Am thinking of moving to Jeddah with the wife who has been offered a job there, however there is not much point if I cannot get any flying work. Could any of you point me in the right direction.

I currently have 2400 TT and 1400 Multi command (piston) with Australian ATPL, is there anyone there that may be mildly interested in me, especially if I am hanging around Jeddah waving my flying ticket around. Is there even anything resembling a prop driven aircraft in Jeddah? Do I have enough time for the Jet scene?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

TheBandit.

Never been there, but dealt with the like. An expat in the aviation scene, especially there, needs to offer the operation something that they cannot get from their own nationality. Check flight International Mag. I've only seen 747 jobs advertized. But hay, you'll go one better by being there. Although, if you do get a job there, there's the whole Visa thing....leaving the country and coming back in again with them as your sponser. You seem in a good position financially with you missus working, for obvious $USD. Make you visit worth while. Scope the whole area. If you're shy on the hours of quality types, which it seems like you are, use the time in country wisely for when you are in a position for employment there. Hell, you're already miles ahead of the out of work whingers here, all bitter and twisted because their whole world has fallen down around them :rolleyes: .
Even if you tried an operations job or ground job with a major there and get a name for your self, and maybe save some coin, buy a type endorsement and go guts. Hay, converting to islam can't be all that bad..........76 Virgins when you die....hubba hubba:p . Seriously, go with an open mind and don't expect it to be the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and respect what they believe in, and you'll have a good time.
Good Luck Pal
-27:D

There are some possibilities there but you will need an FAA licence first as their system is based on FAA licensing.

Good luck

Have a nice day

B.B:

Before you go to Jeddah you should read up on the customs of the country, especially what your wife must know.

Jeddah is a very modern city and quite safe as long as you do not violate their religious customs.

For one thing wemon are rather restricted in what they may do in comparison to where you live. For one thing wemon are forbidden to drive a motor vehicle, also you must have proof of marriage in case you are asked for it.

Never, never allow your visa to expire as the consequenses are severe.

There are expats working in S.A. flying such things as courrier airplanes. We used to talk with them quite frequently at the airport.

But most important you must understand and respect their laws, as the consequences can be drastic.

If you wish to observe Saudi law in action go to the Mosque downtown just up from the Red Sea Palace hotel around ten A.M. on friday morning, that is when they do their beheadings. That will reinforce how strict Islamic law is in Jeddah.

But if you go it is not that bad a place especially if you can make some good old U.S. Dollars to send home.

Cat Driver:

.................
:D The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no.:D

Backdoorbandit.

The information from Dash 27 is quite interesting, but doesn’t apply to Saudi Arabia, you are not allowed to enter without a visa, they don’t issue visit visas and your wife will almost certainly be on a single status contract.
The concept of getting an ops job with a major airline there and moving to flying wont work, especially now with a major push to hire locals.
The system is FAA based, therefore you would need to convert your licence before arriving, it cannot be done in Saudi as there are no flying schools outside the national airline.
I really don’t know why people get this hang up about women driving, with the mentality of the local population, the lack of motor insurance and the fact that women are not allowed to speak for themselves in a court of law. I personally believe that the ban on women driving is an excellent idea.
Then there is this idea of chopping heads off, don’t worry it wont happen to you unless you kill or rape someone, or get framed for it!!!!!!
Now to the jobs, forget the national airline, they don’t want you. You could try Netjets Middle East or Samco (Riyadh). Do a search in this forum and you will find information on both. Or you could refresh your instructors licence in anticipation of the first flying college due to open in this country. If your wife really wants the opportunity and you are willing to give up flying for a couple of years, check out aviationjobsearch.com from about a month ago, there were some ground instructors wanted for the national airline.
As for your wife, it’s a good hospital, although saying that its in Jeddah is slightly inaccurate.

Good Luck.

Mutt.

Thanks very much for all the input, has certainly given me more to chew on. Have not given up hope completely, I guess the visa is the sticking point, as I still don't know if I can get one through the wife and it seems more and more unlikely.

Thanx again.

TheBandit