The ME3
 

Hi Guys,

Appreciate that this has been done over the years, but feel a lot has changed across the board (or maybe it hasn't). I am an Australian currently working in the US of A on a widebody, and contemplating a move to the Middle East with one of the big 3 due to not wanting to commute or live stateside with a family, long-term.

I am mid 30's, have a wife and a new-born, and would be looking to spend 5-10 years in the ME to travel, save money and eventually head home.

With this limited context provided, is anyone able to provide insights into QoL and recommendations for which is the best place to be based as of right now? From the advice I have received, with remuneration across the three very comparable, base the decision on the city, and work backwards from there. Quite enjoy Dubai but understand living with a family would be very different. Doha is nice enough but feels a bit quiet/boring. Have not visited Abu Dhabi as yet.

I guess the other consideration is current time to command.

Thanks in advance!

Why would you leave a US Wide Body job to go to the ME?

If this is not a troll thread I don't know what is.

In case you are serious, don't ever move out of US. Especially mid 30s on a widebody. There's no place on Earth where you make more money than US legacy. Quality of life in ME is worse as well...it's a desert...

It's safer. Non-Americans generally don't pay tax. Some people really like the expat lifestyle. There aren't many places left where your house can have 'staff'.

I’m guessing it’s Atlas or Kalitta and not one of the legacies considering he is an Aussie. But even so, I would argue that quality of life is not that great in the US of A either. Taxes, non stop begging for tips, cities overrun by homeless.
Just walking down the street in some places feels like you are risking your life. I don’t feel like the ME is a forever home, but felt a lot more comfortable there than the US.

Hit it on the nose.

Work for an ACMI on an E3 (2 year renewable visa), not a mainline carrier.

The why is for the above mentioned - not particularly wanting to raise a family in the US (and also not wanting to politicise this thread), nor commute from Australia to the US long term. Works for some, unsustainable in my eyes.

Correct. The sad-acts on here clearly see their life as nothing but a job - in which case, the US is the golden ticket (for now).

There's a thread somewhere in the Middle East forum comparing long term earnings between the main ME carriers in case that's your main motivation. There's also some comments sprinkled here and there. You'll find some users here who despise these companies and have a toxic obsession with warning anyone interested in joining one. No airline is perfect (especially one in a non-democratic nation) but the people who are happy in the Middle East don't come to this forum to tell everyone about it. I applied to all of them a long time ago but didn't rush it. In the end I chose Emirates and I'll start the course in a few weeks. All the information I have is what I gathered during the selection process and by asking previous colleagues who joined Emirates, Qatar and Fly Dubai (The guy in Fly Dubai regrets not choosing Emirates instead and the Qatar guy thought he was joining the 787 and he was put on the 737 which is the type of operation that he was running away from).

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

A classic Dorothy Dixer. Move from the US to the ME for 1/3 the salary, yeh right !

Actually read the subject matter and you'll realise this ain't the case.

1/3. haha, right. Then tax/COL/safety/society considerations.

might be worth it for some I suppose - those who’s job defines them.

On topic - is EY really the dead end everyone seems to report it is?

Any insight into lifestyle (one way or another) in Emirates/Dubai? With a newborn, so schooling etc a consideration.

Grateful for any feedback in advance.

not sure what you heard but they are expanding again and have even opened applications for direct entries onto widebodies now. Package not as great as EK but you get live out allowance at EY when renting whilst EK now is only if you buy property in Dubai. Personally abu dhabi is nicer to live now seeing as Dxb is over crowded but it depends what stage of life you’re in. I lived in Dxb 10 years ago and it was busy but now post covid its a different world.

Approximately hiring 25 pilots a month

I see. Was alluding to feedback I had heard that it’s a dead end in terms of limited upgrades for expats, and low QoL on terms of rostering etc.

Agree on Abu Dhabi being more desirable for a young family.