Emirates recruitment drive

[Expatriated]

No plans for a Canadian "tour" as of yet. Last time I checked, Canucks were the second largest group of pilots here. Seems to be a large pool of applicants from Canada and everyone seems to know Emirates or someone who works/worked here. The big push is on in the US as of late because of the largely untapped group of experienced pilots over there and the airlines push into North America (specifically the US) over the next few years. A direct flight home makes the position a lot more attractive too!

In any case, i'm hearing numbers of between 400-600 pilots next year so if you're interested, apply online and they WILL get back to you if you meet the requirments posted on the website.

I think Dubai is great and I love it here. The route structure is amazing and i'll be in Houston one week and then getting paid to surf in Sydney the next. My bank account is full for the first time in aviation, got a new Porsche in the garage and a nice new condo provided by the company...oh and the 777 I flew the other day had only 300 hours on it. Sweet.

It's not the job for everyone though and you have to do your homework to make sure it's right for you. I did the whole Cathay, JAL, Air Canada interview stuff but Emirates fit MY lifestyle. But everyone is different. Take what you read on all the forums in check and in perspective as a lot of it is senseless complaining. There's some downsides to working here as well but they differ for everyone. What I consider a good thing, others might hate.

Good luck....

[motherfokker]

Been to Dubai and it makes Toronto look kick ass and believe me YYZ is way down on the list from Vancouver or San Diego. I equate it into living in Surrey but the sandals on your feet melt, hurts to blink at 50 deg C but they do pay a load of cash. I don't think anyone want's to retire there but if you can do a ten year deal make your $$ and retire at forty thats an ok plan. Just avoid the public executions if you have too much fun.

[complexintentions]

Do ya wanna work for 30 years or work for 10?

(YYZ can never look kick-ass....ass maybe, without the kick...)

[3H]

So is jet time a must??

[motherfokker]

Yep 2000hrs total prefferably something prefferably something bigger than a challanger.

[.......]

Do ya wanna work for 30 years or work for 10?

Well, it's been almost 8 years since a few ex-colleagues of mine left for the sandpit with the firm intention and the dream of not having to work there for more than "7 or 8 years", and come back here with loads of money to play with, as they were pitching to the rest of us, poor unenlightned souls...

I guess their plans have changed...

[complexintentions]

How they (mis)manage their money is their business, I guess! If they really were there over the last 8 years and didn't make a pile on real estate alone, they seriously don't deserve to retire. And considering that they should have been captains for at least the last 4 years, netting 10k/month, with no rent/mortgage costs in DXB, they should at least have a couple options by now! lol

I call bullsh$t. Feel free to PM me the names of these former colleagues, I'd love to look them up!

[tonysoprano]

Complex.

And considering that they should have been captains for at least the last 4 years, netting 10k/month, with no rent/mortgage costs in DXB, they should at least have a couple options by now! lol

You've just described most of the guys I fly with at AC. Only the closest they've come to living in a sandpit is Wasaga Beach.

[.......]

How they (mis)manage their money is their business, I guess! If they really were there over the last 8 years and didn't make a pile on real estate alone, they seriously don't deserve to retire. And considering that they should have been captains for at least the last 4 years, netting 10k/month, with no rent/mortgage costs in DXB, they should at least have a couple options by now! lol

I call bullsh$t. Feel free to PM me the names of these former colleagues, I'd love to look them up!

I wouldn't call it mismanagement... merely just not being able to stash aside as much as they were led to believe they could maybe...
Call it bullsh$t all you want, I'll call it keeping the wives, the kids and yourself happy when having to live in an area where everything is extraordinarily different from back home, one or two months (or two) long trip back home per year, ski trips in the alps, the works...

All this might work perfectly fine for a bachelor, or for a family which is sticking to the original plan for the whole run!

And I can't wait to see them 45 y/o retirees coming back to live in Canada and "playing with their toys" for the next 30 years...

