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SkyKitty

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:28
Keep in mind that if you request a bassinette row, knowing that your LO is too big for it, you might deprive another family of the seat who CAN use the bassinette. Also I would caution on relying on the crew having 'spare meals' often but not always... so you might end up hungry. Kids meals range from good to average, it really depends on the flight catering and where it's coming from. Some have loads of 'junk', some have a mix and others are really good, healthy food-wise. They do seem to be getting lots better though. Out of Dubai I mostly see: chicken nuggets & veg, spaghetti, sausage & mash, from other airports it's a real variation.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:21
Waiting to cross the road, this random BMW stops and a guy rolls down the window "Taxi?": I said "You don't look like a taxi, go away" he was dumbfounded and sped off! Creep! Does he think anyone is dumb enough to think a BMW is an RTA cab????
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:16
G-A, me too! I just seethe when I'm on a bar cart and someone asks for a Coke, the other crew then just passes them a Pepsi. I give them a lecture that they should inform the passenger we don't have any Coke and is Pepsi ok? The other crew then normally replies that 'they taste the same' which then degenerates into Coke vs Pepsi and my argument of "pepsi tastes like _____" and there IS a difference... I always try to offer an alternative before just plonking Pepsi down on the tray when someone has asked for Coke. I cannot BELIEVE there are people who think they taste the same! On another note, anyone got tips for giving up the Coke? (a-Cola).... lol I tried Robinson's but now that has aspartame in it, there goes that plan. I just find water toooo boring!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:13
Considering people seem to get away with the kitchen sink these days, it should be ok. Be prepared that it might have to be taken and stashed somewhere else if it won;t fit in the hatrack though... Check emirates.com under baggage for the restrictions. I believe soft cases can't be checked in due to damage though so might be worth makign sure you have a Plan B in case they won't accept it on board. If it's your only piece of luggage for DS though it might be okay. How big are we talking here?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:11
Yep, mine was my sister's hand-me-down Mitsubishi Colt. Was a few months before I could offically get a learner's so I spent all my spare time cleaning it, arranging my cassette tapes ready and buying smelly trees to hang off the mirror! :P That one lasted about four months before it died, I then inherited a rather lovely Ford Telstar off a family we know whose elderly mother couldn't drive any more (well, I paid for it) lovely lovely car beautiful interior and I was very proud of her.... until the engine showed problems again then I was forced to buy my very first NEW car... which I still own and keep back in Oz. Very proud of that car and it was the first thing I paid off in full from a loan so am very fond of it :D
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:07
You could try calling the airline concerned and ask to be put through to their medical approval section (if they have one- most 'big' airlines would) good luck
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 18:03
Depending on the airline, some charge extra for bulkhead row seats regardless if you have a baby/child or not. You know your LO best, does he tend to curl up when asleep or lay flat out everywhere? You're right in that the armrests don't move up in most bulkhead seats, so that might be a problem for you. Since you are definitely buying a seat, you could try using online check-in and booking the aisle and middle of a row of three, hoping that no-one will pick the window if it's empty. Or, you could try calling u pand asking if the flight is not full if it's possible for them to block the third seat for 'last sale' meaning they will try to allocate it last if the flight becomes full, giving you extra room (bearing in mind you may still end up with osmeone there) Another method (which carries risk) is to book an aisle seat on each side of a row of 4 on a half to 2/3 full flight and hope that no one books in the middle of you. But- if they do, you can then try to use one of the aisle seats as leverage and ask the middle two to switch with you so you each get aisle/middle and middle/aisle on the other ide (hope that makes sense) Check security restrictiosn for the airline and airports you'll fly through. If allowed, take the kind of drink/milk your son enjoys. Some airlines supply milk but it will be the baby/children formula in a carton, not fresh cow. While I'd love to give all the kds fresh cow's milk, it's needed for the service and not always possible (Especially with 35 kids on one flight like I had last week) Toys. Try to pack a mix of familiar and new toys. Even just little things that will keep