bzim, ok get the drift now...maybe someone hand flew to 15,000 after takeoff, which would be frowned upon to say the least. If someone feels the need to hand fly this sort of equipment for this long, maybe he/she should visit a flying school and hire a Cessna 172. :eek:

bzim....

Check your private msg....

K

Interesting watchdog. Regardless of th size of aircraft, you are still a pilot and flying to or from any altitude shouldn't be an issue. It should always be tempered with the type of environment, workload , S/A (situational awareness) , comfort factor that day etc. to be able fly or use the auto-pilot. Head work is a graded item. Enjoy "flying" your aircraft :ok:

if You mother language is english no worries,as the management is English/Aussie ,but for arabics,latins,africans etc that´s not a good place to work.It´s crazy but it´s true => Arabs are not very welcome. :ugh:

But as you are a US Citizen,relax and enjoy,you will be happy there!It´s a mess like NYC.

Thanks for the link.
Be well.

Warlock,

Thank you for taking the time to post that link. Unfortunately I don't think it is the same compass test that EK are using. I have searched for info on this test and the only info/website is from the manufacturer, they provide a short demo video but do not go into detail on the Math/Tech questions.

The compass test in your link is a US based college acceptance exam I believe. The EK version is produced by a European flight training establishment.

Again, if anybody would like to share some more details about the test I am sure it would be a great contribution to this interview thread.

Some new (i think) questions about EK
 

I went to the "information session" yesterday in Houston. Overall it was a very well-done presentation. The speakers did not seem to be sugar-coating things too much. At times they were quite honest about some of the negative aspects of the job/living in Dubai. As usual, after I arrived back home I remembered several questions I would have liked to ask. Maybe some of you nice folks can help me out on this.

1. This one is from my wife. Due to the laws regarding unmarried women living with a man...when friends of ours visit (females), can they stay with us for the few days that they are in town, or must they stay in a hotel? Does it make any difference the fact that I am married?

2. Regarding the housing options. They laid out 3 options to us. Option 1 is a furnished apartment plus a 1 time allowance of about $900USD. Option 2 is an un-furnished apartment plus the $8175USD one time allowance to buy stuff. Option 3 is the yearly $34,545USD plus the one time $8175USD and no accomodations. We are leaning toward option 2 but are curious about the cost of furniture there. Will the $8kUSD cover most or all of what we need for the 3 bedroom apartment?

3. I currently live in the U.S.A. (Houston TX). I am interested in hearing from some expats from the U.S. about cost of living, other than real estate/apartment rental. I know those are expensive. I see that gasoline is less expensive, cars seem less expensive, electronics a little less expensive, etc. In the briefing, they quoted a buffet-style dinner at $27USD. Is that the price for 1 person?? That seems expensive. What about cell-phones/internet?

4. Speaking of internet. How much are internet/television censored? Can I get HBO, etc.? Are there ways around the censorship of internet? I'm not a huge fan of the government controlling what I am allowed to read/see.

5. How much does an average stby ticket cost you back to the states?

6. How's the medical coverage for elective things like LASIK, etc.?

7. Are there any laws that are dangerous for expats (other than the drunk driving laws)? How about if you are in an automobile accident and have an accident that injures someone, for example. Can I be put in jail for things like that? Other laws that have serious consequences that I should know about?

Thanks for all of your help. This is a huge decision, as it was when you joined. I do appreciate your time.

Jet Runner,
Are you sure that you are not confusing your unsuitability with EKs motives.
I have completed the selection at EK in two different formats. Sim last day, a few years ago and sim first day earlier this year.I was sucessful both times and have chosen to accept a better offer from my employers both times. Thats those bridges well burnt.
I can assure the doubters that the DEC sim ride isnt a walk in the park but is based around what i see as accepted MO in the UK style of operating. Lots of dodar etc, no rushing.
A change of format shouldnt be interpreted as a drop in standards but certainly as a result of change in demographics. My fellow selectees were all from reputable backgrounds no cowboys . Only half were sucessful. Whether that was sim or suitability who knows.
Not everything is a conspiricy. Dubai isnt London and EK isnt BA. It is an expat contract in a foreign country. emphasis on people suitable for this life is justifiable. Especially as many will nod at anything to get the big shiney jet and then bitch and moan with the associated existence.
Good luck
FF

