ghilis101

Emirates is the airline that everyone loves to hate. But bottom line is they upgraded you to 777CA in a few short years, they pay you decently, more than a US carrier even when adjusting for the high cost of living in Dubai, they pay you perdiem that is 2 to 3 times higher than US carriers so you can actually afford your layovers, they give you a good housing allowance, and they drive you to work in a taxi service. Oh and 42 days vacation a year and the best nonrev network I have ever seen (I use it, my brother is an EK CA).

With that being said, if you want out of Dubai, then the choice is clear, you should come back. If you like Dubai, which is ironically a nice place to live, then consider staying at least a few more years, put another $1 million in the bank, then come over. The loss of seniority will never offset the money you'll make as a CA there until you're ready to make the switch.

El Guapo

Just out of curiosity, what type of coin does an EK 777 capt pull a year?

Albief15

I'd call a villa in Dubai a wash for working there…not a benefit. 120-150k per year sounded pretty darn good in 2005-2010 when the economy cratered. The problem with Dubai is it LOOKS western. It feels WESTERN. But it isn't, and when you get into trouble you are in deep. (Remember the Brit gal arrested for sex outside marriage…AFTER being raped?)

You have a shot….in 2014-2015-2016…to possibly grab on to the biggest hiring wave in decades in the states. 6 carriers turned into 3. They are making money, and the contracts allow a pretty good life…a combo we haven't seen since before 9/11.

Or…you can hope the Emir and the boys still dig having us around in 5, 10, or 15 years. While oil goes to 70 bucks a barrel or less, the airline's gravy train will face some pressure. I am not impressed with how the country has treated the female gender until the world press starts stirring. The first time some fundamentalist crazy decides to go Boko Harum on the UAE and help these lost souls find Allah, that little oasis of comfort could turn to hell in a long weekend. Some of these same guys who have funded terror for generations may be shocked if and when those chickens come home to roost.

24/48

I'm based in IAH. If I'm #1 on the list for a trip and don't want to fly then I pick up a short call. Just avoided flying over Thanksgiving while on a 6 day reserve stretch.

Mythbuster

Do you live in Houston or commute? That could make a difference on the short call stuff.

likeitis

If you can get get 42 days would be great but in reality it doesn't happen. Per diem is not 2-3 times more. Actually most places would be less than the legacies pay. The non rev network on company is extensive but
expensive, arduous and hard to get on. The housing allowance wouldn't even get you a decent villa for your family. And now they are moving many people to Meydan which is less than stellar.

Buford

Also, don't know where the $1million in the bank is coming from? Been here almost 10 years and nowhere even close. Also, "non-revving" costs more than just taxes. In fact, making money from staff travel is one of the biggest earners for the company.

Kapitanleutnant

ghilis101…

You seem to imply a "Disney-esq" life and work environment here at EK and Dubai. It is anything but!! Spend more than a vacation here in Dubai… and spend a few months on our flying roster and you'll soon see what it's really like here.

There is a constant hammer hanging over all of our heads here… if you make a mistake, if you raise your head above the proverbial radar, the hammer can come down on your head pretty hard and you can find yourself in some pretty deep sh*te here. This company has a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality.

I know a number of US colleagues who are resigning to go back to get in on the hiring spree in their country. There will always be many who like it here, can adapt and accept the ways of EK and Dubai and who otherwise have very little if any options to go back to their home country to fly. Good for them!

But your perception of life at EK and Dubai…. ???

K

Buford

Also, the cost of living here - particularly if you have kids - is very high. For my son to play football and be a part of the only league we have here, it cost us $600 for the season - that doesn't include equipment costs ie. pads, helmet, uniform. Softball isn't so bad but it's still $275 so long as you register early, then it goes to $325. To swim twice a week as part of a team, it costs $500 per term, per kid. We don't send our kids to the American school because they now hold on to $6000 of your money (per kid) as part of the "building fund". This is money you don't get back should you leave, plus, even with the Emirates education allowance you're still about $5000+ per kid out of pocket/per year. Our kids are in the British system because it's marginally cheaper.

Don't know what your brother is telling you but maybe he's covering the cost of those 'non-rev' flights which are anything but 'non-rev'. Sure it's nice to travel first or business class but with the schedules as they are the last thing you want to do is get on another airplane, however, if you want a change of scene then that's what you have to do to escape the sandpit. Vacation would be nice but it's rare to get 42 days as we're supposed to. Right now I'm owed 21 days which I can't seem to take because nothing is available.

JoeyMeatballs

Sounds like indentured servitude...............