A320 command or Emirates f/o
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Again, name one outfit you go to from EK that is not a step backwards!
Of course you can always go somewhere else, but the question was if you then would be better of had you not joined EK, but joined the very same company / stayed where you are right away. That is what I see as a one-way street!
Of course you can always go somewhere else, but the question was if you then would be better of had you not joined EK, but joined the very same company / stayed where you are right away. That is what I see as a one-way street!
Last edited by 711; 16th Feb 2012 at 18:27.
Since when is EK a legacy carrier? 
I agree with 711. Why go to EK if you don't plan to stay till retirement? What is the use of wide body experience when the airlines in your home country do not have wide bodies to come back to let alone DEC positions? Now I understand that the topic starter is from India, so that may change things a bit, but from a European point of view, you better be sure that you want to stay in the desert, otherwise the move to EK is a blind move (which is fine, if you like that sort of thing!).
I agree with 711. Why go to EK if you don't plan to stay till retirement? What is the use of wide body experience when the airlines in your home country do not have wide bodies to come back to let alone DEC positions? Now I understand that the topic starter is from India, so that may change things a bit, but from a European point of view, you better be sure that you want to stay in the desert, otherwise the move to EK is a blind move (which is fine, if you like that sort of thing!).
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Penko,
Depends what people want out of their flying career. Not everyone has your opinion. Do you want to see the world or stay local? Some people don't mind flying for a Euro LCC run by a tyrant to the same destinations over and over and over with exhausting early and late schedules. Sure, it is a consistent paycheck at a stable airline, but every day is like ground hog day.
On the other side of the coin, some people would rather try new things and see new places and fly the most advanced equipment:
Photos: Airbus A380-861 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
or
Photos: Boeing 777-36N/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
They want to broaden their horizons and experience new cultures and perspectives. Plus, spending 7-8 years at EK could open up new doors to other expat opportunities down the road if the EK job loses it's luster.
Getting a few years of EK experience shouldn't hurt your overall career prospects - especially with Europe's downturn and the resulting flood of cheap pilots who want to stay in the area. Comparing Dubai to India should be a no-brainer. The Indian airline market is a mess and most pilots are paid squat - especially compared to the full EK package (salary, housing, etc.).
Don't misunderstand, EK is certainly not perfect. Just listen to the very vocal EK pilots on Pprune - exhausting flying, broken "promises" and some cultural issues. I don't fly for EK, but I know a few people who do and I hear about the positives and negatives. QR and EY also have serious negatives. That said, if this chap has already passed the EK process, perhaps he should give it a go and see the world........ That's my 2 cents.
Depends what people want out of their flying career. Not everyone has your opinion. Do you want to see the world or stay local? Some people don't mind flying for a Euro LCC run by a tyrant to the same destinations over and over and over with exhausting early and late schedules. Sure, it is a consistent paycheck at a stable airline, but every day is like ground hog day.
On the other side of the coin, some people would rather try new things and see new places and fly the most advanced equipment:
Photos: Airbus A380-861 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
or
Photos: Boeing 777-36N/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
They want to broaden their horizons and experience new cultures and perspectives. Plus, spending 7-8 years at EK could open up new doors to other expat opportunities down the road if the EK job loses it's luster.
Getting a few years of EK experience shouldn't hurt your overall career prospects - especially with Europe's downturn and the resulting flood of cheap pilots who want to stay in the area. Comparing Dubai to India should be a no-brainer. The Indian airline market is a mess and most pilots are paid squat - especially compared to the full EK package (salary, housing, etc.).
Don't misunderstand, EK is certainly not perfect. Just listen to the very vocal EK pilots on Pprune - exhausting flying, broken "promises" and some cultural issues. I don't fly for EK, but I know a few people who do and I hear about the positives and negatives. QR and EY also have serious negatives. That said, if this chap has already passed the EK process, perhaps he should give it a go and see the world........ That's my 2 cents.
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Clearly, if you are motivated by a big flashy WB, you should go to EK.
