Emirates President Denies The Airline Has A Pilot Shortage

I understand Ramadan dates start earlier each year yet this is the first time Emirates has parked planes as far as I recall. Even during the height of the recession back in 2009 I remember Emirates flying its A380 to JFK with more than half of economy empty rather than just parking the plane.
I recall we were all sad for Air Berlin last fall but given the global pilot shortage, I presume most if not all of the former Air Berlin pilots easily found new jobs by now.
I do hope Emirates fixes this issue soon.

For those not in the know, what do do you mean by their contracts not being as competitive as they used to be? What changed with Emirates or other airlines?

Pilots are leaving EK in droves. I have a good friend who had been there for 8 years, a 777 capt. He just left to go to Southwest. He said all the US expats are leaving. The US airlines pay so much more and treat the pilots so much better there’s no point in staying, his words no mine.

@HK,

Ben originally posted about it here: https://onemileatatime.com/emirates-pilot-shortage/

There's a lot of good comments from readers who are "in the know", but I think it boils down to:

1. EK pay is no longer competitive in the industry, so pilots are leaving to go to other airlines with better compensation packages
2. EK forces all crew to be based in Dubai, and that's not convenient or desired by many pilots.

Hi Lucky, can you do a post in which you compare the perks/salaries of working with an ME3 versus the US3? It will be interesting to see how their benefits/compensation differs!

There are currently a large range of issues that are hampering the operation at Emirates, with respect to the pilot issue it has moved from a shortage to what is fast becoming a crisis.
To understand why experienced pilots are leaving in large numbers you need to understand the methodology and management techniques employed by the organisation and its’ management.
From a pilots perspective the overall culture is a toxic and punitive one based in no small part on the excessive workload, minimal rest and an intolerance to any form of dissent with regards to safety and fatigue. Couple this with a real feeling of servitude and control that is perpetuated by biased and opaque workplace decision making with certain passport holders getting preferential treatment whilst others are exploited. Throw into the mix, rampant local inflation, a compensation package that has shrunk by 20% in real terms and it goes some way to getting a better picture of why Sir Tim prefers to use weasel words rather than be honest with what has happened on his watch.
Make no mistake Emirates is bleeding experience in the cockpit it also seems that for now they are either unwilling or unable to stem the mounting tsunami of resignations because as was once said to a group of Emirates pilots by a prominent “local” non flying manager “All you pilots are lazy”

I was a 380 Captain with EK, left after 18 years, it was the best day of my life, they treat employees like slaves

@Lucky

You can never find out what is happening inside. They are capable of sending A380s to tiny places, throw a dart on the world map and send a 77W just to prove naysayers are wrong.

I'm from Calgary, Canada. My neighbour is a captain of B777, working for Air Canada. He is originally from Europe and said that Emirates made him a very good offer, plus will be much closer to EU. He is starting the job with EK on August 1st...