bringbackthe80's, just to clear up any misconceptions (as it applies to the company south of DXB),
1) If you ge onto the "wrong" fleet your life will be 90 hour multi sector days with 7-8 days off per month. There is definitely no progressing onto "any aircraft you want". Some get lucky, some don't.
2) No free housing. If you want a reasonable place (for a family), the chances are good that you will be supplementing from your own pocket. Also bear in mind that Abu Dhabi does not have rental price increase controls. So what looks reasonable one year suddenly becomes 10%+ more expensive the following year. Also the selection of what's available is plain lousy. The company housing is very limited, and generally in what most people would consider a "moon base".
3) No free education. Good luck finding anything within the schooling allowance budget. You will be fortunate to find anything under 45k for primary. The allowance is 36k. Once again you will be supplementing.
4) Business class tickets. Yes, but, no, but, yes, but, no, but........
5) No provident fund. Only an end of service benefit. After 8 years in the company you go home with about €100,000-00 if you got your command (and that's at today's exchange rate of €1=AED3.95)
6) Safe. Yes
7) Stable. Not on the "wrong" fleet, if roster stability is what you are after. As for the company, well, let's hope the oil price goes back up to $90 per barrel pronto.
Unfortunately the above information is not easily available, and how it actually affects you is difficult to interpret unless you live here.