Those leaving EK without a job to go to...
 

So, I know a few are leaving without jobs to go to but for those who have done it already - how soon did you get a job after leaving? And, how's it working out i.e. is it an interim job until something better comes along, or is the job you wanted after EK? Just curious as I'm considering all options myself...

Generally suggest a job lined up before leaving . Yes it's cr*p here but hey you must have gotten used to it. Being jobless is cr*p too.

Obviously if it makes sense to leave earlier because of kids school timings at home or imminent ejection from home (to save the moving hassle) and you have reasonable options in the marketplace it's a different story. Only you can figure it out. Even if 10 people they did or didn't find a job it is little reflection on your circumstances

Best of luck

Historically speaking it has always been easier to get a job if you have a job.

Had 3 friends leave here last year, without a job to go to. All got jobs within a couple of months.

"Had 3 friends leave here last year, without a job to go to. All got jobs within a couple of months".-
I am following this thread too. Sluggums where were your friends based out of curiosity? I think prospects probably depend on country/continent.
Would be nice to take 6 months off and recover. Then start looking, so I know where Buford is coming from. Just curious if anyone has pulled it off in the aviation industry, or are we considered too stale...

Depends on where you are going of course but I think with the current situation in the UK any reasonably competent guys/gals should pick up a job at Thompson/Jet2 or Monarch reasonably quickly. Not having a notice period was a winner for new colleague of mine who landed onto my type rating course on short notice. He was non type rated and had been out of work for six months, no problems for him in the sim either. Best of luck

2 from US, 1 from Europe.

thanks for the feedback

Isn't it quite telling that pilots of all people... guys who are trained to always have a plan.. a backup... a "what if" scenario.. are just leaving Emirates Airline with none of that just to get out of the mess.

Slave ship Airlines

I am leaving without a job and feel happy

Am leaving without a job as well. I need the recovery time for my self and am taking 2-3 months OFF before I start looking.

The idea is that days OFF are too precious to try and arrange for interviews and in any case usually you are too busy trying to recover.....

Best of luck

CAT3A,

I've followed but stayed out of (despite an interest in) the discussion of things at Ek since I'm not particularly qualified to express an opinion. However, I do have a question about the issue of leaving there without a job in hand since gaps in employment history will likely have to be explained downstream and can have an impact on career management strategy.

Job hunting under the best of circumstances is a difficult, fickle and capricious affair. If one leaves EK with no job in hand just "because", takes a few months off just "because" and then sets about applying various places which can take an additional few months, will the total gap in employment be viewed as a negative by the next potential interviewer ?

Bad mouthing a previous employer is an obvious no-no in an interview (it is here and widely acknowledged as deal killer). How does one explain leaving EK because it was just so bad you couldn't take it any longer and setting oneself adrift with no job without having to take EK's inventory in a very negative way and risk being viewed as a problem child in the process (you apparently aren't) ?

I'm not sure I'd trust that person on the other side of the desk to be familiar with and/or sympathetic to the explanation…which you don't actually want to openly "explain"…for why you left your last employer with no job in hand.

Best of luck to you.

bafanguy, I left without a job and would do it again. There is a very elegant way of explaining that step to a future employer.

It is in fact impossible to schedule for interviews on OFF days or even during your 4-day vacation.

More importantly, we as pilots are responsible for conducting flights in a completely legal and totally safe manner. It shows great character and responsibility to leave an environment where that may not be possible every day - without giving further details. If necessary you may hint at the WSJ article or RT coverage.

For what it's worth, I very recently left FZ (after being there for +7 years), with nothing either planned or lined-up, aside from getting out of the sandpit. I was barely ½ way through my 3 month notice period when the word got out that I was soon to be available, my phone rang and, hey presto, I find I'm in another job and they want me to start yesterday (whereas I wanted a few months off... what to do?!).

All in all, leaving the sandpit has definitely been one of my better decisions!

Your mileage may vary.

I have to agree with bafaguy to an extent. A lot guys here are bad mouthing EK and those very same guys will be lying through their teeth when asked why they left.

Assuming your next airline's recruiting staff are not just mindless HR drones but, like many, includes pilots on the selection team, do you really think they don't know why you're leaving EK? You don't need to be rude about EK but, equally, it's an excellent opportunity to explain how the new airline's policies are so much better and, in addition to other things, why it is you want to join them. Negative into a positive :ok:

There are so many different ways to say "EK is working pilots to death" without using those words. There are easily more diplomatic terms for communicating the same thing while still coming across as professional, than outright saying you left "because EK has become ****". Sorry fatbus, but you have no way of knowing what people are saying in interviews.

As far as explaining to anyone why you left EK, it's an expat job, for god's sake. No one stays forever (a few sad souls aside). If the HR person across the table isn't aware of that, well, it probably isn't a job worth having. Most leaving will be going to similar expat operators who know full well what's going on at EK these days.

In the end it's the experience they look at and want. If anything, companies I've contacted were eager to hire someone away from EK - they are despised (and yes, feared) by many of their competitors, so gaining an ex-EK pilot is a bit of a coup in many places. Once they get past the shiny image EK has worked so hard to portray.

If you have the time-on-type, I wouldn't fear leaving without something solid lined up, whatsoever. Do it and feel the elephant on your shoulders suddenly disappear.

Has anyone resigned and left before the 90 day period?

The reputation of this company is now known all over the world, relax guys and go ahead with your plan!

Wait:

aren't the airlines not coming to your front door?
There is a roadshow nearly every week just look for it!

You may cross-reference the number of airlines which are holding roadshows next door to Southwest's HQ.

Do you mean in some sort of official way? Because most certainly a good few have simply slipped away forfeiting their Dubai possessions and PF contributions, etc. My personal favourite method is the at least two I know of that operated out of Dubai and then just didn't come back. Can't think of a better way to express to the company your opinion of them than THAT! Seeing as EK chooses to ignore the numbers of those leaving formally and then continue to abuse those who remain.

As far as getting permission to reduce the 90 days I haven't heard of anyone doing so.

Bafanguy

I never mention that I will badmouth EK nor I intend to do. Its an expat job as someone mention, It was part of my life for a decade and is time to move on.

Now moving out of here is not like changing jobs in the high street, is stressful enough by its self so I saw it as an opportunity for my self to have a break

We are all different with different needs and priorities in life and nobody makes a decision like that "just because"

Thats why guys good luck with what you decide is best for you.

"Bafanguy

I never mention that I will badmouth EK nor I intend to do."


CAT3A,

The question was merely a hypothetical...

Thanks nolimitholdem. Yes indeed, I remember seeing suitcases filled with manuals at the old CBC. Guys operated out, never to be seen again.

Yes I know of two guys personally and they both had days deducted from their final departure payments.

Wh1sper,
I could only give 60 days notice as I had to start with another company. The EK cnuts took a month's pay off my final payout, ie. I worked the last month for free.

Thanks Caynine and Mister Warning!

Good to hear it can be done. For those who've left without a job, where did you end up getting on after your break from EK?

a looooooong 12 month vacation

"For those who've left without a job, where did you end up getting on after your break from EK?"

nolimitholdem - Your video really made my day !! :D

Damn...that's enough of Chinas for everyone who wants to quit EK:}