Emirates road show
11-13-2014, 02:08 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 335
My own personal experience. Something I posted a while back on Prune:
I am a former EK minion. I was hired by a US legacy back in October. I was fortunate enough to interview the second week they started inviting people, after a very long stagnation. A few weeks after that, I received the final offer but had to wait until March for a class date. They were still processing flow through pilots from regional airlines which had contractual agreements. Street guys like me had to wait. It sort of worked itself out because EK required three month notice. I heard of another EK pilot who just recently resigned but could only give one month notice. EK worked with him and he ended up being fine.
I was the first ME pilot hired off the street. They did have a little difficulty getting records form EK. In the end, it sort of solved itself, paving the way for more applicants. I know of at least two who already interviewed, and both were successful. One is joining us in August. They seem to know a lot more than one might think about various international carriers. US legacies are very specific in what they are looking for, and I can assure you that EK pilots are well viewed during the interview process. The fact that, besides me, my entire interview class (8 pilots) were all ex military (US Air Force, NAVY, etc…), is a validation of the quality of pilots EK is fortunate to employ (EK pilots in general. Not trying to come off as being pretentious. Only stating facts).
Training here was more relaxed and transpired American pragmatism. The company (US Carrier) culture is completely different. For example:
I will say that EK should truly invest in their pilot workforce. Nothing is free, not even pilots. I read somewhere on this thread something about most US pilots trying to go back. What about Europeans or Australians? The reality is, for some countries, things are not so great in the industry. But historical data dictates that they will eventually turn around. Why would a French pilot leave Montpellier if he can work for AF? It is only a matter of time. For example, EK’s stubbornness in not opening overseas bases or limiting one to 5 days off in a row is idiotically short-sighted. Cathay does international basing, and so does Korean. Why not EK? Ego? They really ought to set it aside. This will become a buyers’ market. It’s all about supply and demand.
Hope it helps.
I am a former EK minion. I was hired by a US legacy back in October. I was fortunate enough to interview the second week they started inviting people, after a very long stagnation. A few weeks after that, I received the final offer but had to wait until March for a class date. They were still processing flow through pilots from regional airlines which had contractual agreements. Street guys like me had to wait. It sort of worked itself out because EK required three month notice. I heard of another EK pilot who just recently resigned but could only give one month notice. EK worked with him and he ended up being fine.
I was the first ME pilot hired off the street. They did have a little difficulty getting records form EK. In the end, it sort of solved itself, paving the way for more applicants. I know of at least two who already interviewed, and both were successful. One is joining us in August. They seem to know a lot more than one might think about various international carriers. US legacies are very specific in what they are looking for, and I can assure you that EK pilots are well viewed during the interview process. The fact that, besides me, my entire interview class (8 pilots) were all ex military (US Air Force, NAVY, etc…), is a validation of the quality of pilots EK is fortunate to employ (EK pilots in general. Not trying to come off as being pretentious. Only stating facts).
Training here was more relaxed and transpired American pragmatism. The company (US Carrier) culture is completely different. For example:
- Operationally speaking, I find them to be significantly more practical. I will attribute this to a cultural difference between the ways things are handled in the States, in general, versus overseas. In light of the sheer number of nationalities working at EK, how can one blame Emirates for being over attentive to small details?
- One shocking cultural change for me was the fact that they (US Carrier) want you to "fly"
here. By that, I mean that a large portion of the approaches I flew and was evaluated on during OE and simulator training were without Automation (AP and AT). Now this might seem like a minor detail, but is a great illustration of something more significant in their corporate culture: Trust in their pilots. Having been on line for a short while, I never felt like "staying away from the office" was in the captains’ threat error management strategies. As it turns out, it creates a less stressful and more efficient operation. In short, they are truly a captain’s airline. And that is a big cultural difference. - The chief pilots are there to help. Their offices are literally inside the pilot lounges and they encourage us to visit them all the time. New hires are required to check in with them at least four times during their first year, just to make sure they are getting settled with their new jobs. They are not here to police us.
- There is a certain camaraderie here that I did not quiet feel at EK. It seems like everyone is sort of looking out for each other, including management.
I will say that EK should truly invest in their pilot workforce. Nothing is free, not even pilots. I read somewhere on this thread something about most US pilots trying to go back. What about Europeans or Australians? The reality is, for some countries, things are not so great in the industry. But historical data dictates that they will eventually turn around. Why would a French pilot leave Montpellier if he can work for AF? It is only a matter of time. For example, EK’s stubbornness in not opening overseas bases or limiting one to 5 days off in a row is idiotically short-sighted. Cathay does international basing, and so does Korean. Why not EK? Ego? They really ought to set it aside. This will become a buyers’ market. It’s all about supply and demand.
Hope it helps.
11-16-2014, 02:36 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Early Retiree SWA
Posts: 354
Eldee..
What a great review and complete breath of fresh air to read your contrasts between being here at EK (which I still am :-( and the US airline industry.
EK will NEVER be "that airline" you talk about in the US because of the one little man at the company who answers to no one… AAR! It's so unfortunate that this little man stands in the way and there's nothing to be done… nothing.
