My Thoughts about Emirates
06-03-2008, 10:19 AM
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 43
My Thoughts about Emirates
I currently work at a regional carrier with a purple and yellow tail in the US. Conditions are not so great. Now I am nowhere near panic mode because I can get to where I am right now financially very quickly at another regional if I have to. I am a junior captain flying 90-95 per month. Will break 1000 PIC in January if the Status Quo continues until then. Here is the kicker. On my dream sheet of airlines only one requires 1000 PIC turbine. I am not going to pay out of my pocket for a type on a 73 to get a 1 in 3 shot at job and a 2 in 3 shot at wasting 7 grand. So on the dream sheet make one of them very unlikely. For the rest of the sheet I will be qualified for all of them in July. Trouble is that I don’t know if any of them will interview me and I don’t know if they interview me that they will hire me. Situation is starting to look bleak in the US. O and as long as that kindergartner in the White House won’t let anyone go on strike I am more than willing to take my ball and go play in someone else’s sand box.
My wife is a school teacher. She is very excited about the idea of traveling to a foreign country for a short or long stay and I am too. She worked full time while I worked on my ratings and now she wants to work on her Masters Degree full time in return. My salary alone in the US won’t cut it very well and there is the possibility of me being hired at a carrier that has very low wages in the first and even the second year. If she starts now she may have to stop and go to work because of me graduating from YV and heading to greener pastures. Not a popular idea with her. So that leaves me with my own unique situation which is this.
Spending my career with YV would be a tragedy. I am itching to get out of here but only to somewhere that is truly better and that I can call a career if I have to. I am not going to fry the first fish that bites unless it is a good fish for frying. That is how I ended up at YV.
I have been reading about Emirates extensively on forums like this one. Lots of Poo Flinging going on. Here is the situation for me. I see Emirates as a place to camp until someone on my dream sheet calls and if they never do it would not be a tragedy if I had to spend my career there. Seems that Emirates and I could go well together by giving me a chance to provide for my wife just like she did when I was a flight student. 3 years for her and a chance to put back some major $. A return to the U.S. would be easier during the first year pay if I had some $ in the bank.
My major question is this: What other carriers should I consider and apply to along with Emirates. I have a type on the CRJ and that is the only jet I have flown so where else am I qualified to work? Making money and being able to put a lot back is major to me.
I have read that the police in the UAE are sort of lawless in nature. That I could easily get charged with a crime. Are lots of expatriates experiencing this? Is this a major concern? I am not going to Lie, Cheat, or Steal ever. If accused of something that is bull like causing a car accident when some guy from BFE who shouldn’t have a license in the first place clearly is at fault can a lawyer handle this and bring justice or is this just going to be tough for me.
Other people have posted that once I head down the expatriate road there is no return to the US. Why can’t you return? Is it that no one will hire you if you have been over seas or is it that you can’t take the pay cut or what? Please be as complete in your answer as possible because I really don’t understand this.
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
Can anyone who brought pets with them share their experience with that because this could be a deal breaker? We have 2 cats.
At the road show they said that the attrition is around 3 percent. Truth? What’s the word because that seems pretty powerful to me.
Trust me on this one. I have read the other major issues and they are small to me with regards to Emirates. Living far away from home! I see my family around 10 days per year. Not a big deal to me with 42 days of vacation because I think this would actually increase the time that I could see my family in the US. Hot! I am from South Louisiana. Only 14 days off! Refer to sentence one of this posts.
My wife is a school teacher. She is very excited about the idea of traveling to a foreign country for a short or long stay and I am too. She worked full time while I worked on my ratings and now she wants to work on her Masters Degree full time in return. My salary alone in the US won’t cut it very well and there is the possibility of me being hired at a carrier that has very low wages in the first and even the second year. If she starts now she may have to stop and go to work because of me graduating from YV and heading to greener pastures. Not a popular idea with her. So that leaves me with my own unique situation which is this.
