The presenter says Emirates advertises a pilot package worth roughly £238,000 a year, while the cash figure is closer to £116,000. The presenter says the contract does not state the roster, standby pay, loss of licence sum or the hours needed before overtime applies. The presenter says the contract permits the airline to use the provident fund and potentially hold the flight home if a pilot leaves owing money. All pilots are based in Dubai, and the fleet is given as Airbus A380, A350, Boeing 777 and 787.

Rosters, leave and contract mechanics

The presenter says a normal Emirates month is not a repeating European pattern, because a pilot can have a short or medium trip, a long haul rotation, recovery time in Dubai and another trip that takes the body clock in the opposite direction. The presenter says the employment contract does not state a duty limit, days off guarantee, roster publication date, overtime trigger or standby rate. Those details are said to sit in company manuals, which the contract says may be amended. The presenter says the 42 days of leave includes UAE public holidays and that a pilot may be rostered on those holidays without a premium.

Pay figures and flying pay

The presenter says the headline pay is real but not what most people mean by salary, because Emirates bundles cash, company housing, education support, provident fund contributions and transport into one total package. The presenter gives a first officer example: basic salary is 28,950 AED a month plus 63 AED per eligible block hour, and at 85 hours this produces 34,305 AED of contractual cash per month. The headline cash figure for a direct entry captain is given as 575,000 AED a year, approximately 115,800 pounds. At 85 hours, the total package is advertised at 1.185 million AED. The presenter says the first officer rate is 63 AED per block hour from hour one and the captain rate is derived at 90 AED, while the 798 AED number is a separate overtime figure whose trigger is not in the employment contract.

Contract conditions and suitability

The presenter says the contract allows deductions from final dues, use of accrued provident fund benefits, legal action and withholding repatriation benefits until debts are paid. Employment is said to be conditional on UAE residence and company visa sponsorship. The exclusivity clause is said to require written permission to fly anything that is not an Emirates aircraft, even while on leave. The presenter says there is no union or UK employment tribunal route and that the contract applies Dubai law and the Dubai courts. The presenter says the package suits an experienced pilot who wants wide body flying and complete relocation, and it does not suit somebody who needs commuting, a UK legal safety net, a fixed European roster or a quick exit. The presenter returns to the figures, saying the advertised package is roughly £238,000 a year, the cash figure is closer to £116,000, and the biggest questions are in manuals, policies and the bond agreement.