Just a quick note to any emirates wannabes. This is not an anti emirates message, just a statement of fact that highlights one of the problems here in the sandpit. Part of the contract/conditions here is that emirates cover your medical expenses, and your families medical expenses via an insurance scheme. There are a lot of hospitals in Dxb but only one of them is considered satisfactory, the American Hospital (Emirates doctors words, not mine). We have recently been advised that the emirates clinic are not to refer any patients to that hospital in the future, and if anyone insists on going to the American hospital, they will have to pay a 20% surcharge. I am not sure yet whether that is 20% of the bill or 20% on the insurance premium. Either way it highlights the indiscriminate way the company can, and does change the conditions of employment here.