I worked for these deadbeats for about 2 months. I was hired over the phone-no contract (red flag) for a schedule of 40 days on and 20 days off with commuting costs paid by company. (Red Flag-ya I knew better but I needed the $$$).
After getting myself to Dubai in October (they told me they would reimburse me for my ticket) and getting a line check, I was given line assignments for the next month or so. By mutual agreement my pay was to commence on 1 October.
I don't need a lot in creature comforts and certainly don't require a Marriott, but I have to say that the hotel in Kabul was easily just about the worst in my career. No closet to hang your clothes, no chair in the room, and a bed that looked like it was built for a midget. No room for your shave kit the bathroom either.
After returning Stateside in November for days off, I was told to standby for sim training. Days go by, no paycheck. When is payday I asked (before I hired on)-the answer was 15th of the month. 20th-still no money. Emails sent-"oh yes we are sending you your pay on such and such date" which comes and goes again. Weeks go by. It is 21 December. You are going to love this. I get a letter terminating my services "backdated" to the 8th of November. No explanation, no justification, no nothing. Wait a minute I say to myself-I flew their damn jet from Iraq to UAE on the 12th of November....WTF????? How can these
terminate me retroactively and then use my services on top of it???? Cut to the chase-they owe me 2 months pay ($20,000) plus my airline ticket ($2000) plus $800 in expense and perdiem. For the benefit of those that don't know me, I am no flake pilot and certainly no novice. I have 22,000 hours+9000 B747 and I know my stuff-been DFO, CP, CA, Instructor, and I really resent the hell out of
outfits like this one that blatantly rip pilots off. That is THEFT and FRAUD. It pisses me off I have to go the the UAE to sue these
AND my former employer as combined they owe me north of $70,000. Anyone who knows a law firm in Dubai willing to take case on contingency I would appreciate a heads up.