Truth about working for Emirates.
 

Hi all,

Looking for a little advise from those who work in Emirates. I am considering applying for a direct entry position but before I do I would like to get a good idea what is ahead if I get offered a position.

First of all it's not an easy decision for me as I'm already employed in a very good Airline so I really need to know I'm making the right decision if the opportunity arises. I am very happy with the company I work for but with the continuing downturn in the economy and the constant increase in the cost of living, I can't help but think I could provide better for family in the future if I was to move on.

Questions I would like answered is stuff like salary, benefits, accommodation as a married man with a child, education and health care for the wife and kids, pension for the future, staff travel privileges. Road to command ect! And importantly life living in Dubai with wife and kids.

I know this is a lot of questions but I appreciate all answers as this could be the biggest move of my life.

Money, benefits, etc are all easily researched but take my advice, when it comes to the M.E. and families, happy wife = happy life, and unhappy wife = a painful and probably expensive bail out after a couple of years. Go out there with her and check the place out properly first, then let her make the yes / no decision

And if you mean DEC, I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed.

Yes indeed, no more DEC interviews for the time being and probably for the foreseeable future. Even though it is still on the site.

They might invite you for an interview but only offer you the job as an F/O... Check before starting the process.

Guys,

You may want to check your facts. DEC interviews are full on at the moment. I believe they need another 40 before the end of March.

the Don

Thanks, don, wasn't aware of that- but are they accepting new applications?

I don't think he is looking at DEC, or he wouldn't be interested in the "road to command".........

How do you think the lifestyle would suit a single guy on the other hand?

Seems that a lot of singles are living in the are of the Marina and having a good time there.
To be honest I would say that life for a single is easier everywhere. But that's just my opinion.
Good luck to you!

Flighttime, about living in Dubai:

I think what Luke says its true, Happy wife = happy life.
I am living in Dubai with my wife and daughter and we are very happy, the quality of life that I can give them is much higher that what I could give to them in Mexico.
Some guys will tell you that Dubai is the worst place in earth, etc etc, but I think it actually depends on you, you can make it a nice place to enjoy life or make it misserable for you and your family. Off course it has things I dont like but thats the same in every city in the world.

As others told you, maybe you can come with your wife, take a look, and take your desicion.

It is real simple; if you have a good passport or are working for a good airline stay at home.
If you have a 3rd world passport or work for a ****e airline EK might be a good gig if you can tolerate Dubai. It is a 3rd world police state with not much to do. You will never see so many people in one place with so little brains. Don't let anyone tell you differently!

I Normally do not reply in this forum, but I could not resist this time.
A good passport?
LHR, what is a good passport? That is a good question. That is so relative. I have not one, but two GOOD passports (USA, ESPANA). And I enjoy dubai living in Dubai.

flighttime 2.0

There's lots of info around, do a search and try to see past some of the vitriol from the trolls.

Life is good in Dubai if you can accept that it's a different culture, legal system etc. As long as you come here with your eyes open and are prepared to learn how the system works, you'll be fine.

The people with problems seem to be those come here expecting everything to be the way if was back "home". They've seen the glossy adverts, the big sell and aren't prepared for the reality.

If you do come, make it your home. By that, I mean you shouldn't treat it as a temporary base. If you want the boat and the big tv, get it and make yourself comfortable. Life here isn't perfect, but it's not perfect anywhere. Giving yourself the best possible chance of enjoying your time will help in a big way.

Good luck,
H-D

Maybe you should consider the fact the several guys have left Emirates over the years for greener pastures only to realise that life in Dubai isn't so bad after all and have decided to return. We're about to receive a returning colleague (with a 'good' passport) who spent 5 years or so with EasyJet. He'll return as a DEC.

Having said that, I know of some Serbian guy who left Ryanair to come here some years back, lasted less than a year and decided MOL's mob was a better place to be! However, the number of people leaving Ryanair and Easy to come here would suggest that his decision was somewhat unusual. Horses for courses and all dependent on personal circumstances.

Edited to agree with H-D's post.

H-D well put,

Just let me add..... never ever get involved with banks and buying property here.

JMHO

Caynine

Not sure about your comment there, perhaps you've had your fingers burnt by the property crash? Some guys have done very well buying their family homes here, many now with small mortgages covered by the Company and sitting on lots of equity. The company will give you an extra 180k per year. That's a lot of money to put into a mortgage over the next 15 years or so. Buying off plan and dealing with the likes of Nakheel I'd agree with avoiding but now is still a good time to buy as prices slowly starting to rise again. If you have a deposit, are planning long term, you'd be daft not to buy. Even if you decide not to live in it, rental yields are almost double those in the UK.

Regarding the banks, you have no choice. No bank, no salary. Stick with the western ones regulated in the UK. At least you have some recourse should things go pete tong.

Harry

Harry, none of the UAE banks are regulated in the UK. They are "franchises" for want of a better expression and are free to do whatever they want. You have to have a bank account but generally I find it better to have as little as possible to do with the banks in Dubai. Much better for my blood pressure.

Sage advice, I keep 10K dhs here as working capital, the rest goes offshore, no cheque book, credit cards, or loans other than the company one.
I will never purchase property here, far better in my view to invest in more regulated markets where if it does go a bit Doherty, you have protection.

This may be a sign of the coming Apocalypse, BUT......

Sittingidly is right!!

sittingidly is usually right! :ok: