http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world ... gewanted=1

Emirates is feeling this, from what I hear. Any comments from the lads in the Gulf?

Most of this is complete BS, economic downturn yes, but even the IMF says the UAE will not go into recession.
Lazy, sloppy reporting as usual by some one who has never been here.

Well, I live there, Dubai that is. If anything I think it's being under-reported. The government has announced fines of up to 1 million dirhams (about 340,000 CAD) for anyone publishing things threatening to the reputation of the country. So many facts are hard to verify.

But I can tell you, I'm loving it. Less traffic on the roads, less idiots around, and an all-around feeling of a slight feeling of panic that apparently they are not invulnerable. Tons of projects suspended or cancelled. Huge property losses. Lots of greedy people losing lots of money, what's not to like? EK is still the most secure gig around, witness their recent screwing of their pilots with a casual 15% increase in the productivity (overtime for the North Americans) thresholds. They do it because they know they can - where are people going to go? But as much as they really are the evil empire, they will almost certainly be the last ones standing.

For a funny article that captures Dubai perfectly:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -21116685/

Complexintentions hit the nail on the head. Although I would have reserved the 'evil empire' title for their neighbors, Saudi Arabia. Reading the daily stories coming out of that place and you just shake your head.


Oh and I would say the most secure job out here seems to be shoveling sand.

EK has requested deferred payments on money owed. They're load factor is down and they are feeling it. Dubai has been a bubble for a long time.

50 A380's?

Israeli Peer refused Dubai visa

Peer was subject to protests at a tournament in New Zealand last month
Israeli player Shahar Peer has been refused a visa to take part in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Peer was scheduled to play 15th seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the $2m event on Monday.

But the WTA Tour said Peer was denied entry into the United Arab Emirates for the tournament, which features all the world's top-10 ranked women's players.

UAE officials have not given a reason for the move, but the country does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

The only Israelis usually allowed into the UAE do so under dual nationality, and the player's brother and spokesman Shlomi Peer confirmed she had been denied a visa.

It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her

Ana Ivanovic
WTA chief executive Larry Scott said the women's tour was "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

"Ms Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it's regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right," he said.

"Ms Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally."

Scott said the WTA would "review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament".

606: DEBATE
The WTA will have to react to this whether they want to or not

Stuart
"No host country should deny a player the right to compete in a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking," he added.

Fellow players also voiced their disappointment at the news.

"It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her," said former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, of Serbia.

"Shahar is a friend of mine and I feel sorry she's not here. It's always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into it."

World number two, Dinara Safina, added: "It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete.

"I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them."

World number 48 Peer faced protests over Israel's military offensive in Gaza at the ASB Classic in Auckland last month from around 20 people who called on her to withdraw from the tournament.

The 21-year-old was beaten 6-1 6-4 by number one seed Vera Zvonereva of Russia in the semi-finals of the Pattaya Open in Thailand on Saturday.

2R wrote:Israeli Peer refused Dubai visa

Peer was subject to protests at a tournament in New Zealand last month
Israeli player Shahar Peer has been refused a visa to take part in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Peer was scheduled to play 15th seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the $2m event on Monday.

But the WTA Tour said Peer was denied entry into the United Arab Emirates for the tournament, which features all the world's top-10 ranked women's players.

UAE officials have not given a reason for the move, but the country does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

The only Israelis usually allowed into the UAE do so under dual nationality, and the player's brother and spokesman Shlomi Peer confirmed she had been denied a visa.

It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her

Ana Ivanovic
WTA chief executive Larry Scott said the women's tour was "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

"Ms Peer has earned the right to play in the tournament and it's regrettable that the UAE is denying her this right," he said.

"Ms Peer and her family are obviously extremely upset and disappointed by the decision of the UAE and its impact on her personally and professionally."

Scott said the WTA would "review appropriate future actions with regard to the future of the Dubai tournament".

606: DEBATE
The WTA will have to react to this whether they want to or not

Stuart
"No host country should deny a player the right to compete in a tournament for which she has qualified by ranking," he added.

Fellow players also voiced their disappointment at the news.

"It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her," said former world number one, Ana Ivanovic, of Serbia.

"Shahar is a friend of mine and I feel sorry she's not here. It's always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into it."

World number two, Dinara Safina, added: "It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete.

"I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them."

World number 48 Peer faced protests over Israel's military offensive in Gaza at the ASB Classic in Auckland last month from around 20 people who called on her to withdraw from the tournament.

The 21-year-old was beaten 6-1 6-4 by number one seed Vera Zvonereva of Russia in the semi-finals of the Pattaya Open in Thailand on Saturday.

Just to be clear, there are Jews living all over the gulf with no problems at all. This is a political thing against poor hard done by Israel.

How hard would it be to play tennis in a burka ?

was she hot?..you know the arabs and their women!!

EK has requested deferred payments on money owed. They're load factor is down and they are feeling it. Dubai has been a bubble for a long time.

50 A380's?

Your source for that information is what? I call BS

There is no doubt that the economic situation in the world is deteriorating rapidly and everyone will be affected.
But why are you singling out the UAE which is not in, and is not forecast to even be in recession this year.
EK, is still forecasting a year end profit.

If this is some kind of Schadenfreude posting because of your own situation I am sorry for you, were all facing an uncertain future. I have never been more concerned for all of us than I am now.

I have no hidden agenda, but seriously, 50 A380's??? What's the delivery schedule?

Four1oh wrote:I have no hidden agenda, but seriously, 50 A380's??? What's the delivery schedule?