If you care more about family and want to marry and actually have a relationship, and that WB dream is not the only thing in life, you should upgrade.
(guessing you are not married - I highly doubt your wife would giving you the option to do either
)
only you know what you want from life?
If you care more about family and want to marry and actually have a relationship, and that WB dream is not the only thing in life, you should upgrade.
(guessing you are not married - I highly doubt your wife would giving you the option to do either
)only you know what you want from life?
If you care more about family and want to marry and actually have a relationship, and that WB dream is not the only thing in life, you should upgrade.
I've done European LCC and now fly for EK. The advantages for the Family here, plus the time I get to spend with them, is one motivator for us staying.
Iver, I do agree with what you in a way. But all that 'seeing the world' and flying big planes comes at a price: saying bye-bye to a stable life in your home country. That is a high price to pay for a lot of people. Like you say, a career in EK opens up other EXPAT opportunities. But how many people honestly want to be an expat contractor for their whole flying career?
Wizofoz, you have a family that will move with you around the world, and that is fine. In that case EK might be a dream job. But surely there is some sacrifice? What advantages does your wife have in Dubai that she did not have in your home country? And your children? Honest question
Wizofoz, you have a family that will move with you around the world, and that is fine. In that case EK might be a dream job. But surely there is some sacrifice? What advantages does your wife have in Dubai that she did not have in your home country? And your children? Honest question
But surely there is some sacrifice? What advantages does your wife have in Dubai that she did not have in your home country? And your children? Honest question
Advantages to my wife? A husband with a well paid job who is around occasionally! PLUS it IS a great place for the Girls to socialize, shop etc. We go out to a lot nicer places a lot more often.
The Kids have blossomed here- both go to excellent schools (that isn't a given- some here aren't great) and are involved in activities outside of school- plus things don't get canceled because of the rain very often!!
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iflyguy,
I've had this conversation with a few 320s FO's ..... as you rightly pointed out there is no right and wrong- at the end of the day you'll decide what suits you.
I'm kinda in the same position as you, same age group 320 FO flying in India (but not near command). I took the EK offer and am heading off in a few months. Had command been offered to me (or even if i was a Captain) I would still take the EK offer. But hey that's just me.
IMHO there are a few reasons to not take the EK offer. 1) Family obligations 2) Monetarily and 3) If you're not gonna like DXB.
Reasons for.
1) Professional growth. I know PIC time is gold but ... at 27!! If I stayed in India command would come (eventually) ... then what? Fly mainly domestic on the same aircraft in the same company with the same flying culture? No thanks!
Id rather work abroad and gain a new perspective. In the long run it'll make you a better pilot no question about it.
2) Iv heard a few people say "once you taste the left seat its hard to go back to the right seat' ....
at 27??? Maybe if you were in your 40s then staying as an F/O becomes more complicated but we have almost 40 years of flying ahead of us. Captaincy will come, quite frankly flying in one country or company your whole life- you'll have blinders on.
Career growth career growth career growth. I know a lot of people on this forum will ridicule us for wanting to move to EK (we know it has its negatives) but we all have our comparisons. Indigo is stable and growing- but remember the industry in India will be thrice as big a decade from now- moving back will be an option and you'll probably be able to move back as a captain should you want to 10 years from now.
My 2 cents
I've had this conversation with a few 320s FO's ..... as you rightly pointed out there is no right and wrong- at the end of the day you'll decide what suits you.
I'm kinda in the same position as you, same age group 320 FO flying in India (but not near command). I took the EK offer and am heading off in a few months. Had command been offered to me (or even if i was a Captain) I would still take the EK offer. But hey that's just me.
IMHO there are a few reasons to not take the EK offer. 1) Family obligations 2) Monetarily and 3) If you're not gonna like DXB.
Reasons for.
1) Professional growth. I know PIC time is gold but ... at 27!! If I stayed in India command would come (eventually) ... then what? Fly mainly domestic on the same aircraft in the same company with the same flying culture? No thanks!
