Facts and Opinions on Emirates Airlines

[pookie]

Anyone know if you can take pets to dubai. I have a long hair chihuahua that i am attached to and cant leave without him.

Oh yeah, the guy with the christian terrorist message needs to stay off the meds.

 

[PITA]

pets

Pets can come, but make that clear up front and not decide later to bring said long hair.

Depending on accomidations, some apt's do not allow animals, and some do.
If you get a house, then no problem.

It is a little pricy to get them here, as they have to go as cargo.

Some very good vets here as well.

 

[typhoonpilot]

What if your spouse wants to work? Should she look at U.S. businesses or Int'l schools?

Thanks for the good info. TC

She should look at being a realtor. Inexperienced people with the right skills are making huge commissions.


TP

 

[typhoonpilot]

colejer,
If I'm not mistaken, your roster is a training roster so it might not necessarily be representative of an average line roster. As we are chronically short of training captains, training is taking more time than desired.

As far as days off, it varies but I do not believe anyone has a guaranteed number of days off in their contract. According to the FOM, the minimum days off per month is 6 but you have to average 8 per month over a 3 month period. What you get depends more on the type of flying that you are doing (long vs. medium haul), how you bid and staffing levels for your fleet/position. This is going to be a difficult recruiting year so there is a high probability that numbers of days off will decline over the next 12 months.

Good catch, looks very much like a training roster.

Agreed nobody has guaranteed min days off except as stipulated in the FOM.

Pilots at EK can expect to fly right up to the present 900 hour yearly limit and then some. The then some comes with ultra long haul flying and not counting the time as augmenting pilot. That happened previously on the Airbus fleet and it is likely to happen on the Boeing fleet in the future.

As far as pure days off go a representative sample from December shows Gillegan and I with 11 ( both check airman ); KB and BM with 14 and 16 ( pilots in training ); BB with 9 ( Airbus Captain in low bid group ), and JW with 21 ( Boeing Captain in top bid group ).

Colejer has previously mentioned rest days and days where a return from a trip is just past midnight. If those are factored in then my 11 days off become closer to 15. If your family is in Dubai and you want to have days off with them then, in my book, those days count as days off.


Typhoonpilot

 

[colejer]

Thanks for all the good info guys, Yes my schedule is a training schedule and your schedules are more realistic than mine.

I looked in the contract and you are right it doesn't mention a minimums days off. I got the nine days off from a handout that was given to me at a roadshow in Atlanta. It says there a minimum of nine days off. Don't know where it comes from.

Some of you guys that have more experience than me here might add some things or disagree with me to clear up any issues.

 

[colejer]

What if your spouse wants to work? Should she look at U.S. businesses or Int'l schools?

Thanks for the good info. TC

Just about every major corporation has something here in dubai if your wife is in the professional world. American schools and realtors are good options as well. I know a wife that works at a major US company making more than her pilot husband.

 

[PITA]

Wife to work

Just about every major corporation has something here in dubai if your wife is in the professional world. American schools and realtors are good options as well. I know a wife that works at a major US company making more than her pilot husband.

Oh PLEASE pass that one on to me.
If I can get my wife a job that does better than I can, I will quite and become accustomed to the "Better lifestyle"

Seriously though, not just my wife, but others have found that getting a job, is much easier than getting paid for that same job.

The mentality in this town of the way they feel that people can be manipulated into doing a job, but not getting paid for same is disgusting at best.

Because there are so many other people here, that will work for pennies on the dollar, employers feel that they can lie and cheat others out of monies that in any civilized country they would be sued for.

The UAE is really trying to protect workers rights, but the culture has been ingrained for so long now, and the laws are lax to say the least, that the reality is many companies do in fact exploit their employees for thousands of Dollars (dihrams).

Yes there are reputable companies doing business here, but there are just as many -Un- reputable ones as well.

My wife's former employer still owes her about $3000 USD, that will never be seen in this household.

Food for thought.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Currently, there are over 100K Brits in Dubai-I think there are more than Emirates natives.

