EK pilot base in FRA?
 

Hi there,

I work for a large european airline and I keep hearing rumours about EK wanting to open a pilot base in Europe, specifically FRA. It was most recently even mentioned by the CEO of an european airline towards their own employee. I don't want to fire up any discussions about the pros (if any) or cons for working for one of the ME3 or TK or whatsoever,?I am just curious whether there is some truth to this rumour or if it is complete bulls**t. I figured if anyone can help, you guys at EK must be able to shine some light on this rumour. Please enlighten me;)

R
 

In my previous company I heard rumors for approximately 5 years of EK and QR opening bases in EU to increase pilot applications. Rumors stay rumors as it seems. If it will be true I think a lot of guys will be jumping through the roof of joy as one of the biggest complaints is living in the oh so expensive ME.

It will never happen!

Forget it, will never happen.

What about the rumors that a number of senior captains who have recently given notice have been asked if they'll stay if they can do month on/month off?

XT,

TRUE

J

And your source would be??

It's all absolutely true. Unless it's a rumor

I believe senior Capts are now those with 5yrs in the company.

I read that QR has offered this type of commuting to some senior captains....as of about a year ago, I think.

atpcliff, no idea what your supposed source is but it isn't correct!

I believe the unmentionable one might have done that. Not at QR though.

Wondering..
 

Is this not just another carrot to delay resignations beyond the summer...

Some trainers resigned and have come back as contract SFIs working month on money off by choice and design with crewing company.

Unless FRA is a Dubai manucipality code for Meidan, where most of the pilots will be based, you can forget that notion.

Heard it from the wife of a resigning Capt who I have known for over a dozen years, not one prone to making up stories, so I give this a TRUE as well.

Of course it was just an idea being explored, believe it when it happens. None the less sign of desperation

Ok..at the risk of Harry telling me to walk my dogs.. Got it direct from a mate who has resigned.

So I vote...True.

I have also heard this from a friend and colleague that I trust, it is clearly a option that is being seriously considered, and if true a very positive development.

SOPS

Cm'on man, I don't expect you to be walking the dogs 24/7. Got to give you some time to surf these threads and see what you're missing as another glorious summer arrives with a vengeance.......

As for the rumours, I doubt it. If they end up with dedicated freighter operations then yes, a basing may be a possibility, especially Frankfurt. Regarding the month on month off rumour, that's highly unlikely. A very experienced ground trainer 'retired' last year and was asked to stay, but on a new contract with reduced T&C's. He refused unless they could keep his current package which they declined....despite asking him several times to reconsider. This Company would leave itself open to clear discrimination if it started offering these individual packages so part time contracts to selected individuals is a non starter in my book.

However, this is one case in which I'd love to be proved wrong!

Harry

I understand the vertically challenged one was the only senior flight Ops manager against part-time so now that he has gone all bets are off.

A clear no.

They already offer different T&Cs to locals, which could be put down as discrimination, but i'd discourage anyone going down that road ....
Instructors have different conditions as well, just as the bounty castle part time jockeys.

If you think that it would be offered to "selected individual", then maybe. But if it would be offered with clear requirements, i would go for 10 years in the company and somewhere above 50, then they'd have the chance of retaining some needed workforce (and experience).

It could go along some win-win conditions like obligation to work on two peak leave months, this could free up leave for regular blokes. They would not have to schedule leave anyway, as it is part of the contract, which makes planning easier. It could go with their desire to streamline their freighter ops by offering this on that fleet etc. etc.

Like almost all aspects of EK operations: If they would put in some brains, there would be a lot of synergy and better ergonomics, but it would imply some win-win ideas .... and we all know who could no longer sleep well if pilots would get even a teeny weeny benefit .....

Am guessing it will be offered after you complete a yet to be determined period of service. And there will be a minimum of a grade of 4 for PPC.

I believe the chance of basings being offered is pretty much the same as being able to use all your leave.

Basings/ Job-share / part time , whatever you want to call it, was being discussed in EK as far back as 1998 to my knowledge. Some of the Oz boys put a lot of effort into making a strong case financially and logistically but it was knocked back then at a higher level than DSVP (GJ and subsequently TCK), so the opposition predates - and probably comes from higher levels than, I suspect - TCAS by some considerable time.

That's not to say that current circumstances would not justify it, and I know some major EU carriers enable the boys and girls approaching retirement to go on 50 per cent hours as a gentle intro to life in the rocking chair!

7B

If you have a basing in Europe does this not leave you and your employer subject to local employment laws? If this were the case then I couldn't imagine any of the Gulf companies touching it with a barge pole. Your best hope is a commuting style contract.

Part time has NOT been offered to pilots, fact!!

Pilots have been asked on resignation would you consider the option if it was offered, Fact!!

Don't ask my source but it's fact!!

But are the facts, in fact, facts?

Sounds like we are all fact'd

A proposal for part time working has been put before senior management for their approval/dismissal.

This was from a skipper who has resigned and was asked if he would consider staying if part time was available.

I will personally be amazed if we see part time becoming available any time soon at EK!

Quite simply because they'd have 2000+ applications...

Finally seniority could mean something!

Basing will not be considered in any of our tenures here: it opens up the spectre of labour laws in the basing country, plus the opportunity for union activity and goes against the basic business model: money paid to employees is expected to be spent here.

Really? I have heard that hundreds of times but we actually employ thousands of people in bases already, how would it be different for a pilot?

Also what are all the Chineses carries doing WRT labour laws and unions . Majority have foreign bases.

Most of the Chinese carriers are having a reverse rostering point outside China, but you are still based in China with a residence visa. China rules still apply.

Depends on the country. Look at what happened to RYR in Copenhagen last year!