his attention for awile or if he starts fussing, pull out a new toy he hasn't seen before. Avoid things that make noise, have small parts or are very messy. Some good suggestions I have seen are triangular crayons (they don't roll off the table) blank paper, small tub of play doh (make sure only to use on the table and not on the floor) all in a small backpack you can keep under the seat in front. Change of clothes for both of you. Some snacks in case LO doesn't like the plane food. Check if you need to order a children's meal and what they generally include. Bring LO's favourite blanky/security toy. Even a small or travel pillow. Anything that makes him feel at home will help. And definitely avoid putting him on the floor, tempting as it is! It can be dangerous and I've seen little kids get hurt this way.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 17:51
Thre used to be a guy at the airport carpark who did this all the time. All the staff knew and hated the car. If he was running late for work he'd just park his car anywhere and leave you stuck until goodness knows when. Drove like a maniac and was a complete tool to all and sundry to boot. I had a nice new car so never did anything about it, however one day my sister needed to borrow my car and I had her boyfriend's old beat up POS... anyway got back from an extremely horrible day, delayed flights, rude passengers, rained on, the works. Carpark was flooded and I got back to the car to find, you guessed it, Mr Jerkface's obnoxious parking with his car literally touching mine. He'd parked me in so badly I had to climb in through the tailgate of the car, getting even more soaked in the process. Sadly for him the fact that I was so wet from being rained on meant my shoes were full of water, as I was reversing out my foot slipped and I accidentally hit the side of his "midlife crisis" car and left a teeny dent. I've always been the kind to leave a note for anything like this, however let's just say the devil on my shoulder won that day. Ever since then he began parking up on the kerb to keep his "precious" from harm and all the crew wondered what had finally made him crack and stop parking them in... Can't say I feel bad about it at all, actually! Some people will just never learn until you 'do unto them' lol...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 28 June 2012 - 17:37
Keep in mind also that many airlines have a policy of capping upgrades... for example one Aussie company in their plane may have say, 10 seats showing empty for a flight, but will only release 3 or 4 for points upgrades, the rest have to be paid-for cash upgrades. Something to do with not 'diluting the premium product'. I guess it makes sense- they don't want the cabins to always be full of people using points because that p!sses off the people who always pay for tickets. Though I can see how it would be the other way around if you pay for lots of tickets and can't use the miles to upgrade. It's really worth reading through all the T&Cs, especially with Sywards as someone said it can all depend on how you earnt the miles (whether you got them from flying EK or through buying something on your card- obvs points earnt directly with the airline hold more weight) For the lady wanting to upgrade the baby- be aware that even if there's empty seats you may not be permitted to use one because the baby is classed as a lap child. Some crew will let it slide but technically speaking if you wanted to use an empty seat for the baby in J class you'd have to pay the full points upgrade. So if the crew say no to using a 'spare' seat you know why... Recently we had a family travelling, Dad was in J (paid for by work) mum was in Y with baby. Dad had baby on boarding and we realised they hadn't actually paid for baby to be in J class through the paperwork so unfortunately we had to ask them to keep baby in Y with mum. Not fair to the other families who'd paid full fare for their babies to sit in J class. So for anyone thinking to be a bit cheeky (not pointing at anyone here, just saying) we can and do find out! ;) Also as someone mentioned you'll find the dedicated Skywards number a lot better than calling EK reservations as the Skywards people are there to know all the ins and outs of the ticketing/points rules & restrictions... <em>edited by SkyKitty on 28/06/2012</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 June 2012 - 20:03
Oh, also a doctor/medical supply- they're slightly bigger but wooden tongue depressors look exactly the same... :P
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 June 2012 - 20:03
lol i must have posted at the same time...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 June 2012 - 20:02
Daiso might be worth a try?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 24 June 2012 - 19:45
Snow White & the Huntsman is definitely not a kiddie flick, for anyone wondering.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 June 2012 - 22:20
Definitely built up, not down. So not a bunker probably. Fancy mosque? Some kind of memorial to something? One of those things where 'state lines' meet and you can put one foot in each side? lol
