Is Emirates the answer for an Airline Wife?
 

For all you pilots out there...howcome none of your wifes are online starting there own Thread? As we all know it is the wife who makes the decisions, right? :)

My husband has been called for the interview July 23rd for Emirates. We are considering the move even though he has not even been interviewed.:eek:

Being South African, Dubai almost seems familiar... I have read over 20 pages about Emirates. I am especially enlightened by Typhoon pilot!

We have 2 kids ( not yet in school). Live in Fot Lauderdale, I am south african, husband is american. He currently flies Boeing 737...regardless, I read TP's info on the schools and the villas. I think everyone forgets how high the cost of living is in the states! Dubai seems a breeze and for all those concerned American mothers going to dubai..the British school system beats the american system!!!

Do you guys at Emirates fly so much that you hardly at home? I consider myself an experienced airline wife and know what it is like for husband not to be home much.

Also, can someone tell me what the villa is actually like? Maybe TP can send me a photo of the villa, as we seem to quailfy for that 3 - 5 bedroom spot.

Bottom line, what's the lifestyle like for wife and kids??

Thanks

Airline Wife
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hello AW:

Welcome to APC and thanks for the kind words. I keep wishing we could get Gillegan's wife to post on here. She would be a great source of information from the wife's side. Every time I have a question about something or somwhere in Dubai all I have to do is give her a call. Maybe Gillegan will read this and get the hint ;) Buford's wife would be the next one in line as she had lived in Dubai previously to him joining EK. They both have children so would be a great source of info for people with families.

As for picture's of the newest Villa complex. I could do that. No guarantee that you would be allocated one of those though. They do vary pretty significantly in design and size.

Typhoonpilot

P.S. Once you have 5 posts you can PM me with an e-mail address and I'll send you the pictures I have of some Villas

Maybe this might give you some further insight as another American has just been offered a job and sounds like he is a little unsure.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=228971

When reading Pprune please keep in mind that most of the people that post on there are not American or coming from U.S. companies. Their perspective is very different. I almost responded on that thread, but thought better of it. It's always a waste of time to argue against them with facts. The guy who states 10 years to upgrade is way off in his math ability.

1500 pilots today, 2500 pilots 5 years from now = upgrade in 5 years. That is based on an attrition rate of 50 pilots per year. A pilot hired at #1500 today will be #1250 in 5 years, exactly half way up the list. I discount the DECs because there are almost an equal number of very senior permanent First Officers and Cadet Pilots that tends to balance out the equation. The only wild card is if more DECs are hired beyond the stated number this year. Flight Ops management is promising not to do so beyond the approximately 100 B777 DECs. Obviously a war with Iran, global recession, massive outbreak of bird flu, etc could change things, but the current plan is to be at 2500 pilots in about 5 years time. EKs plans have almost always been increased, not decreased.

Typhoonpilot

For what it's worth, you might want to consider either SIA or SIA Cargo. Living in Singapore might be a better alternative than living in Dubai. Depending on personal preferences.

As for time at home, I'd say compared to people I know at EK, our time off is much more than what they get. I, as a 744F Captain, average atleast 14 days home/month.

If you want more info, PM me when you can and I'd be happy to tell you my perspective.

Phil, who are you currently flying for? I would pm you but I can't yet.

Thanks

Here's a site that has some of the positive and negative things that happen in Dubai.
http://secretdubai.blogspot.com/

Phil is a Captain at SIA Cargo.

I thought the mods reset PM privileges to 5 posts or more.


TP

I have an interview coming up in July and have been researching Emirates as well as Dubai. One big question I have is about being married. I want to bring my girlfriend with me but I read that is is illegal to live together if you're unmarried. Is this enforced? Also would she be able to get a visa?

Thanks in advance

The rule isn't really enforced. I know a few of couples that have lived together for a long time. It could be enforced though if somebody ratted on you or had a personal issue with you so it's best to keep it low profile.

The difficult part is getting her a Visa. You can not sponsor a girlfriend, she would have to get sponsorship in another way. That would mean she would have to find an employer to sponsor her or buying property that comes with a residence visa.

She can come for the interview and have a look around.


TP