vegasrat170

There are certain breads of dogs that they will not allow to travel, it has to do with breathing and the length of their snout. It's all part of the IATA regulations, I don't much about it but it might be something to look into before hand.

When you join housing is assigned to you base on the family size, so there is no choice as to villa or apartment. As a first officer you have to be married with kids in order to qualify for the villa. My wife has 3 children from a previous marriage, the youngest is 18, and the company will only go as high as 19. We had thought about pressing for the villa, but in the end we are very happy with our "Half Villa" apartment. For the two of us it's huge.

So far I like Dubai. It reminds me a lot of Vegas. You can find just about everything you need at the stores, it's just more expensive. Taxis are plentiful and cheap, so you can get anywhere. Dealing with some of the utility companies can drive you insane. It took me 5 weeks to get my Internet setup, despite calling everyday. After a few months it went down again and it took over 2 months to get it back. Many thanks go to my neighbor downstairs for the use of his wifi.

Flying here has its ups and downs, some of the flights are just brutal. For example, pick up will be at midnight for a 2am departure to India and back. Other flights are great, I recently did a 5 day trip going to Singapore and Brisbane, then back to Singapore. Each overnight is 24 hours. Every month I get a mix of short and long flights, and with a prefbid type system, you can really set your schedule the way you want it. Bidding seniority rotates groups every month, so twice a year you get good schedules and twice a year you get ugly ones. September is my bottom bid month and it's my turn to sit reserve, but you only do it once a year.

marick01

We have a great dane and a beagle, so I don't think the breathing will be an issue, just the danes size. I'm not too worried about the villa/apt size since its just the 2 of us and the dogs, just would like a yard if possible... I've never been to vegas so maybe we should plan a short tirp to get a feel for it You said your wife just sent the dog, does that mean shes not in dubai yet? Or did she fly back to take care of that? Speaking of which, how are the flight benes? Can she go with you on a trip if there are seats open? Or are the benefits more restrictive?
Do you live in the same neighborhood/area as other pilots?

The 5 day trip sounds like a trip my husband would love! He's used to reserve since hes sitting captain reserve in PHL right now, so I don't think that would bother him too much. Its nice that they change it up on a rotation. Is September your bottom bid month because that was when you were hired?

Thanks again for the info!!

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!!!

Kernow

Any truth to the rumours that there is a real shortage of villa's available! Currently sitting at the top of the pool and hoping for some positive news in Sept.

Short Final

Hi Kernow,

I joined Emirates a little over two weeks ago and to answer your question.. I think so.

Not to sound flipped, But I have been assigned a villa, but I'm in temporary housing until it is ready.
However, there are guys who joined a week after me who already have the keys to theirs so I'm not really sure.

I do know this, if there isn't a shortage now, there will be.

SF

Typhoonpilot

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

Short Final

As usual Typhoonpilot, you are spot on. Nothing more to add.

SF

block30

At least we finally know what this rumored "shortage" actually means! Housing. We have a shortage of pilots'.............
....
..
.
housing.

jet320

Is hiring process remain the same? Or things have change? Any competitive advantage there looking for, besides wide body experience?

Cheers