SIA Cargo. Have no complaints at all!!!

My choice was SIA or DEC at Emirates. As far as my wife was concerned, there was no choice...

yes you cannot sponsor a girlfriend that is not "decent" but the thousands of hookers the locals profit of of seems to be...the hypocrisy aside....Dubai has many positive aspects as well as more than a few negatives...it's you choice to make it positive or negative experience....but there is plenty for wives and kids to do to keep life exciting...just brace yourself for the driving...and dont let the hubby cheap out on transportation...splurge for a land cruiser ford explorer, or something semi-crashworthy

[QUOTE=just brace yourself for the driving...and dont let the hubby cheap out on transportation...splurge for a land cruiser ford explorer, or something semi-crashworthy[/QUOTE]


Better the Landcruiser, the Exploders don't have such a great reputation. Me, I like the Hummer H2 :D

TP

TyphoonPilot thanks for the info. I'm looking for ways now to get my girlfriend over to DXB with me for the interview. If you have time I have a few more questions. First question is upgrade time. I know someone on the 777 at EK and he's saying about three years for an upgrade, yet I read PPrune and hear anywhere from 10 -78 years(I know, I take it with a grain of salt), any feedback? Second, I hear how you can't live on the FO salary in DXB. I don't have kids or anything(at least none that I know of:) ) and don't have any major debt, so I figured I should be alright, but those darn PPrune guys make me wonder.
Finally, when it rains it pours. I have an interview for DEFO Cathay. So,,,, Emirates or Cathay? Of course I will go to both interviews and make my own decision, but I would like some feedback. thanks for your time.

Upgrade on the 777 is currently at 3 years. It would actually be less, but three years is an arbitrary minimum set by the company. Somebody hired today would be around #1500 on the seniority list. The projection is to have 2500 pilots within 5 years. With an attrition rate of 50 per year that would make a person hired today #1250 out of 2500 in 5 years. Five years is a good figure to work on. It could be slightly longer or it could go slightly less. The future is difficult to predict, but based on current growth plans that is what it looks like.

With your accommodation and utilities paid for and no concern over school issues I'd be surprised if you didn't save well over $2000 per month. Your expenses will be comprised of Auto payments if any; auto insurance; food and entertainment; internet and phone; and travel expenses; oh and golf club membership :D

It's when you try to keep a home back in the States that things get difficult. If you rent out your house/condo back in the States and that covers your mortgage then all should be fine. If you want to leave it empty and use it one month per year that is a personal choice which you have to be prepared to pay for. Some people do that.


Cathay without question. They offer a better long term package with bases in the States.

I would talk to guys already there to make sure you can fit into their corporate culture. Same goes for EK.


Typhoonpilot

Good reply TP. I basically agree on all points.

If I may add, the budgeting thing is difficult to calculate. We hemorrhaged money for the first 2 years on an F/O's wage despite my spreadsheets that said we should be saving. You just seem to spend more money than you plan on making you life here like home. Things like landscaping, furniture and traveling back home.

I also totally agree that Cathay is the much preferred employer, although it needn't be so and personally I’d much rather live in Dubai than Hong Kong. However, not only does Cathay pay better, but also they have a seniority system that is respected. You’re really taking a gamble at EK in that respect.

TP,
Can you give a good idea on what to expect per diem wise per month? I know that it is based on 3 meals at local currency, but how much can one expect to get in per diem per month lets say on the 777 fleet and the airbus fleet? Thanks

xtwapilot

I'm a dispassionate observer on this but I would judge that if you are not going to EK as a DEC then CX is the better job.:cool:

Emirates, Cathay, EVA, ANA, JAL and so on....

I'd have to agree with TyphoonPilot on this one. No matter where in the world you go some guys will love it while others will hate it. No job, or base for that matter is for everyone.

Everyone has their own idea of that elusive "perfect" job.....

Personally mine is "retirement"....

xtwa,

I know you asked TP, but since I'm here...

Per diems are done on quite a crazy system. You get paid cash in local currency for what meals would cost at the specific hotel you are staying at. Now here's the catch - they deduct any discount offered by the hotel! That wasn't such a big deal years ago, however, recently they have been getting the hotels to offer bigger discounts. SYD, for example, is almost up to 60% off. That means you get very little cash. (They also don't factor in tips, as aside for us North Americans, no one tips!)

A couple of the Far Eastern destinations have expensive hotels so that even with the discount, you can pocket a bit of change.

Bottom line is that you do not make any money on per diems unless you stay in your room and eat instant noodles.

Hope this helps.