Spending my career with YV would be a tragedy. I am itching to get out of here but only to somewhere that is truly better and that I can call a career if I have to. I am not going to fry the first fish that bites unless it is a good fish for frying. That is how I ended up at YV.
I have been reading about Emirates extensively on forums like this one. Lots of Poo Flinging going on. Here is the situation for me. I see Emirates as a place to camp until someone on my dream sheet calls and if they never do it would not be a tragedy if I had to spend my career there. Seems that Emirates and I could go well together by giving me a chance to provide for my wife just like she did when I was a flight student. 3 years for her and a chance to put back some major $. A return to the U.S. would be easier during the first year pay if I had some $ in the bank.
My major question is this: What other carriers should I consider and apply to along with Emirates. I have a type on the CRJ and that is the only jet I have flown so where else am I qualified to work? Making money and being able to put a lot back is major to me.
I have read that the police in the UAE are sort of lawless in nature. That I could easily get charged with a crime. Are lots of expatriates experiencing this? Is this a major concern? I am not going to Lie, Cheat, or Steal ever. If accused of something that is bull like causing a car accident when some guy from BFE who shouldn’t have a license in the first place clearly is at fault can a lawyer handle this and bring justice or is this just going to be tough for me.
Other people have posted that once I head down the expatriate road there is no return to the US. Why can’t you return? Is it that no one will hire you if you have been over seas or is it that you can’t take the pay cut or what? Please be as complete in your answer as possible because I really don’t understand this.
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
Can anyone who brought pets with them share their experience with that because this could be a deal breaker? We have 2 cats.
At the road show they said that the attrition is around 3 percent. Truth? What’s the word because that seems pretty powerful to me.
Trust me on this one. I have read the other major issues and they are small to me with regards to Emirates. Living far away from home! I see my family around 10 days per year. Not a big deal to me with 42 days of vacation because I think this would actually increase the time that I could see my family in the US. Hot! I am from South Louisiana. Only 14 days off! Refer to sentence one of this posts.
Last edited by A-V-8; 06-03-2008 at 02:02 PM.
06-03-2008, 11:10 AM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: B777 Captain
Posts: 93
Originally Posted by A-V-8;396048
[FONT=Calibri
[FONT=Calibri
I have been reading about Emirates extensively on forums like this one. Lots of Poo Flinging going on. Here is the situation for me. I see Emirates as a place to camp until someone on my dream sheet calls and if they never do it would not be a tragedy if I had to spend my career there. Seems that Emirates and I could go well together by giving me a chance to provide for my wife just like she did when I was a flight student. 3 years for her and a chance to put back some major $. A return to the U.S. would be easier during the first year pay if I had some $ in the bank. [/FONT]
The cost of living in Dubai is high. I would compare it with some of the higher cost cities in the U.S.. On the other hand, the company does provide accommodation and utilities which does take some of the edge off. The general consensus is that it is difficult to save much as an FO (easier if you do not have children).
Does your wife plan on staying in the U.S. to pursue her education? If so, be advised that commuting is not advised. The company discourages it and rosters do not make it easy.
I have read that the police in the UAE are sort of lawless in nature. That I could easily get charged with a crime. Are lots of expatriates experiencing this? Is this a major concern? I am not going to Lie, Cheat, or Steal ever. If accused of something that is bull like causing a car accident when some guy from BFE who shouldn’t have a license in the first place clearly is at fault can lawyer handle this and bring justice or is this just going to be tough for me.
Lawless is a bit of an exaggeration. Inconsistent in the application of the law might be more accurate. I have not had any problems but I do know that an auto accident with a local could be a difficult situation as many of the police do not speak English. Overall, this should not be a big consideration. I’m guessing that most of those stating the above are xenophobes from the U.S. who have probably never been here.
Other people have posted that once I head down the expatriate road there is no return to the US. Why can’t you return? Is it that no one will hire you if you have been over seas or is it that you can’t take the pay cut or what? Please be as complete in your answer as possible because I really don’t understand this.
