That you can!! The taxi rides can be quite fun, and a bit scary. Not as bad as NY City though.

The sim used for evals will just be what is available at your "location". Be happy for a glass sim, no matter what kind(if glass is what you have flown). I had mine in a 757-200 in ATL. What a POS.

Received my email today, 15th, for a flight out to DXB on the 18th. My interview dates were supposed to be from the 20th to 25th. They seemed to have changed it without notice to the 18th through the 22nd. Good thing I'm friends with my chief pilot.

Good luck! If you can, can you give us details of your experience? (remainder of selection process, medical, offer) thanks!

Well I have to say those taxi rides were pretty crazy. I thought we were going to crash numerous times. The ride I heard through a friend is going to be a 737 in ATL. Take that with a massive grain of salt though but he got that in an email from a recruiter so it may be true. Thanks for the tips on Dubai, it was a great time and definitely a different city.

I'll bet they don't let you use the HUD.

They are using the 737-800 sim in ATL.

I also got back yesterday from Dubai. What an experience that was. Emirates is a hell of an impressive operation. It still feels like it was a dream. Everyone is so nice, layed back and a great sense of humor. There wasnt a single point in time where I felt nervous. The medical is a bit daunting. Especially the eye part. I took about 6 different eye exams. 6 viles of blood was drained. Lung capacity test. It almost felt like the selection process during The Right Stuff. I passed everything. The only thing left is to wait. They are going to contact my references and then I should have an answer in one to two weeks.

I've heard they have stopped putting new hires into the 777 because they are backed up on training til the end of June already. Anybody else hear this?

Plans are constantly changing at Emirates. That is the only thing you can be sure of. B777 classes will be ongoing through the year, whether or not they are full until June I don't know. But that doesn't mean they won't add more classes for something like a newly announced ULR route ( Washington D.C. for example ). Also doesn't mean they will not revise the whole A330/340 retirement plan. A number of A380s are sitting on the ground awaiting repair work, thus needing more A330/340 pilots then originally planned.


TP

Has anyone else seen this? Any proof of these eligations? Typical ALPA. Now they want to kill jobs over seas with more lucrative pay and compensation package than anything ALPA could negotiate for companies it represents:


ALPA has joined with Delta and the APA in publishing a full-page color ad in two popular Capitol Hill newspapersPolitico and Roll Callhighlighting the subsidies provided to foreign airlines by U.S. taxpayers through the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The ad highlights Boeing 777s financed at below-market rates to Emirates,which are now being flown into the United States in competition with U.S. airlines.

The Banks subsidies to foreign airlines gives foreign competitors a cost advantage on international routes,and these subsidies are allowing foreign carriers to drive domestic carriers out of international routes,costing pilots jobs. ALPA Government Affairs is actively working on Capitol Hill to bring a resolution to this subsidy issue and sent a letter last week to lawmakers detailing our position.

Yep, I've seen it. I've debated it on PPW. ALPA really is amazing in how stupid they can be at times. If their action works and the Ex-Im bank is forced to stop lending to foreign airlines the foreign airlines will buy Airbus instead of Boeing. Net result: Boeing workers lose jobs ( high paid union manufacturing jobs at that ) and the foreign airlines fly here with their shiny new Airbus aircraft. Zero change to the competitive situation, but a net loss for America. Brilliant strategy on the part of ALPA :rolleyes:.



TP

Oh4tgo,

Could you explain the eye exams in more detail. I'm hoping to get an interview. Had some difficulty in the past with military vision standards (and specifically how they test your depth perception). Thanks, and good luck on getting a job offer soon!

Eye exam consisted of four parts. First was peripheral. You stick your head in this half sphere. You look straight ahead and click a button every time you see a light in your periph. Then you do far and near sight test and color test like in the states. Then your binocular vision is tested. Hard to explain. Try looking it up. It has to do with one eye being manipulated by a prism and causing a picture to double. Then you must refocus to make it one. Periph is checked again with that doc. Then eyes get dialated and your check for pressure and glaucoma.

Airbus provides the same discount to US customers. I guess ALPA and Delta conveniently overlooked that part.

oh4gto,

How about the group exercises and psyche? What were those like? Also, did they give you a tentative offer with the stipulation that your references come back ok?

ALPA's job is to protect the jobs of its members. That's what they're working for, that's who they're working for. ALPA Pilots, not Boeing employees. Add that many are very upset with the EU over the carbon trading money scam, so it's not likely they'll go running to Airbus.

When I was an ALPA member, they'd always harp on how it was important to buy UNION-made stuff and how we should support our UNION brothers/sisters in need, telling us what to boycott, etc. Just open their monthly rag and see for yourself.

Haven't we learned enough about ALPA and their ability to protect its members and this profession or execute duties of fair representation?

