Middle East Many expats still flying in Knoteetingham. Regional issues can be discussed here.

SV city?

Old 30th Jan 2009, 20:51
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SV city?

Is there anyone willing to give some insight on what life is like in Saudia City? And life in Jeddah.
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Old 30th Jan 2009, 22:14
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Did they tell you already that you pass the exams? Do you go for SFS?
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Old 30th Jan 2009, 23:16
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Jeddah

Hi,

I don't know much about SV city itself, but Jeddah is my hometown and I love it. You could read my reply in this thread:

http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/354625-saudia.html
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 00:48
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SV City

Yes, interviewed last week for SFS. Trying to find out what life on the compound is like, internet access, etc...thanks
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 02:23
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There's some info here, http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fo...di-arabia.html
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 02:24
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Use the search feature for this forum.

Plenty has been written about both subjects as well as Saudia itself.
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 03:42
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Desert Diner, to be fair, most of the comments re. SVA were posted last year when the B747 FO's were interviewing. A lot has changed since then, especially in SV City which is now about 80% full (my guess), with a multi million $ investment by the company to bring it back to standard.

xxgunnerxx... your url refers to NASAIR, not Saudia, plus the attitudes expressed appear to come from people who know nothing about the ME.

RushtonD1, use google earth and look for SVCity Jeddah, you will find thats its a 2km x 1 km coupound, with most of it occupied by family housing. In past years under the last airline CEO, the compound was considered an expense and therefore didnt receive any additional investment, after a couple of years it really showed! Luckily that CEO is no longer with the company. Therefore the compound was opened up to external renters, plus SVA is pumping a lot of money into improving the standards.

As for internet, lots of ways. Compound dial up, or DSL (128/256k). Phone companies offering mobile 3G modems or WIMAX modems with 1meg/2meg. Skype is allowed, Playboy is not!

If you want pictures, let me know.

Mutt
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 14:54
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It is a good place if you have a young family. Lots of things to do for pre-teen kids. Swimming, Baseball, Karate etc.

I can see it being pretty boring for the teenagers and single adults.

All in all, not a terribly bad place. Mutt is correct, vast improvements over the last year to 18 months.
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Old 31st Jan 2009, 22:46
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Mutt, thanks yea I would like to see some picks. Let me know what I need to do to get them I've stayed away from the forums for all these years but this one seems very civil. Are you over there now?
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Old 1st Feb 2009, 21:00
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Are there restrictions on entering and exiting the country? I have seen some information about exit visas.
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 03:06
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Saudi Arabia operates an employer/employee sponsor scheme, the employer has to obtain a work visa for the employee who then resides in the country with a residence permit called an Igama. Generally the amount of time that the employee leaves the country per contract is stipulated by the employer, it might be only once!

But in your case, you can obtain a 6 month multiple exit/re-entry visa at your own cost of SAR500, you can then leave the Kingdom every month on your days off, plus I believe that you get ACM travel, this is travel in uniform on company flights, no visa used as you are officially on the Gen Dec....

So in short, in your position you arent restricted.

Make sense?

Mutt
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 03:43
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Hi Mutt
You always give the best info about Jeddah, KSA, SV City. The last DG dragged SV City through the weeds...seems like improvements have come. I hear Naseem's down, but other alternatives have come. Have you moved your work place to the airport yet, or still where you were?

All of you, Mutt is the best source, for the good and bad, about conditions in KSA. It is a mixed bag...some get off the plane, and get right back on and leave...some idiots (like me) stay 28 years, and leave screaming to stay; I know of a guy who moved into his SV City house 30 years ago, has never moved, and is resisting being forced out (more power to him). For young families it's great...good schools (better than public schools in the states), great opportunity for family travel to Africa, Europe, Far East, etc. But...you must be flexible; cultural differences are gargantuan, and pressures on women are great (no female driving, dress codes, etc). If you go, go Eyes Wide Open.
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 15:34
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has never moved, and is resisting being forced out (more power to him)
He is still kicking and screaming........

Still where you knew me to be, but will move shortly, lots lots changes coming in 2009, some good, some maybe not so good, but lets just say that the flying club is closing

Hope you are well....

Mutt
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 16:56
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Good to hear that SV city is improving.
Was one of the best compounds around in the early 90's.
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Old 2nd Feb 2009, 18:57
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Was one of the best compounds around in the early 90's.
Even better in the early eighties....
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Old 6th Feb 2009, 13:23
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Old 6th Feb 2009, 13:33
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Old 6th Feb 2009, 13:35
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Old 6th Feb 2009, 13:37
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Old 6th Feb 2009, 13:40
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