More bad news from the Middle East Airlines

I have a friend who went to Emirates something like 15 years ago. Skywest RJ Capt in his 20's, check airman, no degree, and was born in Ireland. I think he figured staying at Skywest wasn't gonna cut it and he'd not make the majors without a degree. He moved the fam to Dubai and doesn't really complain about it. They have a villa and he goes windsurfing on his days off. He's a big Airbus Capt. Think really big Airbus.
 
Well, I guess I'll offer my 2 cents here. I've been with Emirates for about 9 months now, having come from a regional back in the States. There are pros and cons to any job and this is no exception.
First of all, as far as pay goes, since it's not really a secret as to what the salaries are, I've been averaging roughly $8000 a month. This does not include my housing (I get nothing since I live in company accommodation, but it would equate to about an extra $3600 more a month if I opted out and took the allowance instead), or the per diem which is given in cash in the local currency of our layovers.
As far as schedules go, I'm on the 777, which seem to have better schedules than the 330/340 guys. I've been averaging roughly 75 hours a month with about 15 days off. I try to do the maximum of 2 ULR's a month in order to get more days off. On the other hand I have a good friend who is on the 330 and averages around 8 days off (not including rest days) because he's doing night turn arounds to India and the surrounding areas.
Quality of life? Well, I came to Dubai with low expectations, thinking I'll do my 3 years (training bond) and see what else there is, but surprisingly, Dubai has grown on me. There are plenty of things to do if you search hard enough. Since I cycle, I've found a group that rides every Friday morning. There's also some decent diving just about an hour and a half drive away on the east coast of the UAE. A lot of people I know go wake boarding, kite surfing, and other beach/ocean activities. Golf is obviously another big sport here, and I'm lucky enough to live about a 5 minute drive away from 2 very nice courses. The nightlife in Dubai would rival that of any other big city in the States (brawls, short skirts included! ;)).
It's definitely not the perfect place to be, nor is it a perfect company, but for what I came for (experience and better pay), I'm quite happy with my decision of moving to the other side of the world. Of course everyone has their own circumstances to deal with that might affect the way they view their lives here. I'm young and open minded to other cultures, so it's worked out well.
 
I watch a 777 come in to Perth every evening around 17:00 local time.

You ever stop by Perth we'll do the first Aussie JC meet and greet.
 
mrivc211 said:
No ones going to allow a foreign airline to do domestic ops in the USA.
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Never say never. Look what happened here...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/10/10/us-emirates-canada-military-idUSTRE6990QS20101010

With this type of game being played we have to be careful

That airline has a very complex business structure. It's not as simple as saying they are selling tickets to and from Dubai.
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And that is EXACTLY the concern. If they get rights to fly between, say JFK and LHR, do you think American and Delta are going to be able to compete? Or DFW to CDG? Emirates has more airline seats available daily than the total population of Dubai. Look how they are advertising on the European Soccer teams uniforms. They are trying to create a global brand by breaking down Fifth Freedom Rights. The 'official airline of the New York Yankees' was up for grabs a few years ago. Delta had to compete against Emirates to 'win' the name.

On a side note, they have onboard showers on the A380 if you wanna shave your back mid flight.
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Thanks!
 
I'm with Squatch on this one. The growth of many carriers, international, is going to whip US carrier's asses.

And if cabotage protections fall (never say never), it's game over.

In the US we live in a world of (relatively) protected, but free-ish markets.

With many foreign carriers, you're not only fighting their business model, you're fighting their potentially endless sushi bar conveyor of government money. The Feds aren't going to say "Ok, United, here's a few billion dollars, buy some 777-300's and we'll build some terminals for you", but many foreign carriers have that uncompetitive advantage.

Almost every time a particular large airline that's based in the southern US had a national carrier on a competitive route, there is little hope of competing because the national carrier is generally backed with government money.

That's cool, I guess. It's the real world of what we're competing with, but there may be a day soon when we're going to have to chose between further consolidation and re-regulation or simply closing up shop.
 
Seggy said:
Never say never. Look what happened here...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/10/10/us-emirates-canada-military-idUSTRE6990QS20101010

With this type of game being played we have to be careful



And that is EXACTLY the concern. If they get rights to fly between, say JFK and LHR, do you think American and Delta are going to be able to compete? Or DFW to CDG? Emirates has more airline seats available daily than the total population of Dubai. Look how they are advertising on the European Soccer teams uniforms. They are trying to create a global brand by breaking down Fifth Freedom Rights. The 'official airline of the New York Yankees' was up for grabs a few years ago. Delta had to compete against Emirates to 'win' the name.



Thanks!
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Well then the problem would be with the EU allowing them to base their AC their. That's up to Washington and Congress to protect. I hope the majors have deep pockets to lobby
 
This competitive disadvantage extends into the type of service as well. You don't see these guys selling snack boxes and charging for the second bag, even if you're in coach. Of course, this is a small example, but when last have you heard or read about a US carrier being among the top carriers in terms of service?

While it's true to never say never, I'd have to say there should come a point where "American pride" would kick in, whether through politics or media propaganda.
 
I'm not sure.

A lot of the US carriers think they're operating in a little protective vacuum.

Just takes a small inclusion on an omnibus bill and whammo. Game over.
 
Derg said:
I'm not sure.

A lot of the US carriers think they're operating in a little protective vacuum.

Just takes a small inclusion on an omnibus bill and whammo. Game over.
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I'll be damned if I travel from TUS to PHX or ABQ on Saudi Air Express.
 
MikeD said:
I'll be damned if I travel from TUS to PHX or ABQ on Saudi Air Express.
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You and I can agree on that, but others might scoff at us for merely bringing up thought of rejecting it. I know peeps who would blow off an American carrier in a heartbeat. I guess it's the life living in a melting pot where you mention "loyalty" and "allegiance" and people say "huh??"
 
But we're going to have some mouth-breathers from FlyerTalk talking about how they got a free donut and how the flight attendant winked at him so death to all evil dinosaur American legacy carriers.... yar.
 
Unfortunately brand/national loyalty left with the arrival of the Japanese auto industry and the departure of Levi Strauss factories to PH.
 
Not completely..... In the 16 years I worked for Boeing I kept the vast majority of my Business and personal flying at TWA / American and if not available to a carrier that didn't fly Airbus.

My wife did the same until she hit 2M miles and has now swiched to only flying Delta (trying to get to the same level).

I appreciate the service that comes with Aadvantage Exec Plat, though the upgrades are far quicker on Delta.

The worst service I have had so far has been on Pulkova (ULLI to CDG) and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Riyadh to Ahba).
 
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