K
What a great review and complete breath of fresh air to read your contrasts between being here at EK (which I still am :-( and the US airline industry.
EK will NEVER be "that airline" you talk about in the US because of the one little man at the company who answers to no one… AAR! It's so unfortunate that this little man stands in the way and there's nothing to be done… nothing.
K
12-20-2014, 03:54 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Posts: 549
EK will be at the next job fair in DFW... Mins say 4000TT and don't mention bus/boeing time unless you want the A380. I'm curious if they are becoming more openminded towards American pilots again or if they are just looking to cherry pick a few furloughed guys with heavy time.
12-20-2014, 08:59 PM
#46
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Early Retiree SWA
Posts: 354
EK still seems to attract attention but not so much from North America since the hiring boom has started. The latest, more recent apps are still from Ryanair but at a much lower rate, as I've heard from other Ryanair pilots that the word is out about the "Real EK", and from India. An airline or two there have come into misfortune….
For the life of me, I cannot understand why a US pilot would consider coming to this place. I'd recommend going over to Pprune and reading the Middle East Forum. I did this when I first decided to come to EK a number of years ago and thought…."Geez, these guys are just a bunch of whiners…. can't be that bad or else why would they be there?"
Well, fast forward to today and "these guys" were about 90% spot on all said and done!!!!
It's somewhat heartbreaking because EK could be a great airline for it's employees but the treatment and lack of any appreciation is simply appalling!! I can't stress that enough.
Evidently, there are literally thousands of our cabin crew who are resigning….all within the first 3 years of their employment at EK. The perceived or real abuse is simply not worth it to them. I personally have flown with more than a few senior cabin crew who have been told they will have a month's bid of being a lowly Grade 2… working in economy class, which is not a popular choice for any of them but it's the starting position for our cabin crew. They are being forced into this because of the large number of junior cabin crew leaving. Needless to say, they were not happy at this, although they will receive the more senior pay while performing this task.
More and more people are indeed leaving EK for greener pastures, wherever that maybe. According to Pprune (yes, a rumor forum), EK has a 4.65% annual pilot attrition rate currently. For years, it used to be only around 2%.
For those in the US who come here, it's not going to be what you think it will…. From the outside, it looks very similar to a legacy US carrier but once you get here and are "stuck", you'll see that it's quite different in regards to legalities (there really are none and they can change things to your perceived contract any time they wish… anytime!)
It's impossible to explain to anyone the full on complexities and frustrations with this airline… It's so close to being a really good place to work but it will never be "that place" like any US legacy is going to be.
Yes I realize some guys will not be able to get hired at a major in the US, but a 2nd or 3rd tier airline there will be light years ahead of the nonsensical belief of being able to fly this shiny new white wide body jet all over the world.
Bottom line: If you're used to have labor protections (not unions) and expect your "terms and conditions" to be followed, and expect to be appreciated just a little bit for all your hard 92 hours a month crossing multiple time zones of east and west, feeling every time you go to a PPC/Recurrent that you're job is on the line…. You're a FOOL to come here.
Any further info needed, feel free to PM me….
Kap
For the life of me, I cannot understand why a US pilot would consider coming to this place. I'd recommend going over to Pprune and reading the Middle East Forum. I did this when I first decided to come to EK a number of years ago and thought…."Geez, these guys are just a bunch of whiners…. can't be that bad or else why would they be there?"
Well, fast forward to today and "these guys" were about 90% spot on all said and done!!!!
It's somewhat heartbreaking because EK could be a great airline for it's employees but the treatment and lack of any appreciation is simply appalling!! I can't stress that enough.
Evidently, there are literally thousands of our cabin crew who are resigning….all within the first 3 years of their employment at EK. The perceived or real abuse is simply not worth it to them. I personally have flown with more than a few senior cabin crew who have been told they will have a month's bid of being a lowly Grade 2… working in economy class, which is not a popular choice for any of them but it's the starting position for our cabin crew. They are being forced into this because of the large number of junior cabin crew leaving. Needless to say, they were not happy at this, although they will receive the more senior pay while performing this task.
More and more people are indeed leaving EK for greener pastures, wherever that maybe. According to Pprune (yes, a rumor forum), EK has a 4.65% annual pilot attrition rate currently. For years, it used to be only around 2%.
For those in the US who come here, it's not going to be what you think it will…. From the outside, it looks very similar to a legacy US carrier but once you get here and are "stuck", you'll see that it's quite different in regards to legalities (there really are none and they can change things to your perceived contract any time they wish… anytime!)
It's impossible to explain to anyone the full on complexities and frustrations with this airline… It's so close to being a really good place to work but it will never be "that place" like any US legacy is going to be.
Yes I realize some guys will not be able to get hired at a major in the US, but a 2nd or 3rd tier airline there will be light years ahead of the nonsensical belief of being able to fly this shiny new white wide body jet all over the world.
Bottom line: If you're used to have labor protections (not unions) and expect your "terms and conditions" to be followed, and expect to be appreciated just a little bit for all your hard 92 hours a month crossing multiple time zones of east and west, feeling every time you go to a PPC/Recurrent that you're job is on the line…. You're a FOOL to come here.
Any further info needed, feel free to PM me….
Kap
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
