BYMONEK, you`re a bit pretentious.

However I like your idea about the pilot body. Why don`t you go ahead and start an underground organisation, just like the unions did ages ago in the first world. This country, with its lack of any revolution we had; French-, industrial-, sexual- etc., desperately needs reform in any way possible. Just like any other Arab country, as a matter of fact.

Whining is good, but it`s now time to act before things get worse.

How can you expect a workforce, pilots including, keep their interest in an airline that is runned like a 1960`s British hospital in the middle of East Yorkshire, where the director of surgery is a sheepherder?

Promises, promises, I guess.

If we just sit here and do absolutely nothing than spent our ever decreasing income on Dubai gadgets nothing will happen.

Issues have to be adressed and sorted before EK becomes another airline that used to be good.

Ghost

A lot of what you've just said hits the nail squarely on the head. I don't disagree with you because not only are there friends of mine who have been here the same time and feel the same way as you, but I too have been disadvantaged by a change in policy that was implemented during my initial training. I didn't like it but could do little to change it. As you quite rightly say, advise all those out there of the pitfalls in coming but I also think it's fair to point out the positives as well. Regarding those 18 days off you used to have, in my 20 years of flying i've never enjoyed that luxury but I can empathise with you and those that used to enjoy the Halcyon days.That's why it seems worse for you guys than for us newbies.

BYLAW

What's 'pretentious' about expecting a provident fund to perform well? I'm achieving a greater return on a UK cash deposit account. This last 12-18 months has seen some stellar rises in share values but our fund managers must have been away on leave for a year or two........or spending the true gains down at Cyclones!

BYMONEK,

Do you not think I havent asked why my PF is 12,000 USD less than I paid in after 11 years??

Well I have many times and I get a lengthy mealy mouthed complicated response with charts and graphs,etc etc.But no reply which I can understand.

2 questions:- If the "target" is to match EOSB then Id have been better off putting 11 years contributions under the mattress.I dont understand the stock market thats why I have NO CHOICE but to place it with the PF and the clowns who run it for us.

Finally why does it take from the 26th(pay day) each month until the 9th of the next month to transfer into the PF??

Multiply that lot by 1500 pilots and the others thats a lot of interest.Our PF has the potential to be huge,yet again our "managers" hear and say nothing.

Ever wondered why the dreary money men who come out for the 6 monthly meetings to address us travel in First Class??

Keep discovering.The PF has been a huge disappointment.

QB

I think that the poorly managed provident fund is one area,

perhaps the only one , where a concerted effort on our part

can bring about change . It should have pilot representatives

on board and proper administrators to ensure a better return .


At the moment it appears to be a bit of a scam , that,s not to

say that the "C" accounts have performed badly, in some cases

they have done very well this year . This however has not been

reflected in the performance of the other funds. It is time for a

shake up ,either a move to other managers or an increase in

avialable products with active management of same . Many

funds are a waste of money, but the charges incurred ; although

we are told there are no charges , are significant . The provident

fund itself is quite large in terms of market value and

would represent an interesting proposition for a good asset

management team . The bottom line is who,s money is it

anyway ? Anyone got any suggestions as to how we can

influence or change this state of affairs .

JackD

That was my point regarding fund choice, or rather the lack of it in our case. If we could select and use a wider range of products for the A & B funds, one's that are available to the general public, then the funds would need to perform well to attract investors on the open market. With our scheme there is simply no accountability at all. As you say, all suggestions welcome.