All 777-200's to be phased out with immediate effect. I presume that this means they will not be scheduled to operate for the summer season 2017 i.e. after March.

I think that will leave 777 lines for Captains at 50-60 hours per month. That'll be the largest pay cut. Forget tax, the 3% and the EOC bonus.

Polax52, In case you are wondering the phase out of the B77-200 has been planned and accounted for by "those in the know" for at least the last three months. It is no surprise at all. There'll be no surplus crew problems, or if there is it will be only temporary, as the plan is to CCQ the surplus portion of B777 crew to the B787's due soon to arrive, or transition them to the B787 as a single fleet.

Obviously, the first option is the most cost efficient for the company and that is what is being advised and has been so for at least the last three months. There is also a big shortage of crew on the A330, which looks like it is going to be a big money fleet going forward for the next few years due increases in destinations, frequencies and hours. It may also be an alternative for any surplus B777 crew that do not fancy the B787 or too much B777 long haul.

VAMY

One of them is Greek, well sort of....:\

Yes he is, sort of, but he knows his speciality very well indeed!

Dropping all the 200's is a pretty big move. Will the 330 be picking up all the medium haul?

Gaca did not seem overly thrilled with CCQ in the past (320-330), has that changed? Last year the airline was talking CCQ starting with instructors then seniors. I don't think it has happened yet.

There are changes being imposed on Flight Operations from above, with planned expansion and shortage of crew CCQ on the Boeing & the Airbus fleets is the obvious way to go. Many of their Middle East competitors utilize CCQ and Saudia higher management are asking " why should Saudia be any different? In the past it was Saudia Flight Operations that were reluctant, mainly because of vested reasons within the Flight Operations Management community.

The plans for the A330R is mainly to operate regional and some higher capacity domestic routes. The regional routes are basically anywhere within about 3 hours flight time-North Africa, Near & Middle East, The Persian Gulf, India, Pakistan, some East Africa, etc. The longer range A330's might pick up a few routes into Europe but that is not really the plan. The A330 is the most likely fleet to have a decent and proper commuting roster, for those that want it.

The above is my best guess.

Payslip still reflects hegira month, I guess we have lost only the 3% pay rise.

Heard the news? I believe a new Saudia CEO is soon to be appointed. He arrives next month & guess what? He's another expat! A German, I believe, or maybe an Austrian?

So it's just going to get worse I believe.

Based on the latest bulletin, Mr Richard Nuttal has moved from Vice President Commercial Transformation to Vice President Sales, no other expats mentioned at this time, but they did move about 20 people into various positions.

More and more failures and resignations in the last few weeks. An expat capt resigned just before his "star" flight. He said "I just cant take it anymore". Another expat line FO was made to fly first and put down during his PPC. Lots of failures in training for stupid reasons.


Several expats (FOs as well as capts) are waiting to complete the training, Whereas locals from Embraers complete 777 training under 4 months. Not to mention other arabic speaking expats get their way through by getting good instructors and check airmen. And in line, reserve line, stupid flights all night short sector , no overtime, constant calls from rostering and much more.
Clearly they are sending out a loud message that " we don't want expats any more on 777 "

Overall morale has hit the all time low.:ugh:

Flyboy...... It's true that local Captains who are in transition from one fleet to another get a priority over initial Captains. This isn't in anyway hidden or unreasonable. Local first officers upgrading to Captain often take 1 year to complete that course. Expat initial Captains only take 7 months. The priority in Transition is also given to Expat Captains. Most legacy carriers around the world use seniority to decide Priority and I would have thought that this was fair.

There are many things to complain about but this is not one of them. The current training regime and failure rate is an issue.

I meant Local Embraer FOs transitioning to B777. Yeah that's a bigger one.

Good for them, I am glad they are having the chance to transition. Hiring Expat FO's to the wide body was always controversial with the locals. Many never saw the need.

Now even the management never sees the need !

This is kind of funny, I wonder how many recent hires will return home.

Now in a desperate move they are offering 787 courses to expat trainee captains.
:ugh:

To whom?.....

New hire direct entry captains

New hire 777 DEC who are in line training exactly.