Gulf Air Interwiev.

[Tibesti 3415]

I know this subject has been up lots of times before but could any one shed some light on what to expect For the Flight deck crew?
And what nationalities are the Cabin Crew ?
Thank you.

[Tibesti 3415]

Thanks a lot for all the respons,I have been there and are offered a job.:D

[Brenoch]

Good luck mate,

They offer it to anyone bothered enough to pitch up...

[vfenext]

Brenoch- I take it you didnt bother to pitch up then! Seeing as you are a SKYGOD and above everyone else who might need a job! Another begrudger just what the industry needs. Tibesti, best of luck, and no they dont offer it to anyone who shows up.

[ironbutt57]

Brenoch's statement is arrogant, and inaccurate...:rolleyes: One might discover that those not likely to be successful, are not invited to attend in the first place....

[Brenoch]

I did attend, and indeed was offered the job..

[vfenext]

PLEASE tell us you said no! With your attitude you are better off at home in front of the tele.

[Brenoch]

exhale, wait for it... yes I did.. ;)

[Tibesti 3415]

OK Brenoch Prove us that you have been there,what was the scenario like ?
I think you are a misserable liar.:confused:

[Brenoch]

When I went it was a two day job. It was quite a few of us there so we were divided into two groups.

First day we had a couple of exercises both individual and in group and also the interview with someone from the H.R. department and someone from the flight department, in my case the fleet captain B767.

One individual task was a bit of a flightplanning bit (can't remember all the details). I seem to recall it being a flight from Karachi to Jeddah and back. You were presented with various problems along the way such as a purser acting up and refusing to fly with one of the other crewmembers and your "enroute alternates" offered various options such as fuel but no maintenance etc. Also it was during ramadan so the pax where not allowed to have their dindins during the hours of daylight.

Then there was a group exercise were the group was supposed to be the board of directors of a fictional airline, evaluating what type of equipment to use on a new route.

Second day included varoius individual tests such as math, technical exam, personality quiz, psychosometric (doubtful of spelling) tests and a tour of Bahrain.

We were put in the Mövenpick hotel right next to the airport and Gulfair HQ.

I can't remember all the details as I'm sure you aswell as I have been to quite a few of these interviews/assesments in your carreer. I hope I have convinced you and I would appreciate if you didn't call me a miserable liar. ;)

[wonder6969]

not a liar but still miserable...

[Brenoch]

Thats fine because it's not too far from the truth. :p

[picobello]

Brenoch :

Can I ask you why you didn't join GF?

:hmm:

and Tibesti 3415 congratulation for your positiv selection...:=

[Brenoch]

You sure may,

I'm not interested in cutting my pay in half and on top of that relocate to the mid-east. When I applied my personal situation was quite a bit different from what it is today which is why i didn't think much of going down to the sandpit for a couple of years but now it's just not feasible. Not for that amount of money anyway.

[picobello]

Ok fair enough! But looking on the money side I think GF offer still interesting... It's not EK but not too bad... and if you prefer paying taxes.....:} The choice is yours...:E

[Brenoch]

Tis true, but still, even after tax my takehome is still way above what GF is offering..

[picobello]

lucky men!:cool:

[nollocks]

It’s not really a long term option for the expat boys. The Bahraini boys are ok as they have a pension etc. Schooling is also very expensive to which GF only pay a fraction. If you don’t have a job or need a better type rating then good stepping stone, I believe GF want it that way.

Brenoch…. You’re lucky they put you in the Mövenpick hotel. Trying to make a good impression me thinks!

Picobello… try doing a search heaps of information on previous posts.

[vfenext]

Brenoch is earning twice the Gf salary where he is now! The salary is not the highest in the industry but it is as good as any in the region. To be earning twice even with tax is v good indeed, you must be on at least $13000 per month as F/O!(cause they are not taking direct entry capts) Wait a minute!!!! Somebody is telling pork pies and it aint me!

[Brenoch]

I never said my takehome was twice that what you get at GF, that my friend I stated was higher.. Please read the posts a bit more carefully before you post you arrogant tw@t..

Furthermore, you are assuming I'm F/O despite the fact that I've stated that things have changed quite a bit since applying to GF...

I'll leave you with your assumptions and wild allegations for now..