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 22:51
Well, not really weird, if nowhere else does it you would just be doing a home version... lol...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 22:05
a fridge? :) I'm serious... you could buy a bar/wine fridge and keep in there.... couldn't you?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 19:52
Lol! Just tell him to slow down or you won't pay. If he threatens to call the cops for not paying then you can counter-threaten with telling them he drives like a maniac. Win-win! On a serious note though, I asked a cabbie the other day about this, he told me it costs them 200dhs to get the cab cleaned up properly afters someone voms in it. The companies supply them a cleaning area and what they need but the time it takes to get the cab presentable averages 200dhs in lost fares. Which is why they freak out. He said mostly if you offer to help with the cost they will be okay with it (unless you are obviously very very drunk and acting the fool) I asked him because his cab was so so clean, I thought it was maybe a week or two old. It was 7 months! Also, they seem to be putting a placard inside the cab now (between the doors) with the number instead of a sticker. Guess it stops them being peeled off.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 19:45
GA, I've been asked so often since I joined it's kinda burned into my brain... haha! Well not so much 'shopping' as picking up a few basics. Since the accommodations will differ, the company don't really give advice on where to shop. If she has flatmates already, they will know the best places. If not, she can try asking building security or just wander outside and find a shop. There's plenty of little grocery stores all around in most areas for the essentials. Once she finds a bigger supermarket, she can find out if they deliver (many do) As GA said, she will bond with her batchmates. She will have people starting i nthe same week, who she will meet on the first day and they will stick together for a few days. in her actual 'batch' will be 10-16 crew depending on what fleet she trains on, she will stick with them for the whole 5 weeks of training so they will become close. I still keep in touch with a lot of my batchmates. A few of them even moved in together and are flatmates now. She will be homesick but the first weeks are so busy and dare I say it a bit stressful with al lthe learning that it's hard to find time to be sad for long. Although different I found I adjusted to Dubai quite quickly as a place. It's more the procedures and admin stuff that takes more getting used to, but like was mentioned everyone is in the same boat so will swap tips on where to go, what to do etc
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 19:32
It could well be that the local sponsor owns/rents the villa, perhaps there is different arrangement for them. I do wonder though, since most business are required to have a local sponsor, if they turned out to be hugely successful (even if run by an expat) wouldn't that still benefit the UAE in terms of economy, creating jobs etc? Pity they can't make a rule that says if you've been resident for say, 10 continuous years minimum, then you can apply to run a business from home. Would stop a lot of 'fly by night' type of enterprises yet give a chance to those who settle pretty much permanently in the UAE. Thinking also of those who are born here but not local. Have a friend who was born in UAE who would love to run business from home but not doable for her, if only her dad was local and not her mum...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:10
They're generally only 20/30ml anyway so should be fine!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:04
No problem have a great trip! Be sure to let the crew know if it's getting too much for you. And try get distracted with all the movies onboard ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:03
mumto2, posted at same time! Yes the amount in the bottle doesn't mater, it's the total size.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:02
Actually you're right about the clothes. Tell her to bring what she really loves and wears every day, plus some leggings/cardis to use to layer and cover up until she works out what to wear out. Bit of media attention being given to inappropriate dress lately. Just because some girls wear tiny dresses here doesn't mean its smart. So, leggings make a shortish dress way more wearable here.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:01
Well I think most places with the liquids restriction exclude "medication necessary for the flight" so if you can get the smaller bottle you need it probably helps. Less than 100ml is perfect in case they don't exclude it can be part of your 'Lunch bag" :D
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 10:00
