Emirates...

[svcta]

Thanks in advance:

What is the hiring situation like here? I see adverts for pilots...is the 4000 TT requirement listed on their website accurate?

Again, thanks for any information.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Might want to PM Typhoonpilot, he is a wealth of info for that operation.

 

[Buford]

Hiring at Emirates is going full speed ahead. The hours listed on the website are very firm. I'm not aware of anyone getting hired at Emirates who doesn't meet all of the published minimums (UAE local cadets excepted of course). Emirates used to only hire those with previous Boeing/Airbus time but that is no longer the case. A few guys with RJ time or heavy turboprop (eg C130) are now getting job offers. Good luck.

 

[AA717driver]

Buford--Are they still hiring DEC's or did that stop? How long to upgrade without DEC's? TC

 

[Buford]

DEC's are still being hired. Persistent rumors keep running around that the DEC program will come to an end at some point but I'm pretty sure that's just rumor. I don't think there's any way that Emirates can meet their hiring needs without using DEC's. The success rate for DEC candidates at the interview isn't great, and an even greater number don't make it through training. I think that speaks more for the sad state of affairs of the Emirates training department than the quality of the people being hired.

Current upgrade times at Emirates are right at 3 years for 777 guys and around 4 to 4 1/2 yrs for Airbus guys. The addition of the A380 (whenever it finally gets here) should mean more rapid advances for the Airbus guys. There is very little movement between fleets at EK so you are at the mercy of whatever fleet you happen to get hired on. The 777 is currently the 'growth' fleet but the A380 addition should mean that there will eventually be plenty of work for everybody. Emirates is in a major expansion boom that has been going strong for about 2 1/2 yrs. Current orders on the books indicates that the reasonably rapid upgrades should continue for another few years before slowing down. I think an FO getting hired today could upgrade in 3 years but would be wise to plan on a 5-6 upgrade time in case things don't quite work as planned. This is the airline business after all........

 

[typhoonpilot]

777 guys now starting their upgrade so as to finish at the three year anniversary. Bill?

Airbus guys, sorry :crying: .

Hiring in the low 200s this year, possibly over 400 next year ( if they can find 400 pilots ).

Just over 1600 pilots on the seniority list.

12 777s coming this year, 18 next year. A380s deliveries start next year, possibly ahead of the revised schedule. B747-800s in 2010.

More than 5% of the list resigned last year. Looks to continue this year.

At EK a line pilot will be flying to the maximum limits this year. That's 100 hours every 28 days and 900 for the year. Back side of the clock, big time zone changes, etc.

Expat lifestyle not for everyone. You either like it or hate it.

Traffic in Dubai = Challenging

You succeed based on your ability not based on your position on a seniority list. This is a very important point. Senior Captains from U.S. majors have had very serious difficulty at Emirates. No union protections for incompetance or stupid mistakes.

If you come for the right reasons you'll like it. If you come chasing a big shiny jet you'll probably regret it.

Here and everywhere I tell young guys in the States that they should make Fedex, UPS, SWA, or another U.S. carrier their top choice. If you're over 40 and can't have that full career at a U.S. major then maybe EK makes sense. EK made a lot of sense for those of us furloughed after 9-11. EK works for some people, but not for others.

DEC hiring supposed to be slowing to a trickle, but with the high resignation rate and lack of F.O. applicants I tend to concur with Buford in regards to the DEC hiring, it will probably continue.

The success rate for DEC candidates at the interview isn't great, and an even greater number don't make it through training. I think that speaks more for the sad state of affairs of the Emirates training department than the quality of the people being hired.

I disagree Buford. We must have a high standard. The recruiting department doesn't always catch the faults a Captain could have. They sometimes only turn up in LOFT scenarios which is where the majority of failures are occuring. That doesn't imply termination, it usually only means extra training.


TP

 

[Flyer1015]

Why the high attrition rate for F/Os? Is it due to pay and QOL issues?

 

[typhoonpilot]

Why the high attrition rate for F/Os? Is it due to pay and QOL issues?

Yes and yes. The UAE Dirham is pegged to the dollar. As the U.S. Dollar continues it's slide into the abyss people from places other than the USA are taking a pay cut, especially when they have expenses in their home currency. There is an exchange rate protection mechanism, but it falls far short of making up the difference. With the pilot shortage in Europe now, the pay on offer has gone up. Guys can pretty easily go to jobs that pay as much or more and be living in their home country.

It's not just F.O.s though. I'd say roughly 50/50 between F.O.s and Captains. Lots of guys have 7 or 10 year limits on their life as an expat and just want to go home. Often times it can be family considerations. Dubai is very good for young kids, but not so great for teenagers. Something of an artificial environment.

The city is growing at a phenomenal rate and that means lots of traffic and construction. It's changed drastically over the 4+ years I've been there. Buford could make an even bigger comparison since he lived in Dubai for a time in the late 90s as well. Prices are going up and the cost of living is increasing. All of these things combined make the alure of going home or going someplace else stronger.

Then there's the perception that EK treat their employees less than well. Some people will gripe about everything. Yes, EK fly their crew to the regulatory limit at times. Yes, there are imperfections in the training system. Yes, some things are unfair. But overall they are fair and equitable and there are far worse places to be in life.

For me the choice is easy. I like my job and I like my life in Dubai so I stay.



TP

 

[Cody_V]

Can a young family make a good living in Dubai working for Emirates? My family and I want to live and experience the expat lifestyle, maybe not permanently, but at least for a while. I really enjoy the international flying and in some regards would like to log some time in widebody equipment. I've read posts here and pprune in which there is quite a bit of ek bashing, but at least in the US there are not many better options. Sure, SWA pays great, but I am not a huge fan of that style of operation. Maybe I am wrong, but putting it all together any place has it's ups and downs, and I think EK is still pretty competitive. The captain pay seems a bit low for widebody. Does the housing really make up for it or do you still end up spending a lot? Ideally I would like to put some money away while working there.