Emirates DEC
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 696
From: Brit living in Malaysia
I joined EK as a DEC almost 15 years ago. I found the conversion course was not technically difficult but there was an awful lot of it and I seemed to spend most of my time trying to 'unlearn' the way I had operated for the previous 30 years (in 3 airlines and the military) and trying to learn the 'Emirates' way. I found the course to be more about time management and preparation rather than anything that actually happened in the sim or in the aircraft - maybe I was just lucky.
On conversion and on the line I never experienced any issues with F/Os who thought I was sitting in their seat.
Overall, I am glad I joined as a DEC as it served its purpose for me just as I served a purpose for EK as a DEC. But never regard working for EK as anything other than a business arrangement. If they need to make redunduncies today (Covid-19 or suchlike) then that's just hard luck - ask the guys who thought they were joining EK and never even got their joining cargo unpacked!
If you are not too old and would have other options if EK didn't work out, I would say go there and enjoy the experience but always remind yourself of where you would have been at your age if you were enjoying a full career with a legacy carrier, and plan your finances (especially your spending in DXB) accordingly.
Good luck.
On conversion and on the line I never experienced any issues with F/Os who thought I was sitting in their seat.
Overall, I am glad I joined as a DEC as it served its purpose for me just as I served a purpose for EK as a DEC. But never regard working for EK as anything other than a business arrangement. If they need to make redunduncies today (Covid-19 or suchlike) then that's just hard luck - ask the guys who thought they were joining EK and never even got their joining cargo unpacked!
If you are not too old and would have other options if EK didn't work out, I would say go there and enjoy the experience but always remind yourself of where you would have been at your age if you were enjoying a full career with a legacy carrier, and plan your finances (especially your spending in DXB) accordingly.
Good luck.
Last edited by BANANASBANANAS; 20th November 2025 at 22:59.
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 696
From: Brit living in Malaysia
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 296
Likes: 176
From: newbury
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 184
Likes: 56
From: Dubai, once... now London
As nickler writes so nicely - they hire DEC's to get hated by everyone(FO that get jumped in internal upgrades), YOU have to take the heat, YOU are expected to do the job the airline should do(a proper induction, a proper linetraining onto the LH seat without an incredible amount of stress).
I joined EK as a DEC almost 15 years ago. I found the conversion course was not technically difficult but there was an awful lot of it and I seemed to spend most of my time trying to 'unlearn' the way I had operated for the previous 30 years (in 3 airlines and the military) and trying to learn the 'Emirates' way. I found the course to be more about time management and preparation rather than anything that actually happened in the sim or in the aircraft - maybe I was just lucky.
On conversion and on the line I never experienced any issues with F/Os who thought I was sitting in their seat.
Overall, I am glad I joined as a DEC as it served its purpose for me just as I served a purpose for EK as a DEC. But never regard working for EK as anything other than a business arrangement. If they need to make redunduncies today (Covid-19 or suchlike) then that's just hard luck - ask the guys who thought they were joining EK and never even got their joining cargo unpacked!
If you are not too old and would have other options if EK didn't work out, I would say go there and enjoy the experience but always remind yourself of where you would have been at your age if you were enjoying a full career with a legacy carrier, and plan your finances (especially your spending in DXB) accordingly.
Good luck.
On conversion and on the line I never experienced any issues with F/Os who thought I was sitting in their seat.
Overall, I am glad I joined as a DEC as it served its purpose for me just as I served a purpose for EK as a DEC. But never regard working for EK as anything other than a business arrangement. If they need to make redunduncies today (Covid-19 or suchlike) then that's just hard luck - ask the guys who thought they were joining EK and never even got their joining cargo unpacked!
If you are not too old and would have other options if EK didn't work out, I would say go there and enjoy the experience but always remind yourself of where you would have been at your age if you were enjoying a full career with a legacy carrier, and plan your finances (especially your spending in DXB) accordingly.
Good luck.
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 15
From: Not in UK
I would just stress to anyone considering this to make sure you do your research very thoroughly. And make sure you get advice from people who have been in the company for a long time, not 2-3 years!
24/7 operation - make sure you are fully aware of the type of duties. Deep nights on most trips in at least one direction, most turnarounds etc. There will be times where you are absolutely exhausted.
Roster - Ask people who have been in the company 7+ years how the rostering has been over that entire time. Ask in particular about day off requests and specific trip requests. Do not presume that if it has been ok in the last couple of years that will continue!
Compare the salary to cost of living. In particular look at the cost of property to rent/buy, school fees, likely monthly bills, groceries etc. Accomodation Allowance is frozen and not available all the time.
If planning to live in company accomodation visit it before you sign the contract. Make sure you are happy with the compound and where it is in relation to the rest of the city.
Company culture, in particular with regards to sickness/promotion etc. Especially if you want to progress your career beyond line captain.
Black swan events - how the A380 fleet in particular were treated during the pandemic.
Dubai - I really enjoyed my time there but its not for everybody. Make sure you visit first, ideally with your partner/family in the summer.
24/7 operation - make sure you are fully aware of the type of duties. Deep nights on most trips in at least one direction, most turnarounds etc. There will be times where you are absolutely exhausted.
Roster - Ask people who have been in the company 7+ years how the rostering has been over that entire time. Ask in particular about day off requests and specific trip requests. Do not presume that if it has been ok in the last couple of years that will continue!
Compare the salary to cost of living. In particular look at the cost of property to rent/buy, school fees, likely monthly bills, groceries etc. Accomodation Allowance is frozen and not available all the time.
If planning to live in company accomodation visit it before you sign the contract. Make sure you are happy with the compound and where it is in relation to the rest of the city.
Company culture, in particular with regards to sickness/promotion etc. Especially if you want to progress your career beyond line captain.