Accommodation states "Requests for specific buildings will not be entertained" however if she can find a vacant room in another building she can move free of charge within the first year. At the moment accommodation is very tight so there is a bit of competition for these. But there are also many resigning or leaving at end of contract so the wait is not years like it used to be... SHe can try to request, but I doubt they will listen considering how many new joiners they have right now... :) Anyway don't listen to Pprune I know heaps of new crew who love the building out of town since all their friends are there... its only an issue if you let it be... and there is a bus to the malls/HQ building too
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:55
As for what to expect: * She will be met at the airport, and may travel with others on the flight also joining. They will most likely have a lot of waiting around while passport/visa etc is handled. The passport has to be taken to process the visa, so tell her not to freak out (make at least 10 b&w copies plus a couple of colour copies, she will need them, forgot this) * She will be dropped at her accommodation, either with others if same building or maybe alone. Security guards will sign her in and give her keys plus a packet with phone number etc for her room. Most of the rest is up to if her flatmates are home or flying (if indeed she has any yet) * There will be some items in her room. Mainly bed linen, towels, plus a 'welcome basket' with some items like small snacks and bottled water to tide her over until she gets to a shop (recommend doing this first day if possible) * She will have her own room and depending on the room either en suite or own bathroom across the hall. Very rare but she may share it with one other crew. (Don't hear of this these days to be honest) * The apartment will have all major appliances (fridge/freezer, washer and maybe dryer, some have dishwaser (lucky!) but no tv unless flatmates already have bought one. She will have a phone in her room. Local calls within Dubai are free, international rates can be seen on etisalat.ae or she can buy a calling card, use her own phone to text, etc... * There may or may not be wifi already in the apartment. If it is new with 3 new joiners then there will not. This is something they can arrange once they have UAE resident visas (about 4 weeks) most malls/cafes have wifi and once she gets her company access in the first week she can use company email to keep in touch (however no chatting/photos or anything on company mail) * She will get a time table of what happens when, there will be a bus to the training college or HQ whichever they are attending. It often can be late so tell her not to panic :) Dubai can run on its own time zone sometimes.... * First week is all induction, which is detailed on her schedule. Major points are mosque visit, medical checks and 'welfare talks' from different departments. Lots of paperwork. Honestly a bit of a snooze at times but necessary.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:46
lol sorry!! feel free to add, am sure there's something I will have forgotten about!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:44
Best to double check with the airport concerned but through Dubai I think it is okay. Where are you going to/from? US/Oz flights may be an exception.. If it's 'just in case' then EK do carry children's Calpol/paracetamol drops onboard. But props to you for being a prepared mum :) Have seen others with it so can't see why not! <em>edited by SkyKitty on 21/06/2012</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:42
If she is travelling with EK I think you could leave it in the box and bring it as part of her luggage allowance if it is less than 30kg with her bag and stroller (Economy) or 40kg if Business. For it to be 'free' in addition to this I may be wrong but I think you have to have a baby/toddler with you? Unless of course you mean another airline...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:41
She can buy a lot of stuff here, so really I would suggest: * summer clothes- including a maxi dress/long skirts as she will be joining around Ramadan * a few cardigans for covering up in malls (can get cold) a black one can double up at training college * a set of winter clothes (for cold destinations) can be hard to get here in summer) * if she uses a particular brand of cosmetics, that isn't a major one then bring at least 3 months' supply of foundation (especially MAC as it is way cheaper in the US) * some photos/knick knacks from home/teddy bear etc helps settling in! *any items specified by the company (which is usually black trousers, 1 or 2 pairs, black flat shoes) this is for the training until uniforms are worn * Download Skkkkkkkkkkk iiiii pe before coming so you can video call (same goes for a Veeeeeeee Peeeeee NNNNNN if she wants to watch US tv via websites) * as much money as possible to tide her over until proper salary comes through. They get an advance but this is deducted from first 2 wages so those can be a bit on the low side * NO CODEINE * Check if she will need a voltage converter. Otherwise most appliances eg hair straightener/ dryer unless very fancy are easy to get here. (Maybe some US ladies