Heard the "Gentleman's" agreement was back in effect, Qatar was upset about the poaching. Don't know what will happen over the next few months though. Rumor was only five guys bid on the 787 due to the bond, bids released today on the A380 and 787 but I haven't looked to see how many actually went.
Orders are as follows ..10 A380's.
12 A350's.
41 B787's.
And a number of 777's from the manufacturer and taken from Jet Airways.

Probably be hiring off the street to the 787 soon, FO's don't want to seat lock because upgrades are happening on the 777 and captains smell the curry runs.

Get your resumes in soon if you want to fly Boeing's problem child

Plus five Air India 772's to do west coast flights. Hardly any curry runs on the T7. I do believe some new joiners will be assigned to "old sparky".

I'm currently flying the A320 with a SIC rating. Is this ok as far as the type rating requirement.
Right now getting close to 1000hrs in the 320, with 2600 total time including 1300 in a turbo-prop.
Do I have to wait until I meet the 1500hrs of jet time, or am I reading the minimum requirements wrong.

Thanks

MDT 06

2500 total time, 1500 glass cockpit, by current definition equipped with FMS coupled to Auto Pilot/Flight Director system.

RemoveB4flight and EYBusdriver,

Thank you for all the posts and good detailed info on Etihad!

I've gone through as many posts as I could find on this forum by now an would appreciate any insights regarding the actual interview process, as most of the info is over 2 years old already and the "other" forum doesn't have any up to date info either due to reasons we all know.

I'm actually asking for another colleague who hasn't an account here and who's been invited for a December interview slot (B777 NTR). According to the invitation this is the screening profile:

Day 1:Simulator and Technical Exam

Day 2:HOGAN Assessment Feedback, Group Exercise, English Exam, Formal Interview.

Day 3:Medical

Any heads up would be greatly appreciated!

Fly safe,

Upspeed.

Not sure what else to tell your friend. The interview profile is accurate and has stayed pretty much the same for years as far as I know.

The sim profile is straight forward, the hogan test basically identifies personality traits that can be both strengths and weakness, they want to see how well you play with others, and the interview is relaxed but professional. It's mostly pilots who handle the process, and they are a diverse group who have all been with the company a long time.

There are challenges to living here, but in my opinion there's no one particular type of person or nationality who does better here. I know single guys and families that love it, and those that don't.

There's no doubt that the growth is happening, and it's exciting to be a part of it. From the large number of nervous faces in blue suits I see at the HQ over recent months, no shortage of interested applicants.

Does anyone know if and where I might be able to get some sim prep for Etihad please? Thanks in advance

Does EY have a min weight limit like EK has an unwritten 30 tonne wt limit??

Thank you! That already helps a lot and I'll pass it on to my friend.

Upspeed.

There's nothing written about a weight limit for first officers, for captains it depends on which fleet you are applying to. If there is an unwritten rule I honestly couldn't tell you what it might be.

As far as sim prep, anyone with the experience to apply should know how to do a V1 cut and raw data ILS, I can't imagine it being worth the money to pay for prep course. If you have flown airbus, brush up on using the flight path vector, or "bird". Non type rated, you have the instruments in front of you, fly the numbers.

EY questions
 

How many days off there are every month? Any chance to get 4-5 of them consecutive?

On average it is 8 with minimum of 7, but it also depends on the fleet type you're on. A320 generally is the worst. It is a transitional fleet where you get your new command or come on as new-hire and just deal with the crap for approx. 18 months or so until they hopefully (or as they say here "inchallah") CCQ you over to something bigger. Compared to 'US' standards of days off and roster flexibility, forget about it. You are here to work for them and work you shall.

Also, 4 days off in a row is possible (again I noticed it is heavily fleet dependent - when I was on the 330 it was fairly common, 320 rare). 5 off very, very rare.

If you are lucky enough to be hired on the 777 it is fairly easy to get four days in a row.
If they aren't using you for any period of time they will put a standby right in the middle of any block of off days thus making it hard to get away for any period of time.:mad:

[QUOTE]There's nothing written about a weight limit for first officers, for captains it depends on which fleet you are applying to. If there is an unwritten rule I honestly couldn't tell you what it might be. [QUOTE]
Thought he was referring to what you weighed :). They are strict on BMI.

