Dubai and Emirates is what you make of it. It's true that it's not what it once was but it's still a good job
This sums it up quite nicely. But …..
To make a move to this region you need to consider the next step right from the beginning!! You will get fed up very rapidly around here and will wish to move on.
Consider: Will this be easy? Do I want to uproot my family again? Will there be options that are at least equal to the pit? Will it be as DEC, or am I ready to start as FO again?
Consider also: If you decide not to move on, you need to be aware that by getting older the risk of no longer being able to fly increases considerably around here because the way they exploit us just does not allow sufficient recuperation in the long run.
Now here’s the catch.
EK will sack you if you did not fly for one year. They might magnanimously offer you a ground job, but that simply avoids them to pay LoL! Read the fine print and you will see that LoL only sets in after more than a year of absence of flying!!! Nice trick, works most of the time.
Anyway, LoL does no longer apply after 60, same with any of the additional insurances on offer (which imho is a scam inherent in all of these!!!).
With the ever eroding T&Cs no longer allowing to put enough funds aside to cover the gap between 60 and the retirement age in most countries, this is a trap not covered since EK increased retirement age to 65 (which allowed them to lower total lifetime T&Cs with the argument that you can work longer, until 65).
EK has become a carreer step only. You need not only have a plan B, but actively pursue it and jump ship early enough. This region does not cater for age and retirement, apart for locals. This might be the biggest omission in calculations when you compare a crap outfit in the civilised world.
Think twice!
Today I would only consider a ME outfit if being out of a job, no other not even non flying option back home or when fleeing a money devoring, divorcing bitch. The boring and admittedly expensive social security in the civilised world looks ever more attractive the older you get.
And you will get older!