First of all my apologies for being somewhat MIA the past few weeks. I’ve been so busy studying for my exams (haha only joking, I’m the queen of procrastination and I started yesterday)….but really I’ve just been busy!
I just got back from a lovely little mini-holiday to Hong Kong – my friend Michelle was operating the flight on the way out and then as she left my friend Sally arrived! So we spent 2 days partying, shopping, eating and sleeping! 🙂
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come in my next blog post!
I thought I’d just do a quick update with my January roster; we got it a few days early this month.
I’m starting off 2015 with 6 days off in a row – don’t ask me how as I didn’t even bid for it! I’ll have to decide where to go 🙂
Then I’m heading to LAX – yay! It’ll be my second time, and I’m hoping to drive to San Diego for the day.
Next up is a trip to PEK – I’m going to try and swap this as I’m not a massive fan of China. (And I’ve done the Great Wall already!)
After that I’ve been rostered SIN – which would make it my 3rd time in as many months. I’m going to try and swap this for a European destination.
Next up I have 8 days of leave! My sister Lizzie and her boyfriend Jarett will be coming to stay. They currently live in America and they’re moving to Italy, so I suggested that they come and stop over in Dubai for a while (the fact that I can get them cheap tickets might have had something to do with this!)
After my leave I have a trip to IAH – finally a new destination for me! We switched over to the A380 on that route at the beginning of December, so once again I’ll only be flying the A380 in January!
Now I really do need to get back to studying, or else my next update will be that I’m back in training college 😉
P.s. For more regular day-to-day updates of what’s happening in my life, follow me on Twitter & Instagram @rachelwwilson!
Hi! 2 questions: are you only allowed to do a full roster on either the 777 or the A380? like can you not do a roster working on both? next question, i know of 2 emirates crew who are boyfriend and girlfriend that live together in dubai but aren’t married, how is this possible since dubai is a muslim country??
Author
You can definitely work both aircraft in one month! However since I started working in business class I’ve only been flying on the 380, as that’s where they need more crew. You have to fly each aircraft at least once every 6 months to be able to keep your license. I’m not sure how the people you know of live together. I guess only one of them signed the lease on their apartment!
hi again and is it true once you have progressed to captain you will get your own villa ?
Thank you so much for your help of course ill let you know once im out their!
hi Rachel im going to start as a new pilot for emirates and i wanted to see the company pilots first officer accommodation and i was hoping if you could speak to the pilots on board your next flight and ask the first officer(as thats what im starting as) if they like their accommodation and where are they based
many thanks chris
Author
Hi Chris! Do you know where you’ll be staying? (Which building)? Some of the new FOs stay in the same accom as the crew but a lot of them take the live out allowance and get their own apartments! I’l have a chat with the pilots on my next few flights!
Hi Rachel yes i’ll be staying at oasis silicon Dubai ill be staying in a company villa however, i was thinking if there is any point in staying in company accommodation or should i take out the allowance maybe i could have your opinion is it expensive to live in Dubai? or should i opt for the company accommodation i mean are the villas old and crippled or are they new? maybe you could ask the fellow pilots about that?
Thank you ever so much for your help
Chris
Author
My suggestion would be to stay in the company accommodation first of all, once you’re flying and chatting with the other FOs you’ll be able to find out where most of them live. From what I can tell most of the single (or non-married) FOs live in the company accommodation, although there are quite a few that take the live out allowance and live in areas like the marina. I haven’t spoken to anyone who lives in Silicon Oasis other than cabin crew (who live in flats) so I’m not sure what the pilots villas are like! And yep as far as I know you get a villa once you’re captain 🙂 You’ll have to let me know how you get on once you’re out here!
I thoroughly enjoy your posts (yes, even the posting of your roster). You are honestly luckier than most. Working while exploring the world. Getting holiday ideas from you:) And good luck with exams.
Author
Thank you, glad you enjoy reading 🙂 And I am very lucky! Fingers crossed some of that luck will stay with me for the exams haha!
Lol how’s studying coming along!? I reckon it will stay with you:)
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Somehow I passed 🙂
Hope this isn’t too personal question but can a crew member easily save at least a half of their monthly pay? I know that everyone lives different lifestyle and all but talking in general like living normal life with eating out 2 times per week and thing like that. I am interested in this job as something i would do until im 30 and then go work in my field from Uni.
Author
I guess you could save half, for me personally it’s not realistic, especially if I haven’t been flying much that month (e.g. leave, short flights etc). I’m still managing to save a fair bit but half my monthly salary isn’t possible. I know there are crew that save way more than that though 🙂
I love your bloo, its so interesting. I just found out I was successful with Emirates too but Im on hold cause training is full. You give a great insight into the job though. 🙂 All the best with the exams!!! 🙂
Author
Congratulations! Hopefully they’ll give you some training dates soon! Thank you 🙂
Author
Thank you! 🙂
Good luck Rachel! And just out of curiosity, do you guys get to chose when you want your leave? Or is it completely random depending on the airlirne’s needs?
Author
Thank you! We can bid for our dates, so if they have those dates available they’ll give them to us, if not they’ll give us what suits them. It’s possible to try and swap the dates as well!