How's life in Dubai?

[Grapefruit]

How is it like living there? With all the flying, does one really get to LIVE there?

[sQ-StEwaRd-ShazNi]

How is it like living there? With all the flying, does one really get to LIVE there?

If you are Singaporean and you work as a Flight Steward/Stewardess for Emirates or other airlines which are based in Dubai,you will have to move to Dubai.

[Shreked]

Do read books on UAE from the library. I borrowed and read 2 books on UAE to give me a better understanding of the life in UAE. What i've gained from the books,is that UAE is not like some other Arabian countries. In UAE,especially Dubai is more on the modern side of Emirates. Fun and happening thats the word to descibe Dubai. One of my frien who is a FA in Emirates Airlines is in love with Dubai so much that she decides to move there and buy a private land property with her husband. And for your info, Dubai are not mostly populated with Arabs,in fact its population are mostly made up from expats from India,Philipines,Indonesia,Other parts of Arab and Europe. And their national language are Hindi,Arab and English.

[lindyhoppe]

Do read books on UAE from the library. I borrowed and read 2 books on UAE to give me a better understanding of the life in UAE. What i've gained from the books,is that UAE is not like some other Arabian countries. In UAE,especially Dubai is more on the modern side of Emirates. Fun and happening thats the word to descibe Dubai. One of my frien who is a FA in Emirates Airlines is in love with Dubai so much that she decides to move there and buy a private land property with her husband. And for your info, Dubai are not mostly populated with Arabs,in fact its population are mostly made up from expats from India,Philipines,Indonesia,Other parts of Arab and Europe. And their national language are Hindi,Arab and English.

Exactly! Pictures of the Dubai cityscape actually resemble Singapore, especially the business district around the Singapore River. A Lonely Planet author in an edition for The Middle East even described in his writings, Dubai as the "Singapore of the Middle East"

[ipodnano]

it is just so damn hot... i was there last june and temperature was like 44 degrees C.. and it's not even summer

[Shreked]

I know that Dubai is pretty exciting. Just can't wait to turn 21,served my NS and be accepted by Emirates! That day will come for sure! =)

FYI, Bollywood supestar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Tony Blair, has a bungalow in Palm Island in Dubai. This explains all.

[toygirl]

Emirates stopped recruiting Singapore men for quite a while now. The Singaporean male crew I know there are ex-FAs who went through the experienced FA recruitment process.

From what I understood, basically the specification of the type of male crew they were looking for here wasn't met. Hopefully when you turn 21, they'll recruit men again, I suggest you get some customer service or front line or F & B experience first.

Emirates uses the behavioural interview technique and behavioral profiling to see what personality you really are. Selection is very stringent and recruitment officers do not have the final say, because after the process, the file is based 3-5 levels up for review before you get approval.

It is one of the better airlines to work in the Middle East. Most of the guys nowadays are recruited from Malta, India, Lebanese, European and Australian.

The interview process is one of the most challenging so far - Usually 300 odd may come and usually 5-10 are selected in the end. That is how selective they are.

Also you need to remember the passenger profile - Initially, you'll be a Flight Stewardess Gr 2 - all your passengers may be returning workers/labourers in Economy - So some may have difficulty speaking English. Some may have never been on a plane and don't know how to use the lavatory - I am not kidding. Some may yell "CHICKEN CHICKEN" when you just serving others - Why? Because they don't know!

For those of you who miss family a lot and basically have a boyfriend, please do inform them whether you are going to do this - Even the local reps here during the briefing sessions warn girls to make sure they inform their boyfriends - Simple reason - some guys propose or the girls cannot live without their sweethearts, get lonely, get sad, and resign.

It is a enriching experience. Most girls will not be successful in the process of interviews - They select the best and they look people who are genuinely warm and friendly (or at least appear to be) LOL, culturally sensitive (yes, you may get sub continent flights and you'll go ARRRGGHHHHHH or Middle eastern turnarounds can be challenging)

Dubai relies a lot of foreign manpower so you can find lots of Indians, Filipinos as well. The filipino crew are good to work with I find because of their natural patience and hospitality. Australian/British crew always make me chuckle because they know how to have fun!

Questions posed are very situational based during the final round or experienced "Tell me a time...." Recruitment officers hover in two - one chats, another observes and notes down details.

Anyhow, it's a good experience. You end up saving quite a far bit

Ooops - forgot the main thing - Senior Flight Stewardess (i.e. those who serve Biz class) and pursers get fancier apartments whereas normal flight stewardess share, but it's comfortable.

I think I've shared enough on these forums. I hope the information shared is useful to anyone contemplating. Do some research before you go, it always helps and don't be surprised during the interview a recruitment officer may ask "What do you know about Dubai and adapting there" and you go "Oh, it's in the middle east and it's hot" - LOL, Back to my work!

[Plavt]

Dubai is pro-western country where one in 5 people are a foreigner. However, one should remember it is and Arab country where Sharia law applies and you could be flogged for not paying the hotel bill. Those who think I am joking should have a read of the 'Lonely Planet' travel guide which not only tells you about the culture and law but also has a section for women and dangers and annoyances.

The airport rivals Changi in terms of modernization and facilities and it is possible to buy alcohol in hotels not to mention Emirates serves alcohol making this one of the few Moslem countries tolerant of such.

I think one could say the airline caters far more to business men and Moslem people than anybody else which would explain its extreme selectiveness.

Plavt.