Interesting thread. A lot of misconceptions about Emirates and the UAE.
Fact: The government of Dubai gave Emirates $10 million in start up capital in the mid 1980s. Since then they have not given any more money to them. The Dubai government is the shareholder of Emirates and receives a dividend every year from the airline. This year Emirates paid the government a $543 million dividend.
Fact: Emirates buys jet fuel on the open market just like every other airline. We sometimes tanker fuel into Dubai because it's cheaper at some out stations than it is in Dubai. We rarely tanker fuel outbound.
Somebody talked about financing. That's an interesting topic. It's the in vogue thing for the Europeans and some Americans to complain about the Ex Im financing that Emirates just started using last year to fund a portion of their Boeing aircraft purchases. Ex IM financing is a set-up by the U.S. Government that is intended to help U.S. manufacturers in the exporting of products overseas. Really a non issue, but some choose to make it one.
U.S. carriers and U.S. pilots should be careful in complaining about financing. How much money did the U.S. government give to U.S. airlines post 9-11?
The competitive advantage that U.S. carriers enjoy via Chapter 11 reorganization shouldn't be dicounted either. That type of debt restructuring and/or forgiveness is not available to most foreign airlines.
Green does a reasonable job debating the pay issue. I'm the second most senior American at Emirates. I've been a captain for over 7 years now and certainly make much more than the published $10,000 month for a 10 year captain.
Schedule: Yes, we work hard. No doubt about it. The guys on the A330 work the hardest by far with lots of night turns to India. On the B777 when in top bid months the rosters can be very nice. That's one really nice point about the rosters. It's not like in a U.S. major where you are junior forever. The bid groups rotate so that you can be top bid at least twice a year. Great when your are a new joiner, not so great as you get more senior, but everyone is okay with it because it's fair.
People getting arrested in the UAE: Usually there is more to the story. A recent one about a Brit would died in jail made the news. He tried to throw a maid off the balcony at his hotel then fought with the police. Not handled well since he died in custody, but clearly he wasn't just walking down the street minding his own business before he was arrested. Couples arrested on the beach for indecent behavior have usually gotten a warning to stop first. When they argue and become belligerant they will get arrested. If they stop and say sorry then nothing usually happens.
The job isn't for everyone and it certainly has some drawbacks. That said it is far better then being on furlough or working at some places in the U.S. or elsewhere.
In terms of contract jobs. There isn't a single contract in the world right now that has as good a total pay and benefit package as Emirates. The only difference for some people is the ability to get home. At Emirates that is very difficult so some choose to take a contract that pays less and has far fewer benefits in order to have a commuting option. Korean is the prime example. Roughly $3000-4000 less per month in pocket, but a far better commuting option.
Typhoonpilot
