EK/QR/EY ? WY?
 

There were posts regarding which place is best to go in the middle east at the moment, but they're quite outdated now.

I'd like to ask straight and to the point - what is the best choice regarding such a career move for a:

30+ F/O with 737NG experience of 3 years and just slightly above employment criteria.

I am not married but live in a committed relationship and would marry (sic!) :mad: if deemed necessary or practical.

Forgive me not but I'm also not a big fan of arabic culture with all its orders and prohibitions therefore

My priority is to earn as much as possible and not be there more than 3 years.

I'd say unless I send back home 20 000 AED monthly this move is neither feasible nor reasonable.

If your alone you can save 20,000AED - you will have to budget, hold back on things and generally be a tight-ass but if that's your goal, it can be done. This budget will not be achieved if you bring your partner along and she does not work.

Moving to EK as an FO you will no send back anywhere close to 20k a month.

Living costs are astronomical and inflation is usually around 8% a year (already 3.99% this year and that's according to govt website), I can't recall a pay rise even matching inflation in over 10 years.

There is a big slowdown happening now at EK, expansion is stopping for a few years so you will probably be looking at around 10 years to an upgrade. Once you upgrade if you budget you could send back 20k a month if you live alone.

As for not being keen on an Arabic culture - I can't speak much for the other areas but for me Dubai isn't really much diffferent (day to day) to Europe, Oz, the US if you live and socialise in a predominantly ex pat area - like the Marina. You will hardly notice you're in the Middle East, apart from the heat. You will quickly notice a different mentality in management 'style' though....

Everyone has their own opinion and experiences.

Hope that helps, if you want more info then PM me I'll be happy to advise, it's a massive move.

The general feeling among my circle of friends here and back home is that Qatar or an airline in Abu Dhabi would be the best option now for a move to the Middle East.

Alan

Think you need to take a look at the QR rosters. Pay is about 15% behind EK as no provident fund. Management sacked the tail scrappers on the Boeing not that long ago. So don't think it is the rose of the sandpit.

My mates from EY have all left there. So don't know how that is going these days.

If you want money. Go to China. Take a mask.

Provident fund QR
 

I believe QR now has a form of provident fund ? Introduced fairly recently .

You won't save 20k a month in EK in Dubai as an FO with a wife.

Just out of interest, if you lived in the company accom on single income, what would one save per month? Living a normal lifestyle like in Australia or Europe.

I respect your opinion but I disagree. It is very different day-to-day experience than Australia, US and Europe. As far as Arabic culture is concerned, you don't get that at all. What you get is a GCC labour culture.

I believe QR is the best option at the moment.. Their pay is very similar to EK and yes they do have a provident fund which is 10% the company and 5 % employee contribution.. Also they get guaranteed 4-5 days off every month and leave every other month which makes going home every month fairly easy... In saying that its not Dubai but getting there..

Depends how you define 'commute'. It is definitely not a commuting contract as it's a full-time position. You can break your 6 weeks leave into 1 week blocks. They automatically give you 1 day after this so you have 6 x 8 day blocks. In theory you should be able to request days off (max 4) after this to create 6 x 12 day blocks but this never works either because the system is crap (good luck getting just a desirable layover request) or because the crewing people manually put a stop to this.

If saving money is your goal at EK you are far better taking the allowance. If you live in a 1 bedroom apartment you will save a quarter to half of it depending on the area.

If you're "not a fan of Arabic culture" I wouldn't even recommend a move to Dubai never mind the other two. China seems to be the place to go if all you're interested in is money.

Agree with all said above......and have a look at China

You don't like arab culture but don't mind arab money hmmmm great spirit

Haha another confirmation that pilots are no different to prostitutes...

What exactly is "Arabic culture with all its orders" ? I know of Arabs who have it in their "Arabic culture" whereby people go to church every sunday, have a glass of wine with their dinner, walk around semi naked, get drunk ..... all arabs and certainly their "culture" ... belly dancing ...


I think you are confusing religion with culture, Arabs exist in all forms. Be careful making such broad generalisations.

But more to the point I think you were trying to make .... Dubai is anything but an Islamic city.

I don't think 20k is realistic 10-12k is more likely what you could save and send back home. Just to be totally honest having lived here for 6+ years alone...

20,000 AED as an FO, highly doubt so

Sweet, thank You for all your information. I decided to apply to qatar (how long is the cirograph anyone?) and only worry if I make it, meanwhile browsing chinese offers. I might consider OmanAir too as transition between types for 737 would be less painful.

Yes, I'm a prostitute. Sadly, past my prime and cheaper than most expat football players in qatar stars league. Next incarnation I'll definitely reconsider some of my past choices.

Actually appreciating your honesty on here.
You won't save anywhere close to the amount you imagine, and can quickly find yourself In deeper debt.
Best of luck whatever you decide.

Depending if you get on to the 787 or 777 you can expect 45k-50k Riyals per month. (including all allowances and flight pay)
If you take a cheap accommodation (8-12k) and don't buy all fancy stuff, you should easily be able to save 20k a month.
Maybe Dubai is very expensive, but Doha is quite reasonable if you live a normal life.