TP is always good for information about EK. When reading the older posts here and on pprune, I find that there is a lot of negativity from the same people, so keep that in mind. There are a few people (like TP) who stay neutral and tell it like it is.
Prior to my interview in Dubai, I was fortunate enough to have completed the sim portion a month prior, so I had an extra half day to explore. I went many places in a short time and saw a lot. ( G-strings bikinis at the beach comes to mind)
Yes, the labor camps are a sad fact. The maid's room in a villa is smaller than my master bathroom. Yes, those things were a little shocking and sad to me, but as a friend of mine from India put it, they make far more money than in the countries they hail from.
A lot of what is written is just not true. The issues with "girlfriends" is really not a issue if you are low key. "If you don't have any enemies, the you will have no problems". That is quote from a woman who works at EK when questioned by a large group of men about "dating".
It even says on the UAE embassy website that if you go to the UAE, "You will see people holding hands, but those are married people or people who are related."
If you have a friend or can visit on your own, go to Dubai and experience it for yourself. I went over with fairly low expectations, even though I have a few friends that work for EK, but I came away thinking it was AMAZING!!!! Las Vegas without the casinos. Good luck...I say COME ON OVER!!!