Good discussion and comparison of Emirates and Air Japan. Looking at the numbers you can have all the cushy benefits but be stuck in the ME with housing, retirement, education for kids and a driver for work at Emirates, making about 12K per month, flying 110 hours and paid for 90 hard time. If you go with Air Japan you have 17K per month and commute back to your residence in home country with 12 days off per month flying 55 hours. It is truly a personal choice comparing days off in home country or living with family and not commuting with all the benefits in the ME. Both great options just different strokes for different folks. Disclaimer: I am using approximate data.