Goat,
Everyone that has ever worked in that region knows that ability has only a small part in check rides. One carrier, I won't mention Saudia by name, but in my opinion, would hire ex BA Capts just so they could run them thru the mill, tear down their confidence then fire them. A senior flight instructor from Gulf Air could not get thru the initial check ride at Air Lanka, it was attitude. In the middle east, you really need to kiss a--.