EK engineering is an extreme of one or the other. Engineering unfortunately has progressed inversly to the airline, this is with regards to working conditions and welfare. I am one of those who decided enough is enough and left. Those who continue to stay should not bitch or moan about it, but they do. Anyway ask any EK engineer and he will tell you LM is the worst managed / run. Someone should be telling the head honchos cost cutting can only be done so much before it starts to affect the progress of the dept. People leave managers not companies. Heavy maint is the best of the 3 depts to work for. Configure your CV to reflect more heavy maint work. There is always a shortfall of staff so you are in a position to more or less insist on which dept you rather join. If you are presently employed then nothing much to lose in demanding for what you want.
As for Dubai, yes one of the safest cities to live and work in, just watch out for the traffic and while being a pedestrian. Plenty of vices as well though being an arab country its a chance you take. The law can and will be enforced when it suits them. Being of the caucasion race has distinct advantages. And yes Dubai also happens to be one of the most racist cities in the world and if anyone tells you otherwise they are lying. Its the non whites who are the racists.
You are in a position to own 2 or more big (SUV) vehicles or high end sports cars and not have to worry about petrol or maintenance costs.
For kids you need to give them a reality check every now and then about the rest of the world. You could easily get lulled into the artificial life offered in Dubai.
And last but not least keep in mind that as an expat you DON'T have rights! At least not what you would think you should have.