JMHO

[complexintentions]

You've just described most of the guys I fly with at AC. Only the closest they've come to living in a sandpit is Wasaga Beach.

heheh What's that saying again? Apples and oranges? You can't compare AC to EK, it's just two different worlds. Hey, I would have gone to AC, but that ship sailed. I can't afford to leave for 1/3 the pay for the first two years, to fly an Embraer, to sit on reserve, in Toronto. If AC would offer me right seat on one of their (what...six?) 777's to start, bump the aforementioned pay, upgrade me in three years on it, pick me up and drive me to and from Pearson every day, provide me with a free house, pay for my childrens private schooling, replace seniority-based bidding with bid groups, and abolish income tax...well, I'd be all over it!

And as a side benefit, if they could replace their grumpy old FA's with beautiful, young, cheerful ones from all over the world, that would be nice too, as well as GET RID OF THE 763's ALREADY!! The last one I flew in, in Business, had lavs straight out of Abu Ghraib prison. The seatbacks with the phones ripped out and replaced with metal blanks that looked like someone's high school shop project were a nice touch as well. My point is there just is no comparison between the two operators in scale or quality of service.

Nope, the "sandpit" ain't for everyone, and you're kidding yourself if you think you can retire in 5 years - but that goes for either company. Careful investing and not going crazy at the "toy store" has me on track for a little over ten, at which point I intend to pursue a career outside of aviation. No, won't be quitting to play golf all day, but my house on the West Coast will be paid for and then some.

To each their own I guess eh? Best of luck to all whatever path they choose, I say...but keep an open mind and don't believe everything you read or hear...there is no substitute for personal experience.

[tonysoprano]

Complex.
No offence buddy but I think had you not missed the boat at AC as a young man, you would be comparing it apples to apples because by now you would be on a widebody making pretty good coin in your own backyard. Like I said, the skippers I fly with on the '67 are almost all mortgage free and clearing well over $10k a month. That's right here in one of the best countries in the world. Emirates is a company with lots of money behind it. Their service is one of the best in the world. But just like Emirates, AC flies both domestic and overseas using widebodies and well on its way to one of the most modern fleets in the world by 2010. Sounds like apples to apples to me. The big difference is at AC we make money the old fashioned way, we earn it. At Emirates, well, thank Allah their's oil under that sand. So until the wells run dry, enjoy your stay. Yep, we've all made our choices in life. To say one is better than the other is useless and irrelative. And hey, at least our FAs shave their armpits.

[.......]

And hey, at least our FAs shave their armpits.

Sorry Tony... I'm wayyyyyy with Complex on this one.... You obviously have never met any one of them F/As!!! Classiest I've ever seen, right up there with SIA.

[tonysoprano]

And hey, at least our FAs shave their armpits.

Sorry Tony... I'm wayyyyyy with Complex on this one.... You obviously have never met any one of them F/As!!! Classiest I've ever seen, right up there with SIA.

Oh, I know. I've seen them too. Just having a little fun. But my vote still goes to Virgin when it comes to eye candy.

[complexintentions]

tony,

No offense taken! And hey, I'm still a young man..I think! heheh 30's, does that count? Here's where I agree with you: Canada is the best country in the world - period. That's why I get back to it regularly, and plan to return to it eventually. Well, maybe. I kind of fell in love with Italy. Your entire assumption seems to be that I would WANT to live my whole life in "my own backyard".

But I have to disagree...AC and Emirates are not "apples to apples", you're flattering yourself. I WISH I could like AC more, I want to be patriotic and wave the flag...but the contrast between the quality of any aspect of the two whether service or fleet is too large. I am forced to consider the large discrepancy every time I step off one airlines a/c and onto the others. It's brutal to see those dirty old 76's with maple leafs on them in LHR as our "national carrier". Come on. In EK J you get hot meals, free booze, the best IFE in the world, seat pitch, and most of all, great service. Oh yeah, and the blanket and pillow for free. My point is, what AC likes to make a big deal of, like getting B777's, is the minimum standard at EK.

