EK April
 

Hey folks,

Moving out to Dubai to start with EK in April. I believe that Silicon Oasis is now full so where are they putting families? EK seem reluctant to tell me until I go over and trying to find a school is proving an issue dependant on the area.

Anyone else starting in April or can help with my querey?

Kempus

Hi Kempus,

Welcome to EK.
Many are now being allocated villas in 'Layan' community, aka Al Waha, aka Salwan.
The villas aren't bad at all and the compound finally has a small shop. Unfortunately there still isn't a safe access road, not too bad during daylight but at night be careful. Last week we had a car on it's roof in the dipping s-bends.
Many send their children to either Greenfield community school or to Gems Wellington at DSO. You may simply have to settle with whichever school has a place. Don't be fooled by any HR pr regarding JESS. Very long waiting list.
Can I ask where you are coming from? Moral is on the slide again and the leave system is shameful, for most but not all.
Feel free to pm and I will happily answer any questions or put the mrs in touch with mine.
Good luck.

Housing
 

Not sure where they are puting the guys but on your portal when I joined it told me my villa number. Ask them where, as you want to send furniture over and you need an address to send it to, they may respond to that.

Regards
Dave

Hi,

On the portal it just says that the allocation is being processed and will be available shortly. I'm taking the unfurnished option and they know this but still nothing. I heard that guys who started in Jan were placed in Jumeirah but not sure where abouts as according to google maps it's pretty much the entire beach line.

Kempus

Kempus,

At the moment, whole lot of new joiners, (FO's with Families) are being put in Layan community, sometimes called Al Waha or the Salwan Villas.

To find them on Google maps, look for the Arabian ranches, and follow the road that leads out into the desert towards the Dubai Bypass road, and they are on that junction.

Some families love it, the others hated it, hence why there are empty villas as they moved out to rent elsewhere!

Ah, found it in the sand and under the approach for the military airfield. Your right, a bit out of town. Wouldn't mind so much if there was a bit more out there but it's sparse! Villas look big tho and have a reasonable sized garden/sandpit. Apart from that...........

Kempus

What about the apartments, where are they located?

Friend starting this week is moving into millennium towers.

There's four empty villas sitting awaiting new emtrants in DSO Semmer around the corner from me - all been empty for a while.

Is there a web site or any way to look up these complexes? Mrs. Globe and I would like to look at some photos of the areas.

What's the maid situation there. Are they easily available?
Or can you get your own help when you move in. Thanks

Was just a thought seaman. And if it is inevitable, then why not tackle it now. Just a couple of steps ahead (maybe).
Haven't answered my query though ..;)

It is cheap and easy enough to get an agency maid for a few hours per week (about 30-35Dhs an hour) to keep you going for the time it takes you to sponsor your own. You might find a few hours a week is enough and you don't need full time help. Really, getting a maid will be the least of your hassles.

Many thanks BigG.
Kinda my thought towards the Mrs and her well being. Wanna keep the ship afloat once(if) i'm there u see ...;)

I know someone who started this week and moved into Millennium above the 20th floor

Seems some places still available in DSO as I've just been offered one of the cedre ones.

Anyone else starting in April?

I'm starting as a single FO in April and been allocated Manazel Aprts in Al Barsha. Anyone have any info on what the 2 bed Aprts are like there? Any photos? I also read that they have appliances already installed, is that true? Might not send my own if it is.

Also starting in April. Got DSO Semmer villas. See you!

Givemewings thanks for the info, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Looks like a fairly good place to be!

Hi guyz,

I know this might be the wrong thread to ask this, but i really want to get abit of insight if a move to EK is really worth the billing.

I am currently a 767 F/O at my current airline, with the option of soon to move to the 777 or Command the Embraer 170/190, the pay isn't bad actually as a skipper on the E jet i will be making the same or slightly more than an EK F/O, albeit without the benefits like school fees and housing, but the cost of living here is pretty cheap, and besides its home.

My dilemma is the fact that my wife is currently based in Dubai, and her efforts to get a job back home haven't been very successful, so she has been pushing me to try and apply for EK, my only Question is, is it really worth the hype or i might leave and regret later, my Airline isn't perfect, it has its shortcomings but its a great place to be at, the future also looks promising with 787 orders and 777-300ER's to be delivered next year.

Is it really worth it being a contract pilot in EK?

Honest unbiased answers will be appreciated. thank you:ok:

Odericko,

I'm not sure what you are hoping for by a move to EK, apart from you and your wife's employer being located in the same area.

Ask yourself will your current employer take you back in a few years if you decided to leave EK?

There are many here who left a secure and happy position in search of the elusive greener grass.

If being able to plan ahead and get half decent leave isn't a priority then there's plenty of good points here.

Good luck.

No.

Your wife needs a new job.

Failing that you need a new wife.

Your taking a job with Emirates will only compound her mistake of moving to Dubai.

