What is your opinion of DECs (out of seniority)? How about not getting to bid EXACTLY what you should hold seniority wise for trips? How about surrendering your passports (maybe for family??) when in DXB? (You can verify that one) how about no control over profit sharing? How about having to ask your boss to get married to a co-worker (another Gulf Carrier)? How about bidding another plane--cross fleet (can you proactively bid?).
Btw, my 16 years in the RHS (1 year sideways as an FE) has been by choice. I could have been a narrowbody Capt years ago, but I enjoy my QOL right now, and want to bid LHS on something I want to fly. I certainly would stay RHS rather than go to the ME. Looks like TP would have started over on a 717 rather than stay at EK. Read his quote below, I placed it there for you.....
So, please answer my questions above.
Bye Bye---General Lee
What is your opinion of DECs (out of seniority)? How about not getting to bid EXACTLY what you should hold seniority wise for trips? How about surrendering your passports (maybe for family??) when in DXB? (You can verify that one) how about no control over profit sharing? How about having to ask your boss to get married to a co-worker (another Gulf Carrier)? How about bidding another plane--cross fleet (can you proactively bid?).
Btw, my 16 years in the RHS (1 year sideways as an FE) has been by choice. I could have been a narrowbody Capt years ago, but I enjoy my QOL right now, and want to bid LHS on something I want to fly. I certainly would stay RHS rather than go to the ME. Looks like TP would have started over on a 717 rather than stay at EK. Read his quote below, I placed it there for you.....
So, please answer my questions above.
Bye Bye---General Lee
To answer your questions one at a time - and none if this is spin - I'll give you them warts and all.
DECs - I detest the policy but would never hold it against the individual I was flying with including DAL DECS I flew with when I was an FO.
BIDDING - I have never worked at an airline where I got 'exactly' what I wanted. If you have that after 17 years, I'm envious - you earned it. BUT our bidding system does not relegate the jnr pilot to endless years of RSV. Every five months you are 'top bid' the second top then mid bid etc. What this means is that in your two top bid months you generally get what you want and in mid to lower bid groups it's a crapshoot. It means that you at least will be senior in your award to 80% (60%, and on down as the months changes)of the rest of the guys every six months. The system has changed recently and I had the old system down to a T. I'm just figuring out the new and I've been told it's changing again. That said my roster as a 777 always has great variety and I rarely don't open up the award and go 'great'. Our route network is unparalleled. The 330 guys - disaster. India T/As
SURRENDERING PASSPORTS. I have no idea what you are talking about. You give your passport to Visa authorities for two days every three years to get the new stamp - the same as when you renew your passport at the US Embassy. Other than that total BS
PROFIT SHARE CONTROL- absolutely true - we have no control and serve at the discretion of mgt. Since May of 2007 I have had 29 weeks of profit share and a 32.5% increase in salary (that's not including the big jump you get when you upgrade )
ASKING PERMISSION TO MARRY: LOL, Complete and utter crap. Can't speak for other places - let's stick to Dubai.
BIDDING TO CHANGE A/C: you cannot bid to change fleets - the rule is "you get what you get and you don't pitch a fit". As operational needs arise they open certain fleets to transfer which is what is happening now. There are currently movements from LHS 777 to LHS A380 based on people wanting it and being awarded it based on seniority. But beware , I know of a class that lost a pilot due sickness the night before and they called in order of seniority the next on the list only to award it to the first to pick up the phone. This is Emirates they will not let a technicality get in the way of business, not always good for us.
When you join You may tell the recruiters: I want X or I'm not coming and let the chips fall as they may. I was told because of previous Boeing Heavy time it would be the 777. If I arrived and they changed it - tough.
GL - like you, my time here is by choice. We are unbelievably happy here. The school is great, the wife has a great job , I love the flying, there is no crime. The kids activity list is off the charts, the places we have seen by accessing from DXB have been excellent. The social life is almost too much - beers & barbies all the time....the nightlife/foodie scene in DXB for those interested is world class...BUT
I am not saying it's for everyone...we have certainly have issues over here to complain about...as do all pilot groups. But that's our business...and yours is yours. There is this non-stop knee jerk defensiveness from you and your lot that seeks to justify your decisions in life by criticizing others should you perceive they enjoy a 'gain' over you...you have done it with all the others SWA, AA, AirTran, regionals etc...it dilutes any credibility that some of your posts. have.
You just have to stop telling us our lot in life is bad. Our work rules are not like yours ....BUT however neither is our career progression...to each their own.
The center of global aviation has shifted...it just so happens that we timed it well over here ....when the next shift occurs ...I'm following it, until then I'm enjoying a helluva ride.
You are happy I am happy....but if you attack EK pilots - then prepare for a response...
fv