[vfenext]

"I'm not interested in cutting my pay in half and on top of that relocate to the mid-east. "

Thats a quote from one of your previous posts! ****! When you are in a hole stop digging.

[Yo767]

I'm an GF FO and my last pay check few days ago was 24500 AED (6,670.47$US). Brenoche, tell me where I can make 49000AED (13,340.94 $US) so I can send my resume right now.

Your quick reply is appreciated.

Yo le Chameau

PS Do you think your company minds if I have problems with my X-wind landings???

[ia1166]

24500dhms? and how many days off did you have to work, leave days sold, or overtime flown? and what fleet? And if you are in AUH you get a lot more housing than in BAH.
Most recruitment is onto the 320 where there is no overtime, minimum days off and a lot of time spent in hotels. Single 320 captains are only on around the 2800BD mark. I'm not there any more but my last pay check was 2780BD after a full months work, 8 days off, and about 65 hours flying. And that was including training pay. Thats why i left.
How are you vfenext? 2 cars and a speedboat now? the wide body fleet must be treating you well.
I don't know where brenoch is from but my mates back in the UK charters are taking home quite a bit more after tax than i was in GF. they also get a pension and various other benefits. The whole deal is worth about twice what GF pay so technically he's correct. and they don't have to spend so much time away in the same old dreary hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Its not a bad deal in GF, but its not great either.
Anyway, i'm not in the ME anymore so i really shouldn't be here.

[Yo767]

767, BAH, no OT, 3 days leave sold

[ironbutt57]

Anyway Brenoch did not take the job and he is happy, and so are we....:ok: :cool:

[ia1166]

There you go. you sold 3 days for 3000 dhms, correct? so normally about 21000 dhms which is around 3200 sterling take home. The same as a UK F/O after tax give or take. no pension, nominal health care etc etc. You also have to pay high rent for a property you will never own, not that you're in it much anyway. If you continue to sell 3 days leave a month you'll be left with 12 days leave a year. You need to be careful here because if you don't take leave in a block of 14 days or more you lose 2 travel days per block which is 4 in a year. it's in the small print somewhere. No one would work for that kind of leave benefit.
Anyway, stick to the facts when you go on about your pay, otherwise people may get the wrong idea, and don't show off what is in effect a fairly average deal.

[leekmas]

There is an Assessment Centre (direct entry pilot interviews) from 22-25 November, 2004 and apparently they're offering A320/767 type rating options contrary to their ad for 320 only. Desperate times aead for GF with fleet expansion, I guess. How many going on this interview?

[tic]

Tibetsi
GF something like 57 different nationalities.GF poster outside the Pink Building. GT(AUH base), probably about 10 different nationalities. The male cabin crew are mostly Bahraini's. Sky Chefs if not mistaken, mostly Ozzy, Sky Nannies, whoever, I think are volunteers. Ladies though. Great service, to those who have availed.
Pilots: Gulf countries, Uk, Ireland, French, Belgian, Iceland, USA, Canada, Australia, Romania, German, Nordic, Indian, South African, Zimbabwean, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Egyptian,Nigerian, the list goes on. Funnily enough we get on well most of the time.

ALL the airlines in the Gulf have plusses and minuses. Go for what suits you. If you want something of a Western life-style, GF/GT, EK, EY, is probably what you should look at, being far more liberal. GT ( AUH),suits me, so I'm happy. If you are not you should go, to pastures "greener".
tic

[Bagshaw Crusher]

Ia166

You turn coat!

Just heard you did a runner from Gulf Air!

Not 3 months ago, you would come home drunk ( and ladyless ) and lambaste, through Pprune, those who were warning of the unliklihood of progression at Gulf Air.

You were also very vocal against a Belgian F/O who did exactly what you did - a runner!

See you in Saigon!


:)

[ia1166]

Hello Bagshaw. Firstly i left because i had a good offer that would not wait for me. i did what i did out of necesity and not spite and i'm not particularly proud of it, and i don't care much for you mentioning it on this forum. Secondly i'm not reappearing on this forum to slag off GF, just pointing out the salary is not as great as some people would have you believe. I'm not disuading people to go to GF. Its ok and i had a good time but i had to move on so i did. I'm grateful for my time there but my future is somewhere else. I still have friends there in fact. I sincerely hope i don't see you in the future as you got a career boost from GF and are only where you are now because of gf, but are too bitter to admit it.
nuff said and don't bother looking me up.

