As predicted by many, there is sufficient interest from Skippers but not enough from F/Os.

Applications for F/Os only has been extended until the end of October. The whole idea has been postponed until the New Year now.

Any F/O volunteering for this needs to sit down and think again. For multiple reasons, it's a bad idea. After thinking about it, if they still think it's a good idea, then sit down and think again! The only exception I can think of would be permanent F/Os without family.

Look no further than what has just happened to the 330 guys and girls.

Simple- new hire FOs go to 77F, company does not care about safety. It's more economical!!! Remember ME is about greed and money.

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole concept falls flat on its face, unless they assign F/Os to the freighter fleet.

There is obviously a noticable deficit in the number of F/Os needed and those that want to apply, probably already have and those that wish to give it a wide berth, have done so accordingly. Simply extending the application window will probably be futile, unless what they are offering becomes more appealing and above all, is deemed to be palpable.

A more appealing offer is absolutely hollow and meaningless without trust. That is in very short supply.

<Sarcasm on>

Ah c'mon Habibis, they are really making a superb offer.

They are Establishing a DWC laundry, Uniform Store, trying to remove swapping restrictions for interline deadheading, and the minute carrot of improving some other vague Terms and Conditions for Cargo pilots...

you guys are really gonna miss out. <sarcasm off>

SyB :zzz::zzz:

.... and don't forget, only experienced senior FOs need apply.

SYB

A leap of faith may be required for this new gig, sure, but I guess it all depends on how desperate some are to commute each month. It comes down to priorities and what potential sacrifice one has to make if you want your 5 days in a row. There are quite a few EK pilots with families out of Dubai so for those looking to get back once a month, the freighter option should be ideal, certainly better than current rosters are achieving.

By all means knock it, but don't come crying when you can only get a max string of 3 days off on the pax fleet. Having your cake and eating it doesn't work here any more....at least not for the present. If the package doesn't suit, why knock it? Just walk away.

What was that proverb again...'Never look a gift horse in the mouth'?

Harry

Harry

This gift horse is so geriatric, it will not survive the first few months.

The 5 days off in a row will be gone as fast as you can say khalas, if they only barely find the numbers required . And the fault will then be laid on the lazy colleagues who did not apply.

Maybe the promised 5 days off in a row will then be down the route, in some beautiful dump in Africa.

With many other friends i don't believe anything no more coming from this outfit, even if it comes in writing. Their credibility has evaporated, diluted to outer space ratio.

Anyone taking up that job might be lucky, but my guess is they will be shafted as much as the 340 guys.

Why shouldn't I complain about not more than 3 on a pax fleet? Just because someone has 5 in a row on a freighter I shouldn't. Where is that rule in the OM-a that pax pilots are forbidden to rest with their families more than 3? It seems to me that the company nailed it again against us. Everytime you go and point out how screwed up bidding system is, they can say....join the freighter. Almost all the guys I talked to are joining the cargo because they are leaving in a year's time. 5days even 10 in a row can easily be done on every fleet at any seat...they are just refusing to do it

Why should I have to sign up for a different job than the one I originally signed up for, just to get decent working conditions?

If it can be done on the freighter surely it can be done on the pax...

Exactly..days in a row are not my right, but they are not a luxury, a big favour, or an incentive. It is sad that people are willing to give 25 days of the month to have 5days consecutive.

I don't disagree with any of that but the truth is things ain't getting any better around these parts! It boils down to doing what's best for your own circumstances and if anyone thinks that a string of 5 off each and every month is achievable with the current numbers, they're delusional. it's EXACTLY why the Company is offering it as an enticement for the freighter ops.

I'd like to have the 75 hours and two weeks off that I had 12 years ago but that's not reality. Reality is currently 90-100 hours plus every month, flying with demotivated crew, an undermanned and heavily overworked training department and a management that seem incapable of grasping the gravitas of the deteriorating situation. The ill thought out policy of A340 'demotions' is just the latest in a string of poor, incompetent decisions made by individuals unwilling or unable to implement logical and fair changes. The ridiculous seniority list is another. What person with even a modicum of basic intelligence would subscribe to signing off such crap.

God knows how this fiasco will end but for many pilots, they will not care. They've either left already or are planning to do so.

Harry

If you had flown 75 in half of the month why shouldn't you fly 95 in two thirds.
Those weird limitations when you try and swap shows how company think roster should look like and how important is not to give us that. Why every half decent company in the world does not care how many days off you have as long as you fly your productive hours, and with this lot it is imperative to go opposite?
Captain with 35 and one month is OK...with 34 and 11 is not...god help us.
However soon nothing will be possible with this manning and attrition.

16 day trips starting in November.

halas

(Hola Puerto Rico!)

SJU replacing CUR as tech stop for the flowers coming out of UIO.

Etihad and others already using it.

Not SJU.

halas

So not even started the separate fleet and already separate T&Cs. (Talking about the FLA)

If there is weak interest in joining the freighter fleet perhaps they should offer level 2 pay scale. Apparently that's how you attract experience...

I think it is not SJU, but BQN (Ramey Air Force Base)...don't shoot the messenger. :)