Dig deep in your pockets or join another Airline
Whilst I welcome the fact that Housing allowance has finally increased (the first increase since Etihad started) the increase is simply too little too late.
A 20% increase -ha ha! according to the local papers rents increased in AUH by 35% this year alone!!!
The company provide accommodation that will be available in the near future is of very poor standard.
The new block in Khalifa street is situated in a very noisy area, it's near AL Noor hospital, don't even think about trying to park your car anywhere near the building.(not sure if it has underground parking).
The apartments themselves are of low quality, very small rooms, no storage space, (f itted wardrobes only in 1 bedroom?)
They are not suitable for pilots with families ,only single guys who don't have a car, don't have many personal effects and who will also need to be deaf in order to be able to sleep because of the noise.
The other block of forthcoming accommodation is in a much better area however, next to Prestige cars near to Moon Tower.
However Etihad in their wisdom have only gone for the 2 bedroom apartments ( there are 3 and 4 bed apartments at the developments) which although finished to a higher standard than those in Khalifa Street are very,very small and again only suitable for single guys.
What are Etihad thinking when the choose these accommodation blocks??????
I am not saying that as pilots we should all live kings in huge houses (would be nice!) but in accommodation in good areas with enough space to park your car ,store your personal effects ,enough bedrooms for your family and a spare room for visiting family or friends.
There are plenty of villa developments in and around Abu Dhabi which are more than suitable except Etihad don't want to spend the money.
So if you are married with or without kids, have a car that you want to park near to where you live rather than take a taxi to where you parked it because you spent 20 mins driving around looking for a car parking space and you don't want too live in a small box with nowhere to leave your stuff, then you need to dig deep in your own pocket to supplement the cash allowance to find your own suitable accommodation.
Apartment 125 - 160K
Villas in Khalifa city 140 - 180k
Villas in Abu Dhabi 160 - 300k
Etihad Allowance 102 F/O & 108 Capt !!!!!
If your want to work in the desert and are thinking of joining Etihad and you want somewhere nice to live either pay the cash from your own pocket or join Emirates where at least have decent accommodation!
Last edited by blackhat10; 14th Sep 2006 at 13:33.