Gillegan
The only thing that has really changed are the market conditions and the number of pilots Emirates needs to recruit.
I disagree with your view. Granted, many of the points you made about pay/accom/etc are valid. Also, the standard of "managers" in this company has consistently maintained it's low standard over the years; nothing new there.
What has changed is the productivity that has been railroaded down the throats of the pilots over the past 8 years. This has led to what was once a sought after airline to work for to one where you go to only if you have no other choice.
I would estimate we have provided a 30-40% increase in productivity for nothing in return other than the "honor" of having a job with Emirates. This has turned what was once an appealing job into a very, very average job.
I joined 2 years after you. If you were reading Pprune during those early years you will remember when the joke on the website was the Emirates pilots were not writing much (when asked questions about the company) because they were "too busy golfing and counting their money". This has obviously changed dramatically over the past 8 years.......just look at the negative posts on this site and the total dissatisfaction the majority of pilots have working for Emirates (pay, fatigue, etc) when discussing the job on the road.
As far as I am concerned, this job offers little in the way of lifestyle and little in the way of financial remuneration (which traditionally have been the 2 prime factors that have led pilots to leave their home countries to work in 3rd world countries). As such, it's only appeal is the chance to probably have a job in a possible world aviation downturn as Emirates will be hesitant to cancel all those orders and lay off pilots. That is the only appeal I can see in coming here today.
Funny but the other day I was in HQ doing some visa stuff. I saw a bunch of shiny new faces going through the "process"........the complaints I overheard from them about how "stupid" the entry process was made me laugh. All I could think was:
1) you have no idea how f#cked up this place is; just wait....this is just the beginning, and
2) how f#cking happy I was that I am more toward the end of this Emirates experience and how I am so thankful I'm not in their shoes.
Just my thoughts for what they're worth.