They bring in people from all over the world to fill their jobs, from menial labor to doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, etc., etc.

Dubai is trying to mold itself into a modern, world city. They just started their own stock market last year.

A buddy of mine is interviewing this month. He was told the same thing by Emirates recruiters as my other buddy who is there now. He has no widebody and no Oceanic crossing experience. He is interviewing in the states for a -777 DEC (Direct Entry Captain). The guy I know there interviewed and was hired as an FO in some program where he expects to upgrade to -777 captain in one year. Normal is three.

The guy interviewing soon, was also told to expect N. American basing at some point. Emirates will add HOU as a destination soon.

Good Luck!

cliff
GRB

 

[Furloughed80]

Emirates started DXB-IAH three days ago (Dec 3rd).

 

[AA717driver]

Thanks for the info guys!

I don't know if my 14 year old dog would survive the journey but I'd certainly risk the life of our cat...

It sounds like EK families don't have the same issues with school openings as the EY people.

Take care. TC

 

[PITA]

N. America basing

Don't count on basing in N Amreica or any other place any time soon.

At least there are no public plans at yet, and there are a few thousand guys here already that would take that offer ASAP.

Offical word from management here is NO overseas basings..........
Hope that changes, but as of now it hasn't.

PITA

 

[iluvetops]

No overseas basing!!! Period!

Just flew with an FO whom recently done a flight with DCPB A.K.A (S.P). This was straight from TC's mouth that if basings and jumpseat were to ever be brought up again in any meetings that individaul will be fire on the spot.

As for my roster, I've got days off from 10th to 19th with a 12 days off in total and I am in the mid bid group.

 

[JohnnyP]

......

Emirates started DXB-IAH three days ago (Dec 3rd).

How long is that flight gonna be?....I think DXB-ATL was 15:45 last time I took it (But Johnnyp was in BizElite, so all was ok!)

 

[CCDiscoB]

...if basings and jumpseat were to ever be brought up again in any meetings that individaul will be fire on the spot.

What's that supposed to mean? The jumpseat part anyway.

I've got days off from 10th to 19th with a 12 days off in total and I am in the mid bid group.

My question is, as an employee, can you list to ride a plane back to the states any time your days off allow.

 

[iluvetops]

What's that supposed to mean? The jumpseat part anyway.

Let me rephrase it..If an issue regarding basings and jumpseat policy were to be brought up again, that individual will be fired.

My question is, as an employee, can you list to ride a plane back to the states any time your days off allow.

nop...

 

[AA717driver]

nop...

You mean "nope" as in 'no you can't just come and go using non-rev travel'?

So if my wife wants to run up to CDG for a few days, how does that work? And, if I'm off for the same period of time, can I go with her?

This could be a major issue...TC

 

[colejer]

If you have the days off and the seats are available you can go standby after purchasing the standby ticket. There is no jumpseating at Emirates. You have to sit in the back.

 

[aveasey]

Does anybody know if Emirates has an uncorrected vision requirement. Also, do they allow LASIK?

 

[b747dogg]

He is interviewing in the states for a -777 DEC (Direct Entry Captain). The guy I know there interviewed and was hired as an FO in some program where he expects to upgrade to -777 captain in one year. Normal is three.

So what would a 777 DEC make?

 

[Gillegan]

So what would a 777 DEC make?

A lot of pissed off co-pilots? But seriously -
about $8800/month + benefits.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

+ Profit Sharing, + a big retirement plan, + having no housing costs, + having no medical costs, + having your kid's (up to 2) private American school paid for, + getting a ride to and from work, + getting an interest free loan for a car.

cliff
GRB

 

[johnsonrod]

Hi!

+ Profit Sharing, + a big retirement plan, + having no housing costs, + having no medical costs, + having your kid's (up to 2) private American school paid for, + getting a ride to and from work, + getting an interest free loan for a car.

cliff
GRB

Sounds great but then you factor in the incredible inflation in Dubai (your purchasing power will decrease), the distance from home, the incredible heat during the summer, the lack of any control over your career (no union - you must obey management and whatever they tell you to do) and the suicidal drivers on the roads. Suddenly, the attractive package is not as attractive...

