SMZC
 

Found at google:

Panoramio - Photo of Sheikh Mohd Bin Zayed City

Panoramio - Photo of Sheikh Mohd Bin Zayed City,

Panoramio - Photo of Mussaffa Round About 1

This pictures were taken in jan 2008 so a bit old. But i don't think area is that bad

And take a look in the project

Mohammed Bin Zayed City, U.A.E.

I don't think is that bad guys.

KRUGERFLAP, tks for the links. It doesn't surprised me at all. When the younger Zayeds wanted to break away from GF and create their own airline over 20 years ago, they had a master plan for a aviation or airline city just like Saudia city for those familiar with JED. However, I believe the area was either what is the Khalifa City A or B today.

There are quite a few pilots living in compounds in Khalifa B (Moonbase Bravo), but I think there are none available right now.

Facilities
 

The location of the new buildings is not ideal, but the Government plans for the area are huge. I see there is another massive high rise complex going up one block down the same road. "Apparently" the labour camp over the road will be gone within a year.

The apartments themselves are not too bad. Rooms decent size, kitchens bigger than Khalifa B villas'. Only Three apartments per floor.

Shared by all the blocks there are Two indoor swiming pools with jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas. Two gyms, (Not yet equipped, so no idea what they will have?) Large kids play area between the blocks. Two tennis courts.

Lots of underground parking, but no storage lockers.

Within five minutes drive, a new mall going up, including Carrefoure.

Some look ready for occupation.

But it is still in MUSSAFAH!

Mussaffah to Abu Dhabi?
 

How far of a drive is it from one to the other?

Thanks

It all depends on how fast you drive or how many speed tickets you want to have.... I really think that the proper questions are.... How far is the school for my kids away?.... or... how late I am for the flight?....

No kids to worry about only an old lady that will insist upon running into town to shop at Alah & Taylor.

Really, just curious as to how many miles, as there appears not to be to much around the Mussafa area.

Also, are there any job opportunities for the expat wives?

Thanks

Ohhhhh yes..... wives have an opportunity at EY, they really use them a lot and pay.... you know... but that's preferable that keeping them at home....(please let us help the company chap.....)

I was referring to work other than at EY.

Yes, they can get work outside Etihad and it's preferable, and 6000aed a month if you want to work for EY... I wouldn't even get outta bed for that, what an insult!

Mussafah, well, apparently the crystal ball says there's going to be lots happening there. Of course when it does EY will move you out 'cause the rents will be too high. But huge shopping malls etc.... Hotels, the works.

Depends on what you want, and remember it's free so sorta hard to complain... sorta....

And swimming pools, what, two of them, indoors, outstanding! Where do I sign up? Kahlifa City B got none of that...

I'll believe that when I see it.

Meanwhile the reality of Mussafah today is spelt out in today's National.

MUSAFFAH // Thousands of workers are living in makeshift dormitories and potentially unsafe conditions in the industrial town of Musaffah, according to the authorities.

The light industries section of Musaffah could be easily mistaken for a city slum. Satellite dishes sprout from the top of low-rise buildings, personal belongings hang from windows and clothes lines stand on the sides and the backs of scrap and repair shops.

One building has been turned into workers’ accommodation at the back of a service station. To enter the building, you have to pass a group of unused, dusty cars and navigate a dark, narrow alley reeking of rotten water and cigarettes.

Beneath the staircase are two massive air-compressors, feeding the service station. Workers hang their blue overalls on the walls surrounding the two engines.

At first glance, there is nothing unusual about another building, the Rony Miah repair shop, with fridges and air-conditioning units lined up at the front. However, inside, there are at least six people living on beds without mattresses in the attic, made of plywood and steel. The workers refuse to criticise their living conditions because they say there are no better options. “In Abu Dhabi, you can’t live in a shop, and in Musaffah, you can’t, said Rony, the shop owner 28, who also lives in the attic. “What am I going to do?”

Looks like Mussafah wont be getting those "huge shopping malls etc.... Hotels, the works.." anytime soon.

from today's Business24-7

Authorities in Abu Dhabi have allowed hundreds of companies in the vast Musaffah industrial city to build houses for their workers.

The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (HCSEZ), which runs Musaffah and other industrial zones, will oversee the construction of the project.

The decision to build houses in those areas followed repeated complaints by workers about poor living conditions and unannounced visits by inspectors from Abu Dhabi Municipality and Ministry of Labour to company quarters and stores, which housed thousands of workers, mostly Asians.

Musaffah, one of the largest industrial zones in the Gulf, houses thousands of companies involved in various types of activities. At least 5,000 workers are employed by those firms, mostly from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.

OK to be precise, Mussafah and S/Bin Zayed cities are two different beasts, albeit sep by a large road... My fault for the wrong naming....

If you move (like you have a choice...) to SBZ at least you wont have far to go to get yer car serviced!! :8

Geez! Fly Dubai!

