geordie
I left VS in Jan after almost 7 years (2yrs as an S/O initially)on the 340 to come to EK. The choice was difficult and the decision not easy bearing in mind my seniority as an F/O. Longer term I felt it better to make the move. My wife ex-VS cabin crew for 11 years was in full support of the move and is thoroughly enjoying her time here - not working by the way (we don't have or plan for any kids either)
I felt much like yourself always battling for landings and spending more and more time away from home. VS was great fun down route but after a few years it all becomes very much the same.
For us the bigger picture had to be looked at from a lifestyle point of view. In the UK I was only getting around 11 or 12 days off a month, my wife was having to work to enable us to afford our house and moderate lifestyle with a degree of comfort and the ultra long-haul flying does make you tend to switch off and lose interest.
Here in Dubai my wife doesn't have to work for us to keep the said house in the UK (rented out or not), I get a far greater variety of flying and looking through my log book I have done more landings in the last three weeks than I did in my last four months on the 340! On top of that I take home more cash each month. The allowances are less than at VS, but you are not away very much either. It seems to run at about 3 nightstops per month.
Job satisfaction here is far greater for me, but it depends on your way of life. If you want to live the high life here, Dubai will empty your pockets rapidly. If you don't have kids it appears you are more quids in - literally!
If you want any further info, send me a private e-mail.
I left VS in Jan after almost 7 years (2yrs as an S/O initially)on the 340 to come to EK. The choice was difficult and the decision not easy bearing in mind my seniority as an F/O. Longer term I felt it better to make the move. My wife ex-VS cabin crew for 11 years was in full support of the move and is thoroughly enjoying her time here - not working by the way (we don't have or plan for any kids either)
I felt much like yourself always battling for landings and spending more and more time away from home. VS was great fun down route but after a few years it all becomes very much the same.
For us the bigger picture had to be looked at from a lifestyle point of view. In the UK I was only getting around 11 or 12 days off a month, my wife was having to work to enable us to afford our house and moderate lifestyle with a degree of comfort and the ultra long-haul flying does make you tend to switch off and lose interest.
Here in Dubai my wife doesn't have to work for us to keep the said house in the UK (rented out or not), I get a far greater variety of flying and looking through my log book I have done more landings in the last three weeks than I did in my last four months on the 340! On top of that I take home more cash each month. The allowances are less than at VS, but you are not away very much either. It seems to run at about 3 nightstops per month.
Job satisfaction here is far greater for me, but it depends on your way of life. If you want to live the high life here, Dubai will empty your pockets rapidly. If you don't have kids it appears you are more quids in - literally!
If you want any further info, send me a private e-mail.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: earth
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's basically simple,
Everybody has his own scale. On top of that scale, your favourite airline. At the bottom, the company you absolutely don't want to work for.
Where one positions an airline on that scale is personal and depends on a lot of personal factors (career options,job security, pay, social life, future plans.....)
If offered a job at a new company, one looks how much further up the scale that company is.
If it is only a few steps up, it might not be worth the hassle to give up seniority etc.
If you get the chance to move up a great way on that scale, or ladder, it's probably worth to make the move.
I know guys who have been unemployed for a while and they would do anything to get back on the ladder.
Personally, joining EK is a very good climb up the ladder. I do realise there will be downsides but they don't compare to the improvements in our life.
As the Rev says, everybody has his opinion and this forum is a good place to read some opinions.
At the end it's you who has to decide where you want to go on your ladder.
Regards,
Twieke.
See you in Dubai!!!
Everybody has his own scale. On top of that scale, your favourite airline. At the bottom, the company you absolutely don't want to work for.
Where one positions an airline on that scale is personal and depends on a lot of personal factors (career options,job security, pay, social life, future plans.....)
If offered a job at a new company, one looks how much further up the scale that company is.
If it is only a few steps up, it might not be worth the hassle to give up seniority etc.
If you get the chance to move up a great way on that scale, or ladder, it's probably worth to make the move.
I know guys who have been unemployed for a while and they would do anything to get back on the ladder.
Personally, joining EK is a very good climb up the ladder. I do realise there will be downsides but they don't compare to the improvements in our life.
As the Rev says, everybody has his opinion and this forum is a good place to read some opinions.
At the end it's you who has to decide where you want to go on your ladder.
Regards,
Twieke.
See you in Dubai!!!
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Under a date palm.
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I left VS last year to come to EK. There are several things I don't like, not least of which is the disgusting lottery of accomodation. 
However, like JF, professionally I am happier, our lifestyle is better and the kids are getting an excellent education.
For us, it was a move to something better for all of us.
VS was more fun, but you can't retire on memories!
Good luck.
[email protected]
However, like JF, professionally I am happier, our lifestyle is better and the kids are getting an excellent education.
For us, it was a move to something better for all of us.
VS was more fun, but you can't retire on memories!
Good luck.
[email protected]
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dubai - sand land.
Age: 55
Posts: 2,832
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best move I ever made coming here.
I can't quite understand the "there's nothing to do" or the "what will your wife do" crowd.
There is loads to do - especially if you like the outdoor life. My wife and my family LOVE it here. The kids are getting a far better education than they did in the Uk, and what's more they're safe here.
As I've said on other threads re. EK. Don't come here to get rich, just come for the lifestyle.