Even as times to command increase, they will still be relatively low compared with the rest of the world. Let’s just say you make captain in 5 years or so. Will you really be willing to go back to the right seat for U.S. first year wages after being a B777 captain. As far as no one hiring you, the only restrictions are at FedEx and UPS as apparently they require a period of U.S. residency due to their USPS contracts.
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
This will vary and does change at the whim of EK management. As a new FO on the Boeing, nights away from home can run between 4 and 12.
Can anyone who brought pets with them share their experience with that because this could be a deal breaker? We have 2 cats.
No real problem with pets other than the problem with your initial accommodation. New hires are currently being put into temporary accommodation right now and being told that it might be for up to 9 months. Research some other threads and forums for the rundown on the quality of temporary accommodation.
At the road show they said that the attrition is around 3 percent. Truth? What’s the word because that seems pretty powerful to me.
Over the past few years attrition has been between 5 and 15 percent depending on just when the snapshot is taken. Right now, it has been fairly low. The package is not bad (if you have kids, there aren’t many expat packages out there that beats it). You should understand that the effects of the shrinking dollar are not felt that much by the Americans here while for Europeans and others whose currencies are rising are really getting hammered against their home currencies. They have not kept up – even with the payraises of the last few years. With the general downturn that we are seeing (especially with the rise in fuel costs), I would guess that attrition will stay fairly low but don’t forget that there are a fair amount of people here who are not happy. You shouldn’t discount that, just try to decide honestly if you will fall in that category.
Trust me on this one. I have read the other major issues and they are small to me with regards to Emirates. Living far away from home! I see my family around 10 days per year. Not a big deal to me with 42 days of vacation because I think this would actually increase the time that I could see my family in the US. Hot! I am from South Louisiana. Only 14 days off! Refer to sentence one of this posts.
If you’re spending your days off in Dubai, then 14 days off might not seem so bad. If you plan on trying to go home, then it will be a different story. Regarding vacation, 42 days is pretty good. You won’t get it all at once (only 21 days at a time) and lately, pilots are having a difficult time bidding days off on either side of their leave (even in the top bid groups). I’m not too sure what’s up with that.
The cost of living in Dubai is high. I would compare it with some of the higher cost cities in the U.S.. On the other hand, the company does provide accommodation and utilities which does take some of the edge off. The general consensus is that it is difficult to save much as an FO (easier if you do not have children).
Does your wife plan on staying in the U.S. to pursue her education? If so, be advised that commuting is not advised. The company discourages it and rosters do not make it easy.
I have read that the police in the UAE are sort of lawless in nature. That I could easily get charged with a crime. Are lots of expatriates experiencing this? Is this a major concern? I am not going to Lie, Cheat, or Steal ever. If accused of something that is bull like causing a car accident when some guy from BFE who shouldn’t have a license in the first place clearly is at fault can lawyer handle this and bring justice or is this just going to be tough for me.
Lawless is a bit of an exaggeration. Inconsistent in the application of the law might be more accurate. I have not had any problems but I do know that an auto accident with a local could be a difficult situation as many of the police do not speak English. Overall, this should not be a big consideration. I’m guessing that most of those stating the above are xenophobes from the U.S. who have probably never been here.
Other people have posted that once I head down the expatriate road there is no return to the US. Why can’t you return? Is it that no one will hire you if you have been over seas or is it that you can’t take the pay cut or what? Please be as complete in your answer as possible because I really don’t understand this.
Even as times to command increase, they will still be relatively low compared with the rest of the world. Let’s just say you make captain in 5 years or so. Will you really be willing to go back to the right seat for U.S. first year wages after being a B777 captain. As far as no one hiring you, the only restrictions are at FedEx and UPS as apparently they require a period of U.S. residency due to their USPS contracts.
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
This will vary and does change at the whim of EK management. As a new FO on the Boeing, nights away from home can run between 4 and 12.
