Gulf ATC in the past

[sheepless]

Interested to read the threads on recruitment Dubai and similar.

Took my first Controlling job in the Gulf 40 years back.
The recruitment at an office just north of Heathrow went like this.

Me - presented UK licence.

Interviewer - You are going to xxxx
Me - What facilities do you have there?
Interviewer - Don't really know.
Me - Do you have radar, ILS ?
Interviewer - Don't really know, one of our newer stations.
Me - How many controllers do you have there?
Interviewer - Don't......

One week later I was validated running solo watch.

Oh yes the complaints about terms and conditions, employer etc were exactly the same. Plus ca change...

[TCAS FAN]

Sheepless

Those were the days, three days to take over an IAL contract. IAL management tried to stop their ATCOs training us but fortunately that didn't work, and my very first call within three minutes of taking over watch "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY....".

Life was so uncomplicated then, used to look forward to going to work!

[letMfly]

My interview at Southall thirty-two years ago was much the same as Sheepless. Walked in, told by Al Greethurst I was going to Abu Dhabi, when could I start? I may be wearing rose tinted glasses now, but the next eight years in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were filled with great times, both professionally and socially. I still miss the place but, my goodness, hasn't it changed?!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

AG was a work colleague of mine back in the mid-60s. IAL was a funny old lot but I enjoyed it while it lasted..

[SPRATLEVEL300]

Sounds so familiar.
Walked into the Southall office and the interview consisted of being told the job available was in Bahrain and when could I start.