Aren't FECA still flying into Iraq? I can't believe there are still guys willing to put their butt on the line for this company, sure the pay is ok, but you can't spend it "upstairs"! Is a few hours in a turbine really worth the risk?
I have heard the stories from a couple of current and ex-FECA pilots, and to me it sounds plain scary at the moment. The only guys that seem to be sticking around are the guys that don't have to do the Iraq trips. Things aren't much better at the rest of your stops in Saudi either from what I've been told.
Ozgrade3, yes you can get a command rating without actually holding the ATPL (in Aus anyway). Why not get your ATPL? Is it just the hours you are waiting on, or the subjects?