Its actually 58, of which 5 have been delivered, I think.

My guess would be 5 or 6 a year, but hey are way behind schedule from Toulouse.

2R wrote:How hard would it be to play tennis in a burka ?

In that part of the world, they're called abaya's. They swim in them. No joiking. They'll dive off a board into a pool looking like big penguins. I wonder if Sports Illustrated would grow their readership if they did a swimsuit issue.

Irops wrote:EK has requested deferred payments on money owed. They're load factor is down and they are feeling it. Dubai has been a bubble for a long time.

50 A380's?

Your source for that information is what? I call BS

There is no doubt that the economic situation in the world is deteriorating rapidly and everyone will be affected.
But why are you singling out the UAE which is not in, and is not forecast to even be in recession this year.
EK, is still forecasting a year end profit.

If this is some kind of Schadenfreude posting because of your own situation I am sorry for you, were all facing an uncertain future. I have never been more concerned for all of us than I am now.

I'm not singling out the UAE. The article singles out Dubai. There are six other Emirates as you know. The local radio station ran a story about Dubai on the morning news last week that prompted me to go looking for news. Here's another story on Dubai:

http://www.xpress4me.com/news/uae/dubai/20011937.html

I raise the issue about Dubai because all we have heard about Dubai is growth growth growth. Un-ending expansion. Continuous profitability at EK.

There seem to be quiet cracks in the pavement. It's no secret that EK is mainly a sixth freedom carrier. DBX is the hub for it. So while Dubai may or may not be immune for what's happening around the world, the very traffic EK carries is travelling to/from the places impacted by reduced passenger demand as a result of the economic downturn.

I appreciate you feeling sorry for me. That's very kind. I am concerned for myself. I'm not jealous. I don't work for an airline. I don't fly for an airline. I too feel sorry for you as you seem to not look what may be going on.

I lived in that part of the world and we have very vivid memories of the governments stating in newspapers how many jobs they created. Seemed to be a monthly feature. A good friend of ours was a broadcaster and she started tracking the number of jobs the government stated they created. After one year, her total was 1.3 million jobs which is impressive. All the more impressive when you consider that the population was 700,000.

So, there may be a bit of misalignment with what the local media is saying and what may be going on.

I could be wrong. I have been in the past. Just ask my wife.

"...... could be wrong. I have been in the past. Just ask my wife."


Dunno about that.I like your choice in Italian Reds though!!!!

Old fella wrote:"...... could be wrong. I have been in the past. Just ask my wife."


Dunno about that.I like your choice in Italian Reds though!!!!

We cut into a Swiss gameret last night. So-so. 2007. Young. Didn't have enought time to decant and settle down.

Very low on wine right now. Probably 30-40 bottles. Need to go a run soon.

Understood! Ya don't want to cut into the reserves - happened to me and cost plenty to re-build the cellar. I pick up what is nice. I am a member of the Opimian Society and get decent values there if you hunt around but there is usually 4-5 month lead time as they(Opimian) go directly to the producers but delivery is through the provinical liquor boards/outlets. I got a decent Cote Du Rhone (appellation) 12 bottles for $164.00 and there are also good value Bordeaux(general Bordeaux appellation) as well.

I prefer those instead of the massed produced Aussie critter named reds(Shiraz) for general meal time wine

Old fella...you and I are going to get booted off avcanada soon for thread hi-jacking.

Until then......I expect to replenish with some chianti's. Tempted to grab some Malbecs for a change. Languedoc's are always good value wines in my book. I like the blend of syrah, carignan, mouvedre and grenache. Will get some Gigondas. Big Rhone wines are nice. I have a couple of 2005 Cornas in the basement as well as Cote Rotie. A little young yet. Riberas do it for me. Riojas are nice but I prefer riberas.

I sent you a pm on another issue. Not wine related. Not hijack related.

I wonder if we shouldn't squak hijack before we plunge in. We're bad, you know. Think Soprano will pipe up?

You are probably right - moderators will shut us down and instruct to keep on topic and stop hijacking the threads with our" liquor" related topic(s). But I can’t help it, my mind always strays

Cote Rotie eh. Ummmm, never had the pleasure. One grape from up that way I would indeed like to taste is Viognier - Condrieu comes to mind but out of my reach. Did taste Viognier from other areas California and some VIN de pays southern France.

Malbecs from Cahors are smooth, I personally like'em better than the Argentina products but the stuff from South America are good values. Speaking of which, I picked up a Tannat from Argentina, good with pronounced tannins which I like.

Old Soprano is probably beating around in the 767 somewhere.

Old Soprano is probably beating around in the 767 somewhere.

In S.America enjoying some Malbec from Mendoza to be exact. Thinking of you boys. Sure is hot.
Cheers.

tonysoprano wrote:

Old Soprano is probably beating around in the 767 somewhere.

In S.America enjoying some Malbec from Mendoza to be exact. Thinking of you boys. Sure is hot.
Cheers.

Good for you!

Enjoy.

Freezing our a$$ off here. It's around 2C.

tonysoprano wrote:

Old Soprano is probably beating around in the 767 somewhere.

In S.America enjoying some Malbec from Mendoza to be exact. Thinking of you boys. Sure is hot.
Cheers.

As BMC said, good for you and enjoy your time. Must be nice looking area with the mountains. Tip a glass for us especially if you have some Argentine beef(rare) which I understand is quite good.........

One of our retired pilots has a vinyard down here. I envy him. This is truly the life.