I say this with genuine curiosity, have you ever flown an EK flight or been to the Middle East? You are displaying your ignorance a bit in a couple of areas. Dubai doesn't have much oil...that's Abu Dhabi. Which is why Dubai is racing to diversify before the oil runs out. From the rate of growth (and yes, inflation) there it would seem they are on track. I nearly choked with laughter at the comment about AC "making money the old-fashioned way".

And EK cabin crew is drawn from 120 different nationalities, which one were you referring to with the armpit comment? Bit of a head-scratcher when I consider recent AC flights with the AC backend who were evidently "senior" in more ways than one . Believe me, my friend, you do NOT want comparisons drawn between EK and AC F/A's. It's like comparing a supermodel to your ugly cousin from Winnipeg.

So yes, I could sit here and lament "missing the AC boat" lol or perhaps see EK as a different way to get where I want to go. Let me put it to you this way: at the time I would have needed to be hired at AC, to be where I am now, I didn't even KNOW I wanted to be an airline pilot! As it turns out, I think this path is far more interesting - and lucrative, to boot. Just my opinion - as I stated clearly, it isn't for everyone! Isn't it nice to see people so happy in their respective jobs?

Happy New Year!

[tonysoprano]

Complex. I can in no way compare the strength and excellence of an airline run by the richest Kingdom on this planet to that of a company which gets no help from anyone and struggles to make money. Be that as it may, we apparantly have about two billion in the bank but I'm sure that's peanuts compared to what the Arabs (EK) have. I also admire the culture and the achievements of the people you work for. No doubt EK is capable of making money but I also know they happen to get whatever they want from their oil rich government. I know you would try to "teach" me otherwise but the true performance of EK will never really be known. This topic has gone through great debate both here and other forums. It's not just my opinion. As for AC, I don't think you are being truthful in your assesment of my company. AC does not charge for booze in J or Y (on overseas), in fact we do not charge for anything on overseas flights, blankets and pillows are included and hot meals on every flight over four hours. Not quite sure where or why you come up with this info. Your critisism of the "old" '67 is almost accurate but not that important anyways. It's being fased out. Perhaps you should step inside our XM models (extreme makeover) which have the lie-down beds and video screens behind each seat in y class. It doesn't matter though as they will soon be replaced by the 787. I'm surely not flattering myself with the apples to apples comparison. EK and AC do the exact same thing, that is to say you are not a low cost, nor are we. We both are our country's flag carriers and we both do the same type of flying. Wether your service is better than ours or your FAs are better looking does not change our basic model of business. Although again, one could make the point that EK is subsidised and AC is not. That would put us in a "mixed bowl of fruit" (sorry). AC does not make a big deal of the 777. We are making a big deal of the fact that soon all our airplanes will be among the most fuel efficient in the world as are yours. Perhaps if AC was still a crown corporation or owned by wealthy oil rich Arabs, we would of had that fleet years ago rather than years from now. But, that's business the old fashioned way. My ambition to ever come to the middle east or fly on one of your aircraft is as about enthusiastic as yours when you "have" to fly on AC. Not really on my list of things to do. Sorry. Although a vacation in Dubai might happen someday. BTW, I find it rather amusing how on the one hand you state that it isn't for everyone yet you insist on comparisons highlighting how much better you are. Don't you think that becomes irrelevant after stating it's not for everyone? I find it interesting how expats always have to compare what they have to what we have here at home. Yes I had a chance to go overseas too. I chose not too. No regrets, just like you. Now let's not bore our readers with our own life stories. Hey by the way, on to more important things, Italy is one my favourites too. I bid it often. Perhaps we should hook up in Rome and have this chat over some Amarone. I notice we park next to each other quite often there. Of course, your shiny new 777 surely is a thing of beauty compared to our clapped out old 767. Happy new year to you C.

