Taking a job with Emirates when in a relationship

[BondiLoz]

Hi guys,

I am in the waiting period to find out if I have been successful in my application for a job with Emirates.

I have done as much research as I can about the hours, conditions, Dubai life and the accommodation etc.

With regards to the accommodation, I understand it it is single sex and guests cannot stay without permission past a certain hour. I was hoping any existing or past Cabin Crew could shed some light or share their experiences about doing this job when you're in a relationship? Did you partner move to Dubai with you, or did you do long distance?

If they moved, what was the living arrangements - did they rent/buy or is there some sort of way around the Emirates accommodation that could allow you to cohabit?

I am in a relationship and my partner is willing to move to Dubai to be near me (although we both understand we will not see much of each other given the flying hours etc), but it will be better than him staying in our native country where I may not get to see him much at all.

Any insights into how other crew have made this work would be much appreciated, as it is a serious consideration of mine in whether I will accept a potential offer from Emirates.

Many thanks :)

[Piltdown Man]

Welcome to the Middle Ages. Western style relationships appear not to work with some employers constrained by intolerant and unenlightened local religions. You are either married or you are single. Best of luck.

PM

[homonculus]

I am afraid it is not just 'some employers'. If you are not married you do not have a relationship. If you have done your homework you will be aware that behind the thin veneer of Westernisation is a fundamental muslim state. It is their country, and they are entitled to make the rules.

[Croissant2016]

It's pretty much breaking the law to live together (or even be in a room alone together) whether you will be caught is a different story- but i know of two girls personally who either married their boyfriend to enable them to live together, the other one got pregnant and escaped the country at the first opportunity once she found out to avoid legal issues over not being married.
IF you were reported by a neighbour or someone else, you face termination of your job, imprisonment and/or deportation

Depending on how serious your relationship is, you might be better having a distance relationship and utilising trips and staff travel to see each other.

[anson harris]

Depends on what sex your partner is. Ironically it's pretty easy for two guys or two girls to live together. It doesn't occur to them that 2 people of the same sex might be in a relationship. If it's a man and a woman then you're going to be in difficulties quickly especially if some busy body shops you to the authorities.

[GrahamO]

It's pretty much breaking the law to live together

It IS breaking the Law. There is no 'pretty much'.

[Rapscalion]

BondiLoz, I can speak from personal experience here (although somewhat outdated) and it IS possible to make long distance work.
I joined Emirates in 2007, and had been with my partner for 2 years before joining and are still together today.

When I was there- again, I am sure things have changed- I was in one of the few crew accommodations that were not entirely crew, and as a result the security was somewhat more relaxed. If you were good to them, they were good to you and were not too concerned with who was coming and going as long as you didn't cause trouble. When he came to visit, there was no issue with him staying with me.

In our situation, it was difficult for the first few months, especially during training when there was no option to go home- but once I started flying, I was able to get a Sydney flight at least once a month, sometimes twice, and if not I could at least get a Brisbane or Melbourne which meant we would usually see each other at least twice a month.

It certainly wasn't an ideal situation, and probably wouldn't work for everyone, but it worked for us. I was always only going to do one contract (3 years) so i am not sure if this is only temporary for you or you are planning on doing it long term, so we always had something of a countdown.

As I say, everyone and every relationship is different, but in my experience it did work. It wasn't without its bumps in the road but if you are serious and him not being in a position to move over, don't completely despair at the idea of long distance.

As much as I would bemoan Emirates now, and was thoroughly over it when I left (I ended up staying 3 and a half years) I will say it was a great experience to see places you would never have thought to go and see. You work damn hard for it- and from all accounts a lot harder now- but you will also take a lot away from it.

[Pequena_Inquieta]

Many crew get live-out allowance, which is pretty easy right now. When I joined they only gave it to married crew, but now there's a shortage of crew accommodation, so they will easily give it to anyone. Yes, it's against the law to live with your boyfriend/girlfriend, but many people do it and Dubai is not the hell some people paint. It's very unlikely you'll get reported, unless you shout it out loud.
Bear in mind cabin crew live-out allowance is not that amazing, but if you both get it you can rent a decent place in Dubai. Many live in the neighbor emirate Sharjah, where rents are cheaper.
It's impossible to live in EK accommodation with non-EK cabin crew/different sex crew. If you are same sex and both cabin crew, you can apply for a 2-bedroom crew accom.
If you wanna do long-distance, your significant other can visit for up to 60 days per year (not over 30 days per visit, as I remember) and whoever it is you can just put them as cousin on the visitor form. EK is not stupid and they know what it means. We've all done that.

[vfenext]

Some reasonable advice here BUT be aware that although the chances of being caught cohabiting are slight you are risking PRISON if someone reports you.

[FPDO]

Just call off the relationship, you will want to root around anyway.........................

[emeritus]

Wonder how many couples have used a forged marriage certificate ?

[evansb]

According to one thread, one should NOT take a job with Emirates, ever.

[EK_SFS]

I have spent working in Emirates 6 years of my life. I have heard of people being caught living together and deported, but these cases are somewhat rare.

For example, you are a woman, and a local man wants to date you. He finds out you are in a relationship. He asks you to have sex with him and you refuse. He threatens to report you to police for having a relationship ( co-habitation) and if you again, refuse, he proceeds with the report and you and your boyfriend go to jail for up to 1 year, and both lose jobs. This scenario happened to about 5% of my friends, not more. Decide if the level of risk is appropriate for you, and good luck.

I had sex with at least 50 opposite sex partners during my 6 years in Emirates and have never had any trouble.

[FPDO]

EK_SFS = Fecken LEGEND !!!!!!!!!


As I said before, just root around will be alot easier ................

[deefer dog]

EK SFS.

Please send photo.