Yes, I know this should probably be in the Foreign Carriers section, but who reads that section really. Hopefully this helps some guys out there who have to make a decision.
Facts about Emirates.
Current Fleet
B777 - 57 with another 43 on order
A330 - 21
A340 - 18
A350 - 70 on order with another 50 options
A380 - 58 on order (first one comes mid 2008)
Current upgrade time on the 777 is three years, probably will be a little longer in the future. Current upgrade on the Airbus is a closer to 5 years. Contrary to what some people think, upgrade is seniority based. You just need a certain amount of time/experience with the company to upgrade. It's similar to a regional airline policy of you having to have a certain amount of hours or time with the company to upgrade.
1st year FO pay is between 6000 and 7000 take home. Captain is between 10000 and 12000 take home a month. I'm prety sure a 3rd year FO makes the same as a 1st year FO. There is just a FO or CA pay. Training pay is 5600 dollars a month take home.
Retirement scheme - There is a mandatory 5 percent of your salary put in a retirement fund. The company adds a additional 12 percent of what your salary is and puts it into your retirement fund
Profit share - last year it was one month salry.
Company provides housing and pays for all utilities or they give you 30000 Dollar a year and you go find your own housing. Single FO gets a 2 bedroom condo, Married FO with no kids gets a 3 bedroom condo. Captains or married FO's with kids get a house.
They give you a 19000 intrest free loan to buy a car, if you want something more expensive the banks loan you the extra at normal intrest rates.
You get picked up, driven to work then dropped off at your house when you are done with a trip in Audi station wagons.
42 vacation days a year
No medical Insurance Premiums
Kids education is covered up to 80 percent (I think) and only for three kids (I think), obviously I'm single.
If I am wrong on any of these facts please correct me.
Opinions on living in Dubai and how the company treats you.
I was intrested to see what it was going to be like being an American living in a Middle Eastern Country, and honestly nobody cares where you are from. I have been treated the same by everyone.
Overall Emirates is a good company, they are struggling with thier growth and having to deal with things on the move. Therefore do not expect to be treated like you are working at Southwest or probably most majors in the US. Unions are illegal here, and if the company wants to make a change they do it and they do it quickly. I get the overall feeling that the company will do what is best for them and you have no say so in it all. I can honestly say that I don't think I have been treated all that well. (I had some accomodation problems)
You will find training is completely different than the American way. It's more like self study. Not once did we sit in a classroom and discuss systems with an instructor. It was all Computer based trainging and exams to make sure you know it. You had to show up at the simulator and know almost everything before you get there, then they grade your performance for that day. They say it's changing to more instructing than checking, time will tell.
Crazy hot in the summer and LA weather in the winter.
Overall there is ton of opportunity and a chance to get in early. You do have to put up with the company and knowing that you are not what is most important.
I think this job is best for young guys that have enough time to make a decision on if they like it here, and if they don't then go back to the US and still have a good carrear there, or stay here and retire extremely weathly. It is also good for guys that are ending thier carrear that want a quick upgrade to make some quick cash.
This post is getting way to long, if you have some questions feel free to ask. I hope this answers some questions for some of you.
Facts about Emirates.
Current Fleet
B777 - 57 with another 43 on order
A330 - 21
A340 - 18
A350 - 70 on order with another 50 options
A380 - 58 on order (first one comes mid 2008)
Current upgrade time on the 777 is three years, probably will be a little longer in the future. Current upgrade on the Airbus is a closer to 5 years. Contrary to what some people think, upgrade is seniority based. You just need a certain amount of time/experience with the company to upgrade. It's similar to a regional airline policy of you having to have a certain amount of hours or time with the company to upgrade.
1st year FO pay is between 6000 and 7000 take home. Captain is between 10000 and 12000 take home a month. I'm prety sure a 3rd year FO makes the same as a 1st year FO. There is just a FO or CA pay. Training pay is 5600 dollars a month take home.
Retirement scheme - There is a mandatory 5 percent of your salary put in a retirement fund. The company adds a additional 12 percent of what your salary is and puts it into your retirement fund
Profit share - last year it was one month salry.
Company provides housing and pays for all utilities or they give you 30000 Dollar a year and you go find your own housing. Single FO gets a 2 bedroom condo, Married FO with no kids gets a 3 bedroom condo. Captains or married FO's with kids get a house.
They give you a 19000 intrest free loan to buy a car, if you want something more expensive the banks loan you the extra at normal intrest rates.
You get picked up, driven to work then dropped off at your house when you are done with a trip in Audi station wagons.
42 vacation days a year
No medical Insurance Premiums
Kids education is covered up to 80 percent (I think) and only for three kids (I think), obviously I'm single.
If I am wrong on any of these facts please correct me.
Opinions on living in Dubai and how the company treats you.
I was intrested to see what it was going to be like being an American living in a Middle Eastern Country, and honestly nobody cares where you are from. I have been treated the same by everyone.
Overall Emirates is a good company, they are struggling with thier growth and having to deal with things on the move. Therefore do not expect to be treated like you are working at Southwest or probably most majors in the US. Unions are illegal here, and if the company wants to make a change they do it and they do it quickly. I get the overall feeling that the company will do what is best for them and you have no say so in it all. I can honestly say that I don't think I have been treated all that well. (I had some accomodation problems)
You will find training is completely different than the American way. It's more like self study. Not once did we sit in a classroom and discuss systems with an instructor. It was all Computer based trainging and exams to make sure you know it. You had to show up at the simulator and know almost everything before you get there, then they grade your performance for that day. They say it's changing to more instructing than checking, time will tell.
Crazy hot in the summer and LA weather in the winter.
Overall there is ton of opportunity and a chance to get in early. You do have to put up with the company and knowing that you are not what is most important.
I think this job is best for young guys that have enough time to make a decision on if they like it here, and if they don't then go back to the US and still have a good carrear there, or stay here and retire extremely weathly. It is also good for guys that are ending thier carrear that want a quick upgrade to make some quick cash.
This post is getting way to long, if you have some questions feel free to ask. I hope this answers some questions for some of you.