[complexintentions]

tony,

You're a hard man to follow dude. lol You're the one who chimed into an Emirates recruitment thread with unsolicited comments about how one could ostensibly make just as much money at AC, and not have to live in the Middle East. Even though you've never flown Emirates or been to Dubai.

Then go on to remark how expats seem to compare what they have with what they (might have) had...while stating you had the chance to go overseas, and didn't. Seems you're doing some mental comparisons of your own.

WRT the AC vs EK comparison, I'll quit beating up on the '67, I actually love the type. But can you really explain away the brutal service as offered by AC either on the phone, at the counter, or in the backend by whining about Arab money and AC's lack thereof? Does it really cost that much to be civil? Who knew.

I do "have" to fly AC from time to time, since my (Emirates-paid for) annual travel is to a non EK-served destination, and EK doesn't have a commercial agreement with WS as a non-international carrier. It's then that the contrast becomes most glaring in terms of different service levels. OK, so you DO get a free blanket, yadayada on AC international flights...but as I said, that standard is the absolute bare minimum on all flights at EK, even the local Middle East destinations. It isn't about blankets and drinks anyway, it's about attitudes about serving passengers. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to get safely to where I need to go on AC. But I draw the line at suggesting AC is even in the same league as other top-tier carriers like BA/CX/SQ and yes, EK. Maybe in days past in the Golden Age of aviation (whatever the hell that means), and maybe again one day, but now...? Perhaps all these other airlines do have more money, whatever...it doesn't make it any less true.

I have no desire to lead someone into an expat job or lifestyle that would make them miserable, that is why I will continue to qualify my remarks with "it's not for everyone". But by the growth experienced and still to come, it's obviously "for" quite a few people. No one's forcing you to join! Where the heck did I ever say I was better than anyone? I do get a bit weary of people making just plain wrong comments about things they clearly know nothing about. If you're going to reduce a job at Emirates to "sandpit", better get used to hearing me highlight some of the very real perks of the job.

I will say though, we should chat again and compare notes in 2009. I can tell you how my upgrade went and you can tell me about your shiny new collective agreement! Hopefully oil will still be under $150/barrel by then. I mean I'd hate for those dratted Arabs to have yet more of an unfair advantage...it's apparently common knowledge Emirates loses money hand over fist (what with full cargo and pax loads and all) and is barely propped up with all that oil money.

cheers,
CI

[A330]

Kudos for balanced points of view boys.

Love the ugly cousin from Winnepeg comment...quite true.

I'm going to have to throw my vote to EK, but having said that, if AC didn't have such a horrible 2001-2004, I might still be there figuring out how to control those Jungle jet monkey bars.

The big difference for me is the thought of going to work. At AC I just didn't look forward to it at all. At Ek, I'm packed and out the door for most flights ready to hang out with 12 exotic dancers for a couple days

The service, entertainment is not comparable at all. Period. AC doesn't even list on the first page of top International carriers. They might win the North America award, but come on. AC is always behind the power curve when it comes to service and in-flight technology. How long have the 777 been around now?

I walk up to the gate in London ready for my AC flight home after a great flight with EK. As always, there is either a 767 or a 330 waiting...we still prefer the 330 but wouldn't you know, they took out all the PTV's on the back of each seat and padded them in economy. So, no movie choice on a 10 hr flight ! Are you kidding me? I must read 4 newpapers on that flight, with nothing else to do. I won't go into the cabin crew, but let's just say when I see the drool running down Martha's face as she sleeps across the back seats with those sexy reading glasses on, it really makes me emotional

I miss and love Canada too, but it's a great experience here, most notably my golf game is much better, and I like waking up to the sun everyday. I go to the beach with my young son picking shells. Back home it's the rain, snow, then some rain.

