To Emirates pilots' wives...

Sorry about the mistakes, somehow I wasn't able to change the text on my iPad.

I'm not in Dubai yet, therefore not an Emirate's wife. I am however a pilot's wife whose been doing international contracts for the past 11 years. I'm now living in Osaka, Japan -- one of the hardest culture to live in when you are a foreigner. In the past 11 years, we've lived in 5 countries on 3 continent and we've had the time of our lives. We met and adopted our dear son in the Caribbean, he now attends Japanese school and is trilingual at the age of 5. We just returned from a three week holiday in Fiji. The things we've been doing since we left Canada would have never happened if we had stayed. Having said that, I have seen my fair share of marriages break up because of living overseas. I suggest you don't look at what's going to be available to you overseas, but what will this experience bring to your marriage. I see too many couple embark on this journey thinking the journey will bring them closer... The reality is... If you can't live without your best friends, parents around for most of your everyday life. Don't do it. You will be miserable. Your husband will not have the time and patience to deal with you until he is comfortable flying with the new company, dealing with the new air laws and just getting adjusted to the company culture. Moving overseas and living everyday in a culture that is not yours will change you and even if you describe what you are going with your parents and your bf, they have absolutely no clue what you are talking about and cannot help you. I am doing my research about Dubai and I suggest you do the save. This forum is so easy to navigate and the topics so diverse that it will give you a great idea as to what Dubai is all about. We will be visiting Dubai for a few days on our way to Canada, next week. If you have vacation coming, I suggest you get your I'd tickets and visit. Once you are in the city, only then will the city confirm wether it will be a good move or not.

Hi, Am a crew wife... married to a Purser for 11 yrs. I work for EK too...its been a decade now!! Loving each moment of it as there is job security as opposed to many other companies here in Dubai. Husband has busy roster but with correct bidding we get to spend weekends more often than not. Dubai is a great city to be...it just grows on you. I never thought I will be sticking around for 10 yrs! Fatigue is there but my husband ensures he utilises his rest day resting and not socialising all the time. Not so much the work, but the weather should be of concern for people moving from cooler climes... we only have one weather...excrutiatingly hot, very hot, hot,tolerably hot, less hot !!

Hi there. I want to let you know that I am not an EK wife. However I know many. Here's my take on the situation and this is all from friends... EK is a decent place to work but most would rather be in Canada. Of course we know Canadian aviation sucks (not safety, just stability) so a majority of us have left. Depending on what type your husband is trained on will determine what sort of roster and days off he has. We know many many pilots that are never home and are sick with exhaustion and other ailments, due to exhaustion. Thank God for the paycheck though right? Many of our friends have put their 5-10 years in and are worn out and leaving. Many are staying as there is no where else to go. If you were to compare EK to say Qatar Airways and the lifestyle, then there is no comparison. Have friends in Doha too. Husbands mostly hate the job and wives mostly hate the city! My husband does not work at EK and we're greatful for that! As for Dubai, well, it's changed over the years and not for the better...in my eyes! You'll be put in one of several company "compounds" although the term compound really should only be used when it's surrounded by guns, tanks and soldiers (ya been there, done that too!). The EK accomdationns are nice, the compounds are nice and the people for the most part are nice. I say that because there will always be one that stands out as being an a-hole. That's just human nature. Depending on what you do with your spare time will determine how happy you are here. Hubby will be busy training, discovering how efficient the gvmt is here with paperwork and flying. If you have kids it's easier to meet mums and dads. If not, be social and make friends! Good luck. I hope that you'll like it here!