[vfenext]

Amen to that! Bagshaw could win gold for australia in the olympic moaning/bitching/never happy events!
ia166 check your pm.

[ironbutt57]

And now becoz ia1166 is from tennessee...same as me...he's home on leave at a family reunion..trying to pick up girls....good thing he didn't get hurt when his porch collapsed...and killed his 12 pet dogs.....next thing you know..he'll be mowing his lawn...and find a Pontiac.....behind his house that is mobile....but his 12 cars that not......give me a cll dude! I Pm'd you the number!!!!!!!!!!:cool:

[Bagshaw Crusher]

Ia166

We all had good offers. Just so happens that the rest of us gave our 3 month contractual notice- at great cost financially and in terms of seniority.

You can bemoan and misrepresent what I have said, but the pilots who served out their notice period acted in a professionally gracious manner toward Gulf Air. Politely informing management of their reasons for departure- poor renumeration and Mr Hogan backtracking his no Direct Entry command policy- resulting in a PAYRISE for those who remained.

To save colleagues the trouble of moving half way around the world, and Gulf Air wasting resources ( as evidenced by pilots leaving in under a few months ), painting an accurate picture of career prospects on PPrune a tool for pilots to weigh up their decision.

You then, with a well known handle to management, tried to shoot the messengers by playing the man. I suppose this is how Contract pilots behave to further their careers.

I am sorry to hear about your dogs-a truely positive personality trait of yours.

Vfenext

I expect you to follow Ia166's path when it suits.

[REM]

Have to agree with Baggy here.
All of the Aussies that ia1166 put down because of their short time at GF had the decency to work out their three months, and in doing so, sacrificed valuable seniority at their new airline, but unlike SOMEONE ELSE, they did the right thing. The other thing is that the Aussies were all A320 endorsed when they got to BAH, so basically GF just gave them currency, and most stayed at least 12 months.
How does this compare with someone who the moment they become a DE at GF's expense, shoot through, using their newly acquired qualification to get another job?
A bit of a credibility problem it think ia1166.
And don't try and tell us that it was an on-the-spot decision; the evidence left behind says otherwise.

[vfenext]

Bagshaw, dont assume to know anything about what I might do in the future. You don't know me from adam! I have lasted here at least 5 times longer than you did and never complained anywhere near as much as you or your countrymen did. You made yourselves infamous here with your behaviour and spoiled it for any australians who might actually really need a job in the future.
As for Ia1166's dog, he is fine and happy in a new home so what are you talking about....oh sorry I forgot you don't know.

MOAN ON BROTHER!!:{

[REM]

vfenext, you seem to have a big problem with the Aussies.
I don't know in which circles you move, but from what I have seen and heard, no-one holds anything against them. They came, had a look around, and found that there were greener pastures elsewhere. What do you expect them to do, stick around when they saw little chance of promotion, and pray towards the Pink Palace five times a day for the next 20 years?
Contrary to what you say, they were not whingers, and were well-liked by those that they flew with. Perhaps that is your problem; knocked back by the airlines that took them?
Secondly, if you bothered to check your facts, you would note that GF has continued to recruit Aussies, and I think it is a big discredit to management to suggest that they are small-mined enough to black-list a particular nationality based on the actions of a few.

[vfenext]

REM No problem with aussies at all, but they did piss people off here a LOT. I have never been knocked back by any airline, lucky I know.
You really believe management have broad minds?
Bagshaw is the only one I have a problem with, he left and ever since has been throwing slurs at GF from the fragrent harbour. He got what he wanted and should just shut up and get on with it, instead of giving others the two fingers. Nobody mentioned a black list by the way, but don't deny the 320 fleet office are ultra careful these days. The CP got badly burned by the last exodus.:ok:

[mogley]

So now not only are we forced into doing ridiculously tiring blocks, insane overtime but now once you have helped the company out due to shortages you get given forced leave deducted from your leave balance!!!
This doesn't sound fair or legal. Anyone know how this is viewed by Bahrain labour law?
Can we be forced to work over out 75 flying hours & then when we reach the magic 900 hours be forced on leave?
How about giving me the option of doing only 75 hours a month?
It just seems things are going from bad to worse.Now with the Canadian invasion of the crew planning & rostering dept we have never been treated do bad.Any thoughts?????

