Cayenne,
None of these Airlines have to, really. You could have kids attending a local school now, but obviously none of us, other than arabic native speakers, would like to.
Buying a car won't make you leave soon unless you want to lose loads of . Rent (lease) a car to start with and check things out during 6 or 12 months.
On the remainder of your stuff you wrote, I completely agree with you regardless of the company one works for. There will be those with a different opinion, but those will be few versus the universe of individuals affected, and I congratulate them for being able to negotiate better deals than most of us.

Frankbama
 

You receive the full allowance and do as you wish, I subsidized mine as I came out with only a suitcase so didn't bring anything with me.
Housing availability is very fluid so if they tell you only apartments now I wouldn't doubt them. Guys who joined before me had to live in hotels for over six months then housing came on stream, I moved into an apartment almost right away then villas became available shortly after. Chose not to change as apartment living in the city is more attractive to me than villas near the airport, max driving time from my unit is 40 minutes.
There is so much hiring going on that housing is a mess, you might be lucky and arrive as new housing comes on stream or you might have to stay in a hotel for six months, the hotels are similar to the suite hotels in the States, a bedroom, small living area and small kitchen, ok for a single or a couple but too small if you have kids.
When I joined roster changed from day to day but as the fleet became established it became stable, only changes I get now is available days always turn into standby, suppose the 320 will get stable with time.
Etihad is not a US legacy carrier so don't expect legacy captain pay, some posters had valid comments on that issue.

Hi guys, i just wondered if anybody could tell me what the GCAA minimum eyesight requirements are- somebody told me cabin crew has been increased to the same as flight deck?? I am having a problem with my medical and because its the weekend now and the clinic is closed I cant contact them to ask this information and you guys seem to know your stuff. I used to fly with a neighbouring airline and my eyes were ok but UAE appears to be a bit tougher. Thanks

As far as I know, they accept crew with glasses provided what you have is correctable with the glasses. But best to ask the clinic.
Cheers

NG Kaptain, Thank for the info. as far as US pay trust me they don't pay what people seem to think. All the cut's in the US industry are taking it's toll. Unless you are lucky enough to fly for Fed Ex.

Can anyone tell me what the current time to transfer as a Captain from the 320 to the 330/340 fleet is? Or indeed, if they do it, from the 320 to the 777.

Many thanks...

320->330/340: didn't happen so far, still counting...

320->777: I can't see it happening anytime soon...but who knows...

Accomodations...
 

Hey everyone, I just finished the first stage assessment for the cadet program am awaiting to see if I have succeeded through to the second round. I have recently been monitoring this thread and am amazed by all of the negative issues being brought up working here... as for the accomodations issue, I have read a news release speaking of the "Abraj Towers" being built and scheduled to open in February with a first phase of 100 apartments. I found this link with an artists rendering and they look quite nice... what is everybody's opinion on these, and how the situation will be going into the near future??

United Arab Emirates Up

open link and then click on the "Abu Dhabi - Abraj Towers" video....

well is it gonna open or we all gonna live in the sandstorms of abu dhabi???

Wait heavyjet340 do you work for EY or EK and do you flythe A340? If so, ow did you get a job in the US flying an A340? Or do you fly a Saab 340 that you wish would turn into a heavy jet?

nah, just came up with the name...flew the 717,727,737 and a319/320.

Moved into Abraj Towers in June! The front of the complex is fully occupied at the moment but the rear is still a construction site so at the moment looks nothing like the video!
I was told by the building manager that there would apparently be water features when finished which should be next year some time! En shallah!!
As for the front apartments they are all spacious 1 or two bedroomed, large open plan kitchen and 1 or 2 bathrooms! In all fairness very nice!:ok:

Any more 777's on the way? If so, when and how many?

Thank's

B777
 

Five 777 on property with ten ordered plus one simulator.

Thank's NG. Do you know when the 10 777's start to come online?

2013,don't hold me to it. I was told that Emirates is taking all the T7's that come off the line, theres also gonna be 35, 787's

They will start arriving in 2011 and finish in 2020. Was hoping they were sooner (and more).

Awesome, thanks for the update sweet chariot - that is good to know. That shows to me that it seems as if they truly are working towards a viable housing solution for their employee's! I would be happy to be there, they do look quite nice! :ok:

Thank's NG

I was told they exercised some of their purchase rights...beyond those that are firm...anyone know?