I don't see much point in cheering on Emirates success. It's still a tight law place that pilots have to live in. When you have to worry about kissing in public and petty alcohol induced crimes to the point of massive jail sentences, something is messed up. You know what the standard sentence for a first time offender here in the states for stealing handcuffs? A weekend in jail and probation. Which should certainly suck and discourage such action. However 2 days in jail versus 7 years in a Middle Eastern prison is beyond fathom. Yea, that is really cool - international wide body Captain. However, and a big however = you are exchanging freedoms at the very place you now call home for money (which should be much higher) and jumbo shiny jet syndrome to fly at Emirates.
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Tight laws yes but also very safe. I feel safe here going walking or biking anywhere in the city at 3am. I would never do that in LAX, IAH, SFO. There are accepted issues and unaccepted issues in any culture that other cultures would not agree with. Some countries allow you to smoke weed and possess it. In the US you get arrested and thrown in jail for possessing it...if you have a large quantity, for a very long time. Your train of thought is that the policies and rules in the US are always right and if you deviate then you are a backwards society. I guess it is better for you to stay there as your mentality is the reason that a good amount of the rest of the world dislike Americans.
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The UAE is also a place that's clearly propping up Emirates with subsidies to out compete the rest of the world. Why would other pilots be pro Emirates massively expanding when it negatively impacts other airlines operating in the western world.
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Business is business, who cares? Did Northwest and united have Asian hubs that tried to profit on the large populations in that area of the world? If the other carriers of the world want to compete....then offer the same product with the same quality. Obviously if Emirates is making money, this is what the public wants. Personally, I don't like to be bashed in the arm by some granny fat ass Flight attendant every time they walk by. I like the skinny hot ones at EK.
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Finally, there is no ASAP program at Emirates. In other words, never make a mistake and never be associated with anyone who makes a mistake or be in charge of someone who makes a mistake. There's no union protection....
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This part I agree with and could be greatly improved upon with little effort if EK would just understand. I never believe everything I read in the press or second hand including what you posted about the MEL incident. There are 3 or 4 checks that should catch gross errors such as the ones in the MEL incident during preflight. In the interest of not second guessing and jinxing myself, that is all I am going to say. There is a Lady at my previous airline who was dubbed the White Dragon. She does really stupid stuff and has been fired numerous times but the union always gets her the job back. Would you feel safe putting your family behind this woman knowing she is dangerous but the company can't get rid of her. I am by no means implying any of the MEL incident guys were not good or unsafe....I am just saying this is another case of both extremes happening. Unions in the US protecting people's jobs who don't really need to be pilots and MGMT in the middle east firing guys for an honest, although almost fatal, screwup.