The phsych testing goes on forever. I can't remember how many questions you'll be asked to answer but it felt like a couple of hours. It's designed to catch you out if you try to answer them the way you think, they want you to answer. My advice....answer honestly.

The group exercise is interesting: add to the discussion, don't be a wallflower and don't be "that" guy that tries to take over. If you notice somebody not adding much, ask them what they think. During mine, one of the DEC candidates got p1ssed with something I suggested and ended up jabbing his index finger in my direction. He got washed out, I passed. During the HR interview we talked about it and apparently there have been some very heated moments and almost punch-ups.

Also......

I've just found out that all the interviews until June are for DEC's and Airbus rated guys, for the short course. They're not giving Boeing guys courses until then and even that is to be confirmed.

Duuude, you're headed to EK!? Say it ain't so. . . but if it is so, can I have your SYD base?

Kenny,

I am also waiting for a course date. I heard that they are currently trying to establish how many positions on the next courses are going to be for DECs and how many for FO's. I had been told that they will have this confirmed from 'upstairs' this week and we should have an answer by end of week.

I know that so far all courses upto June have been allocated (as some colleagues have been given them). Also, some Boeing slots have been given for August (FO'S).

Hopefully hear soon.

Waitings sucks!!!!

Koru,

Had enough of feeling nickel and dime'd living here. Sounds like a single seniority list with the next EBA, will get you your SYD base.

Call me next time you're this side of the Tasman.

We'll have to have beers before you depart mate.

Yea, single seniority list indeed, let's see if I keep my fourth stripe eh.

I'll drop you a line in SYD, cin cin.

The interviews are happening for everybody. I have four friends that are interviewing and none are Airbus. Two RJ's and two ERJ's. Everyone in their class was also from the regionals. Also the myth that RJ goes to Boing and only Airbus experienced guys go to Airbus is False. This was stated somewhere and I just wanted to clear that up. It was something I discussed with the recruitment team. Also Boeing classes are full until June and July but Airbus classes are available sooner. Also the word from the recruitment team.

Oh4gto,

Not trying to pee in your cherios but I got an email from HR last night that, from now until June they will only be assigning new interview slots to DEC's and airbus guys. Your friends must have been assigned interviews prior to that decision being made.

In the grand scheme of things it's not really a big deal but just some info for Boeing rated guys hoping for an interview soon.

Ok I see what your saying. I guess they are just finishing up everyone that got shortlisted prior to this announcement.

This article was published in November 2011, the following article was published on 25 March 2012

Dubai mulls pension fund for expats

Project will boost domestic liquidity and ensure expat’s financial stability

By*
Staff
Published*Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Dubai is considering creating a pension fund for its large expatriate community to become the first city in the Middle East to enforce this landmark system for foreigners, officials were reported on Tuesday as saying.

The emirate, which does not impose income tax on individuals, said the project could cover both the public and private sector and analysts believe it will largely succeed if it is made compulsory to all expatriate workers.

The project is part of several ideas being considered by the Dubai Economic Department (DED) to spur investment and make Dubai a more attractive place to do business and live, DED said in a statement.

“The study about the pension system for the expatriates is among these ideas…it will cover the public and private sector but it is still in its preliminary stages,” said Ali Ibrahim, deputy director of planning and development at DED.

“We have set up a team to study this vital project and will present a report on the outcome of this study to the competent authorities to take the right decision.”

The Dubai-based Emirat Alyoum Arabic language daily quoted officials and experts as saying the pension idea would give a strong push to the local market as it will expand liquidity, boost investor confidence and improve living standards.

“There is no doubt the proposed pension system will ensure financial and social stability and create sufficient guarantees for expatriate workers in the emirate…this will in turn increase confidence in the domestic economy,” said Aref Al Muhairi, executive director of the Dubai Statistics Centre.

“I believe it will also boost domestic liquidity and this will give a push to business in the emirate…as for the sum that will be taken off the salary for the pension fund, I think it will be in line with international levels.”

Muhairi said he did not know whether the fund would be compulsory but added there would be several options for the Dubai government. “However, I believe that making the fund mandatory will bring many benefits to expatriate workers, reduce their financial disputes and tackle end of service problems…this will contribute to easing pressure on courts….I am confident that this project will be highly successful as is the case in pension funds in many European states.”

The paper quoted a Dubai-based economist as saying the proposed fund would play a major role in the economy of Dubai, the region’s commercial hub.

“Pension funds around the world play a key role in attracting large investments that greatly support the economy…I think this fund will be in the interest of Dubai as many countries already have such funds for non-citizens,” Mohammed Al Asumi said. “I am sure it will give stronger confidence to expatriates in the emirate and at the same time improve their living standards.”



