Again, I interviewed in Oct. of 2008 based on offerings created last year. I was on a short list for an interview as a TRI/TRE. A summary of information concerning pay and benefits was e-mailed to me for review. There were inconsistencies contained within their initial offering versus the formal offering.

Present at the Interview were a woman, who worked for British Airways, I believe in their HR... and an EK instructor, a retired United 777 captain who formerly flew with Pan Am.

I am not knocking as to sincerity of the managers or directors of the airline as they get their marching orders from the owners, and VPs.

I expressed concerns about conflict between their initial offering and formal offering :

FLIGHT PAY

E-mail: Flight pay based on a minimum of 80 hours per month.
Actual: Pay based on 80 hours per month.
With the aircraft purchase plan to crew ratio, it would be quite some time to fly 80 hour per month for a few years. TRE override would not be provided until on the line.

TRAINING BOND

E-mail: No mention of training bond .
Actual: 36 month non prorated $24,000 training bond, even for us initial cadre pilots (current qualified and actively flying the 737-800) who were effectively going to set up their training department.

HOUSING ALLOWANCE

E-mail: AED 16,000 or $4,300 per month. In the scheme of things the average price for a decent apartment in the city runs about AED 180,000 or $4,100 per month. As conveyed to us during the interview, the maximum annual increase in rents as decreased from circa 15% to about 7 ½ percent a year the housing allowance will not be sufficient to cover such expenses. I consulted with real estate companies in the past when I was offered a BBJ job in the region a few years back. I researched apartments on the net before attending the interview. Company personnel present at the interview really could not address the issue.

BASE PAY

I don’t recall what it was last year… however it seems to have increased.

TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE

This provision is new.

BASE PAY and PROJECTED PAY SCALES

Would not even address this issue. Cost of living a decent life is pretty expensive... and the cost of living is not going to be stagnant.

It appears that FlyDubai ramped up their insurance and education benefits since last year.

Not being satisfied with responses to my questions concerning conflicts between their initial and formal offerings, as well as other issues, I chose to discontinue the interview process.

As Sy Simm, clothing store owner, and contributer to PBS would say: “Our best constumer is an educated constumer”. I guess the same can be said for potential employees… wouldn’t you agree?

Anyway, FlyDubai will recruit some excellent talent being furloughed to make them a successful and safe low cost carrier in the region.

Happy flying;

The Capt.