When your time comes up for upgrade it is dependent on SO many things OTHER than seniority. Good luck on all your decisions, but I still think all of you don't realize what you're getting into….
1. Mgt will look at your sick leave… too many sick days means you're not being PRODUCTIVE! Remember this word, you will hear it a lot during your tenure at EK (if you feel you must go for some reason). Because of this, your upgrade can be (and has been in the past) delayed.
2. You will have to go thru a nerve wracking interview lasting about an hour. It will include all types of topics and among other things, will see how well you know the OM-A, how well you can interpret each item on a flight plan, give you multiple scenarios and what you'd do. The FO's I know who have gone thru this say it's many many hours in the books as any question is considered fair game. (as it should be)
3. Your past PPC's will be looked at to see how your grades have been. Yes, at EK and most overseas airlines, your PPC's are graded on a scale of 1-5, 5 being outstanding, 1 being complete fail and 2 also being a fail but with training to correct… as well as an overall grade… totally at the whim of the TRE. There are a few issues with standardization in our training, although it has gotten many times better since I first arrived years ago. I personally have a friend at EK who was denied his upgrade opportunity due to having "mediocre" grades on his past two PPC's. Delayed until "we see a few more PPC's of 4's". That meant 1 year delay. He left shortly thereafter with a clear conscience.
You're going to fly AT LEAST 92 plus hours each month… and it's not like RJ flying or US domestic flying. It's thru multiple time zones with day night/night day operations. It will slowly degenerate your body.
If you're on a A330, you'll fly 97 percent turns and at least half will be all night. You will work 22 days a month. It's probably the toughest roster at EK. Recommend you steer clear of this and try to go 777.
777's will fly a mix of everything. Crew are now flying up to 95 hours a month
380 I don't think is available to new hires…. yet.
All the best to all of you who come to EK!
K