Grizzled - excellent post. Well written and fairly balanced.
I have been a Dubai-sceptic for many years. Passed through many times in the old days, when it was a lovely seaside town. The 40 kilomoetre beach from the Hyatt to the Aluminium factory was always stunning. The offshore building, which was what bankrupted Nakheel, has desecrated a wonderful treasure.
Was tempted by a DEC job at EK a couple of years ago, now am relieved that I didn't take it. The frenetic construction boom and the naked greed shown by every person I came across reminded me of BKK before that crash.
Hope for the sake all my friends in Emirates that it sorts itself out. Surely a merger of sorts between EK and EY is now inevitable? There is no room for two companies with the same product, chasing the same market, in the same country.