Intereting discussion about EK, I know one of the biggest issues was that the facilities department run by AS, aquired a major development near Meydan in a part of Dubai under development in other words not near schools or shops. The development was designed for 500 houses but AS decided to reduce costs and squeezed in many more so that living there is similar to a military camp.
Then to add fuel to the fire he mandated that many of the long term experienced pilots who were living is established parts of Duabi for many years had move into this place, as no one voluntered when they saw it. So end result a lot of unhappy pilots who are in great demand in many parts of the world and as a consequence EK have a pilot shortage and have had to ground aircraft.
Now any professional organiation in this situation would deal with this problem and the instigator would have been fired, but for some people you cant do that so expect a few crazy decisions in the organisation for the forseeable future. Having said taht it is a great place to live and bring up a family.