I remember how a bunch of Delta pilots left for EK about a year or two ago when the bankruptcy caused some concern about DAL's future - some of these pilots were reasonably junior. I am sure they are flying 777s by now. Was it worth it considering Delta's current condition? I wonder if they regret their decision?

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

So what would a 777 DEC make?

B,

You're not thinking about leaving SWA are you?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I know of one DAL 777 captain who went. I heard he couldn't believe how awesome Emirates was-the best airline situation he's ever been in.

cliff
YIP

 

[PCL_128]

This was straight from TC's mouth that if basings and jumpseat were to ever be brought up again in any meetings that individaul will be fire on the spot.

Gee, sounds like a great place to work. Nothing like terminations for asking a simple question. Why would anyone put up with that sort of treatment? The money really isn't all that great, even with the tax advantages.

 

[fareview]

Hi!

+ Profit Sharing, + a big retirement plan, + having no housing costs, + having no medical costs, + having your kid's (up to 2) private American school paid for, + getting a ride to and from work, + getting an interest free loan for a car.

cliff
GRB

Three kids - not two.

BTW, i wont get into the knitty gritty details here - other than to say my experience here at EK has and continues to be very positive on all levels. On any level you can find an issue with a critic in any airline.

The bonus on top of all the perks and destinations is that there just are'nt that many airlines in the US where you go straight into the right (or left for that matter) of a 777 with a potential upgrade in three years. Line flying is a lot of fun here. if you are a glass half full guy - come on over - because we just dont want the half empty guys in our flightdecks

If you think it might be for you - dont listen to the detractors, come and take a look, get an offer then make the call.

Respectfully,

fareview

 

[b747dogg]

B,

You're not thinking about leaving SWA are you?

I may not be a smart man, but I do know what LUV is.


But, what's the deal with such low pay at a class airline like Emirates?

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

I may not be a smart man, but I do know what LUV is.


But, what's the deal with such low pay at a class airline like Emirates?

I don't what's up with the pay, I hear that's why guy are leaving. I rather fly for EK as we do now, with an Atlas 747 painted in their colors, the pay is better, and I don't have to live in the DESERT!

 

[Gillegan]

Hi!

+ Profit Sharing, + a big retirement plan, + having no housing costs, + having no medical costs, + having your kid's (up to 2) private American school paid for, + getting a ride to and from work, + getting an interest free loan for a car.

cliff
GRB

Profit Sharing - Yes
Big Retirement Plan - Not bad but IMHO, not that great either. A good company contribution but fairly low benchmarks set for it's performance - over the last 10 years barely a 5% rate of return.
No Medical Costs - You do pay a nominal premium for your family.
Private American School paid for - NO. The allowance covers less than half of the fees for primary and about 70% of secondary. I have averaged $13,000 to $15,000 per year out of pocket for 2 children.

I'm not saying don't come - it's up to you to decide if it is an improvement over what you have but at least get accurate information.

 

[On Your Six]

Profit Sharing - Yes
Big Retirement Plan - Not bad but IMHO, not that great either. A good company contribution but fairly low benchmarks set for it's performance - over the last 10 years barely a 5% rate of return.
No Medical Costs - You do pay a nominal premium for your family.
Private American School paid for - NO. The allowance covers less than half of the fees for primary and about 70% of secondary. I have averaged $13,000 to $15,000 per year out of pocket for 2 children.

I'm not saying don't come - it's up to you to decide if it is an improvement over what you have but at least get accurate information.

Great post - look before you leap.

Just curious, but based on seat movement today and the rumormill, what would be the most direct path to the right seat of an A380 for a newhire beyond being hired into the aircraft? I have heard that Airbus pilots will be preferred over Boeing (777) pilots but I realize that could change at any point... If you are posted to the A330/340 fleet, would you have an edge to get onto the A380 eventually?

Also, does EK have any 787s on order?