Can anyone who brought pets with them share their experience with that because this could be a deal breaker? We have 2 cats.
No real problem with pets other than the problem with your initial accommodation. New hires are currently being put into temporary accommodation right now and being told that it might be for up to 9 months. Research some other threads and forums for the rundown on the quality of temporary accommodation.
At the road show they said that the attrition is around 3 percent. Truth? What’s the word because that seems pretty powerful to me.
Over the past few years attrition has been between 5 and 15 percent depending on just when the snapshot is taken. Right now, it has been fairly low. The package is not bad (if you have kids, there aren’t many expat packages out there that beats it). You should understand that the effects of the shrinking dollar are not felt that much by the Americans here while for Europeans and others whose currencies are rising are really getting hammered against their home currencies. They have not kept up – even with the payraises of the last few years. With the general downturn that we are seeing (especially with the rise in fuel costs), I would guess that attrition will stay fairly low but don’t forget that there are a fair amount of people here who are not happy. You shouldn’t discount that, just try to decide honestly if you will fall in that category.
Trust me on this one. I have read the other major issues and they are small to me with regards to Emirates. Living far away from home! I see my family around 10 days per year. Not a big deal to me with 42 days of vacation because I think this would actually increase the time that I could see my family in the US. Hot! I am from South Louisiana. Only 14 days off! Refer to sentence one of this posts.
If you’re spending your days off in Dubai, then 14 days off might not seem so bad. If you plan on trying to go home, then it will be a different story. Regarding vacation, 42 days is pretty good. You won’t get it all at once (only 21 days at a time) and lately, pilots are having a difficult time bidding days off on either side of their leave (even in the top bid groups). I’m not too sure what’s up with that.
Last edited by Gillegan; 06-03-2008 at 11:15 AM.
06-03-2008, 11:29 AM
#3
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 43
Thank you For your reply. We would both be heading for Dubai. She would work through correspondence. At least that is one possible course of action.
Did you mean 4-12 nights on the road or 4-12 in your bed.
Did you mean 4-12 nights on the road or 4-12 in your bed.
Last edited by A-V-8; 06-03-2008 at 12:10 PM.
06-03-2008, 05:53 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,333
...As far as no one hiring you, the only restrictions are at FedEx and UPS as apparently they require a period of U.S. residency due to their USPS contracts...
One correction only - Fedex is the only one that has a 5 year US residency requirement, not UPS.
One correction only - Fedex is the only one that has a 5 year US residency requirement, not UPS.
Last edited by ⌐ AV8OR WANNABE; 06-03-2008 at 08:04 PM.
06-03-2008, 06:11 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: A319 320 321 LEFT GOOOOOD
Posts: 377
Originally Posted by MDT06
Go and enjoy. Aviation is doing better in Asia and the Middle East. Aviation in the US is in a decline.
For now...... TRUE!!!!!!! But there is no place like AMERICA!!!!!!
06-04-2008, 06:22 AM
#7
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by A-V-8
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
How many nights a month would you consider to be a usual amount of nights to spend in your bed for those of you working at Emirates? Other companies over seas chime in as well please. I am looking for significant improvement there over the current IAD commute at YV. Maybe 5 at the most right now for me at YV.
He was gone a total of 2 nights for the month.
Now keep in mind he worked 18 days and a few of those days he had a 2 am push.
So if you want to be home every night it is possible.
But holy crap is it hot here... and it's only the beginning of June!!!
06-05-2008, 07:26 PM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: left seat 343/5 332
Posts: 96
14 days off a month is the max , not in a row. As already said dont do this job if you think you are going to commute it will not work. Lots of different kinds of trips if you do 2 ULR your month will be filled in with night turns. Now, even in your top bid group you have 100+ above you so you might not get what you want. Vacation is anyones guess you might get 21 days max 2 out of 3 summers if you are lucky , plan on every other and maybe only 14 days.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
