P Marlin
don't get all worked up over that Passport thing.. use some common sense guys.. a passport belongs to the issueing country of the holder.. not the holder itself, athough it his/her responsability over the document.. so don't listen to the crap.. no one keeps your passport over here.. yes they do take it for sometime to do admin stuff.. your left with a photo copy for a week or so.. but you MUST have a RP ( Residense Permit ) stamped in your passport and MUST be able to show it on demand.. also when you do simple things like buy a car.. mobile conection, bank account and the like.... but.. i have to say.. who ever thought that one up.. nice imagination guy.. but time to wake up now..
workin here is a but tough.. and certainly not like other developed countries.. althought i'm in the profession of breakin the machine and not fixin it.. it's a bit of a cooler job for me.. meaning .. i'm not walking from machine to machine in 50 degree heat for 12hrs at a time.. but I do have friends working the wrench.. and you really work over here.. like all staff.. due to expantion and new aircraft arrivals on a monthly basis.. all departments are streached to the limits.. stress is high.. work load is heavy and unforgiving.. and there is vertually no graditude for good job done.. but at the end of the day it's all your choise and up to you how you want your life to be...
I have been here for quite some time now.. and although not easy in the begining.. it's much better now.... ( when in Rome syndrome).. rememeber also.. things are constantly changing over here.. some for the better and some not.. but never remains the same..
Cheers
CK