Tangpig,
I'll get to the job details later. Firstly, please please please get all misconceptions out of your head about Dubai being hostile, medieval or unsafe.
80% of Dubai's population are expatriates. Of these, around 20-30% are westerners, and nearly everyone here has a great time. Granted, they all like to b*tch and moan about living in an Arab country so far away from home, but the truth is, if they were so miserable, they would have left. Some people do leave, but for most of us, we've never had it so good.
Your wife will be sponsored by you, so like others have said, she will get a housewife's visa. But, there's nothing stopping her from finding a job in a school or daycare center, and being sponsored by them.
All the other replies are spot on. People (locals and expats) here are friendly enough, and wont give you any trouble if you don't go looking for it.
About work in EK, yes, signing 8-10 transits sounds like a lot, but 99% of the work is done by the mechanics. However, this also means that you have to put a lot of trust/faith in them, and sign stuff based on that trust. Flight deck crew are also really nice and understanding. No ground-vs-air crew attitude issues.
If you're doing weekly checks, you will get 3 weekly's for the shift, but no transits. Don't worry about feeling lost if you don't know something on the aircraft. People do pitch in with advice and tips to help someone in need.
Yes, you also have enough backup. If there's a wheel change, a separate team comes and takes care of it for you.
All of that applies to Line Maint. Dont expect to be placed in L/M just because you want to. If you end up in Base Ops, you will be doing lots of A-checks, thrust reverser/engine/landing gear changes. Much harder work than signing transit checks, but - in my opinion - a much much nicer work environment too.
Bottom line: its hard work, esp. with the weather, and you do end up tired, doing tons of stuff during a 12hr shift, but the job is stable, pay (for the standard of living in Dubai) is good, staff travel benefits are great, and Dubai is probably the safest place in the world to live.
If its too difficult to make up your mind from across the globe, then come down for a week or two, and check out the city before making your decision.
Good luck!