[EAN36]

Mogley, I think that you are being unfair targeting the Crew Planning guys. They have a task; to cover the flying with the crews available.
It is not their fault that there are not enough Pilots to do the job.
Are you sure about being forced to take leave at 900hrs? I know at least one who is doing office work. The problem is going to get worse though, as there must be quite a few 330/340 guys approaching the magic number.
BTW, what is your hang-up about nationalities? The fact they a couple of the Crewing Managers are Canadian surely has nothing to do with it. They are simply doing the best they can with very limited resources; or is it only Canadians that can do that???
We have had vfenext slagging Aussies, and now you appearing to denigrate Canadians. Both of you need to grow up and, as Bagshaw Crusher says, play the ball, not the man.

[900hrs+]

Bahrain is not a bad place to be. As with most countries it has it's quirk's. The latest debate on the Island is wether Lingerie should be displayed in shop windows! Such displays are apparently corrupting local men.

The Bahrain Yacht Club http://www.bahrainyachtclub.com.bh/ is the place to be for anything nautical. It also has a great Dive section with all the latest equipement at low cost. Approx $8 for a full day at a local dive site. A good social side rounds off the experience. As a bonus it has a great beach to kick back on and enjoy a beer or three.

GF is OK. The airline has changed considerably and mostly for the good. Work is fairly hard with the 900hr annual limit being reached by many. Salaries are OK and rising. 8% per annum for the next 2 years. As a Capt on the Big Buses I,ve been taking home the best part of $11,000 per month for the last 6 months or so. That does include a chunk of overtime, school fees etc. On the down side the dollar rate is killing us just now having devalued some 15% recently.....ouch. Ce la vie.

Working with the locals is a different experience. Most have a western outlook but a large minority do not. Religion plays a major role, praying and fasting during Ramadan is a good example. It's not uncommon to find both flight deck crew's taking nil by mouth during the day for 16 hrs or so depending on the trip !! A blind eye is turned by Flight Safety for fear of offending anyone. The no smoking rule however is strictly enforced. In general however, working conditions are fine. Crewing is, on occasion, still a shambles. Lack of crew being the nub of the problem. Can't see that changing without a deal of action in the salary department. It will have to come, just a question of when.

If you fancy a change of pace in the sun come on down. I've had a lot of fun here and plan to stay a while whilst keeping an eye on the markets elsewhere.

[mogley]

EAN 36,
What can I say? I've been around here quite some time & with these guys I have never had so many illegal blocks/rosters. How does 4 illegal rosters in 6 months sound? Professional? I think not. I have never had so many 15+ hour duties planned as has happened recently.

[Bagshaw Crusher]

Vfenext

You have attempted to play the man, now you make a play on nationalities- but quickly back peddle when convenient as evidenced by your response to REM's questioning.

May I politely take you apart?

Your circumstances, and my belated efforts to paint an accurate picture for prospective GF F/O's, very similar.

By your own admission you have "lasted here" five times longer than me. So, six years as an expat F/O prior to promotion to the widebody fleet ( unless you exagerrated a little ). Command unlikely due internal politics and localisation of promotion ( list any expat command upgrades in the last 10 years and couple this with GF's Direct Entry Command policy ).

When former ( and current F/O's ) provided their impressions and experiences to those, contemplating a move half way around the world to GF ( on the premise of possible career path ), yourself and Ia166 launched a personal broadside.

What we are left with now is Ia166 doing a runner, from a supposedly wonderful career opportunity ( remember he was a Direct Entry captain and not an F/O ) back to the contract world he hatched from, and your published circumstances.

You moan about the 30 odd pilots that left GF in the last 6 months or so. But they did you-and serving GF pilots- a great service. All, except for Ia166 who did not have time due his hurried departure, provided a couple of reasons in writing for their leaving.

Included were 1- The insecurity of having contracts renewed. 2- Poor renumeration. 3- Seniority 4- Per diem being, unfairly, significantly less than a captain's.

Results 1- Permament contract 2- Payrise 3- GF cadets not being allocated seniority prior to checking out and jumping expat F/O's 4- F/O Per Diem has been matched with that of a GF captain.

