Anyone can update us on the flexibility of dropping and picking up flights? I have heard some guys tell me that they drop flights so they can get more days off, or choose longer flights together to get a block of 5-10 days off in a row. Any truth in this?

While the company does provide a trip trade/swap system, there are some severe restrictions put on these:

* No more than 5 (sometimes 7) days off in a row... system won't let you trade if it gives you more than this

* No less than about 15 days off per month but that's virtually impossible (for 777 captains) due to the hours minimum as well.

The most difficult thing to get around is that the schedules (rosters) are so tight, that there is very little "wiggle" room to get groups of days off and often times one cannot trade anything except for another trip on the either the same day or 1 day before or after the original trip

Additionally, they've restricted greatly our ability to bid. We used to have a desire and avoid part of the bid system. The "avoid" part was literally taken away simply to make it easier for the company to fly us right up to the max of 92 hours per month. We used to get up to 5 hours overtime and could trade up to 5 hours over 92 (97) but that was stopped as there is a hard tightening policy going on now. No one but no one flies over 92 hours per month. That would trigger overtime pay.

Every since they implemented this rule, my roster has been pretty consistently at 91:45 right up to 91:59. Amazing how they're able to do that.

What makes that very difficult is the long haul flying we do.... one week it's North America, the next week it's China or Japan or even Australia.
Really wreaks havoc with your body clock.... and the company could care less about that. They think we're robots here and can just switch on and off and always get a full 8 hours rest.

FYI... I tell all my colleagues at the previous airline to look elsewhere. You sell your soul to the devil at this place. Hard working conditions.

Thanks for the info.

"No less than about 15 days off per month" I think you meant to say no more than 15 days off.

And that is hard to get. I know of 2 long range commuters , each are getting home for a week every two months, 10 days off , 5 in a row at the end and beginning and 3 days min for travel.

For you own good don't consider this for commuting.

Thanks for the correction, Fatbus!! (wish it was the way I wrongly wrote it!!)

And yes... commuting is VERY frowned upon here let alone next to impossible!

K

same same but different!

I wonder how many times you guys will have to say that EK is not a commuting job before people understand that EK is not a commuting job.

Prediction: this isn't the last time for the commuting at EK question.

GF

So how easy would it be to commute to the east coast US if I got the Airbus fleet at Emirates? What about the Boeing?









:D

In general, yes, even my RJ work rules are better than yours. But at the end of a 5 leg day, with 3 preflights in the rain, a one leg trip to Europe doesn't seem so bad.

I'd happily give up a few days off in exchange for a bit more $ at EK.

With the upcoming retirements in the US, do you expect the ME carriers to offer more attractive compensation packages?

It will be based on supply and demand. If there is a surplus of pilots, they would be offering P2F. If there is a shortage, there will be a bidding war for pilots.

Emirates, to me anyway, has always seemed like they try to recruit relatively young, moderately experienced pilots looking to jumpstart their careers. While they have managed to get some from major carriers, I think they were mostly early retirements, etc.

Their compensation package is decent, and there are still enough relatively young pilots out there looking to - jumpstart their careers. I doubt Emirates will deem it necessary to greatly increase their compensation package anytime soon. They continue to have no problem recruiting the type of pilots they want to hire.

Plenty of unemployed pilots in the EU, I don't think that attrition of one segment of the pilot group that is what 10%..? Will affect neither the operation, nor the T&C'S. I would love it if it does but I'm afraid it won't.

I also think that as long as there exists Ryan Air, Emirates will have a constant supply of applicants and new joiners as they seem to be the training ground for Emirates the past year or two.

This place is nothing like a normal legacy air carrier like British, Air France, KLM where you'd stay your whole career of 30-ish years. Honestly don't think that's even possible with our rosters at 92 hours each month all over the globe. You'd die before getting to 65 at this airline.

Mind you I love the flying and the travel, but there is just not enough days between the trips to recover.... especially the older one gets.

75 hours at say Air France (any world legacy) with union backing vs 91:59 at EK pretty much left hung out to dry with no backing or protection?

K

I have a couple of questions for anyone at Emirates. I looked through some other threads but could not find the answer. How is the medical and dental insurance at Emirates? I know they have an on campus facility but I'm not sure if they offer insurance when you and your family are away from Dubai. My second question is about the tickets home once a year, are the tickets in business class or economy? Thanks in advance - Rocky

Medical is worldwide coverage. While out of UAE call the SOS number on your card and they'll tell yo where to go for treatment/consultation. No co-pay as far as I'm aware of. This is for your self as well as for your dependents.

If you're talking about the Annual Leave Tickets, for FOs is economy upgrade to business and Captains is business upgrade to first. You can, however, book space available or ID50s straight into J or F depending if you're an FO or Capt.

Hope it helps

767,
Thanks for the information.
Rocky

I am wondering for the US pilots there, are you separated out to make sure you aren't sent to countries that would be very unsafe for an American such as Iran, Afganistan, Iraq, Libya, ect? Or for that matter Cuba or North Korea where Americans can't legally travel in most cases?

Avroman, they don't have service to Pyongyang and Havana but I an curious about the other part of your question. They may issued multiple passports?
fbh

Not an issue at all. Iran (Teheran) is a turn but even then people there, contrary to the media and politicians propaganda, are very nice to us. Never an issue whatsoever. I even got a bag with very nice presents during one of their holidays a few years ago during a turn. Afganistan (Kabul) will also be a turn. Iraq (Baghdad, Erbil and Bashrah) are not an issue either and also turns. Libya (Tripoli) used to be a layover before the revolution, now it's a through flight. Stayed there quite a few times. Always welcomed, never an issue. Even ventured around the country on a long layover, never a problem. We don't fly to Cuba or North Korea.

Trouble is we fly to some recognized "war zones". So there may be some issues with personal survivor benefits if it could come to that. Don't know how the US cargo outfits deal with that.

Funny how everyone thinks Iran is very unsafe for Americans, I suggest stop listing to what the media feeds you. You are just a pilot and not a war machine that is trying to start a rage against a country, relax.

How true. Stop listening to the " bought " media and government hacks. Research the Iranian every day joe and you might be surprised. In my experience, they are very nice people with the same concerns we have. Namely, the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

+1 .......

True of the average Iranian citizen, but if you are scooped up by the police, there's no embassy diplomat to turn to for help. Being American will likely lengthen your stay vs shortening it.