Dubai Aerospace University
 

Anyone know anything about these guys? It seems they have $15 BILLION in investments to make a huge aerospace hub in Dubai. They sent me an offer to apply for instructor at their facility in the United Arab Emerates at pretty big pay. Only major downside so far is they say they wanna hold my passport as security that I will stay for the contract. This is illegal under UAE law, and sounds like a bad idea in general. Anyone heard of anything like this before?

The ex-embry riddle president which resigned about 2 years ago is the CEO "president" of DAE, being said he wasnt that great at ERAU. but if you think this can open new opportunities for your future by all means give it a shot.

reality check....

you are considering working for a company that will ILLEGALLY hold your passport until you finish out their, not your, contract in a country that doesn't have the best relations with the US (remember the port deal)

sorry not trying to be rude, but this doesn't sound right

It does not sound good when they are doing inforcement in the start of it to keep you there.

No, I won't be giving them my passport. But everything is negotiable, and I would other consider working there as the pay is about 3x what I am getting now flying a turboprop part 135, and tax free too. I was gonna wait and see if there is a job offer, and then make it clear that passport stays in my pocket.

Big Red Flag...

I have worked overseas, and HAVE had my passport taken from me on several occasions... Mostly in middle eastern countries. My avitar is what Libya gave me in exchange for my passport.

I would call the US embassy, or Email them and let them know that an organization in UAE has threatened to take an illegal action towards you as a US citizen working abroad. They might check to see if there are currently any US citizens who have had their passport detained and warn them that it is indeed illegal.

scary stuff....why would they need to do that....on a side note how is the cost of living there....I know Dubai is a rich country and if they are gonna pay you 3x what you are used to then it better not cost 3x to live there as well...

embassy
 

I did write to the US embassy in Dubai, and they said that I was right that it is against both local law and US law for me to give them my passport. They said if I had done so ( I haven't) and any American in management of the company refuse to return it, they would find themselves arrested next time they tried to enter the USA. They also referred me to the Dubai Dept of Labor. That said, I can see from reading the blogs of people who work there that taking the passport is a pretty common practice. The Gulf Times newspaper did a story on it , saying it is not legal. Ironically, the Gulf Times itself holds the passports of its foreign workers. It may be that the company I am considering working for doesn't know it is illegal and is operating under guidelines from its local investors. They are new, and still writing policy, company rules, training syllabus, & Ops manual now. I think my best bet is to wait until an offer is made, and then bring up the point that it is not legal under the laws of both countries, and I would not consider giving up my rights as a US citizen to return to my country should the need arise. Good Strategy? The court system in UAE is based on who has the most status in the society, and I would not stand a chance going against a locally owned company if any dispute arose, so I am already somewhat vulnerable if they should decide to withhold my pay or something.

UPS: You are too new here to PM otherwise I would give you a contact within DAE.. A friend of mine is there in a recruitment position and it seems to be a VERY good outfit. I have met some of the senior Mgt and appear to be great folks. I am ex-EK and rather enjoyed my time in DXB but have moved on to greener pastures. Get some advice before you decide.. Best yet if you can go and visit..

Cheers,

BC

Having been to numerous countries in the Gulf region a number of times I can say without hesitation that I would NEVER voluntarily surrender my passport while I was there. I don't care what the job is going to pay you, it's not a smart move - IMHO

-SS