GF, a few thoughts
Hello Hercpilot,
"Can you guys answer the gut question of how stable you feel at GF?"
# I don't believe GF will ever go bankrupt, no matter the gravity of its financial situation. Because:
a) GF gives a lot of jobs to bahrainis, a lot of money goes through the company, the country needs GF.
b) Bahrain needs an airline to cope with its growth, eventhough not growing as UAE or Qatar, Bahrain is expanding economically. I believe GF will need to expand as well to cope with this growth, however, not in the dimension of a global carrier, as EK, EY are trying to do. And will probably achieve.
"What are the company furnished flats in Juffair like on the inside? I know juffair well and know some flats looks horrible from the outside yet are pretty decent inside."
# I agree with you. Maybe Juffair is gonna even look nice in a couple of years. Lack of vision, Juffair could have little channels, some green areas where the kids could go and play.....dreaming. Be ready to spend from 500 to 800 in Juffair.
"I see that GF gives 50 days vacation, how do you get that? Do you bid for it in advance or can you request certain times off?"
# You must bid for your next year leave until october (guess so) from the previous year. Some guys get what they want, some of them don't. Some guys keep getting what they want, all the time and some others, never get the slot that they want. You see, there is no balance in rostering, the decent thing to do is: this year you didn't get, but next year your slot will be granted. Kind of. Despite being short of pilots, they are not cancelling leave slots.
"How is the flying/scheduling? I know it sucks everywhere, but do you get a line mixed with reserve or stand-by? How does it work?"
# If GF would fix its rostering system, half of most peoples problems would disappear. The reasons why we don't have an electronic bidding system are unknown to me.
Our flight duty limitations are very simple:
a) after 11 hours, or previous duty period, the company can (and will) send you anywhere.
b) you don't exceed 55 hours within 7 days
c) within 7 days you need 36h rest, if not, within 10 days, you need 60h rest.
d) there is nothing regarding changes in time zones and night duties. We do night turnarounds with 12 h duty and after minimum rest they can still send you somewhere else. Or even worse, you got a flight right in the morning, after coming from a night flight.
"Does pay increase each year or is and FO with 1 year paid the same as an FO with 10 years?
# It's like socialism. Paiy is the same for everybody! Some say long haul guys get a bit more because of the time away, like a taxi. But you spend more in your nightstops as well, so no big difference. But it's much more civilized operation then on the 320.
# That's the way I see GF, a lot of people do disagree, some guys think that flying for GF is THE job. I respect their opinion, eventhough some of them don't respect mine. It depends how you see things and how your expectations are being fulfilled. A good thing is that you know Bahrain, you're used to the dust, heat and the crazy drivers.
"I appreciate your honest answers and look forward to buying the first round at JJ's one night."
#hey, no sweat, all the best and see you around Bahrain!
LNB
Last edited by LDG NO BLUE; 22nd Jul 2007 at 06:27.