Odericko,
Wondering why you would call EK a "contract job".
It's not as if you renew your contract every 3 years....!!
It's a permanent job with a real carreer progression.
And it IS worth it!
Cheers..

Wondering too why you would call it a contract job when really, with EK (as all ME carriers), there is no contract. Not when it doesn't suit them, anyway. Just be aware that the unilateral changes to your "contract" (for lack of a better term for the worthless piece of paper you sign when you join), probably won't enhance your "carreer" progression.

Just curious KOAW, do you even work for Emirates? Not saying that you aren't entitled to your opinion, but I always find it curious that the staunchest defenders of the place are either DECs like Wiz or those trying to obtain employment at EK.

Thanks for your response Cowtown, KOW and Nolimitholdem,

@Cowtown, you said there are a few good pointers within the Airline, if it isn't too much to ask is it possible to just say give me a few, so i way them against the obvious negatives that litter all the middle east threads.

@Nolimitholdem, No holds barred on your post but i still found your comment on me finding a new wife quite humorous, :}. Thanks for the insight though, it must be a real sacrifice to fly for EK i guess, Just heard one of our ex capt who went to EK in the early 90's and was a T7 capt, is back home and is keen even for a gig on the E jet, he just got fed up of Dubai and left in 2010, i think i will try to find him and have a one on one.

@KOW, thanks your response is highly appreciated, and yeah always thought EK drivers are hired on contracts or something like that, thanks for the correction.

All the best guyz

Odericko

Dubai and EK is what you make it. If your so inclined you can go from f/o to training capt in a little over 5 years. I'm talking about the 777 here. I'm on the bus and will be looking at 7 years plus to a command, thats even with considerable smaller jet command time.

The diverse route structure means you can pretty much cover the globe in a single month. Again I'm talking 777.

Being driven to and from work is a bonus, especially after a tiring night India turn. In return the company get to fudge your duty start time. Not sure how they get away with it, but they do.

Accommodation is to a good standard. We are very happy with our villa.

Education is generally to a high standard.

On the whole it is a safe place to live. Dubai has it's share of problems, but as always you have to go looking for it. Being a father I still take all the usual precautions.

There's lots for the kids to do, all be it at a price! My wife is now an expert at getting the kids from A to B and then on to C!

You learn fairly quickly to take nothing for granted and sadly to trust no one. Being able to pick up the phone and ring your base captain up for a favour just doesn't exist here.

Would I do it again knowing what I now know. Probably, we never learn.

Good luck in your choice.

Joining EK
 

On the subject of EK and Dubai etc and the business of DEC...if Cx were offering the same, would you make the move to HKG??

moving with family
 

Hello Guys,

I am considering EK and would like to know after how long is your family allowed to join you in Dubai.
Is it possible to arrive in Dubai with wife and kids on Day 1 or do we have to wait for a few weeks.

Thanks.

Heard somewhere that the T & C's aren't very good.
For those out there, what would be the average 'take home' salary assuming approx 75 hours a month(for comparison purposes).
Assuming Captain on 777, staying in company accommodation and with say 2 kids under 18 yrs of age.
Thanks again. Please include allowances.

Arthsy,

A good buddy of mine arrived with his family on day one, no problems at all.

For them to come on day one with you need to get them to authorize your joining ticket so they can come over at the same time or buy a ticket yourself for them. Either way you need to also pay 1000dhs per person for the visa transfer.

The wait for the family visa is around 3 weeks so up to you I'd you think it is worth it.

Kempus

Thanks for the info Cowtown and Kempus.

Cheers.

Guys hows the drinking water situation in Dubai. Is the tap water in the villas drinkable, like in most western countries. How does one manage if not. Kindly shed some light.
Thanks.

Bunk, if water is your biggest concern I wish I had your stress free life, every household uses dispenser water it is cheap and delivered to the door, it's 9 dirhams ($2.46 us) per 19 liter bottle.

The tap water is of a reasonable standard but not as good as say Canada,Oz US etc but nowhere near as bad as Africa and further to the east of here.

Hey caynine. Thanks for your reply. And yes, the water is right now my biggest problem. And shortly, all of Dubai's problem....;)
No offense meant to anyone. Just tackling one issue after another...
Thanks y'all.

Spoke to some of my colleagues here. Something about tap water not being potable. Thus the dispensers i guess.

The tap water is actually fine. It is desalinated just like the bottled water and to the same purity standard. What is the problem is the delivery system. The pipes, roof top tanks and all the crap that grows in it. You can have it filtered at home or buy the stuff cheap. Bunky the water doesn't fall from the sky here or at least very little of it. Over 90% is desalinated.

EK April becomes a question on tap-water quality?

And asking the same question over again from another thread?

halas

Halas. Shukran for the upbeat reply. And for monioring my posts.....;)
Just a very genuine question from my end. Thx for the replies all.