Originally Posted by MikeF16

While I've never been an indentured servant, I was AD for 20 years, and I spent 20 months in Abu Dhabi working and flying with the UAE Air Force. This was my take on the UAE relationship with anybody who isn't a native Emirate -- we all wear a nametag that says "CleanCo", and our job is cleaning the shltters.

Whether you're an Asian/African that actually cleans the toilet, an American military adviser, some high powered oil/finance man, or an expat flying for EK/EY you're just hired help doing what they are either unable or unwilling to do, and you are disposable. If their populace wasn't so lazy they'd happily employ native Emirates over foreigners, and if middle east science and technology weren't so backward they'd happily make their own weapons, and drill and refine their own oil without any interference from the west. They need us and they resent us. It is their country, and they make/change/obey/disobey the rules as they see fit.

Do I blame expats for going there? Absolutely not, everybody must do what is in their best interest and for some people this lifestyle just works. Would I ever go back? Sure, there is a number I'd go back for, but others have proven they're willing to work there for a LOT less so there is no realistic chance I'd return to work for them. The only way I'd ever willingly go back to the middle east would be flying a legacy jumbo for a long layover, or dropping bombs from a fighter (also highly unlikely as I'm retired, but a man can dream right?).

Of course that is just my opinion, but I feel like I've earned my right to it. Back to the OP, if you can be hired by a U.S. legacy this is not a choice.