Which job? EZ vs NOR vs ME3
 

Let's say, hypothetically, that you had a job offer from EZ (based LGW), NOR (737 Max) and EK (on the 380).

Which employer do you go for?

All of the above would involve moving house for me, but this is no problem. Also not got any kids in school (yet!) so pretty flexible with where I can go.

I have no issue with living abroad (including the UAE- and yes, I know what it's like). Cost of living is important to me (hence my reluctance to commit to an LGW base). Money is pretty important to me, but then again so is spending time with friends and family.

Kind of want my next job move to be a more permanent one, rather than the job-hopping that I've been doing for the last 8-9 years.

Comments welcome!

That really is a question only you can answer. You say you want this to be long term move so the question you need to ask is can you live for a long period of time in the Middle East? For me the answer is simple NO! So I would choose EZ wait a while and get my command and then sit there fat dumb and happy for the rest of my career, only slight floor in that plan is you will never get a decent contract offer from them as an FO! If you can afford and are willing to accept a :mad: deal for a few years then EZ might work out. I know nothing about NOR so can't advice. Having worked for one of the other big 3 ME carriers wild horses would not drag me back, but if you can live with it then it has many benefits.

I would choose EZY, then bid for a EU base or if UK is your thing a small base far from London. LGW not the best in terms of cost of life vs salary.

Tend to go with Enzo here. My choice would be EZ. EK would be fun and at least its Dubai and not Doha. NOR ? You must be joking.

Would choose Easy , the other 2 no way! Golden prison in the desert .
Maybe you should consider Thomson ? Crap starting conditions but MUCH better T&Cs than probably any airline

Snapper5

Think you work for spotty M if I'm not mistaken? Have you worked for NOR before? Ever crossed the Atlantic? Have you ever been to Doha, let alone lived there? Have you any experience of flying a wide body aircraft from Dubai to a destination 11 time zones away, from 32 degrees sunshine to -12 in +SN? How many layovers have you done in your career so far? How many cities in almost all the continents have you visited and experienced from the comfort of 4-5 star hotels? I'm not sure that the Luton Airport Holiday Inn Express counts.

The point being, advice has been asked, albeit hypothetically, regarding a possible career decision. One in which this individual would rather avoid moving again. Would that important advice therefore not be better coming from people that have at least some experience of those options, regardless of them being positive or negative.

What's the saying, "One man's poison is another man's pleasure".

Harry the Cod
Quite an explosion sir,
He wants advice -
I know people in Easy , BA and Emirates
Don't know anyone in NOR (only heard that it's not great )
Just sharing what I have heard ,
Your passion for EMIRATES is impressive do you work there ?

ahahahahahahah! someone needs some leave

Hardly an explosion and I too know people in those airlines. Not the same as experiencing them though, is it?

With the greatest of respect, perhaps advice from those that have actually experienced both sides of the long haul/short haul coin as well as having lived and worked as an expat might be better. You have no actually experience of any of those airlines he's asked about. You've even recommended one not on his list! That was my point.

bringbackthe80s

Too bloody right I need some leave!

Of those 3 on the list it would have to be easyJet any day. Other options are available in the U.K. at the mo though.

Depends on experience. Going in as an SFO is not that bad a deal to be honest. Fixed roster (if you want it), good basic pay and conditions, etc...

I think I would take EZ.

All depends on where you are now flying what and where do you live ?

I would recommend Thomas Cook and Thomson as my first choice in the UK.

One look at the ME forum rules out the ME3 :}

EZ every time due to union/terms of the 3 listed.

Only one have recognized Unions right? Well there you go......

I didn't realise that having union representation was the deciding factor in one's airline of choice. Was that the same BALPA union that supported senior Dan air Pilots in retaining their jobs because they were on the 'wrong' aircraft when BA bought the airline for £1? Was that the same union that fought tooth and nail to recovery the lost millions from the British Midland final salary pension? Was that the same union that thousands of pilots from independent UK airlines give their hard earned 1% each and every month to their Company Council to help support a few individuals who's goal is often more about their own career progression than the genuine concern of the pilot body?

Guess you learn something new every day on these forums.

Look out guys !! Looks as if Harry the Cod is on his way to the chippy

Oh did you not - perhaps you should consider it :ok:

Let's say, hypothetically, that you had a job offer from EZ (based LGW), NOR (737 Max) and EK (on the 380). Which employer do you go for?

I'm going to consider this from another angle. Family will dictate much, of course, but...I would not expect any of these to be an employer for life; however EZ could be if you achieve the base you want, and like many who survive end up on a 75% or 50% roster in later life.
Assuming you don't expect to plant your roots permanently the question is which one will best enhance your career. It's not the employer it's the type in your licence: it's the type of flying you want. Do you want a family life of constant multi-sector short haul with a disruptive sleep pattern? Do you want ultra-longhaul with perhaps enough cash quickly to move on to what you really want, perhaps even part-time contract work? Always, unless you are in one of the national majors with a well known life style and possibilities of different career paths, it will be what ifs style you want and which type of a/c can allow you to have the maximum choice in the future. What kind of experience will make you the most valuable? then you can choose and be slightly more in control of your destiny.
Look beyond the next 5 years.

Snapper5

In over thirty years as a professional in this industry, I've been extremely fortunate not to have needed the full support from the union. Those that have been less fortunate in their careers, and there have been many, have often been greatly disappointed in the lack of power that 'their' union had when they really needed them.

Please don't get me wrong. There are some hard working individuals out there fighting for your cause and may get results at times. However, my experience is that the union is far less effective than many would hope for or like to believe. When the chips are really down, Companies do whatever they like, regardless of how many shots are fired across the bows.

It's your 1%. Do what you like with it. Just don't base an airline career purely on union recognition. Enzo999 & RAT 5 both offer good advice.

If you want to live in the UK then obviously go for easy.

If you want to wear a baseball cap and be all hip and cool but on a really :mad: contract with constant uncertainty then go to Norwegian.

If you want to be a proper full on 'airline pilot' and travel the world in a large jet then obviously go to Emirates.