Unfortunately there is some bitching - however some people do expect everything laid out on a plate for them, and will never be happy whatever they do or wherever they are. Sad fact of life. Before someone tries to shoot me down in flames here - it is my OPINION.
I can't quite understand the "there's nothing to do" or the "what will your wife do" crowd.
There is loads to do - especially if you like the outdoor life. My wife and my family LOVE it here. The kids are getting a far better education than they did in the Uk, and what's more they're safe here.
As I've said on other threads re. EK. Don't come here to get rich, just come for the lifestyle.
Unfortunately there is some bitching - however some people do expect everything laid out on a plate for them, and will never be happy whatever they do or wherever they are. Sad fact of life. Before someone tries to shoot me down in flames here - it is my OPINION.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CPT
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As said in a previous post, for some people EK is a very good move for some not.
For the time to command make your own calculations, EK is aiming for 100 A/C 2010, that's the plan at least, it can be more or it can be less than that.
Right now many guys are getting bypassed by accelarated guys.
I guess for new joiners it will be 7 years unless as ghost said EK will have 200 A/C by 2010-15, but how realistic is that?
For the time to command make your own calculations, EK is aiming for 100 A/C 2010, that's the plan at least, it can be more or it can be less than that.
Right now many guys are getting bypassed by accelarated guys.
I guess for new joiners it will be 7 years unless as ghost said EK will have 200 A/C by 2010-15, but how realistic is that?
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CPT
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ghost,
I'll buy you as much beer as you can drink when number 200 arrives.
As you said everything is possible, I plan till 2010, 2015 is too far away for me.
Maybe 2015 EK will give remote controls to the groundstaff and they'll fly the airplanes from the office.
I'll buy you as much beer as you can drink when number 200 arrives.
As you said everything is possible, I plan till 2010, 2015 is too far away for me.
Maybe 2015 EK will give remote controls to the groundstaff and they'll fly the airplanes from the office.
Ghost,
Thanks for a great post. I like many others have great interest in the subject and are reading all carefully. Your post is very informative and while your opinion is present is not overbearing on the information contained.
Thanks for a great post. I like many others have great interest in the subject and are reading all carefully. Your post is very informative and while your opinion is present is not overbearing on the information contained.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys and gals...good stuff all of this.
Here is my 2 cents worth. I joined EK a while ago now and so far everthing is going great. It is true that the contract that I signed can and has been "modified" since I have been here. Some of the changes may or may not affect me directly. Some are good ie. an increase in school allowances and some are bad ie. the pay trainers receive, the list goes on. There is absolutly nothing I can do about these changes and I have to admit it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Unfortunatly they are market driven and if there is a high demand for pilots conditions will improve to keep pilots here and if there is a low demand EK will no doubt take what they can. It is a balancing act and they do a good job of it (not many pilots are leaving). From what I gather they look at a group of airlines around the world, take an average and use that as a basis to set conditions here at EK. What this means is EK will never be the best place to "work" but it also means that it will never be the worst. Like it or lump it that is the way it is. I have accepted this and feel I can live with it.
As for the job itself it is quite good. I have not been worked to hard and I am happy with the amount of days that I get off. There are some company rules and regulations which sometimes can be a topic of complaint but if you just learn them and accept that it is the way it is done it is not that big a deal. After all they are paying for a certain amount of my time so it is fair to me. That said I really enjoy going to work and like the vast majority of the people.
Now Dubai is something which varies with each individual. Some like it, some don't, and some can take it or leave it. I have plenty to do and for now am happy with my home life. Right now I feel I will last until retirement and go home with enough to live for all of my golden years. (hope is a wonderfull thing).
As to if you should come of not I think you should act as if you definetly want to come and with any luck you will be able make that choice. I left a command position to come here and have no regrets. If you let me decide for you I would say to come make the best of the good and turn a blind eye to the few negative things that are present.
Here is my 2 cents worth. I joined EK a while ago now and so far everthing is going great. It is true that the contract that I signed can and has been "modified" since I have been here. Some of the changes may or may not affect me directly. Some are good ie. an increase in school allowances and some are bad ie. the pay trainers receive, the list goes on. There is absolutly nothing I can do about these changes and I have to admit it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Unfortunatly they are market driven and if there is a high demand for pilots conditions will improve to keep pilots here and if there is a low demand EK will no doubt take what they can. It is a balancing act and they do a good job of it (not many pilots are leaving). From what I gather they look at a group of airlines around the world, take an average and use that as a basis to set conditions here at EK. What this means is EK will never be the best place to "work" but it also means that it will never be the worst. Like it or lump it that is the way it is. I have accepted this and feel I can live with it.
As for the job itself it is quite good. I have not been worked to hard and I am happy with the amount of days that I get off. There are some company rules and regulations which sometimes can be a topic of complaint but if you just learn them and accept that it is the way it is done it is not that big a deal. After all they are paying for a certain amount of my time so it is fair to me. That said I really enjoy going to work and like the vast majority of the people.
Now Dubai is something which varies with each individual. Some like it, some don't, and some can take it or leave it. I have plenty to do and for now am happy with my home life. Right now I feel I will last until retirement and go home with enough to live for all of my golden years. (hope is a wonderfull thing).
As to if you should come of not I think you should act as if you definetly want to come and with any luck you will be able make that choice. I left a command position to come here and have no regrets. If you let me decide for you I would say to come make the best of the good and turn a blind eye to the few negative things that are present.
