Hi, I know your post was put on ages ago but I've just come across it now. Your post is interesting, although I'm not a pilot, I am an Ex Crew member and I can tell you now, a LOT of the crew felt and still feel the same. They're not all from the UK, though. Some are from countries in a much worse situation than the UK and they STILL want to leave Dubai. In fact, most of the crew who resigned around the same time as me were leaving because they didn't like Dubai (and the job) or they had been flying for so long it was boring for them. I hated Dubai! That was my main reason for leaving, I think a lot of people from the UK, Australia, NZ etc leave early as they don't like the restrictions.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure! Nothing is perfect, unfortunately