Emirates isn't perfect, no airline is. I generally tell people that if they had a chance to go to SWA, jetBlue, Fedex, UPS, or Airtran that I would choose them over Emirates. My point in posting the information here is that it is another option, especially since the options are so limited in the States these days.

Pilotguy makes the suggestion to look at the PPrune Middle East Forum for postings on Emirates. Notice that the great majority of the negative posting is coming from about 10 guys.

Huh :confused: At this point upgrades on both fleets are at three years. That will definitely continue on the Boeing for the next few years. The Airbus is another matter because of the policy on no transition upgrades. I agree, it isn't fair, especially for the Airbus guys. The same VP that made the decision not to hire RJ pilots is the one preventing transition upgrades. As I said in the first post, there is a chance that Flight Operations will split from his department and the policy will change. Right now it doesn't really need to because the Airbus guys are still upgrading at the three year point. If there was a hug disparity between the fleets then there would be more cause for concern.

As in any airline job, you roll the dice and take your chances. When I was hired by brand X in 1989 they said I would upgrade in five years. Here it is 16 years later and I was never even close to an upgrade with them. Do I hate them for it ?, no.

That is not exactly true. There has been lots of type movement since I've been here. When I first joined they were doing transition upgrades from the Airbus to the Boeing. Then they ended up short of Airbus pilots and moved those guys back to the Airbus as Captain as well as offering any Captain who wanted to, the opportunity to go to the Airbus. Quite a few guys did because they have SJS and want to eventually fly the A380. Now it looks like we'll be short of Boeing Captains and it is very possible they will offer some Airbus Captains the chance to move over to the Boeing.

The company policy is that you are seat locked for 6 years as a Captain. So any Captain on the Airbus who has been there for six years could theoretically bid over to the Boeing if there are any openings.

Again, I wouldn't choose Emirates as the place to make a career, especially if you are younger. It is, however, a good airline that can provide a decent standard of living and some good experience.


Typhoonpilot

You are correct there. You certainly seem to have your head on straight with the information you give. It is nice to see someone give better information that can be both positive and honest, and it is appreciated. I am always trying to collect information.

Hadn't seen this on the site yet, so I thought I'd resurrect this old thread and post it here.

Sunday November 20, 8:07 PM
Emirates orders 42 Boeing 777s

Photo: Reuters
Click to enlarge

DUBAI (Reuters) - Airline Emirates placed a $9.7 billion order for wide-bodied Boeing Co. 777 planes on Sunday in a deal that kicked off the Dubai air show and underscored the Gulf's surging airlines sector.
The deal for 42 planes included 10 777-200LR, 24 777-300ER, eight of the 777 freighter version and Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum told reporters the airline had agreed to take purchase rights for a further 20.

Boeing has now sold 106 of the twin-engined long-range 777 this year, one short of its best result, as high fuel prices spur sales of twin-engined versus four-engined models.

The airline will take delivery of the planes between 2007 and 2013, Emirates President Tim Clark told Reuters.

U.S. engine maker General Electric said it would provide the engines and maintenance for them for 12 years under a deal worth more than $2 billion.

Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates, one of the world's fastest
growing airlines, had yet to decide between the Airbus A350
and the Boeing 787 for its
requirements for new mid-sized planes.

"Regarding the 787 and the A350, we haven't decided yet which way we will go," he said.

Emirates has placed the largest order for the Airbus A380 due to enter service next year. The plane maker is now chasing orders for its newest model, the A350, due in 2010.

The Boeing aircraft deal was announced at the opening day of the Dubai airshow and eclipsed the total value of deals done at the same event two years ago.


These are additional to the other 777-300ER order of a few years ago. If it all comes to pass Emirates will be the biggest operator of 777s in the world, surpassing Singapore. The total would be around 93 777s.


TP

T'Pilot,
What is the best way to get an app. pulled and looked at? Need an insider or is all by computer? Your info has been fantastic, thanks.

The best way is to have an internal recommendation. Those can only be done by someone who has met two criteria; 1) worked at EK for one year, and 2) flown with you in the past. Short of that, regular updates are helpful or if you have the time, a personal visit to Dubai and a friendly chat with recruiting if you have someone here who can help arrange it.

With your 757 time I wouldn't worry too much, they need people and with the 757 time you should be high up on the list to get a call.


TP

Thanks again, TP. Lots of 76/75 international time, but none of what you guys fly. But the info is helpful. Good luck.
S1

TP's info is helpful...I just hope he's willing to share some restaurants / nightclubs seeing as this GI might be going over to UAE to play in the sand for a few months...

-:)

-LA

Rock Bottom or HJ Beans are good pubs.
Cold Beer and a good rock band.

WP

Some Emirates/Dubai questions
 

TP et al,

Got some questions:
How do you think this order will affect the upgrade time? What's the housing like? How's the health care? I'm currently a A-319/320 FO so does that mean I'll be stuck going to the bus fleet or will I have the option to going to the 777? If furloughed, does Emirates require you to resign your seniority number?
Is upgrade based on seniority, hours or looks :-( ?

Thank you,
Goose 10

Lots of good restaurants, just depends what kind of food you are in the mood for and what kind of a setting you like. For Chinese with a good setting Zheng He in the Madinat is good. Otherwise the excellent Chinese for good value is Spring Bamboo and Lan Gwei Fang, right next to each other near Lamcy Plaza. Sukhothai at Le Meridien Airport hotel is good as is Lemongrass for Thai. Tangine in the One and Only Royal Mirage is good Moroccan and I'm told Shoofi Mafi at the Madinat is excellent as well. You'll find some places do good deals on certain nights of the week.

Nightclubs, hmmm, I don't go to those ;) Again, it depends on the night of the week, the FAs have it all figured out. You can ask when you get here and someone will know. Of course one shouldn't miss the infamous Cyclone or York Club just for the entertainment value :p


TP