Originally Posted by
marick01
Hi Typhoon,
Haha, I was actually worried that no one would notice my "new" post
Thankfully I am wrong! And thanks for the info on the villa/apt, we don't have kids so sounds like we would be in the apartment style, which is fine. I have seen on other forums, etc, that taking the housing allowance isn't the best way since housing has gone up and the company is still paying about the same rate. Any thoughts?
I know you said you don't have pets, have you heard/seen much in the way of how dogs are accepted in Dubai? I have seen on some sights that its really limited on where you can take your dogs (like no beaches, parks, etc)?
If you don't mind me asking, how long have you lived in Dubai? And do you still like it, and like working for EK? And I get the different views, I am just happy to hear some, I am looking forward to hopefully being able to come out and see for myself, I just don't want to come out blind
Thanks for the warm welcome even though I'm not a pilot!!!
The housing allowance is currently enough to rent a reasonable size townhouse in many areas of Dubai.
Can't answer the dog questions.
You're doing the right thing by asking a lot of questions. You really have to come see it for yourself to make a final and informed decision though.
Dubai isn't the USA and never will be. It's different, but not so different that it isn't tolerable. There are cultural aspects that can and do drive some people crazy. They have laws leftover from the dark ages that may offend you.
I've been here ten years and have a routine that keeps me relatively content. EK is a very good airline to work for for a number of reasons. I only suggest people make the move if they don't have other choices in the USA though. If your husband is under age 40 then he should think about sticking around in the USA to get in on the ground floor of the hiring wave that will start early next year. Anybody under age forty who gets on with Delta, UAL, USAirways, or American when they start hiring will have a nice 25+ year career at home in the USA. That should be a first choice.
The good time to join EK has past. There are now over 3000 pilots and the time to upgrade for a new joiner will be well in excess of 7-10 years.
A good question to ask if your husband is under age 40 is: What do you do and where do you go after you've had your fill of the desert? That time is usually right around the 10-15 year point. In other words, you must come with an exit strategy in place and work towards that goal while you're here.
Typhoonpilot