Spot on ! This is done to prevent any form of commutability.

What is the upgrade flow at EY? For example, if you are on the 777, when you get a command, is it normally going to be to the A320?

Normally, yes. But there are many exceptions, if a fleet is short you may be offered a position there, or as a friend of mine did, you can turn down the 320 and wait until there is a spot on the 330. Right now some 777 copilots are being upgraded on the 777. It all depends on where they are short crewed.

How does that benefit the company?

More available crews in the UAE. Same as how the roster has evolved with EK crews over the years.

A form of personal and monetary control !
A large part of your earned Dirhams stay inside the country. The system is designed that way. Villas, shopping, schooling, entertainment for most part re-collect your income and recirculate it back to the same pockets it came from. Expats, for the large part sustain the UAE's economy, simply since they are the largest group. With a workforce of close to 1500 pilots together with their spouses and children (for most) you can see what a large impact this ultimately makes on the economical sustainability of Abu Dhabi.
On a personal level, to keep an eye on you and to allow a greater roster flexibility. More crews available with almost everyone living within an hour of base. Everything is negotiable here, including your rosters, thus anything to anywhere can be crewed within an hours notice.
I don't think commutability will ever be an option. They won't even allow you to live in Dubai anymore yet alone in another country.

hi there!
does anybody have any specifics about etihad's assessment pgm?

thnks

Some questions regarding EY, given I have little interest in Doha at this time I am comparing the package a lot with EK rightly or wrongly.

A) Is there a pickup/driver for work? If not is the jouney ok from most Pilot accom, any traffic issues?? Is the car park convenient to the terminal (and aircon :) ). Many friends in EK like that perk especially when tired after a long trip.

B) Are medical and license renewals paid by company?

C) Are prices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi similar for education? At the moment is the education allowance covering schooling?

D) General situation with company accommodation for 2014 and are utilities paid?

E) Any healthcare benefits? Only for Pilot or includes family?

F) EY has no provident fund? While this something to take into consideration in the larger scheme of things how much does this differentiate the package on offer .v. EK?

G) Upgrade - generally onto A320 or remain on B777 or A330?

H) Any additional perks or lifestyle benefits which are not stated on EY website salary and benefits section?

A) No driver, several highways lead to the airport, company pays for parking in garage attached to terminal.

B) Yes

C) Don't know

D) Depends on what is available and size of your family, or you can take the housing allowance and rent on your own

E) Pilot, Spouse, and children's health insurance included

F) No provident fund, though rumors are flying. At present nothing official being discussed.

G) Airbus upgrades to 320, Boeing to 777 - perhaps 787 in the coming years.

thank you @RemoveB4flght.

With the current cost of living and wishing to maintain a fair expat lifestyle without over indulging can one expect to save any money as a First Officer?

Are partners encouraged to visit Abu Dhabi during the assessment?

Thanks for the good intel RemoveB4flight.

Let's say you get hired into the right seat of the A320. What is the seat lock time? Does it matter if you are typed vs non-typed? Also, with all of the Boeing's and Airbus coming online in the next 5 years, can pilots bid other fleet types (ie from Airbus to Boeing) or are Airbus pilots expected to stay Airbus, etc? I realize some airlines are more restrictive than others on fleet transfers.

Thanks

As for the cost of living, some things are more expensive, and other much cheaper. Since everyone has different standards, different expenses, and different goals, I couldn't possibly vouch for your ability to live well and still save significant money, but yes it is possible.

Partners may stay with during assessment (hotel), however as far as I know the company will not provide airfare for them. You will be fairly busy during the day, and the format of the assessment doesn't allow for them to accompany you to the HQ. More bluntly, there are a lot of pilots looking to join from all parts of the world, so the company while offering lots of information and assistance in getting you settled and started, is not in the habit of trying to "sell" Abu Dhabi/UAE to western candidates.

As far as fleets and seat locks, it's another difficult question to answer. Traditionally the fleets were divided Airbus/Boeing, and a fleet change was something that happened only occasionally and very senior.