I'll go to Canada for vacation now and enjoy every minute of it, but when it comes to work and lifestyle I'm happy it worked out this way. Having said this, I think AC is a very good job and the best gig in Canada. I won't retire rich in 10 years for sure, but I'll have a sun soaked tan, and some great memories along with no talk of red, blue, and all the union BS I sure don't miss.

Happy new year

[tonysoprano]

...I had a hunch it would turn into this. Seen it before.

You're a hard man to follow dude. lol You're the one who chimed into an Emirates recruitment thread with unsolicited comments about how one could ostensibly make just as much money at AC, and not have to live in the Middle East. Even though you've never flown Emirates or been to Dubai.

What the heck does flying EK have to do with it? I already stated AC is no match for your "world class" service. All I did was tell you the truth. I wasn't comparing in-flight service or making any comparison at all. Just telling you that the salary you stated was the same as AC. Of course, my kids don't get payed, private education and AC doesn't give me free housing, but the wife does occasionally drive me to work, hehe. I was referring strictly to salary, not other benefits. The guys I fly with make $10k/month and have no more mortgage which is proof that even here in Canada one can do pretty good if you do it right. That's it, that's all. I wasn't really going anywhere else with that remark but YOU couldn't resist going into an AC bashing fit simply because I told you the salary was the same here at home. In fact, WJ skippers are making that money flying a smaller airplane right here at home. I think the most frustrating part for an expat is not to be able to accept a job back home because of our low starting salaries. Those of us who stuck it out are doing pretty good and will do even better in the near future. And don't worry about me in '09. Seen many "ohnines" in my lifetime, and still a happy pilot at AC. Don't get offended by the $10k/month salary thing. You get driven to work, after all.

[RB-211]

Atta boy Tony, you tell em.

Anyways................Back to EK.

Plenty of rumours flying around about them here in the UK. Many think that if they do (and will eventually) open a base outside DXB, it will be LHR. Then maybe JFK or LAX? This will change the whole landscape for those not wanting to spend their entire career living in Dubai. Either way with 30 billion worth of jets on order, Emirates will be a major player and solid employer for the next generation of pilots.

So you guys heard the one about EK buying AC with their petty cash? $$$$$$$

[tonysoprano]

Ah, the arrogant Nygel. What took you so long?

[RB-211]

Happy new year Tony. This years lesson after 1270 posts and counting is that a mans intelligence can be measured by many things. Spelling is one of them.

All the best,

Nigel

P.S. You are still a doofus maximus





So, back to the EK post. They seem to be going after pilots in the US which is a new thing? Are they doing the road show in Canada as well? The amount of iron they have on order is staggering to say the least. Some of the skippers/fo’s I fly with have gone to their open houses in England just to see what’s on offer. The pension at our carrier keeps many from going along with the lack of the UK base (yet). I do think though that some of the younger 777 FO’s/320 Capts some in their 20’s would make the jump if the time was right. That is if Emirates does just not start buying their competition first.

Lufthansa in true Lufty style has recently been whining about their ‘Presence’ in the German market. Ring any bells in Toronto? These guys are getting big and fast. Should be interesting to watch.

You guys that have gone to EK have made some big sacrifices. Well done and all the best. When the poop hit’s the fan (and it will again) you will have a job, a great jet, good seat and a pay stub every month. Security is priceless and some people on this forum have very short memories.

Good luck with the A380 this year. I can’t wait to have a go on her!

[broompusher]

complexintentions, check your pm's

[tonysoprano]

Happy new year Tony. This years lesson after 1270 posts and counting is that a mans intelligence can be measured by many things. Spelling is one of them.

All the best,

Nigel

P.S. You are still a doofus maximus

Yep, I see what you mean. Happy new year.

[beast]

you know what? i would forget the recruitment drive. I have heard nothing but terrible things about this company, and the country.

There are way way way better jobs here

i would rather work at a screen door factory here than fly a 777 over "there"

[RB-211]

1271

Bueller...................

Bueller....................