Right. Expats are a different story. I might even theorize that in Saudi, you might have an easier time meeting women since you tend to run in smaller circles.

Some of the Aramco people I used to run with in Saudi had kind of a peyton place existence on the compound. Actually it had kind of a desperate feel to it, like it was a great place to party, but I wouldn't want to go wife shopping there. It seemed like, since alchohol is illegal, there was nothing to do but drink.

UAE/Bahrain you're not as confined behind the fence. Much more "normal" feel.

Locals are, I think, out of the question in Saudi.

if you're specifically looking in the middle east give lebanon a try. a lot of things to do year-round: beach resorts in summer, ski/snowboard in winter.
(i went snowboarding for the first time this past saturday it was awesome!!)
also, you and your wife are free to wear whatever you feel like :D
most of the population now speaks english, many fluently
give it a shot

My .02... If you want to fly in the ME.. Don't go to Saudi. Dubai and Bahrain are both looking for pilots. The quality of life is still a little challenging at times, but nothing like Saudi. The Arab way of life is a shock to most westerners, but for some reason, it's livable in Bahrain or the UAE. I've heard good things about Lebenon and Morracco as well. If you're single.. Dubai is a GREAT time.

Hey Hassan, I worked in the gulf for a while and heard many good thing's about Lebanon. I never thought that MEA or TMA would hire an expat though. Love to hear it if they do.

unfortunately, MEA states on their website you must be a lebanese national.

as for TMA their fleet has been temporarily grounded by the government due to old and unsafe 707's. they plan to rebuild and order some 747's.

Isn't MEA supposed to be linked with a Embraer 190 order?

they have plans to get either the Embraer 170 or the Bombardier CRJ 700 but those plans arent going to happen soon i think...

they confirmed 4 orders for A330-200's and 4 A319's. they start to get them in June 2008

Hello All.. My $0.2 worth..

Saudi = AWEFUL!! Been there.. Worked with tons of guys from there, and NO WAY.. If you desire to come and play in the Sand Pit, go to EK or EY.. Forget the rest..

Beirut is beautiful, but again, I would lean towards Dubai (today)..

Koru: I think I saw those TMA planes at the airport in various states of falling apart!! Some had bullet holes!!
Also, it is offical: The Kiwi's are coming to EK.. 3 year LOA from ANZ.. Hopefully they are treated ok as there already guys ranting about it here..

Cheers..

EKBC

Can I ask though, I know SV has a large fleet of E-Jets and would they be willing to hire me and train me for them; without me paying out of pocket?I know airlines like Vueling have been getting ack ack for making new hires with type to pick it up by themselves.

Also where else could I fly the E-Jet outside of the America's after comming out of college or hopefully in my case a intergrated training program?

EK Birdcage; yea, sorry about that. Frankly I think the whole thing stinks. The company is giving guys type ratings, for free, plus full LWOP privilages (travel, superannuation) so they can bugger off and be skippers for other peoples airlines (you guys, Jet Airways, Etihad), while at the same time hiring new drivers. They just announced three new courses of four pilots each, two courses for the 744 and one for the 777. This is all while talking about downtraining so they don't have to lay off. We must be really stupid.