Airbus hires either by type or necessity. In your example of hired 320 FO, eventually as your seniority and company minimums permitted you would mix fleet with 330. Then again with seniority if you desired you could keep 330 and mix fleet with 340. There are FO's who hired direct to the wide body with previous experience. Upgrades were to the left seat 320 regardless of current fleet. If the company mandates you change fleets, there isn't a seat lock per se, but if you are close to your upgrade for instance they may not grant you a fleet change without a seat lock (or you can bypass and wait to upgrade if you prefer). With the addition of the 380, and due to the massive training costs involved, the company put a 3 year seat lock on all 380 bids. This meant the super jumbo went very junior, as all the senior guys didn't want to belay their command. Add into the mix the 330 Freighter and 321, and in a few years the 350 and things complicate further.

On the Boeing side, 787 is going very junior as well as most guys want to stay 777.

EY questions
 

RemoveB4flight

Any guesstimates about interview/assessment throughput? Has there been an increase given recent a/c orders? How many per group, is it mixed, for example DEC and FO candidates for all fleets or specific to seat and fleet? Any ideas wrt success rates? Any timelines from assessment to being advised to being on course?
Thanks for now.

Hiring has most certainly ramped up with interview batches almost weekly. I don't have statistics regarding success rates as frankly it's not something I follow. I've heard numbers north of 500 new joiners are needed through next year alone. Looking at past seniority lists of course there are trends where more Boeing or Airbus pilots were hired during certain times, however with large orders on both sides I don't think there is one clear fleet to say is the better chance to get hired.

I don't know if they mix interview batches these days, my experience was no, which I assume is easier to schedule simulator/technical interviews. Time from hired to starting course also varies according to staffing needs, training resources, and pilot's availability.

Is there any truth to what's being said on PPRUNE about 30 on/30 off rosters at EY?

Yes..They are offering it.

Is there any background info as to why they are offering this? Are they struggling to get Pilots, is there high turnover? Any other "perks" expected?

What's the fine print? What's the pay for the 30/30 roster? Housing still the same?

Certainly would be a lot more palatable than moving your entire family over to the Middle East for some people. Others might enjoy the cultural experience for the kids. Some nationalities might prefer moving to Abu Dahbi while others will want to avoid it due to family limitations. Regardless, if the OPTION is offered it could be a big talent differentiator for EY as they load up on new Boeing and Airbus heavies. EY and the other Gulf carriers will need more and more experienced pilots in the future - and retention of experienced pilots is key.

IMO, both EK and QR would become relatively less attractive to many experienced applicants if their HR policies remained the same. Will be interesting to see the final details.

Spoke to some friends at EY, it's half the pay, and you're offered a hotel while you're in base so no housing allowance.

The catch is, you have to be over 50 years old, 3 years with the company as captain. Not offered to FO's or captains under 50.

30/30 is nice, but not sure it's worth it at EY given that Chinese 30/30 contracts offer A LOT more money.

Having said that, I think this is only the tip of the iceberg.

UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi are getting MIGHTY expensive. Lots of Americans even in other industries are leaving or looking to leave. There was an article not long ago quoting an American expat (not in aviation) that it's getting far too expensive to stick around here for what's being offered pay-wise. Basically, everything (except pay of course) has gone up between 20-40% including housing and schooling costs. In essence, given the lower cost of living in the US, even after the foreign earned income tax breaks, it appears that one is better off back home.

Given how many pilots Middle East carriers will need over the next decade or so, I think they'll have to either up the pay, or get creative with rostering schemes if they are to sustain their growth.

EY questions
 

I've been invited for a February interview. I haven't yet spoken with a recruitment coordinator. Does anyone know when they arrange travel? Will I be brought over the day before or two days early...? Travelling from North America. Trying to arrange for days off.
Thanks.

Finnley I believe they contact you weeks before interview, perhaps even a little less. If you need more notice might be worth contacting them to explain your situation.

Any talk of staff travel perks being improved possibly to include travel after you leave?

I might be in Abu Dhabi some time in the next few weeks, I applied a couple months ago and never heard anything. RJ driver in the US with no boeing or airbus type. Does anyone know if it's possible or even encouraged to show up there and try to follow up or is that frowned upon?

Different culture. Don't bother showing up without an invite. You have to be on the "A" list to get beyond security.