SERCO Baghdad
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: not telling
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
$180k pa?
Unbelievable! They need to at least double that IMO - unless they are planning on recruiting from places where controllers are usually paid in nuts or something
Unbelievable! They need to at least double that IMO - unless they are planning on recruiting from places where controllers are usually paid in nuts or something
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Spice Islands
Age: 58
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well.... if it's tax free, and if accommodation and meals are supplied, and if the rotation is good.. then it's not bad.
If you've worked as an "ex-pat" ATCO you know that the above are what make or break any particular contract.
And if you think $250K in Europe, North America, Oz, etc is better than $180K tax free (with accommodation), you need to study accounting...
Sam
If you've worked as an "ex-pat" ATCO you know that the above are what make or break any particular contract.
And if you think $250K in Europe, North America, Oz, etc is better than $180K tax free (with accommodation), you need to study accounting...
Sam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Adrift upon the tides of fate
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And if you think $250K in Europe, North America, Oz, etc is better than $180K tax free (with accommodation), you need to study accounting...
Plus all the other things you mention (roster etc.) are ****e.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: not telling
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@sam asama:
If you think $180k tax free in Iraq is better than $250k with taxes somewhere else in the world then you need to take your head out of the accounting books and join the rest of us over here in the real world!
I would fully expect food and lodgings on that Serco contract - but that will be crappy food in the 'Green Zone' hmmmm sounds luxurious!
$180k US p.a. tax free = €134,000 (approx).
Im two year qualified in a N. Europran area control centre and take around €85,000 NET per annum (or $113,000 US) - many of my more senior colleagues who have family and marriage allowances and are further up the pay scale DO take around the $180k pa mark.
IMO, I just cant see Westerners giving up everything and moving to Iraq for either a slightly higher (or maybe even equivalent) salary - the general consensus in our OPS room when this package was discussed was that Serco dont have a chance in hell with guys like us - BTW I appreciate fully that they may be happy to recruit from quieter centres around SE Asia etc where this package probably compare well.
Aside from all that the roster as posted above is absolute crap.
To get me, or an equivalent controller in to this job they need to be offering something along the lines of:
-$400k + pa tax free with free food and shelter
-6 months on, 3 months off (or better)
-Protection within the green zone.
Baghdad for $180k p.a - not in my lifetime!
If you think $180k tax free in Iraq is better than $250k with taxes somewhere else in the world then you need to take your head out of the accounting books and join the rest of us over here in the real world!
I would fully expect food and lodgings on that Serco contract - but that will be crappy food in the 'Green Zone' hmmmm sounds luxurious!
$180k US p.a. tax free = €134,000 (approx).
Im two year qualified in a N. Europran area control centre and take around €85,000 NET per annum (or $113,000 US) - many of my more senior colleagues who have family and marriage allowances and are further up the pay scale DO take around the $180k pa mark.
IMO, I just cant see Westerners giving up everything and moving to Iraq for either a slightly higher (or maybe even equivalent) salary - the general consensus in our OPS room when this package was discussed was that Serco dont have a chance in hell with guys like us - BTW I appreciate fully that they may be happy to recruit from quieter centres around SE Asia etc where this package probably compare well.
Aside from all that the roster as posted above is absolute crap.
To get me, or an equivalent controller in to this job they need to be offering something along the lines of:
-$400k + pa tax free with free food and shelter
-6 months on, 3 months off (or better)
-Protection within the green zone.
Baghdad for $180k p.a - not in my lifetime!
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 54
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Serco Baghdad
Short Approach reports:
"8 weeks on two weeks off. 180$. Remember vest outside the base."
Mind if I ask where this info came from? To my knowledge, Serco hasn't even advertised this outside of the company.
I ask this because I've heard more than one salary figure being bandied about - the same with the leave entitlement as well.
I'm just looking for something definitive, that's all.
"8 weeks on two weeks off. 180$. Remember vest outside the base."
Mind if I ask where this info came from? To my knowledge, Serco hasn't even advertised this outside of the company.
I ask this because I've heard more than one salary figure being bandied about - the same with the leave entitlement as well.
I'm just looking for something definitive, that's all.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Poland
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 54
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for that – I check Flightglobal fairly regularly, but perhaps not as regularly as I should.
I was specifically asking about Short Approaches statement of the salary and leave entitlement, and where those came from – did they come from a reliable source, or was it coming from a friend of a friend of someones nephew . . . ?
As I said, I’ve heard more than one salary bandied about, and am just looking for something definitive (if that’s possible).
I was specifically asking about Short Approaches statement of the salary and leave entitlement, and where those came from – did they come from a reliable source, or was it coming from a friend of a friend of someones nephew . . . ?
As I said, I’ve heard more than one salary bandied about, and am just looking for something definitive (if that’s possible).
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Worked there in 2003 for approx AUD $150K tax free (food, uniform, accommodation, medical, kevlar, automatic weapon and ammunition included). One of the area radar consoles was my bedside table. 
Granted, things have probably changed a lot since then, however, I would want substantially more than $180K tax free to work there again. Night life was a shocker.
Granted, things have probably changed a lot since then, however, I would want substantially more than $180K tax free to work there again. Night life was a shocker.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: In the mountains
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beg me pardon guys, but didn't Mr. Obama say they are retrieving ALL troops till the end of 2011? The offered contract is for one year starting with April 2011. I don't think it is very funny to stay behind when coalition forces are gone! 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Middle East
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CV
Ummm....is that just American troops? The coalition isn't just the US (although they often think so!) and never convinced the Obama and US circus is ever talking about the rest of the world, after all we have been left behind before...as we were in Somalia!
Just wondered...
Mr. Obama say they are retrieving ALL troops
Just wondered...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: In the mountains
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, the main forces are American, British and Polish. I don't think that the others will stay behind wenn Uncle Sam is leaving to face the upcomming mess. And i don't think it is good for health to sit on Bagdhad tower like a turky at thanksgiving surrounded only by iraki troops.
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Oz
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
serco baghdad
news around the centre today is that Serco is having trouble filling the Area positions originally advertised and obviously the APP positions now coming up in April.
additionally it was rumoured that a salary of 170,000 GBP was quoted, which equates to around $257,000 AUD, but not sure if that is all up including the travel allowance they pay every time you go on your 2 week R&R, which appears to be about every 8 weeks or so.
accommodation within the airport perimeter could be dodgy and possibly similiar to the accommodation in the Kabul Airport military zone... 2 in a pseudo container.
anyone with further information to be able to clarify these and other items and who have had recent contact with Serco, it would be appreciated if some items could be clarified please, including the roster.
you can PM me if you like.
cheers
hotspot
additionally it was rumoured that a salary of 170,000 GBP was quoted, which equates to around $257,000 AUD, but not sure if that is all up including the travel allowance they pay every time you go on your 2 week R&R, which appears to be about every 8 weeks or so.
accommodation within the airport perimeter could be dodgy and possibly similiar to the accommodation in the Kabul Airport military zone... 2 in a pseudo container.
anyone with further information to be able to clarify these and other items and who have had recent contact with Serco, it would be appreciated if some items could be clarified please, including the roster.
you can PM me if you like.
cheers
hotspot