here can comment) Other than that she won't need much aside from her own personal items, I brought a lot of things I never use now. Mostly clothes. You really don't need a lot. I would recommend also scanning all important documents and having copies left with you, as she will need to bring her original birth certificate etc with her. Passport photos. At least 20 to begin with, she can get more taken here cheaply but it can be a stress to do it in the first few days and you need them for lots of stuff. If hte phone network is different she can easily buy a cheap phone and pre-paid SIM card here. She will also be told her land line number so you will be able to call her if she texts it to you. You can stay with her (up to 30 days a year) in the accommodation but to be honest most families go to a hotel as she will have up to 2 other girls living with her and there are generalyl no guest bedrooms. Not sure if brother can stay as though he is related to her he is not related to the other 2 girls and it's same-gender apartments. She can ask about this. Family can attend graduation but you would fly at your own expense as staff tickets are not able to be used until the probation period is passed (6 months from joining) HTH
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 09:04
You may be lucky and someone else's 'baby' could be too big for the basinette. However in this case it can be very very hard to move them as they then want the extra room. Crew can only ask, we cannot force someone to move. If your seat has the proper approval labels then it should be fine. Usually check-in would tell you then if it cannot travel onboard so it can be put in the hold. The website has all the guidelines for taking the seat onboard so I would print it out and check it against your model. Just remember you must be able to fit the seat yourself, the crew are not able to do this for you (liability issues) The lap belt would go through whatever hole/bracket is on the car seat, it can't just go around the top of it (as I recall) because it must be able to prevent the seat from sliding out under ('submarining') under the seatbelt in a sudden stop. So capsules are a no-no I think. If it's a proper carseat it should be good but if in doubt you could try calling reservations and telling them exactly what is on the labels on the seat. As always though, the crew onboard have the last say so if there are any doubts as to the safety of the seat you may find it being put in the hatrack instead (this is very rare I've only seen it happen once) that was because the seatbelt was suppose to just sit in a groove in the seat which it could slide right out of...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 08:58
Airsickness often happens because your eyes and your ears give your brain mixed signals. Since the interior of the plane doesn't move, your eyes tell your brain you're on level ground. But the semi-circular canals inside your ears tell your brain that you're moving... hence the sick feeling. Looking at a fixed point in the distance can help to reduce that feeling, since moving your head moves the liquid inside your ears which can make you feel even worse. So find something ahead of you (usually something on the bulkhead or further down the aisle) to stare at until the worst passes. Being hot or tired can make it worse too, as can being hungry. So even if you feel bad try at least small sips of water. Ginger ale can help a sick tummy too. Medications help some people but for others make it worse. Of course turbulence doesn't help either. Some people really can just handle movement/motion better and I believe it comes down to balance as well. For instance I hardly ever have felt airsick but then again I love rollercoasters and aerobatic planes as well. Acupressure/reflexology does seem to work really well for some so it is worth a try. As are essential oils/lotions like peppermint which help for headaches too. There's a company in Oz called Perfect Potion who do a really nice travel balm it has a few things in it and smells really good. I use it on my pulse points when I travel as a passenger, helps me to sleep too since it has lavender as well. Being comfortable can help you feel better as well (since if you feel 'stuck' that can increase your bad feelings) Best thing I ever did t make travelling nicer was to invest in a snuggly travel blanket. I spray it with a pillow spray before packing it away to travel. Works great as a 'stink shield' too! ;) A lot of people have mentioned Air France to me as a reason for their fear of flying lately. Although that case is scary and a bit frightening, it is very very rare and turbulence was not the *only* cause of it. A lot of things had to happen a certain way for it to have gone the way it did, and in these cases the odds we are talking are a in the billions to one. AAnother poster mentioned SZR- you are more likely to be attacked by a shark or hit by lightning than die in a plane accident. Just to give ti some perspective...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 00:59
