A320LGW
Your assessment of whether the move is worth it is refreshing to read. Someone who has actually done some homework! There is something further however that might be worth considering: when a pilot has experience enough to apply for EK, he/she won’t be far off loco upgrade eligibility. With EK new joiner upgrades probably 7-9 years away, add in a few more years to serve out the bond, and you’ve spent probably longer in the sand than the average EK pilot endures. In other words compare loco capt salaries to EK FO salaries.
Now of course you could grab the housing allowance!? Do you want to fork out a 30% deposit on a Dubai housing market that must be close if not at record highs?
As for relaxing layovers with crews somewhere nice!? 🤣