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Old 09-23-2012, 07:05 AM
  #22  
ThePenguin328
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Joined APC: Jan 2012
Position: B737
Posts: 141
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Time to upgrade is too variable to put an exact number on, but realistically at least two years, probably three. The delivery schedule is slow for most of 2013, maybe 5 airplanes total. 2014 and 2015 will be busy with new aircraft arriving almost one a month, according to the current plan. Also the company just announced it will hire a small number ( around 10) DECs over the next couple of months for "unplanned expansion" which translates to "unplanned resignations". Flydubai is ramping up the upgrade program to get 4 or more upgrades finished per month. The problem though is not everyone passes the upgrade course, which is part of your second question. The course is fairly straight forward, but it is essentially a self study/self prep course. 1st step application/cover letter when you meet company requirements. 2nd step if accepted into the program is an assessment interview. 3rd step is evaluation flights, 12 in total. 4th step is 4days of ground school. 5th step is 3 sims and then a check ride on the 4th. Last step is line training. All of the failures have been in the interview or sim sessions. If you cork the interview it's a 6 month wait to reinterview. If you cork the sim it could be 6 or 12 months before you get a second shot. The problem is that although seniority determines when you start the program the first time, once you fail the training department is not very sympathetic in getting you back in the line for a 2nd go at it. The company will fill you in when it is convienient. It's a mixed curse because it doesn't hold up the guys that have been waiting for their first try, but also gives the 2nd chance guys little notice on when to expect another go at it. Is the course difficult? Too subjective. IMHO it's an exercise in cooperate and graduate.

Flydubai makes you sign a 3 year training bond no matter if you are typed and current or if you are doing a full training course. The bond amount varies, but it is either 24 or 36k prorated over 3 years. No new bond is currently signed when you upgrade, but that could change if new upgrades start leaving. EK and flydubai have an agreement that no flydubai pilot can leave for EK until 3 full years of service are completed. You must interview at EK just like anyone else would as there is no flow up or down between the separate airlines. Rumor has it that flydubai has a similar agreement with Etihad, but that is unconfirmed crewroom speculation. When flydubai first started there was only a 2 year ban to EK, but once the company realized how many pilots were trying to leave they increased it to 3 years. Is it possible it could go to 4 years? Maybe, but there are a few Captains who have been with flydubai 3+ years leaving flydubai for EK this fall and they are not being stopped.

Hope that helps!
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