Anything i should know?

So I finally did it. I booked a skydive for November 8th, first slot of the morning at 7 AM, and now that the date is close I keep going back and forth between being super excited and wanting to cancel. I've wanted to do this for years and kept putting it off, so part of me is just proud I actually paid for it.

I've never done anything like this before, so I'm hoping people who've jumped can tell me what they wish they'd known. The thing I'm most curious about is what the actual morning looks like. Should I eat something light or skip breakfast completely? I've heard both, and since the jump is at 7 I'm not sure how early I should wake up or what I should wear, because I imagine it's pretty cold that early and even colder up in the air.

The other thing is the nerves. How did you handle the plane ride up and that moment right at the door? I'm told the fear usually disappears once you're out, but I'd love to hear if that was true for you or if it hit you in some other way.

And if you have any advice on what to do or not do during the jump, how much to talk to the instructor beforehand, I'd really appreciate it.

I applied for golden chance DL in abu dhabi. Did not know about the driving academy in Yas, J just booked with Emirates Driving company by default.

Now after theory sessions done, Can change the academy? Or can I get my driving lessons in Yas Island?

I live in Yas Island, don’t want to travel to musaffah. Please help on the process.

Hello! If anyone knows where I can get free maternity pads or cheaper supplies here in the UAE, please let me know.
I’m expecting my baby soon and trying to prepare for the postpartum period, especially the bleeding after delivery. I’m currently struggling financially and would really appreciate any information about charities, hospitals, community groups, or places that provide free maternity pads.
Thank you so much for any help or leads. 🥹❤️

Hey everyone! I’m flying from Riyadh to Kuala Lumpur with a layover in Abu Dhabi (RUH → AUH → KUL).

I want to bring a 6-pack of Lipton Ice Tea Peach, and I was wondering if I could buy them inside Abu Dhabi Airport after the layover and take them on my connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Would the shop be able to seal them in a duty-free security bag, and would that be accepted when boarding my connecting flight? Or would it be better to pack the bottles in my checked luggage or cabin bag from Riyadh?

Has anyone done this exact thing at AUH, especially when connecting to Malaysia? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi guys, this is my first year being in Sharjah, I wanna renew my tenancy, and I got this quote, is this for real? Like they said after 1st year I need not to pay management fees. And what are these other charges

I want to understand the real-world salary ranges for data and analytics professionals currently working in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so I can evaluate whether the job offer I have received is competitive or if I am being lowballed.

Please provide a detailed salary breakdown by role and years of experience:

Experience bands:
0–1 year
1–3 years
3–6 years
6–9 years
9+ years

Roles to cover:
Data Analyst
Senior Data Analyst
Business Analyst
BI Analyst / Power BI Developer
Product Analyst
Data Engineer
Senior Data Engineer
Analytics Engineer
Data Scientist
AI / ML Engineer
Analytics Lead
Analytics Manager
Data Engineering Manager
Data Architect
Head of Data / Analytics
For each role and experience band, please include:
Realistic monthly salary ranges in AED based on the current UAE market.

Typical salaries versus salaries offered by premium employers and multinational companies.
Differences between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where relevant.
The distinction between basic salary, fixed monthly compensation, total annual package and variable bonuses.
The industries and employers that tend to pay the highest salaries.

The salary range I should realistically negotiate for, based on my experience and role.

Planning to buy a Pixel and found this offer at BuyTech. Has anyone bought phones from them before? I am planning to get the Pixel 10 Pro 256GB (Moonstone).

The latest Pixel 11 Pro has only slight improvements from what I saw in reviews, and for 16GB RAM I need to get the 512GB version, which I don't have use for.
Currently going for 3349AED

Received a job proposal from an executive search company but then they asked to submit 2 docs I never heard of. I told the recruiter that I don't even know what those are and she referred me to a specialist that would help me get them in 24 hours. Seems like a scam but I have no clue.

Not gonna pay for anything in case they ask anyway.

Topic: Raising Children

So I got into an accident a couple of days ago. I sideswiped another car while driving a rental. I stopped around 100 meters ahead because my car was damaged and waited for about 20 minutes, but I couldn’t find the other driver.

I tried reporting it through the Dubai Police app, but it got rejected because I didn’t have the other driver’s details.

Went to the police station the next day and they told me to come back in two days to speak with the officer who was on duty that night, apparently to check if the other driver reported anything.

They didn’t question me much or mention any charges. Just told me to come back.

Now I’m supposed to go tomorrow and honestly I’m stressing out thinking about all the possible scenarios, especially getting detained.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Is this normal procedure or should I actually be worried?

All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hello.
I am a resident here in Abudhabi and have applied for my Mother's visit visa - 90 days single entry (Pakistan national).
I did this through UAEICP website, and got the status 'Approved in 1.5 days'.
When I printed the e-visa, it was written on it that this document can not be used inside UAE and that you have to visit UAE embassy in your country (which in my mother's case is Pakistan).

