Someone once said something along the lines of..."if it flies, floats or fcuks... rent it" ??? ;)

Hope you've got lots of dough !! :ok: :ok:

Jim Morehead,

Personally was flying thru (and based in) the Arabian Gulf long before most of the guys at EK could even find it on the map.
Always prefered DXB (over AUH) as there always seemed more to do.
A good friend of mine had a rather big boat (60' loa) and was always accomodating. 'Tis the best way, knowing someone with a boat...and far cheaper.
Prices (in general) are certainly much higher now than just a few short years ago.

If you go to work there, get everything in writing, as many will lie, lie, and lie again unless it's in black and white.
Wishful thinking just does not work in that part of the world, and never has.

51yrs old with a 4 yr old daughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What ever you do now Dave,enjoy it...cause you are gonna have a hell of a retirement looking out for the teenage daughter and it's bloody hard holding the shotgun straight with dimentia:E

Ferris, just to add to your post, another reason crime seems so low here is it isn't reported unless it is solved. Unlike the west there is no free flow of information from the police and justice system to the media. If someone is assaulted downtown in the small hours, unless you know that person or it is instantly solved with the perpetrators in court (unlikely) you won't hear or read of it. Yes it is safer here than most western cities but I am under few illusions as to the actual versus reported crime rate. Burglaries are not uncommon either.
JM, if you hire a car and drive to Dubai watch your rearview mirror. The driving here can be exciting and the biggest threat probably comes from the kid coming up behind you at the speed of heat in daddy's Merc.
Rgds
UAE

The reason EK has started to recruit DEC is not only due to the mass expansion BUT the Yanks have told them so. They are unhappy with the inexperience F/O getting in the left and operting to the East Coast in Winter,Infact,CAA has been notified of an average of 20+ go/arounds a month been logged in the Tech Log in the last six month!!

huh? you must be good

"the yanks have told them so!?"

That's a good one, I wonder if the "yanks" realize that the majority of the DEC Airbus guys coming in, as well as new upgrades, will only be flying the A330 for the first year. There are a few acceptions of course but not many, before Company policy (yeah I know that will more than likely change as well) will have them doing the A340 course.

Besides the A345's are currently manned by the senior Airbus skippers (for the most part), you know the ones who have been on 'buses for quite some time.

JABAL

Where did you hear that!

Perhaps if the company looked within and saw some of the experience already available, things might move on.

There are F/Os with East and West coast widebody experience!

Are you ready?
I was born ready!:ok:

helen and gang!! please don't shoot the Meesenger. The europeans and co are keeping a close eye on EK operation.it's only the few who managed to get through the safety net that EK has tailored will be under "SCRUTINY". ;)

Gerbil, its fine to shoot the messanger if he is the originator. National Authorities keep an eye on all operators into their countries (or they should). 20 go rounds a month...for what reason, are you suggesting that a go round is an example of an unsafe practise...I think the reverse is true.

So the "Europeans and co" are keeping tabs on individual pilots are they? more crap.

Obviously too much fertiliser in that fertile home of yours

max AB, I whole heartedly agree with you, Its safer to G/A and return, Rather continue and end up at the end of the golf course as Qantas 744 experienced couple years ago in Bangkok ;) BUT with a Company as Reputable as EK, 20+ G/A a month is a bit questionable, Considering the interview selection is very exclusive!!!!!!!! :cool:

'scuse me Gerbil but on what statistical model do you base the GA rate on? ....the sun baked one?:hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

responses to my EK questiona
 

want to say thanks to all wh responded to my queries. i'm the twa/aa guy who thought about coming to EK. i liked the humor, also! your answers/coments made up my mind that my lot is not as bad as i perceive it. i will not come, so that one more f/o can upgrade to capt. i wish all of you ther the best...dave

Savings
 

How much a new joiner DEC would save montly (no 5 star restaurants, designer's clothes etc...) with two kids on good school, wife and normal expenditures?

FF,

I'm just finishing my first year. With 1 kid, we haven't saved a dime. In fact, we've come close to dipping into our savings a few times. I'm told that that is typical for the first year. I would hope to have a modest savings program next year. Probably no more than 400-500 USD per month.

Having said that, we do balance living and savings. It'd be tough to live here if you didn't open up the purse strings and live a little.

Bottom line is that EK is not a get-rich-quick type of ex-pat job. Over the long haul, I think it will work out, but short term...

I agree with Bus, this is not a get rich quick type of airline job. You will have to work at it long term. I have been with the company almost ten years, six of which as a Captain and probably only really started saving anything significant (2 500 USD p/m) from about 3 or 4 years ago. I know of people who have managed to save more but with a big sacrifice in lifestyle which I dont think is the way it should be done! You can't live on Schwarmas and its nice to get the kids new bicycle's and give the wife a reasonable allowance. Dubai is an expensive place to live and we have watched it get more expensive virtually by the month. Doesn't make sense though as I would have thought it would be cheaper to bring in household items, meat etc with the drastically increased demand over recent years compared to the early days. I think there is a lot of greedy business going on out there.
New FO's with families will certainly not be able to put much if anything aside and bottom notch Capt's will also have to play things carefully if they want to save anything substantial.
Anyway, no one ever said it would be easy in the desert!
We are still having fun and lifes too short to worry about money so try and stick a bit away for the future without sacrificing too much lifestyle and keep buying that lottery ticket - you never know?

Fish,

The argument works for sad UK types but not people from warmer climbs. Throwing aside the job completely.... The 'Big Picture' is that there are roads outside of Dubai and the motherland.

You seem to have a high opinion of the Sheik Zahed or Emirates Roads, not sure of your criteria. Taking view, safety and the opportunity to live in a garden spot away from smogsville. I'd take the Pacific Coast High just north of San Diego or south of San Francisco. The entire East Coast of the good ole USA particularly through the Great Smoky Mountains and most roads in Oz or NZ.

These options get rid of the grey and dreary, get rid of a lot of the traffic, get rid of the high cost of living and introduce things like seasons, leaves falling, grass turning brown in the winter and back to green during the spring. A short sharp winter and a long hot summer without going above 35°C....Now that is the 'Big Picture'


Cerberus:=

Please don't tell me people come here for the weather!!!

Fish Perhaps you are a Fish out of Water??



When I worked out of Gatwick I never had to go anywhere near the M25 and the times I usually reported for duty were rarely in the rush hour. The trouble with a lot of Pilots in the UK is that they never seem to want to live anywhere near their workplace which makes the job even more horrendous than it already is.

Still in EK that is not a problem as you have to live where they put you or take the Rental Allowance.

Still it is the Lifestyle you are there for as you tell us.

Max AB I believe some do go for the weather.!! :confused: :confused:

Retirement
 

Dear Bus Canuck, 7550 and Fish, thank you guys!

Now, speaking about retirement, how much would figure taking after, say, 7 years with EK?

Are you all Capt with EK?