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Active member
The Middle East
The Middle East
I don't work in this region but I have spent enough time there to get a pretty good picture of how things are.
I have layovers in Kuwait and Doha from time to time. Can't get out of there fast enough.
Personal Opinion:- I will only work in this region if the other option is unemployment. It's a f*cked up place full of f*cked up people. I can't deal with the "Arab Trader" mentality and I've seen how they treat labourers from Asia.
I've also seen a lot of people on various websites initially very positive for the first few years then they turn very negative.
Job security is a myth - upset the wrong person and you'll be on the "20-24 list"
In most of these countries you need an exit visa (yes - a visa to leave the country). I know of a case in Qatar where an F/O bought an expensive apartment then got fired. He was denied an exit visa because he had debts which he had no way to pay off. He lived off donations from his fellow Pilots until he was able to sell his property.
@Grasparkiet
Read the posts by Kliko and Jack Daniels.
Understand that Dubai is bankrupt - they have several more bonds due in the coming years which they have no money to pay off. I can't predict how this is going to go but this will have consequences for Emirates.
One question for you (you need to think this through carefully).
You go to the ME and get a Rating - then what? What is your exit strategy?
Whatever you do - do not buy property in this region.
Finally take the time to read some of the articles and comments on this site. Gives you a good idea how f*cked up things are.
Qatar sucks
The Middle East
I don't work in this region but I have spent enough time there to get a pretty good picture of how things are.
I have layovers in Kuwait and Doha from time to time. Can't get out of there fast enough.
Personal Opinion:- I will only work in this region if the other option is unemployment. It's a f*cked up place full of f*cked up people. I can't deal with the "Arab Trader" mentality and I've seen how they treat labourers from Asia.
I've also seen a lot of people on various websites initially very positive for the first few years then they turn very negative.
Job security is a myth - upset the wrong person and you'll be on the "20-24 list"
In most of these countries you need an exit visa (yes - a visa to leave the country). I know of a case in Qatar where an F/O bought an expensive apartment then got fired. He was denied an exit visa because he had debts which he had no way to pay off. He lived off donations from his fellow Pilots until he was able to sell his property.
@Grasparkiet
Read the posts by Kliko and Jack Daniels.
Understand that Dubai is bankrupt - they have several more bonds due in the coming years which they have no money to pay off. I can't predict how this is going to go but this will have consequences for Emirates.
One question for you (you need to think this through carefully).
You go to the ME and get a Rating - then what? What is your exit strategy?
Whatever you do - do not buy property in this region.
Finally take the time to read some of the articles and comments on this site. Gives you a good idea how f*cked up things are.
Qatar sucks