You did not earn the above Vfe; it was the severe pilot attrition and decency of those who left, who communicated their griviences to management. Did Ia166 do similar?

You mentioned eloquently that recent leavers "pissed off people A LOT". I was not aware of this; maybe it was hard to be popular when making a stand on certain issues.

We know what you tolerate so have a good indication of your operational fortitude!

[vfenext]

Bagshaw three words sum you up BITTER TWISTED and WRONG. Must be a joy to fly with you and your attitude. Do you need an extra cabin bag for your ego? Anyway don't bother to reply, off on leave now and won't be thinking of you on the piste! Merry Xmas everyone (except Bagshaw of course).

[ironbutt57]

Bagshaw crusher.....if you have two good feet..... vote with them go start your own perfect airline and give us a bell.....

[Left Coaster]

As with all situations where blame is being laid on the closest victim, please remember that the Canadian mafia you have so kindly apportioned all the blame on, INHERITED what they are working to fix! That's a big reason they are here...the previous gang were busy taking baksheesh (sp?) in order to give their mates a leg up on the rest. Now the job that used to be pretty easy is suddenly changing. These guys are finding themselves working to max hours, but think it's illegal. Guess what? The rest of the flying world is finding out the same, work for your $$$ not $$$ for your work. Sorry to have to let you know, but the free rides are over. If you have a problem with it, try to not forget that this attitude nearly put GF and more than a few other airlines in the ground. Wait for the serious efficiencies to kick in, but don't blame the "Canadian guys", they're only doing what they were asked to do.:(

[ironbutt57]

And boy oh boy it needs to be done....and a realuphillbattle at that....hope they succeed!!!!!!!!

[SilicaStorm]

Mogley instead of opposing the new scheduling management and bashing them via PPRune, perhaps you could be "Professional" enough to write your views and concerns directly to the Canadians.

They have inherited a 20 year mess of coruption, favourtism and neglect.

[mogley]

SilicaStorm,
Just to let you know that I have been "Professional" enough as you say and have written many times to the responsible parties and still recieved nothing. But what to do? I guess we are not allowed to voice our concern or complaints without everybody getting upset & thowing their handbags around:D :D :D

[ironbutt57]

Voicing complaints, or pissing n moaning?

[mogley]

Voicing complaints = Still doing your job correctly and upto the highest professional standards with company welfare in mind.But also critisizing things that seem wrong via the correct channels.

Pissing n moaning = Just showing upto work in uniform and not caring about anything else & then complaining on pprune.

[Cyberbird]

...been in Bahrain for the - professional - interview procedure with GF, and been offered the job!

However, after looking through the seriously deteriorated T&C i didn' t take it!

C'm on - that crappy payment is really a (bad) joke - less than 3.500 U$ basic pay for a B 767 F/O with > 6.000 hrs on type -
very low allowances as well - housing is crappy as well - No way to sit in the sand-pit for those peanuts !:uhoh::*
I rather wait for my emirates interview comin' up in january!:ok:

[NTM]

Enjoy Emirates!!!

[vfenext]

Wait til you has a look at the EK salary scale!! It's the same except for a few annual bonus's. Have you seen the cost of living in Dubai lately? Suggest more research before throwing the baby out with the bath water. Strange you should expect more money because you have >6000hrs, thats not a lot in this part of the world. And your calculation of $3500 basic sounds a bit off to say the least. Should be more like $4500 with no allowances, if you come out with less than $6000 pm gross it's a bad month, really! Things are very busy and OT is available every month and you can choose to work days off at $270 a day. By all means knock the job for lots of things but money is not a good one. With no tax in the gulf you will have a hard time matching it elsewhere, not impossible though I suppose.

[leekmas]

Cyber, you must have something with the GF -'professional'- interview. I guess it's not your kinda thing so hope you enjoy the EK interview and good luck.

Vfenext, Cyber is pretty much in the ball park on basic pay (without wife, kids, housing, school, etc. allowances), unless you're talking about Capt's basic salary. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I've got on paper infront of me now. And yes, $6000 take home for the month's work is good for sanity. Starting in Bahrain in 4 weeks time. Cyber wants to be paid for his >6000hrs on type so maybe EK will be able to look after him for what/who he is worth. :ok: :sad: :cool: