what's the deal with your idea of "expats respect"? I find this idea very old fashioned and colonialist...are you implying that a person can get respect only because of image and money and skin color? I couldn't careless about the expact status or salary, and that's a pity if anyone is getting respect for these reasons and not who that person actually is.
Then you say:
N u can look down to local employees and not worry about it.
I hope you are kidding?
About housing allowances: have you ever met cadets from Emirates? Well I met them in Adelaide, and no program can match theirs:
They get 3000$ a month while training in Adelaide.
They get directly to a First Officer position on the A330 with a starting salary of 8000$ a month + housing allowances.
Contract is only 4 years.
That's what I call an amazing program.
Last, you mentionned:
"But of course....some people would go to the middle east...just because of their great pay. Culture-wise? ummm not so sure. "
Can you elaborate on this please and let me know what is your experience with that region?