Hey Ott,
If you find a 9-5 job for me sharpening pencils and spending everyday with my family (plus getting the same salary as I am now...with a pilot's licence...let me know!
EK is not all that bad as the 15 days is not always full days away...could be if you are on the 777 fleet. The busdrivers usually spend more than that at home in DXB as there are a lot of available and rest days prior to and after flights. With only around 3-4 layovers per month that usually equates to around 8 to 12 days actually away from DXB.
As for me, I am happy here for now but it's only for a few more years then its back to the real world (home). You are right as money is not everything but it helps.
Look around the aviation environment at present and there cannot be more than a handful of airlines offering bonuses this year.
