Calling all EK pilots who have previously flown in the UK.
 

Good Afternoon Folks,

I have recently been for EK selection and I am just hoping to get a few things straight in my head before potentially making a life changing decision.

I have a couple of questions:

As a single person (male) how did you find the relocation and settling in?

How often is a return to the UK possible either through bidding (fleet dependant) or on days off and using staff travel?

Do you still pay UK National Insurance to ensure that you will receive the amazing state pension in later years?

How do UAE FTL's compare to UK CAA FTL's?

Any areas for accommodation that you would recommend?

Are there many people that come and subsequently don't like it and then end up leaving having to pay a huge bond?

Any regrets?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer openly and honestly.

This will become another EK bashing thread.

Well I sincerely hope that it doesn't as I am fully aware of the various moans and groans going on in other threads.

I would be grateful if people could just post answers to the questions openly and honestly.

Thanks again,

BP:ok:

I'll do my best.

Depends what you are into. Singles can have a hell of party life, lot's of night-clubs and pretty girls around. People into sports and other activities can find it less satisfying. Summer isn't a great time for out-door activities.

You'd be able o get at least one UK trip most months-we fly there a lot!! Days off-occastionally, but we are working pretty hard right now. Being able to put enough days off in a row to do such a trip? MAYBE in the top couple of bid-months (it's a five month cycle).

The regs are basically the same with the exception that time spent in the bunk as augmenting crew doesn't count towards the 900hr limit. This can push your ACTUAL annual flying up towards 1000hrs, and guys are flying those type of hours at the moment.

The difference in the APPLICATION of the regs is that EK isn't seasonal- think of a tough month in Summer in the UK and do twelve of them. We work hard.

You don't really get a choice, but the single guys seem pretty happy with the accommodation they get.

Not many leave within the bond period, but certainly PLENTY don't seem to like it- just read PPRUNE!! Attrition is at around 3% and rising, but I think more from the Captain/longer term employee types. For many, living in the ME and flying for EK has a "use-by" date!!

Me? No- But I came in DEC and it works for me and my family. As you'll no doubt find with subsequent posts, that doesn't go for everyone.

Hope that helps!!

Thanks Wizofoz,

It certainly has helped. Keep em coming though folks!!!

With regard the accommodation, I appreciate you can't choose the company stuff but at a later date should someone choose to seek their own pad what areas are best to look in/avoid?

I'm not single, but relocation is simple enough, and settling in is dependent on the person. Nobody can answer this on your behalf.

This is dependent on many factors, but I am aware of a few pilots that commute quite often back to the UK. It is not easy, but it is possible. I must ask though, why would you want to come here if you want to commute back and forth frequently. This is one sure fire way of becoming one of the many truly unhappy pilots here in the middle east. If commuting is what you want to do then I would suggest an airline that caters for commuters. Understand that EK is not and most likely never will be a commuting airline.

They are pretty similar actually, save for the interpretation thereof. In the UK FTL's are actually "limitations"., whereas here they are more like "targets". I do not mean this in a negative light, but understand before getting here that a pound of flesh is demanded, and a pound of flesh will be had.

Once again this is personal preference. Remember though that if you opt for company accommodation, the choice is a very easy one, as it is made for you.

No. There are many talkers, but none really leave, mostly because they realize that like most sports fans, talking a good game and playing one are not the same. I would say that a person leaving EK would in all likelihood not find a position in the UK with the same position or pay.

Yes, I regret not choosing the correct numbers in last weeks lottery.

Blightly

I'm not from the UK but nearby.
I'll try to give you some insights:
Concerning relocation and settling it all depends on luck.
This is the the worst part. If you are lucky may be you get some decent accommodation if you are not you might regret your move big time.
There are some horror show stories about people that had their life destroyed due to accommodation issues one way or the other.
Any small problem can become a nightmare and beware of complaining. Anyway unless you take the allowance you will not be in the position to choose. They will give you whatever is avalaible.
Forget about commuting. You can get some 24hrs layovers at times if you fly Boeing otherwise forget about it.
If I was paying my national pension I would cost me half of what I earn So for me is impossible. The prevident fund is just bull****. Almost 5 years in the company and I have 55000 USD on it.
A few runners from time to time and some early change of mind.
Regrets? Well when I join I was unemployed so it was a desperate move but if I had a job..no way. No law, no rights. Take it or leave it.and I will leave it as soon as I can.

keep discovering

yes, as an fo you get 1st class travel, the provident fund is amazing, after a few years you'll have a milllion dollars cash in the provident fund and the upgrade takes 3 years only as they promise you during the interview.
all the 10 000 posts on pprune who say the opposite are just wrong, dont listen to them just believe what you want to believe.
come join EK get your upgrade and then when you have a few hrs in the left seat every european or american major will hire you as a DEC on their biggest plane cos you are special.

Oh goretex, you made my day!! All this time I thought I was the only a$$hole posting here !:}