Avpilot,
1. Unmarried women living with a man if forbidden. Does it happen, of course. Just keep it quiet, don't get into other trouble and it will likely not be an issue. Technically female friends cannot stay but of course that too happens. Who is going to find out anyhow.
2. Take option 2. 8K USD will not cover your costs but it is a lot better than getting the typical EK furnishings which you will grow to detest over time. You will be out of pocket another 8K I would imagine but at least you will have nice furnishings. Here is an extremely rough estimate..... Flat screen TV 5000dhs, entertainment center 3000dhs, stereo and speakers 3000dhs, bed with mattress 4000dhs, decent couch and chairs 5000dhs, appliances 15000dhs, and miscellaneous..... 10000dhs.
3. Cost of living is still less here I think. It is going up at a fast rate though. Dinners out used to be so great. A nice dinner for two would probably run you 200dhs at least. Internet is a ripoff here. 250dhs a month for pathetic service and a great deal of restricted access (although that can be overcome if you are computer savvy or know someone who is) VAT is coming by the way. Salik, the road toll is likely going to be a burden in the future, if the rumblings of more sites are true.
4. Internet is censored big time. Moreso than in other countries that most would consider to have bigger censureship issues. VPN's are the only way around that. Satellite options are limited and very expensive too, with poor service as well. You can access US programs but they are usually older sitcoms. Sporting options are generally football (soccer), rugby, cricket and of course the ever popular Iran vs Kuwait netball matches..... with some US football options as well. I think you will find communication issues here in the UAE are a problem. Mobile phones and landlines are very expensive but work fine.
5. I have no idea what a Stby costs to US. I would guess about 1500dhs return economy but the issue of availability ie. getting a seat, should be the one to worry about and not the cost.
6. No coverage for elective surgery. LASIK is at your own risk and prior approval is required, but if it goes wrong, you are out of a job. Otherwise medical coverage is good and they do look after their people who have encountered long term, but recoverable health problems.
7. All laws apply to all people in theory. In practice that is not the case. If you happen to run over a 'local' you will be in serious trouble. If it was not your fault, you will still suffer at least some heartache. Blood money is still something that is applied in this country, much to my amazement. If you are unaware of this practice it essentially means that if you inadvertently injure or kill someone, say in a car accident, you are liable for whatever the courts decide you have to pay that individual's family in compensation. In the past, and I think in the present, whether or not it was your fault does not have an impact on the judgement. I do not recall any example of an EK pilot who has gone thru this though. In my experiences in Dubai, it is the idiot running YOU over that you have to worry about on a daily basis.
Injustice here is something you have to accept. You or I cannot change that so the only option is to 'avoid' things that will bring you to the attention of the police. If you do avoid problems, which the vast majority of us do, then you will not notice much difference from home........ other than of course the driving insanity.
As an example, a blacked out landcruiser (local) will never be stopped for driving past you at 140kph on the shoulder of the road, or jumping the line at every opportunity, or double parking behind you when you return to your car, or driving around in a car with windows so heavily tinted that they can't possibly see anything around them at night. The authorities recognize the issues, talk a lot about fixing it, but will never do anything to fix it. It is all about perception and if people around the world 'perceive' that things are changing, then that is all that counts.
8. Accomodation is a big issue with new joiner, single pilots. It is very common to be put up in 'temporary' accomodations, some ok... some terrible... for as long as 8 months. After that point you stand a very good chance of getting an apartment with windows that do not open, in the same buildings as the cabin crew. This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your age and relationship status. I have recently flown with a number of relatively new, single pilots of all ages and it has become clear that 'temporary' accomodations are now the rule rather than the exception. I do not forsee this changing in the next 2 years. The disparity in accomodations is huge. You either get lucky and get a nice place or you get shafted. I have no doubt whatsoever you were not told about this in the presentation.

Only egos and pride are stopping them from dropping the hours requirement. Tougher and tougher to find quality talent I hear from the recruiters. Oh well, not my problem or worry.

Apparently you cant actually join until you have the hrs, just the interviewing is taking up so much time, one would think.

Different topic,
can some one from EK shed some light regarding perdiem or meal allowence while on layovers. I could not find any info regarding duty allowence,sector pay. Does that mean we have to pay incidentals and meals while on layovers.
Thanks:)

middle,

We get an allowance in cash in local currency at lay-over ports. It aint going to make you rich but it will (just about) cover a reasonable meal. Allowances aren't a cash-cow here like in some airlines.

We also get hourly flight pay of (correct me if wrong) 30dhs for FO and 45 for captain, up to the overtime limit (78hrs in a 31 day month), then overtime after that.

per diem
 

$6 US for 12 hours lay over in Colombo. That's what you get... Not Kidding!

Is Dubai basing required? Heard a rumor about European basing, but nothing on their website to confirm this?

Even though EK needs plenty of drivers, and you can apply earlier than the min std. I have seen many candidates not making the grade. Other day interviewed 22 and only 11 made the 1st day. Do not think if you get the interview you have the job! This is not the case.

Also the layover money is enough, but nothing more.

EK is what you make from it. Not good for all, but brilliant for most.

Just hope we get an increase due to the sliding $, otherwise it makes sense to look elsewhere.

Good luck!!!

Everyone is required to be based in DXB except for staff who work in outstations. EK will never have basings (that's what we are told). What would really make life a lot more pleasurable is to have commuting lines where we can "live" in our home countries.

If this happened, it would in my mind turn around the leakage of pilots to other airlines. It would also reduce costs for EK.

Again EK is not willing to look at commuting lines.

Craic,

I think you will find that it is the GCAA who apply the hours requirement

OK Fart Master - how does that work with cadets then:confused::confused:

Hey EK Pilot - for $100 in Colombo you can probably buy a house:}:)

Thanks to Wiz and everyone for contributing valuable informations.
Merry X-mas and wonderfule 2008:)

MP