Matt101

Her biggest problem would be sponsorship for a visa - she would need her own (as you can't sponsor her unless she is a spouse) and therefor her own job. After that I would avoid having any more than one name on any housing related things, i.e. your name really.

I know of some people who co-habit with girlfriends from back home. Just be discreet, but be aware it is illegal and you can't cry foul if you upset the wrong person and they report it. Moral is don't upset your neighbours.

May be worth considering getting the quick paperwork only wedding when you get here, many do it and have a proper wedding when they are ready, I suppose it depends how you feel about it and a pre nup maybe a good idea if you go down such a route, however it may make life easier!

No veil required. Beach wear is for the beach and you should really dress with some sensitivity toward local culture (many don't though). Basically it is a far cry from Saudi and whilst hot pants and a boob tube may get you some funny looks (especially if it's you rather than the girlfriend wearing them), dressing for summer isn't likely to get you in any trouble. Shoulders covered and a skirt to the knees is the usual advice I think.

Do lots of research - don't look too much into the PPRuNe bitching, the UAE is different from home but you get used to it.

If you get here, welcome to the worlds biggest beach!

(skydive6 only one more positive post until deletion!!!)

saviboy

IMO, management will only learn the hard way. Only when flights are canceled because of lack of crew.
Maybe in a few years , we can hope for a livable schedule on the 320. until, say good bye to your quality of life.

balticflier

Cheers Matt.

Well that's what I've been thinking all along. it can't be THAT bad. And at least, if you have to live by some strict rules, you're paid for it! The company I'm working for works us like donkeys, treats us like s**t and pays us like beggars.
With regards to finding a job I don't think she'll have much of a problem. Seems like there's plenty going on in the UAE. Still as you guys suggested, I'll have to avoid upsetting the wrong people, which I guess shouldn't be too hard if I do my job and keep a (love the following phrase) LOW PROFILE.
Prenup and paper wedding out of the question unfortunately. If I do it, I do it GRAND

thanks for the advice so far folks,
it helps point one in the right direction.

balticflier

One more question,

I understand that Pprune can elicit some bitter reactions from people; understandable if they feel they got a sour deal, after all everyone needs somewhere to vent their frustration. having said that... what do you guys/girls suggest I read to get some unbiased info about the company/country/culture?

cheers!

SkyDive6

@balticflier: Please take four days leave and visit Dubai and see for yourself. First day just visit Emirates Mall, second day visit Dubai Mall, Third day visit Atlantis Palm, and on the fourth day I dare you to go back home!

I just recently returned from Dubai to Bahrain were I joined my wife for the last 2 days out of her 7 days stay there for business purpose and let me say this clearly, Dubai is cosmopolitan City with little tiny exception rules, respect them and you'll have a great time in the hot weather and tax free!

@matt101: you caught me off guard! but the third response was not clear so I guess I am staying a bit longer :P

Laker

Skydive,

Are you serious?? 2 malls and an Atlantis hotel gets you excited??! Well my hat's off to you for finding contentment in the little things...

tonker

Haven't been yet, but i bet it beats sitting in the grim rain in our bankrupt shell of a country.

Still there is always Lakeside or the Metro centre to look at the over priced crap i can't afford on my 40% tax deductable wage, because i spend most of it on private schooling due to education,education,education!

SkyDive6

Won't do it again.

Matt101

Whoa Whoa there Skydive insult Blighty and I shalln't be friends anymore. I Like Dubai/Abu Dhabi and I like London - plus it's home.

Best way to discover if you like it here is a long Holiday. Bring a surf board, drive into Oman get a feel for it. I hate Malls mainly but there is plenty of other stuff to get up to.

SkyDive6

I am really sorry Laker and Matt101,I like pprune, and I have learned a lot from this forum. Bet whenever I post something positive about GCC people jump from no where to degrade me or offend GCC countries. Why would people do that!

It is very easy to write the cons of any country without offending it, people should try to practice that a bit more.

Sorry and thank you.

flynhigh

Does anybody have any info on T&C for SFI at EY....How many days OFF....Payscale...thanks.

Dragon 83

Curious of Etihad growth plans, are they looking at DEC's hiring this year?

NG_Kaptain

No.
You really need to give Etihad credit in trying very hard to avoid DEC's. First officers here get moved up much quicker than Emirates,
I'm a DEC but when I was hired the company could not crew the aircraft if they didn't hire direct into all seats.

Laker

do you think that policy will change once the orders start arriving?

NG_Kaptain

Honestly...Yes.
We are non-union, expat contract pilots and when operational necessities dictate I am sure Etihad will hire DEC rather than have aircraft sit on the ground. Right now promotions are coming as quickly as the training can handle, not with standing some of the crap interviews they are subjecting the upgrade candidates to.

AFD

just out of curiosity why would the careers be faster in emirates than etihad?

saviboy

Sure it's a decent place to work (assuming you're not on the 320)
VERY TRUE

tonker

Is anyone else having problems with the "career" section of the website? The fact i managed to actually apply and make it work should lend some credit to start with!!!!

After applying what happens next/timescale etc? PM if better

RoyBoy20

Hello

Does anyone have any idea if Etihad will be recruiting this time next year? (Looking into A320 fleet) I would like to join the company around Sept/Oct 2011 as I still have another year left on my bond. Also how long does it take from applying on the website to being offered an interview and subsequently being offered a position?

Thanks in advance
Roy

AAIGUY

Applied.. 8000hrs total.. 1000 on 330 and more on other jets (74/73).

went to update in careers section and it keeps crashing...
any ideas on how to make it work?
I was thinking of going out one of these weekends from HK to meet someone in person.. has anyone tried that?