Good post by level change.. but I think there is alot more as to why pilots come to the middle east aka the sand pit.
Some are desperate to get out of their home country.
Some are desperate for a job
Some are like LC
But whoever they are to get here they will have done some homework and come with eyes wide open. Sure the big shiny long haul jet pilot status puts a layer of icing on a rather crappy $ infused cake.
The trick, I'm convinced, is taking the plunge to get out. LC did 4 years, which really is the blink of an eye. I got more than a few friends who are cracking their Silver anniversary of time in ME! Its what you make of it and how easy it hard it is to cut the golden handcuffs.