Thanks, I thought as much! Good to know I've not been wasting the milk and I won't get sick drinking it past that date. Smell test never fails lol
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 00:40
The gym I go to in Dubai has the 'no nudity' rule as well. The attendant explained it means no loitering/lounging around naked, not no 2-second flash while getting changed. basically, if you want to be fully naked use the change room. Not a silly rule at all considering a) where we are and b) that ladies tend to hold the door open for their friends so people may see in!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 00:17
Yes, that's what I said. Anyone can apply online but not everyone can just turn up to the open day in Dubai (only Arabic speakers) It should really be called Assessment Day because if non-Arabic-speaker you do need to be invited by them. Arabic speakers CAN just turn up, no need to apply online but recommended due to numbers. In short- Within Dubai- Invitation only for non-Arabic speaker (apply online, wait for email), walk-in for Arabic speaker Outside Dubai- anyone can go to an Open Day, apply online to get ref number, Assessment Days by invite only, they check names on door and will turn away anyone not on the list. (These are often done by appointed agencies in Asia, S. Africa & S. America) This comes direct from a recruitment officer at Careers Centre at EGHQ where the interviews in Dubai are held. From the website: [i'>Our recruitment team interviews potential applicants in many cities around the world. You may also visit the new Emirates Group Headquarters near Dubai International airport and submit your CV in person. [b'>Applicants must be able to communicate fluently in Arabic (read, write and speak).[/b'> When: Saturday, 30thJune 2012; 2pm - 5pm Where: Auditorium, on the second floor from Entrance A What else to bring: passport size and full length photographs, valid UAE driving license, original UAE health card or original passport. Suitable candidates will be shortlisted and contacted for the selection process. [/i'>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 June 2012 - 00:04
To be honest I would try to get through it without the valium. By all means speak to your doctor and see what they suggest. If they suggest medication then get it and bring it with oyu but try to avoid taking it unless you really, really have to. I second the talking to the pilot. When you book try to book a bulkhead seat, or a seat near the door (not directly next to it, as it's the emergency exit row and I wouldn't recommend a first time fearful flyer to sit here) but where you can see the crew. Explain to them when they are not busy your situation, usually there will be at least one who is happy to explain anything you need to you. Ask if it's possible after arrival to see the flight deck and talk to the pilots. I think any pilot will happy talk shop forever, and always like questions about how stuff works. It also helps to identify what exactly it is about flying that you don't like. Some people it's the lack of having control/not being able to see outside/where you are going. For others it's the enclosed space and proximity to strangers, not the flight itself. And others are worried after watching shows on tv about accidents or reading about them on the news. I've been flying for quite a few years now and have flown as a pilot myself (in small planes) I can tell you I can count on one hand the amount of incidents that could be very serious, and all of them turned out to be non-events. Rest assured that the training of the crew is very very strict and even when things do go wrong there is a procedure and 'trouble shooting' for every problem. Planes fly due to laws of physics which simply do not change, for example the plane will not just fall out of the sky because of turbulence. I like to explain it to passengers as driving along a very bumpy road. Occasionally you will hit a pot hoel and the car dips, then you get back onto the smooth road. The only difference is you can't see the 'road' in the plane so it's a bit more of a surpsise. The pilots have weather radar and do their best to avoid the 'potholes' as it makes for a more comfortable trip for everyone :) Once you know what exactly it is about flying that you don't like, the easier it is to understand and find ways to combat your fears. Don't hesitate to ask anything, will do my best to answer your question! And even a basic knowledge of how the plane flies really can help- so long as you have someone who knows what they are talking about explain it to you- not from watching too many sensational shows on tv ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 June 2012 - 23:57
You might need to install Microsoft Silverlight (it's the player they use) I had the same hassle, try using a different internet browser. For me it still didn;t work so I walked off and five minutes later the video started playing. So it might just be really slow!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 June 2012 - 23:49
