Family life in Dubai?

[Skyward]

I'm looking into Emirates, after 9 years of ExpressJet. I'm ready for a change, and none of the US majors are intriguing enough for me to leave ExpressJet. Really the only concern I have is my wife and kids being happy. She is up for the move but is naturally hesitant about life in the Middle East. I have three young girls (6,3,&1), and my wife stays home. I'm trying to get as much info on Dubai, cuz everyone knows if the wife isn't happy, no one is happy.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Richard Gozinya]

This is a good place to start.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=44

If you spend a little time researching the whole forum, you will get some good info.

It is just like FI, you have to sift through the BS to get to the real stuff. You still have to put with a$$e$ like Peniskramp to deal with.

I recommend you dig in the forum a little and just lurk. when you get an invite for an interview, you can make a few contacts. If you jump in and ask a simple question like "How's life in Dubai?" you probably will won't get much info.

Let me know if I can help, my kids are all gone, so I will be with the wife only. We plan on going if offered the job.

Dick

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Look at all options out there skyward, there are US based jobs that might fit your need to advance to heavy equipment and get paid very well to do it.
NCA is a good option if you want to take a look

 

[Skyward]

Any info you can give me on NCA would be great. Bases, pay, is it a job or a career?Thanks

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Beware of culture shock.


Here's something I found in Wiki:

Severe culture shock (moving to a foreign country) often consists of distinct phases, though not everyone passes through these phases and not everyone is in the new culture long enough to pass through all three[3]:

• The "Honeymoon Phase" - During this period the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light, wonderful and new. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new foods, the pace of the life, the people's habits, the buildings and so on.

• The negotiation phase - After a few days, weeks, or months, minor differences between the old and new culture are resolved. One may long for food the way it is prepared in one's native country, may find the pace of life too fast or slow, may find the people's habits annoying, etc.

• The "Everything is OK" phase - Again, after a few days, weeks, or months, one grows accustomed to the new culture's differences and develops routines. By this point, one no longer reacts to the new culture positively or negatively, because it no longer feels like a new culture. One becomes concerned with basic living again, as one was in their original culture.

• Reverse Culture Shock - Returning to one's home culture after growing accustomed to a new one can produce the same effects as described above, which may or may not last longer than or as long as the initial shock.

In some cases, it may be impossible to deal with culture shock. Some people will give up on assimilating into the newer culture and return to their own culture, and some become so magnetized to the foreign culture that they feel they must permanently move there to relieve the stress.

 

[the turtle]

your kids are the perfect age for DSO..the wife can live a happy life behind those walls and spend all the money you think you'll save being here

there was an expressjet CA in the class before me...nice guy

 

[CALRepublic]

What I've read, no is not a place where the wife and kids would be happy.

What you have to think about is- that one day when you come home from Europe, flying that shinny 777, life is good, but the wife is crying on the sofa and says, I'm done with this s***, I'm going back, you can stay if you want.

Where would you go? what would you do? that happened to someone I know, he was with CX in Hong Kong, and that's a much better place than Dubai.

that place will get old, It could take 1 yr. 5 yrs, or even 10 yrs., but the day will come.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Any info you can give me on NCA would be great. Bases, pay, is it a job or a career?Thanks

http://www.hawaiiaviation.com/positions_ncab747fo.htm

There are other jobs posted there as well.

Job or career you ask?

I would argue that every person opinion on that is different don't you think?

 

[redeye69]

Dumb Pilot is not so dumb. I don't care how shinny the aircraft is. It's not about the aircraft, but about everything else. Like everyone else, I am always curious about what's on the other side of the fence. But life in HKG or DXB is NOT for everyone. Coming from the US, be ready for a serious culture shock. I am so tempted by the career opportunity that Emirates has to offer, but I am not ready to live in DXB. I have been flying in and out of there for the past 13 years and I do not see my family there.
How about upgrade possibilities at NCA? I love the idea of being able to be based in the US.
Thanks.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

How about upgrade possibilities at NCA? I love the idea of being able to be based in the US.
Thanks.

I'm with Air Japan (part of the ANA group) mind you, not with NCA. But from what I hear from all the guys that work there is that after the transition period they are going through right now (going to an all 744 fleet) there will be a lot of opportunity for growth.
These gigs in Japan are pretty good once you pass the 8 to 9 months training that is enough to drive you mad

 

[WhyFlare]

Back to original question. What is it like in Dubai for family? Schools and housing? Is it safe? etc

 

[FirstMate]

I don't work in the UAE, but from what I understand, its very doable to do the family thing there. I plan on bringing my family out elsewhere in the Middle East by the end of the year.

Amish posted the definition of culture shock and each phase of it is right on the money. The culture in those parts is so extremely bizarre from an American's eyes, but, I still say its doable. I guess it depends on the individual, his family's desires, and sense of adventure. It can be an excellent opportunity for kids to get a world class education and to see things that most kids (and adults for that matter) will NEVER see in a lifetime.

Some folks have this general attitude, and I tend to agree with it:

If you go over there, take two buckets with you. One to put all that money in that you'll be making. And the other one for all the bullsh|t that you're going to put up with. When either one gets full, its time to pack up and leave.

 

[typhoonpilot]

Back to original question. What is it like in Dubai for family? Schools and housing? Is it safe? etc

Just back from dinner at TGI Friday's. It was a choice between that Tony Roma's or Chili's. Felt the need for a nice American style desert after dinner since it's my birthday so those were the best options. Went with the mud pie over the chocolate brownie. Saw two other American families while I was there. One whose kids are at the American School of Dubai and another whose kids are at the Universal American School. The ASD parents just back from the boys' baseball games. Discussed the various differences between the two as well as Dubai American Academy. We're trying to decide where to send our son in 2009. He'll be at a Nursery school nearby next year.

Had my son at Zabeel Park for the afternoon. He loves the place. Lots of slides, sand, grass, and other things for him to play on. From where I live there are 5 good parks within an easy drive.

Last night I was at the Dubai Tennis Championships. I go every year as it is a great venue and some excellent tennis. The men's semi was Andy Roddick from the USA against Novak Djokovic from Serbia, current Australian Open Champion and world number 3. Big Serb contigent rooting for their guy, but we Americans managed to make ourselves heard and Andy won handily in two sets. He went on to win the final tonight so I hope to see him again next year. Watching his serve in person is awesome.

Round-a-bout way of answering the question, but I hope you get the point.



TP

 

[TSA145]

Well, Happy Birthday, TP! Thanks for always being there to help those of us persuing a career with EK.

 

[BLing]

I have not spent any time in DXB or HKG but I have done contracts in some pretty rough places. I would assume DXB and HKG would be much better than where I have had to live. The first few days are tough as you ask yourself why am I here??? Then you fall into a zone and get a routine going. As time goes on, you learn a new perspective on life and start to enjoy your time in your new home.

Being a young single guy might make this lifestyle easy for me. If I was married with kids, I am sure that this would not work for me. However, I think the Emirates or Cathay gig might be a good deal provided you had an open minded wife who is up for an adventure.

 

[SennaP1]

These gigs in Japan are pretty good once you pass the 8 to 9 months training that is enough to drive you mad

Yeah, what's with that? I've heard of 5 months for CX but *8* Months. Holy.