Id rather work abroad and gain a new perspective. In the long run it'll make you a better pilot no question about it.
2) Iv heard a few people say "once you taste the left seat its hard to go back to the right seat' ....
at 27??? Maybe if you were in your 40s then staying as an F/O becomes more complicated but we have almost 40 years of flying ahead of us. Captaincy will come, quite frankly flying in one country or company your whole life- you'll have blinders on. Career growth career growth career growth. I know a lot of people on this forum will ridicule us for wanting to move to EK (we know it has its negatives) but we all have our comparisons. Indigo is stable and growing- but remember the industry in India will be thrice as big a decade from now- moving back will be an option and you'll probably be able to move back as a captain should you want to 10 years from now.
My 2 cents
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I think stealthpilot summed it up right. I have an acquaintance in EK and from what I've learned they don't generally take DEC's, but when they do, it's usually guys with around 10000 hours (remember it's an all wide body fleet) Most FO's are seniors with around 4000+hours total so getting in with less than 3000 hours is already a feat. Man you are 27, 40 years of jet flying left (boring
), go ahead and explore new horizons, make some money, have fun while you're at it; Command will come in time., and even if it comes in ten years, well you'll still have 30 years left... on the left!
), go ahead and explore new horizons, make some money, have fun while you're at it; Command will come in time., and even if it comes in ten years, well you'll still have 30 years left... on the left!
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Command time opens more doors at more carriers than F/O time. That said, delay your employment with EK for as long as possible, that is if you have your heart set on EK.
According to a bunch of my mates at EK... no DECs in the immediate future. Too many F/Os to move in that direction first, even with additional aircraft EK is taking.
According to a bunch of my mates at EK... no DECs in the immediate future. Too many F/Os to move in that direction first, even with additional aircraft EK is taking.
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It all depends where you are! A320 f/o where? If i would be in Indigo, i would definitely go for ek!! Capt in europe well paid a320 job.. Ek, no way!! Again it all depends on what you want in life!
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PENKO,
easyJet is packed to the rafters of ex-widebody skippers from BA/Singapore/Virgin/Cathay Terrific and Emirates.
Dont forget the R.A.F widebody pilots too, (and also the R.A.F narrowbody pilots.)
They are a valueable commodity in an airline full of 200hr cadets!!
What is the use of wide body experience when the airlines in your home country do not have wide bodies to come back to let alone DEC positions?
Dont forget the R.A.F widebody pilots too, (and also the R.A.F narrowbody pilots.)
They are a valueable commodity in an airline full of 200hr cadets!!
Last edited by Craggenmore; 20th Feb 2012 at 06:56.
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There are no DEC positions in easyJet craggenmore, nor does easyjet hire experienced FO's for fasttrack command....
So yes these guys are very valuable, but past results are no guarentee for the future.
So yes these guys are very valuable, but past results are no guarentee for the future.
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EK seems to be here to stay. You cannot say the same for many A320 operators that will accept DEC for your future contract positions.
Future downturns may have you out of an A320 job for up to 6 months until you decide it is necessary to accept a sub standard contract in a place you would not want your family. You could easy be in the same position as many contract pilots who are job hunting regardless of their known need.
EK is the pick of the sandpit operators. Dare I say it, but also EK is the new CX. Hard to think that you could put them off for 2 years.
Missing the chance for an A320 command is a huge decision not to be made lightly. The fact that you made an EK application indicates that you must have already made this choice.
Future downturns may have you out of an A320 job for up to 6 months until you decide it is necessary to accept a sub standard contract in a place you would not want your family. You could easy be in the same position as many contract pilots who are job hunting regardless of their known need.
EK is the pick of the sandpit operators. Dare I say it, but also EK is the new CX. Hard to think that you could put them off for 2 years.
Missing the chance for an A320 command is a huge decision not to be made lightly. The fact that you made an EK application indicates that you must have already made this choice.