On the subject of expiry dates- the milk here tends to have only 3-5 days on it, however if it's been in the fridge and not opened until a day or two after that it still smells and tastes okay. Back home the milk has up to 10 days on it. Anyone know if there's a reason for the short date range here, like is it a law or something? Or just a way for them to make you buy milk more often?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 June 2012 - 23:46
Hi girls, but late to the party here, been at work :) Happy to help with any questions. Where is she joining from? Is she already living in Dubai? There's some really good info on the various forums, however I would caution to take PPRuNe with a pinch of salt- there can be a bit of misinformation and some negativity on there sometimes. But if she is patient enough to sort through it there are a lot of posts about the experiences of people as they are joining etc. Even though I've been here a few years I don't think a lot has changed so feel free to ask away! Wow lots of cabin/cabin couples on this board, more than I thought! I know we have a lot of ladies here whose OH are pilots, but until now I only knew of one whose DH was CC :D
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 17:10
Lol- I mean that not many younger people seem to say it, unless they have heard it from an older person. Better? ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 17:02
I got it from my Year 4 teacher, I believe it actually ends with "at a (insert religion here thats kinda controversial in this geographical area) Barbecue" hence the p)rk chops should not be there in the first place??? lol.... I think it's an "older person's saying" because I get strange looks but you're right, it does describe what we're talking about :P
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 17:02
Sandy, no comment except for 'LOL' (Have seen it before but still a laugh!)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 16:55
Sorry Bubble that might apply outside of Dubai but not in it- this came directly from Recruitment Dept. They have way too many applicants to screen here otherwise, so you have to apply online. Elsewhere, anyone can attend an Open Day and hand a CV. But in Dubai, the 'open days' really aren't, they're 'assessment days' which are invite only.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 16:50
It's kind of annoying though, that the news are carrying on like p0rk chops. showing 'footage' of soda bottles spilled in the supermarket. IMHO very insensitive to the poor people in Christchurch who have just been through far, far worse...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 14:34
You can't go if you don't speak Arabic (fluently- read and write as well) However if you apply online (emiratesgroupcareers.com) *if* they like what they see they will shortlist you, then you could be invited to an Assessment Day which is for all nationalities, but by invitation only in Dubai (and not advertised) The Open Days in Dubai are only for Arabic speakers. HTH
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 14:25
I doubt it would be on sale here. My friend back home described it as 'p0rn in written form' - i.e. very graphic. Ho hum, very high school, if you ask me
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 15:28
You kind of make it sound like he doesn't have the right not not have wanting kids or marriage be in his personal plan... which he does. He has clearly told you this so as the others have said if you can live with it, fine. if not, move on. Somone once told me, "unsuitable men" don't become unsuitable- most often they show us who they are right from the start but we choose for whatever reasons to ignore it, then wonder why "he's such an a$$" later on.... he always was, usually!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 15:09
Weather is getting hotter, therefore,many people more cranky and therefore more likely to complaing than let it go like they usually might...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 June 2012 - 19:41
Yes Al Ghubaiba, near to Khalid bin Al Waleed metro station in Bur Dubai. You could take a taxi there if you wanted, can't mistake it since all the buses going in and out. I recall we passed the 'New Gold Souk' building on the way there...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 June 2012 - 19:40
It's like H&M, constantly mislabelling stuff. E.g. shoes are marked Dhs175 then I get to the register and it scans higher, they say "oh no mam it's mislabelled they're 200dhs" (what it scans at, when I tell them too bad they are labelled at that (as are all of the same item) they say oh the label machin is broken we can't change it!! Too bad, not my problem. I tell them they should take the items off the floor or hand write a sign saing about the mistake and they say they are not allowed to! Threatening the manager with the DED only prompts "you need to email our head office" I don't buy stuff from H&M any more on principle- they have done it to me three times now, costing up to 200dhs more had I bought the items and not walked off! Wonder how many other people dont check and paid the higher price.