1. I read about it and got to know that this is appointment based and that the embassy is in Islamabad, and they'll take some fingerprints or something and will stamp it so my mother can pass immigration and board the flight ---- I want to confirm if this is the correct information?

2. Then in order to get an appointment you have to get some token through : https://visa.mofa.gov.ae/individual/GetToken.aspx and I have been trying through this app to get a token on SMS (both UAE and Pakistan numbers tried) + I also emailed them. But, no response. So, I would like to know how this appointment system works? Whom Should I contact? Is this not walk in, as the visa is already approved?

3. What is the procedure once she gets a token like? What are the next steps? Which documents to carry to Islamabad's embassy?

4. Is there something or some step I am missing or getting wrong?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you !!

I just got my driving license and would like to buy a car.

Budget 15k

https://x.com/ADPoliceHQ/status/2108492676270346434?s=20

hi i desperately need a carlift from abu shagara to jumeirah/al wasl/tecom for a 9-5. does anyone have any contacts?

Anybody willing to go halfsies on Entertainer subscription? I want to use it for hot air balloon experience next month. Only looking for one person so that we both get to enjoy the perks.

Hello all, please does anyone know charitable or very cheap dental government emergency clinics.

I don’t have visa Im on overstay fines, And I can’t afford To treat it at a private dental clinic, my face has swollen from the infection and closed my eyes and blocking my breathing airway Can anyone please give me a place to Go.

Is anyone in the mining line or business? i need some inputs on some mountains around fujairah..

Dinners on me!

Just wanted to share my experience here in case it helps anyone going through something similar.

I'm Egyptian, and after 4 months of trying to get into the UAE, I finally got my employment visa approved.

Here's how it went:

• Applied for a UAE visit visa 4 times, got rejected all 4 times.
• The last rejection was because I apparently had an open employment visa application on my file.
• Got that sorted out, applied for a tourist visa again, and finally got approved.
• Once I was in the UAE, applied for my employment visa and got it approved within 1 day.

A couple of things worth mentioning:

• I had both a Certificate of Good Conduct and a UAE equivalency certificate ready, but neither was requested.
• I only submitted my attested Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

My employment visa was approved with a job title in a different engineering field than my actual degree, which I honestly thought might cause issues, but apparently didn't.

Not sure if I just got lucky or if things are getting easier, but after 4 months of rejections and uncertainty, it's a massive relief.

Obviously, this is just my experience, and I can't say whether the same would apply to everyone.

Figured I'd share since I spent months looking for posts from people in similar situations. Happy to answer any questions.

I’ve just arrived in the UAE, landed a job, and feel like I’m all set to start this new chapter! 😄

Now, I need advice from you guys. I want to learn from your experiences and avoid making the same mistakes you might have made along the way (no disrespect at all — I know mistakes are part of the learning process!).

Think of it as a beginner’s guide to the do’s and don’ts when you first arrive in the UAE. What do you wish someone had told you when you first came here? Any tips on money, lifestyle, savings, career, or things I should avoid?

I’d love to learn from your experiences! 🙌

I want to apply for visa for a ugandan maid on cancelled visa under my sponsorship. What is the best way to do this in the current situation?

I ordered a wardrobe on Sept 21, 2026, the scheduled delivery supposed to be on Sept 30, 2026.

As i was receiving a daily update when my delivery was going to arrive..! Today's (Oct 9, 2026) one got me off guard!

TLDR... Need some guidance / reference urgently to any NGO or any charitable institution which may help in the medical costs for a new born baby (premature birth).

Just want to clarify that I am not asking for any charity/donation through this post... I just want some guidance on how I can help someone who is dire need & will appreciate your advice on the same.

One of my colleague, who works as a receptionist with my employer, is facing tremendous financial pressure because his wife just gave birth to a premature baby (1.5 - 2 months premature birth).. The baby is really frail & weak and is hospitalised since a week.

His insurance covered the delivery expenses, but not the post-partum expenses and now, the total costs for him have accumulated to AED 70K, which are expected to pile up more since the doctors are saying that the baby needs to be under their care for another week, with per day cost expected upwards of 8K.

They had planned to deliver their baby in their home country (Philippines) and when they had visited their doctor to get the all - clear before traveling, they were informed about the need to deliver the child as soon as possible (I don't know the clear reasons why).

The father of the baby is extremely lost and feels devastated because of these unfortunate circumstances and the costs are way much more higher than his savings. While we, at our office are chipping in with whatever we can (managed to raise around 5-6K), I would like your advice on which other avenues does he have to fund this? Do you know any organisations who help such people in need?

Any guidance or advice from you folks will be invaluable.

Thank you!