Pension plan for Dubai expats by year-end

DED says it is in touch with other departments before launching project

By*
Staff
Published*Sunday, March 25, 2012
Dubai has completed a feasibility study for an ambitious pension fund for expatriates and is in touch with relevant departments before launching it by the year end, an official was reported on Sunday as saying.

The Department of Economic Development in Dubai (DED) is working on the project which will cover both public and private sector foreign employees, making Dubai the first city in the region to create a pension fund for expatriates, who do not pay income taxes in Dubai and other emirates.

“We have finished the feasibility study for the project and DED are now consulting with local and federal parties…we are also coordinating with some parties in other emirates and are planning to hold workshops on the project,” said Ali Ibrahim, deputy director general for planning and development at DED.

“You can say the project is nearly ready…once we complete negotiations with other departments, we will seek government approval so the project can be launched by the end of the year,” he told Albayan newspaper.

He said the project would be implemented in stages, adding that it could first cover employees in large companies and public establishments.

He said the first phase would also include companies which already provide pension to its expatriate employees.

Asked whether such fund could involve all UAE, he said:”I think it is better to be implemented on the federal level….after Dubai took the lead in this project, I believe there is now a trend to set up a federal pension fund…this one requires the support of relevant departments, including the Ministry of Labour.”

In a recent statement, DED said the pension fund project is part of several ideas being considered by the Department to spur investment and make Dubai a more attractive place to do business and live.

In a report early this year, Emirat Alyoum Arabic language daily quoted officials and experts as saying the pension fund would give a strong push to the market as it will expand liquidity, boost investor confidence and improve living standards.

“There is no doubt the proposed pension system will ensure financial and social stability and create sufficient guarantees for expatriate workers in the emirate…this will in turn increase confidence in the domestic economy,” said Aref Al Muhairi, executive director of the Dubai Statistics Centre.

“I believe it will also boost domestic liquidity and this will give a push to business in the emirate…as for the sum that will be taken off the salary for the pension fund, I think it will be in line with international levels.”

Muhairi said he did not know whether the fund would be compulsory but added there would be several options for the Dubai government.

“However, I believe that making the fund mandatory will bring many benefits to expatriate workers, reduce their financial disputes and tackle end of service problems…this will contribute to easing pressure on courts….I am confident that this project will be highly successful as is the case in pension funds in many European states.

Looks like new hiring has been put on hold so that they can focus on DEC's. Anyone who did not get a date to go out there is in the holding pattern.

Where did you get this information?

Bunch of my friends got the email this morning who have not been scheduled to go to Dubai.

Interesting. They did not mention anything about that when I was in dxb. Wonder if that mean no fo classes available either.

If anything this would help the current FOs get a class sooner. The 777 is backed up to June and July. I think they were taking on make then they could handle and the FO hiring outpaced the Capt upgrades.

I applied at Emirates, way over all of their mins. About a week later I got an e-mail saying that after reviewing my application they would not be considering it for further processing and unfortunatley, were unable to provide a reason why.

O.K. I'm not bitter, just disappointed. Not sure it was the right deal for me. I was all for it but my wife had some reservations. But for the life of me, I can't figure out why. They advertise all over the place and like I said, I am well qualified. BUT, today is my
49th birthday. Could that have been the reason? Just to clarify, I don't meet their requirements for DEC.

Again, it's water under the bridge, it just makes me wonder.

Happy Birthday.

Most probably the airline you fly for has a non-poaching agreement with Emirates.

It's age. The cutoff for First Officer is 48 unless you have significant jet PIC time.


TP

Beer30,

When did you apply? Very recently?

Sorry to hear about your negative results.

Does anyone know the difference between "Under Review" and "Applied" when you look at your application's status? Mine originally said the one initially, and then the other, respectively, after I had updated my app. I keep hoping to see "Shortlisted", but no such luck yet.

Yes very recently. First week of March. Got an e-mail acknowledging my app and that it would be reviewed.. next e-mail with the bad news was within less than 2 weeks.

Good luck.

@Beer:30

There are many opportunities in the international arena where your age will not be an issue, I would recommend that you post your profile on the most popular head hunter agencies and take a look at what is available out there, It might be worth your while to take a look at places like Skymark for example, they might take a look at you for DEC there, not the most organized place to work for but definitely a good place to pick up your 1,000 PIC and move on to something else more permanent. Good luck

Thanks for the advice. Emirates was my first choice of the overseas gigs so I haven't tried anywhere else yet.
Sad thing is, as I said, I just turned 49. And as far as times, I have over 14,000 total, 7300 turbine PIC, 3600 turbo jet with 972 of it as PIC..and lots of heavy international time.
Oh well, keep looking.

Quick question. Do they usually hire pilots for FO's position from the regional pipeline or do they usually pick people with a lot more experience? What about straight out of Air Force? Just wondering...