look like this is where the jobs are....

[Fit59]

I finished training in the 777 last month. It was all done in Dubai. I had many instructors, all of whom were top-notch, better than I had at my old airline (a regional). They want you to pass-it shows. I'm no jet-jocky, just an average line pilot who met them half way and had really no issues. Any American wanting to put in the effort will have no problem with the training enviroment here.

The housing situation here is a bit dynamic at the moment. There is a lack of villas and single pilot apts-EK is trying hard to rectify it, I know because I get an email like every week! However, my temp accomidations is a large 2 bedroom condo in an older but centrally located area, where I can walk to everything.

I think if you have an open mind at least come for an interview and see what Dubai has to offer. Funny how I sense more stability here in the Middle East than I ever felt back home.

I am relieved this thread has gotten back on track!

I had interview offers around the same time with both EK and CX and chose to attend the CX interview. I accepted the job at Cathay only to realize that working for a foreign carrier wasn't for me. Had a job offer from UPS not come shortly after hiring on at Cathay, I am pretty sure I still would have left, provided the right offer came my way. I don't know how CX compares to EK, but I noticed that the culture was entirely different at CX and that I wasn't going to enjoy 30 plus years of it. I have a layover in DXB and I'm meeting up with a friend who just started at EK; I'm hoping to learn much more about the culture of both the airline and DXB. Best of luck to anyone considering a change in airlines these days.

 

[crxpilot]

Don't need to go to the mideast to know that it sucks. (However I have heard about the impressive compensation package for Emirates) But good on ya to the ones who like to work there.....really!

 

[bailey3083]

I finished training in the 777 last month. It was all done in Dubai. I had many instructors, all of whom were top-notch, better than I had at my old airline (a regional). They want you to pass-it shows. I'm no jet-jocky, just an average line pilot who met them half way and had really no issues. Any American wanting to put in the effort will have no problem with the training enviroment here.

The housing situation here is a bit dynamic at the moment. There is a lack of villas and single pilot apts-EK is trying hard to rectify it, I know because I get an email like every week! However, my temp accomidations is a large 2 bedroom condo in an older but centrally located area, where I can walk to everything.

I think if you have an open mind at least come for an interview and see what Dubai has to offer. Funny how I sense more stability here in the Middle East than I ever felt back home.

Congrats on the job! Talking to the HR people while I was there, yes EK is not having a problems receiving resumes right now but with the deliveries scheduled for just this year and a increase in pilots leaving they are expecting a very difficult year.

 

[Kenny]

Well, where would they base them?

Well, if they ever decide to open overseas bases, I'd put money on LHR and either SYD/MEL. Considering how many flights they do to Oz a week, it's got to be costing them a small fortune in hotels.

 

[AT7^DRIVER]

Thanks for the quick reply. I start 777 training at EK in about 5 weeks. Glad to hear things went smoothly for you. If all goes well, I'll see you on line in a couple of months.

I finished training in the 777 last month. It was all done in Dubai. I had many instructors, all of whom were top-notch, better than I had at my old airline (a regional). They want you to pass-it shows. I'm no jet-jocky, just an average line pilot who met them half way and had really no issues. Any American wanting to put in the effort will have no problem with the training enviroment here.

The housing situation here is a bit dynamic at the moment. There is a lack of villas and single pilot apts-EK is trying hard to rectify it, I know because I get an email like every week! However, my temp accomidations is a large 2 bedroom condo in an older but centrally located area, where I can walk to everything.

I think if you have an open mind at least come for an interview and see what Dubai has to offer. Funny how I sense more stability here in the Middle East than I ever felt back home.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

maybe a dumb question, but do you have to get cleared by a psychologist to upgrade?

 

[Gillegan]

maybe a dumb question, but do you have to get cleared by a psychologist to upgrade?

Yes. But almost no one is held back because of the psych department.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Can someone (who flies for EK) tell me what the ethnic makeup of the typical flight crew is?

Mostly U.S. caucasians?

Please don't take this the wrong way, but what is the ethnic makeup of a typical crew?

Just wondering in terms of cultural differences etc. with captain and crewmembers.

 

[MED]

Well, where would they base them?

US, Europe, Australia and Asia

If you're Europe-based, if memory serves, you have to have EU right of abode. Knocks out most of Europe for a base.

They do have qualified pilots in Europe too.

Plus, then you have to worry about all the extra crap that goes with opening another base, getting them to and from their trips, etc.

Lots of foreign airlines are doing it.

From what I can tell, they're still getting enough applicants and, with the pilots from 5 airlines on the street, they're probably doing OK for applications right now.

They have enough applicants but not enough qualified applicants.

China is another story, as is India; their packages suck.

I agree

 

[xjhawk]

whats the starting pay at Emerates? I should go look at their website. I know that I live in my base, I am from that city and my pay could top between 70-90 in the next couple years if I stay here. I hear Emerates is a good deal, but for someone living in his home town and with job security (at least for now) there is no decision. But if i were without a job????? my wife would still say no----so would the national guard....

 

[MED]

It's pretty low, $5663 tax free, and if you ever go to the interview make sure your resume says EMIRATES not EMERATES.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

I am from that city and my pay could top between 70-90 in the next couple years if I stay here. I hear Emerates is a good deal, but for someone living in his home town and with job security (at least for now) there is no decision. But if i were without a job????? my wife would still say no----so would the national guard....

I was at 90K and living at base in my previous gig. the wife tends to look at things differently when faced with almost double the income. There is no decision when there is no decision to make but, if you are faced with a contract that is worth almost $900,000 for 5 years in front of you both, then the "no decision" takes some thinking.

 

[Lear70]

It's pretty low, $5663 tax free, and if you ever go to the interview make sure your resume says EMIRATES not EMERATES.

The only things that make that tolerable is if you move there with your whole family and don't have a lot of other bills.

They pay for housing, saving you $1,500-1,700 in pre-tax dollars, plus an interest-free car loan saves probably another $200 or so a month on a decent car.

Figure right around $7,000 a month as an F/O. Not stellar, but not terrible... could be a lot worse. Just not an option when the spouse doesn't want to uproot and drag the kids across the pond.

 

[the turtle]

It's pretty low, $5663 tax free, and if you ever go to the interview make sure your resume says EMIRATES not EMERATES.

It's a bit better than that. My first full month online, $7000.USD, 15 days off.

And I have 30 days vacation starting in June.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Funny how I sense more stability here in the Middle East than I ever felt back home.

Ever wonder why that is?