saudi arabia
 

Does anyone have any info. in living conditions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?

I spent alot of time there on layovers. . .are you sure you wanna go there? Not most peoples first choice.

I was seconded there in 98/99 to do line training for Saudia on the MD-90. Did three stints of about 2.5 months each. The first time we stayed at the Intercontinental downtown. Not bad, but a long time to be in a hotel room so the 5 of us there persuaded our company to lease two villas up in Durat Al Arus for the remainder of the year. The deal came with two cars and free golf on the 9 hole grass golf course.

It was pleasant because I knew it was for a limited period of time. Usually worked four days per week and played golf the other three. Scuba diving in the Red Sea off Jeddah is excellent and there are private beaches where families and can go and not be disturbed.

Jeddah is not a bad place. Obviously there are many restrictions on what women can do there so if you are taking the family it needs to be a family decision.

The Saudia compound is getting long in the tooth. I only went to a few dinner parties there. They do make their own alcohol and it can be decent. The U.S. Embassy parties are generally good, but not sure if they still do them with today's higher security status.

Two weeks ago 4 French expats were killed in the north while visiting an archeological site. With the numerous events over the last few years it certainly has more of a dangerous element than when I was there, but there are still many expats living and working in the country.


Typhoonpilot

19 years in the USAF and I've been all over the globe. Saudi Arabia was hands down the worst of all the countries I ever spent any extended time in.

To be fair, I haven't been there since '95 and never made it to Jeddah.

If you're "on the compound" things are OK, but that get's real small real quick. Out in public, as a caucasian, I always felt like a space alien on an unfriendly planet.

I felt much better about life in Bahrain or UAE.

I'd be inclined to agree with that. I was based out of Bahrain for over a year, spent many days in Dubai, and both were fantastic. Kuwait is even pretty good (except you can't get a drink).

As for Jeddah. . .The Red Sea is OK, the resorts are OK (we used to go to the Sheraton Villas), but behind walls. The corniche is very nice except you can't wear shorts and the woman are covered from head to toe in black. Driving around the Jeddah suburbs was like being in a war zone; not many people on the street and lots of rubble. And what about the huge tools, or the Austin Mini on the mozaic wave? Strange place.

Again, not my first choice and if you have other options I'd seriously consider them.

Can't knock the people though. I flew with some Saudi lads that were great fellows, treat you like a brother, and as for the baddies, even Dubai has it's nasty element.

I just left Bahrain not to long ago.. Saudi is rough.. Lots of expat girls working the flights though so you may have some nice company. As a male, your life is much different than the girls. If you could live in Bahrain and commute, that would be good.

Do women like American pilots in places like Saudi Arabia, UAE and such? i.e. Is it a good place to find a potential wife?

Only if you want your head on the potential brides brothers mantel. . .unless your a devout muslim that is.

Last place in the world I'd go looking for a bride.

I disagree completely. There are numerous high quality women with far better attitudes towards men and marriage than you'll find in the USA. They aren't UAE or Saudi locals though, they are other expat workers.


TP

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.

Too bad about TMA. They had started replacing 707's with A310's, or so I though. I've heard good thing's about Beruit so it might have been a very nice deal. I flew out of Bahrain for a while and loved it; did spend my day's off in Dubai though.