Hi flyg, hope this will help a little. Before you read on bear in mind that I am someone who is leaving.
1. Your first question is why? There are various reasons why guys are leaving and our management use the generic phrase 'personal reasons' to cover the resignations . Essentially Emirates has changed great deal over the past few years and in their quest for expansion they have left their main asset behind; their staff. Our salaries have remained static despite massive inflation and the managements attititude has been one of arrogance and disrespect. For the European drivers the demise of the dollar has also had a major effect on income to the point where EK is no longer viable. Emirates is a work in progress and crisis managment is the order of the day. At some point they will have to start putting money back into the company if it is to keep going... and they do at least have the money when they are forced to use it.
2. Days off vary. You should get 8 days off per month but it is not rare to get more. Unfortunately due to the lack of forward planning we are very short of pilots so those that are here are taking up the slack. So days off or not you wil be working hard.
3. Training is generally good, thorough, but good. It tends towards the pedantic and 'checking' rather than training and be prepared to be patronised but there are mostly good guys doing the job and shouldn't be an issue.
4. Upgrades are a hot topic at the moment. Due to the aforementioned lack of planning, DECs are now being employed. This has a major effect on upgrades for those already in the RHS. Past assurances of from the management with regard upgrades from within have boardered on lies. 3 years would be very optimistic and 5-7 could be nearer the mark at your point of joining.
5. Guys are working very hard. The Airbus fleet are working up to their maximum hours (100/month, 900/years). Boeing are follwing suit. East - west patterns compound the fatigue issue but the medical support is good.
6. There are a few other threads on this forum which cover the interviews. They are not that bad and the best advice is to be yourself. The sim is where most people come unstuck, continuing an unstable approach instead of going around for example. Fly safe.
7. Apart form the traffic Dubai is generally safe and your wife should have no problems. Hide the credit card, one thing we are not short of is malls!
8. As an F/O married with no kids you will be offered an apartment. Once upgraded you are entitled to a villa. The accomodation is a mixed bag, some good some not so good. The problem is you will not know where you are going to live until you get off the plane in Dubai.
9. Good luck with getting to Dubai. Another option may be via London with Virgin. They fly from Newark and JFK to London then on to Dubai. Perhaps it might be cheaper and if not the view should be pleasant enough.
Good luck with any decision you make. I don't know exactley what you would be leaving to come to EK but I realise that it is a tough time at the moment and it is difficult too see the wood for the trees. If you can be prepared and come to EK with your eyes open then there is no reason why it shouldn't work out for you either in the short or long term.
Cheers.