Even if you remove the housing of Dhm15000 per month (compared to Company housing at EY), that's 42000 to fly a B737.

And, pay you to fly on an OFF Day. ooooff! :D

US Expats at EY?
 

Does the US tax situation work out OK?
Specifically, are you able to get away with hiding more from Uncle Sam. Foreign income tax credit is 83K a year, but does EY give the equivalent of an W-2 that would be hard to keep the IRS from finding out more?

Thanks

know we are talking,

These apartment are actually quite spacious, and the whole project is an attempt to get some decent housing quick. Not really my cup of tea in the long term but certainly a huge improvement on living in a hotel room. The swimming pools are not very large for a serious swimmer. (About 12m by my pacing) but will be great for kids while mums dissolve in jaccuzzi....

For those that dont know it, EY has taken 10 apartment blocks of 12 floors, out of about 15 in development. It isnt Mussafah.... except to those who want to run it down.... unless Abu Dhabi is being renamed Dubai South. SMBZC is next to Mussafa, but there are lotsa nice suburbs worldwide next to less desirable ones. The villas (not EY) being built around SMBZC dont look too cheap!

The buldings at the front are all a new shopping Mall and office blocks so there is no need to consider those 'nearest supermarket' photos on the website linked above.

Google Earth 24°22'16.84"N 54°32'16.39"E

Someone else asked about EK the same question, for EY, is the housing allowance direct cash deposit into your account or how does it work?

Many thanks.

Positives?
 

Hi all,

Are there any positives to working for Etihad? What do you enjoy about it? It can't be all bad can it?

Is it possible that I'm getting a glimpse at the working practices of middle eastern companies through the vague and slightly unprofessional way they seem to be starting their cadet scheme? Beginning of August I get an e-mail saying "please come to second phase in Abu Dhabi at either end of August or October/November"; I reply immediately asking for end of August. Next week is as end of August as you can get and no word, not even to confirm receipt of my e-mail. Additionally, their e-mail was batch sent out to all of the candidates and as a result I have all their e-mail addresses and they have mine - good job protecting data and being professional.

When I phoned direct to the sender of the e-mail she said that it was all in hand and not to worry; no explanation, no dates, no interest.

Is this a dreadful pattern emerging and should I turn back now while I still have the chance or has this thread been filled with so much negativity that is all to easy to find?

GOEasy May you tell us more about the apartments itself, thats ( what size square meter or feet, number of bed rooms ). Does Etihad supply appliances like stove fridge washer and dryer etc.
Thanks

Apartments are mostly 2 bed (Cabin crew??) the rest are 3 bed. But all have maids room too, with ensuite.

Cant give specific dimensions of all rooms, but paced out livin/dining room of 3 bed apartment and it was about 8x5m. Not too small! Other rooms were adequate size. Kitchen smallish, but enough, as long as you dont wanta table in there. All bedrooms have loads of storage built in. Master bed has ensuite bathroom.

ALL appliances supplied by tennants. But aircon is included of course, so not on your utility bill.

Last amount I heard you get for furnishings and shipping is about 42.000dhs.

Settling In Allowance:
F/O 42500 Dhs
CAPT 47500 Dhs

Accomodation Allowance paid monthly along with salary.

Note: if you decide to take your own accomodation and to involve EY in paying the rent, you can receive UP TO 160 000 Dhs/annum (F/0). In other words: if you rent for 120 000 Dhs and for any reason EY pays the rent directly to the tenant (cause sometimes they request one full year in advance), don't expect to get 40 000 Dhs in your pocket...you won't.

Shortfuel; If someone wanted to take the allowance and buy something will they give you the full amount? In the road shows they tell you that they only have apartments right now. I keep reading they are lying, if they aren't giving apartments what are they giving? If they are giving apartments what are they lying about. We are thinking of going over also but I too must say all this is a little scary. Thanks

DO you guys at EY think this would be a good move for a single guy in his 20's going fom NYC to AUH?

frankbama: you would get full amount in that case.

There are happy people in Etihad (incl. me), there're just not here to write it in upper case letters!

Unions are not allowed in this part of the Middle East.

Relocating far from his borders could be scary...

And yes...after reading EY threads, nobody would think of joining, the truth doesn't lie in those threads. Some facts are emphasized too much because they're linked to personal situations.

It's just about a balance between reality and expectations.

I wouldn't qualify EY as a dream job (too early!)...but a very good job, secure, with extremely good prospects.

I will agree with shortfuel, there are a number of us very happy here but, and there is a big BUT.

For an airline which is planning to be a world leader in the field, we have to do it right from the start. A major problem from day one of operations which is still not solved is housing; it causes much frustration to new joiners and their families who come here to join this airline.
I'm sad to say that I have spoken with several of our new colleagues who face the housing problem and they are all left with a bad first impression of our airline and Abu Dhabi in general. How can our management expect these individuals to have an enthousiastic start to a new career with our airline and think of our guests when they face enormous problems at home.

