View Full Version : SV city?
RustonD1
30th Jan 2009, 20:51
Is there anyone willing to give some insight on what life is like in Saudia City? And life in Jeddah.
salt&peper
30th Jan 2009, 22:14
Did they tell you already that you pass the exams? Do you go for SFS?:ok:
eightbawl
30th Jan 2009, 23:16
Hi,
I don't know much about SV city itself, but Jeddah is my hometown and I love it. You could read my reply in this thread:
http://www.pprune.org/middle-east/354625-saudia.html
RustonD1
31st Jan 2009, 00:48
Yes, interviewed last week for SFS. Trying to find out what life on the compound is like, internet access, etc...thanks
xxgunnerxx
31st Jan 2009, 02:23
There's some info here, http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/foreign/29893-nas-air-saudi-arabia.html
Desert Diner
31st Jan 2009, 02:24
Use the search feature for this forum.
Plenty has been written about both subjects as well as Saudia itself.
Desert Diner, to be fair, most of the comments re. SVA were posted last year when the B747 FO's were interviewing. A lot has changed since then, especially in SV City which is now about 80% full (my guess), with a multi million $ investment by the company to bring it back to standard.
xxgunnerxx... your url refers to NASAIR, not Saudia, plus the attitudes expressed appear to come from people who know nothing about the ME.
RushtonD1, use google earth and look for SVCity Jeddah, you will find thats its a 2km x 1 km coupound, with most of it occupied by family housing. In past years under the last airline CEO, the compound was considered an expense and therefore didnt receive any additional investment, after a couple of years it really showed! Luckily that CEO is no longer with the company. Therefore the compound was opened up to external renters, plus SVA is pumping a lot of money into improving the standards.
As for internet, lots of ways. Compound dial up, or DSL (128/256k). Phone companies offering mobile 3G modems or WIMAX modems with 1meg/2meg. Skype is allowed, Playboy is not!
If you want pictures, let me know.
Mutt
metro301
31st Jan 2009, 14:54
It is a good place if you have a young family. Lots of things to do for pre-teen kids. Swimming, Baseball, Karate etc.
I can see it being pretty boring for the teenagers and single adults.
All in all, not a terribly bad place. Mutt is correct, vast improvements over the last year to 18 months.
RustonD1
31st Jan 2009, 22:46
Mutt, thanks yea I would like to see some picks. Let me know what I need to do to get them I've stayed away from the forums for all these years but this one seems very civil. Are you over there now?
RustonD1
1st Feb 2009, 21:00
Are there restrictions on entering and exiting the country? I have seen some information about exit visas.
Saudi Arabia operates an employer/employee sponsor scheme, the employer has to obtain a work visa for the employee who then resides in the country with a residence permit called an Igama. Generally the amount of time that the employee leaves the country per contract is stipulated by the employer, it might be only once!
But in your case, you can obtain a 6 month multiple exit/re-entry visa at your own cost of SAR500, you can then leave the Kingdom every month on your days off, plus I believe that you get ACM travel, this is travel in uniform on company flights, no visa used as you are officially on the Gen Dec....
So in short, in your position you arent restricted.
Make sense?
Mutt
Semaphore Sam
2nd Feb 2009, 03:43
Hi Mutt
You always give the best info about Jeddah, KSA, SV City. The last DG dragged SV City through the weeds...seems like improvements have come. I hear Naseem's down, but other alternatives have come. Have you moved your work place to the airport yet, or still where you were?
All of you, Mutt is the best source, for the good and bad, about conditions in KSA. It is a mixed bag...some get off the plane, and get right back on and leave...some idiots (like me) stay 28 years, and leave screaming to stay; I know of a guy who moved into his SV City house 30 years ago, has never moved, and is resisting being forced out (more power to him). For young families it's great...good schools (better than public schools in the states), great opportunity for family travel to Africa, Europe, Far East, etc. But...you must be flexible; cultural differences are gargantuan, and pressures on women are great (no female driving, dress codes, etc). If you go, go Eyes Wide Open.
Semaphore Sam
has never moved, and is resisting being forced out (more power to him)
He is still kicking and screaming........:):):)
Still where you knew me to be, but will move shortly, lots lots changes coming in 2009, some good, some maybe not so good, but lets just say that the flying club is closing:)
Hope you are well....
Mutt
Good to hear that SV city is improving.
Was one of the best compounds around in the early 90's.
Was one of the best compounds around in the early 90's.
Even better in the early eighties....:E:E
http://files.myopera.com/omurchu/albums/689807/thumbs/SVCITY_24.jpg_thumb.jpg
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Mutt
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Mutt
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Mutt
http://files.myopera.com/omurchu/albums/689807/thumbs/SVCITY_44.jpg_thumb.jpg
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Mutt
http://files.myopera.com/omurchu/albums/689807/thumbs/SVCITY_56.jpg_thumb.jpg
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Mutt
driftdown
6th Feb 2009, 15:14
Crikey Mutt,
In another life (80's) I used to live in Jeddah and on my "induction" to Jeddah, SV City was pointed out.
That that looks like a seriously nice place to live, better than where I used to be :\
I visited the Saudi Aramco Rahima compound in 2007, and that had, in many respects, a similar appearance to your pictures. Not the worse place in the world to live IMHO. :ok:
silverstreak
10th Feb 2009, 20:30
Saudia City was great! Lived there 1978-1989. Last trip there was 1998 and there were a few changes... However I loved my time there and will always remember it fondly not forgetting the 'social life' :ok:
Semaphore Sam
10th Feb 2009, 23:51
Hey Silver!
Where did you live before SV City? Sharbotly Village, or downtown? I was in Sharbotly from '78 til '81, when we were moved en masse cross-town, with one day's notice, to SV City. I stupidly panicked, and dumped 5 gallons of lovingly home-made red before relocating...I regret that to this day!
S Sam
rightstuff
13th Feb 2009, 06:14
I was in Shorbatly for a couple of years (70 - 81) before moving to SV City, NC 7 overlooking the garden area.
The socil life was excellant, da on a Wednesday and then Thursday to recover. Nice to see SV City again, after almost 25 years.
I'm gonna bounce this back to the top as it shows pictures of SV City, it doesnt however show the inside of the new style pilot housing units.
Mutt