Black swan events - how the A380 fleet in particular were treated during the pandemic.
Dubai - I really enjoyed my time there but its not for everybody. Make sure you visit first, ideally with your partner/family in the summer.
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 121
Likes: 10
From: Dubai, UAE
I would just stress to anyone considering this to make sure you do your research very thoroughly. And make sure you get advice from people who have been in the company for a long time, not 2-3 years!
24/7 operation - make sure you are fully aware of the type of duties. Deep nights on most trips in at least one direction, most turnarounds etc. There will be times where you are absolutely exhausted.
Roster - Ask people who have been in the company 7+ years how the rostering has been over that entire time. Ask in particular about day off requests and specific trip requests. Do not presume that if it has been ok in the last couple of years that will continue!
Compare the salary to cost of living. In particular look at the cost of property to rent/buy, school fees, likely monthly bills, groceries etc. Accomodation Allowance is frozen and not available all the time.
If planning to live in company accomodation visit it before you sign the contract. Make sure you are happy with the compound and where it is in relation to the rest of the city.
Company culture, in particular with regards to sickness/promotion etc. Especially if you want to progress your career beyond line captain.
Black swan events - how the A380 fleet in particular were treated during the pandemic.
Dubai - I really enjoyed my time there but its not for everybody. Make sure you visit first, ideally with your partner/family in the summer.
24/7 operation - make sure you are fully aware of the type of duties. Deep nights on most trips in at least one direction, most turnarounds etc. There will be times where you are absolutely exhausted.
Roster - Ask people who have been in the company 7+ years how the rostering has been over that entire time. Ask in particular about day off requests and specific trip requests. Do not presume that if it has been ok in the last couple of years that will continue!
Compare the salary to cost of living. In particular look at the cost of property to rent/buy, school fees, likely monthly bills, groceries etc. Accomodation Allowance is frozen and not available all the time.
If planning to live in company accomodation visit it before you sign the contract. Make sure you are happy with the compound and where it is in relation to the rest of the city.
Company culture, in particular with regards to sickness/promotion etc. Especially if you want to progress your career beyond line captain.
Black swan events - how the A380 fleet in particular were treated during the pandemic.
Dubai - I really enjoyed my time there but its not for everybody. Make sure you visit first, ideally with your partner/family in the summer.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,973
Likes: 326
From: Hong Kong
The only problem with visiting the middle east only in summer is you might get the impression that the weather is like that all the time, which it isn't. My opinon is the weather is perfect 9 months of the year and F***ing hot for 3 months. But I'll take that over 9 months of cold and/or wet any day!
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 332
Likes: 75
From: Oxford
The only problem with visiting the middle east only in summer is you might get the impression that the weather is like that all the time, which it isn't. My opinon is the weather is perfect 9 months of the year and F***ing hot for 3 months. But I'll take that over 9 months of cold and/or wet any day!
I did like the weather, but got bored of endless sunshine for 15yrs.
But one factor is the horrendous air quality, I’ll take seasons and some rain over that any day.
But hey it’s all personal preference on that one!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
From: Europe
The only problem with visiting the middle east only in summer is you might get the impression that the weather is like that all the time, which it isn't. My opinon is the weather is perfect 9 months of the year and F***ing hot for 3 months. But I'll take that over 9 months of cold and/or wet any day!
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 15
From: Not in UK
Continuing on this theme; visit with the family in April/May perhaps? Evenings are lovely but every afternoon well into the 40s. I coped with the weather well, I loved the perfect 6 months (imo) every year. But if the wife and kids are not going to leave every summer they need to experience just how unbearable it is.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 74
From: uk
In terms of company culture, I was wondering as Captain what support or resistance would you get in the following scenario:
Currently they are still using Iranian airspace when most international carriers are not based on security grounds.
Let say that you as the captain decided that you are not happy to accept a flight plan over Iranian airspace, would be the response be?
This type of culture is a big one for many considering a move to another carrier.
Currently they are still using Iranian airspace when most international carriers are not based on security grounds.
Let say that you as the captain decided that you are not happy to accept a flight plan over Iranian airspace, would be the response be?
This type of culture is a big one for many considering a move to another carrier.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 8
From: Italy
I imagine the response will be on the line of: “our security team assessed the use of such airspace in compliance with our strict security requirements, in coordination with government agencies and so on… are you refusing to carry out your planned duty Captain?”
You know the ME can have a somehow fragile political stability at times, and a local carrier will overfly hotspots such as Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Iran, etc.
They have specific restrictions and procedures in place for each airspace, including prohibited airspaces. I doubt you refusing to fly over an “approved airspace” will go down very well with management.
You know the ME can have a somehow fragile political stability at times, and a local carrier will overfly hotspots such as Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Iran, etc.
They have specific restrictions and procedures in place for each airspace, including prohibited airspaces. I doubt you refusing to fly over an “approved airspace” will go down very well with management.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 74
From: uk
I imagine the response will be on the line of: “our security team assessed the use of such airspace in compliance with our strict security requirements, in coordination with government agencies and so on… are you refusing to carry out your planned duty Captain?”
You know the ME can have a somehow fragile political stability at times, and a local carrier will overfly hotspots such as Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Iran, etc.
They have specific restrictions and procedures in place for each airspace, including prohibited airspaces. I doubt you refusing to fly over an “approved airspace” will go down very well with management.
You know the ME can have a somehow fragile political stability at times, and a local carrier will overfly hotspots such as Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Iran, etc.
They have specific restrictions and procedures in place for each airspace, including prohibited airspaces. I doubt you refusing to fly over an “approved airspace” will go down very well with management.
thank you, this answers my question, I will not apply.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 71
From: Village of Santo Poco
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 74
From: uk
worth a read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655
Last edited by eagle21; 21st January 2026 at 03:49.