It's time this problem is solved once and for all. Build a huge villa compound to house our people in a nice community, it not only is a sound investment and a serious asset but above all will motivate our people when the airline shows it cares for them and their families.

I hope someone is reading this where it matters.

On a closing note, despite the above I am happy in EY but I'd be happier if the new F/O's flying with me felt the same.

compared to the old legacy carriers it probably is - but how many are hiring?

Most of the guys I know who are newly qualified are flying for the LCC's and their pay is dire.

As it was written above by Jet II, what are the chances of getting this US major Captain job nowadays or even in the near future. All the US major carriers are overwhelmed with legacy costs and have been outsourcing all the flying they can to the regional airlines. Even if you get hired by a US major airline, what kind of job stability can you be provided with?
How long will it take to upgrade to this 200k USD position? how many rounds of furloughs will you have to go through before you can feel the left seat under your butt?
during all these years, you will be an F/O, and as you know the payscales are far from being impressive. Actually Etihad's payscales for F/O's blows away most F/O payscales in the US. with or without housing. Nevermind a US LCC.

"Compared to flag carriers, the pay is poor. But they say its "Tax Free". Well it isn't. "

You didn t really explain how the salary is not "tax free" I am curious to see how it is not. Obviously, you could not be talking about how citizens from certain countries get taxed above a certain threshold (around 87k USD for USA). Companies could not possibly be held responsible for tax systems in other countries.

"Lets take a US Capt. on a widebody. I am guessing his pay would be close to US 200,000. Maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more. His company PAYS that much, yes the government takes some away, but that is still what the airline is paying for his services"

Are you certain that Delta, American,etc.... would still be paying 200K if they were in a tax free environment? I am not sure either way but nothing tells you they would. Regardless it does not matter. What matters is how much money you get in your bank each month.


Payscales are determined according to the law of supply and demand. When there will be a surplus of pilots in the Gulf, you will see the salaries decrease, just like it did in the US. Until then the payscales will stay the same as long they can get pilots to man their ships.

Saviboy well written. If your in the US you know what he says is true, If your not here you have no idea how crappy it has gotten. Good luck finding a US airline paying that kind of money. Just ask a United guy what they are down to and US airlines aren't done cutting yet. The down side is all these pilots will keep the pay in the ME around the same rate unless these boards scare the yanks away and they won't move to the sand pit.

Well, accomodation isn't the only issue.

A330, A340 and B777 rosters are out and the A320 guys have a roster valid for 24 hours ony in the best case.
These guys have no life, fly like crazy and face poor planning operation and erratic training.
We are forced into Mussafah crapound and we are supposed to be proactive, on time etc
No way !!!!!
High burn off, no cooperation , no customer minded attitude and no tie !!!!

F:mad:k o:mad:f

Best job in the area; I doubt it, I will refresh my B737 rating and go next door.

Bale

:= As for A320 F/O's, roster is getting more and more stable. Am sorry I can't let you spread wrong facts. We do have enough drawback here not to invent new ones. I didn't fly like crazy for the last 6 months...an average of 53 hours...and I have absolutely no connection whatsoever inside the company.

And salary IS tax free.

UAE Fact of the day: filling up your car: about 25 USD.

Funny how you all made comments about the pay and nothing else. That is why nothing will ever change here. Pilots are their own worst enemies. Fine, you were all warned. So come on over, and then don't bitch about ANTHING!

Why going to the sandpit?
 

That is the question. I think most of us are here because we had too at some stage because there was no alternative. The pay is not good but also not bad, you can save some money but you will not get rich. You will get a good valuable type-rating on an Airbus or Boeing and fly on an interesting network all over the World, seeing things you would otherwise never see.
But there is also a big price to pay as an expat here, you are not welcome here by locals, you are at best a well paid laborer, social life is mostly limited to expat community, the Gulf Cities including Dubai are rather boring, uncultured and only consumer (shopping) oriented. Furthermore it is unbearable hot, humid and dusty and worst is the traffic which is absolutly dangerous. Specially if you have kids this place is only for a few years and is not a place to spend your career.

Does Etihad provide transportation to and from the airport for the start and end of trips?

What are the A320 schedules like? Same day trips or multi day trips? Where are the overnights?

What is temporary housing like? Do they pay for meals while in temp housing?

Thanks for any info....

Togalk, not all of us talked about pay.

To long-gonner:

-Not for flight crew.
-Both; layovers in BAH, AMM, DAM, TRV.
-Like hotels or hotel-apartments.
-...Why would they?..No.

Thanks for the info shortfuel.

How is the parking at the airport? Is there a bus to the terminal? Is the parking covered like in a garage? Not a big deal, just curious.

What is the report time before start of a trip?

How are the guys you fly with on the A320? Good crews?

Thanks.

You park in the airport car park directly in front of the Terminal - some is covered some not. About a 5 min walk to crew reporting.

Report Time for flight crew:
STD-75 min : A320
STD-90 min : A330/340, B777

Guys are relaxed and pro on A320.