From your $7100USD you will have deducted by EK
telephone
medical (and you thought it was free)
provident fund (now ain't that a winner now)
car loan (most take it)
tickets (ID 90s ext your an expat now expect to travel frequently)
fines (missed appointments at clinik)
some expenses you may not have thought of.
maid (philippina min wage 1400 + 600 gov charges = 2000 and because of time constraints traffic ext will be difficult to do without that doesnt include her tickets home ev 2 years)
Salik (up to 500 a month depending on where you live)
Car insurance (400-500 per month 4- 5% on 100000dhs car, yes your paying for the locals bad driving, but you may qualify for a reduced rate after a few years, many pilots have two cars)
Telephones (landline, yr modile, wifes mobile min 500- 1000 etisalat is a monopoly and its expensive. No skype unless u set up a vpn, and then skype can be a bit iffy at times.)
Internet 250dhs (see above)
Cable TV 250dhs/month (no alternative)
Activities for kids ( can be expensive, examples swimming 400 per term, tennis 90dhs per lesson, piano 145-200dhs per lesson, unless of course you want to leave your kids at home. There are no public swimming pools, tennis courts and the like, free this or that)
Leave (expect to spend alot of money even if you stay with your parents)
Wifes summer escape (yes most will pi#@ off for the summer)
Thats about 5k in pretty well fixed expenses, and that doesnt include social stuff, and the above deductions, plus a mortgage back home that you might have, bla bla bla.
Like most pilots I am a tight ass but even so, unless you want you and your family to live like a hermit, I can assure you that you will struggle as a new FO if you have a family.
Best thing is to talk to someone who has been there a while, and is in the same domestic situation.
If you are married with kids don't
1. listen to single guys they have no idea,
2. listen to guys with wives that are working, as they usually earn more than they do.
3. Guys who have been there for less than a couple of years.
4. Don't compare what it cost where you are now, to Dubai it can't be done. Dubai is an expensive place to live now.
5.You wont make money out of allowances at EK
6. Don't expect overtime as an FO, usually FOs dont get it.
7. Don't count on a bonus next year,( unless you havnt been watching the news lately)
8. Don't justify your decisions based on this post or any others on pprune.
Do your research, ask as many people as you can, and try and include friends you may have in other industries to see what sort of a deal they're getting.