I could not be happier! Awesome schedule, great jet, very professional crew, and better pay then just about anywhere. When I first got there, there was a little anit-Americanism and the training department was Nazi-ish, but that has just about all been fixed.
The cockpit culture varies quite a bit depending on the backgrounds of the crew and their nationality, but the airline does a very good job with standardization. I love the countries I visit and long haul flying is not so bad, lots of time in the bunk while getting flight hours.
I'm based at LAX so I can't really speak to living abroad, but I would do it in a heartbeat if my wife didn't have a great job and I could find the right place to live. My pay would be quite a bit higher and they give a very nice housing allowance.
The CRM course was one the best i've had and i'm a CRM facilitator! I also very much like the way they let the FO do EVERYTHING when it's his sector. The Captain even does the walk-around while the FO loads the box.
When we were asked to take some unpaid leave the Captains were asked to take more then the FOs and the FOs more then the SOs. We all agreed and that saved guys from being dropped off the bottom. Pretty good idea for all of us to share the pain and keep pilots from getting furloughed.
It's a great gig as far as i'm concerened.
I would agree with the essence of all of the above comments eventhough I am with EK in Dubai.
Regardless of what you read on pprune ...for my family and I it has been a great move.
The number one factor which will determine your happy factor is whether or not you as a family are adaptable.
If the pull of families back home and the yearning for America remain an undercurrent to your personalities...the challenges of being an ex-pat will increase the longer you are away.
If however you are of an ilk that likes to paddle your own canoe get out in the world and embrace the opportunity to see and mix with the wider global view... then jump in and grab this life that is ex-pat living...we were not disappointed - to the contrary. Our friends and experiences from this adventure have been fantastic.
Once here (overseas)...there are three factors that need to be observed in order to sustain a postive experience:
1. Do not exclusively socialize with your workers...get out there amongst the wider commumity
2. If you do hang with workers...separate yourself from negative energy..its malignant and contagious...moaners are ten a penny
3. Thirdly and most importantly...you need to have a place to go when you go home that does not involve staying with friends or family. that means having somewhere that is yours which is not rented out where your familiy can go when they want. it doesnt matter if its just a small cottage in the woods or an apt. it needs to be there so as to give you or more importantly your family, a outlet without the stresses of being a guest.
Why, you might ask is this important...its psychological. By being an expat without a physical home available at all times...you close off an important outlet, a way out sos to speak. Its important to have that.
I am a glass half full kind of guy and i know expat living is not for everyone...but I have never looked back.
Good luck,
fareview
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