Amiri01
I think everyone appreciates the amount of information you've posted. Thank you.
I've worked through the Amiri vs EK benefits and it's a close run race. Amiri is alot more 'cash in hand' but with the downside of not being able to plan your life due to those 'spontaneous texts' you mentioned. EK, if you've served 10 years or more, is 15-20% less each month, but you would have accrued a sizeable prov fund and seniority dictates a planning lifestyle.
The EK guy you mentioned, left here a couple of years ago because he was hocked up to his eyes in bad debt and prioritized the Amiri money over his family. Each to their own but he may not be a reliable source to work on.
We don't hear of any Royal flight guys bitching, so you've either got a great life, or very understanding wives.
GF