DD....

Hah! Yeah classic mate, I had forgotten that moment. I always remember when leaving NZ and Oz comments to the affect of 'why the hell would you want to go out there, no rain, no women, no beer and no fun!' and our photo from that day if I remember correctly was standing in a street of rain water with cans of beer in our hands, girlies in tow and idiot grins on our faces! :}

OK so we had to give the girls back to their owners but it was the principal of it that made it a magic moment! :p

thank you guys,,,,i appreciate your answers

Info for everyone
 

Hi all,

I have read all the posts in the topic since I'm planning to move to the "lands of the sand" soon and I have to tell everyone who would choose Europe over ME that I've made million of calculations and my oppinion is that life in Europe is way toooo expensive.

I've been all over the world for the past couple of years and I'm trying to run away from Western Europe as far as possible(preferably ME).

So,if anyone wants my calculations etc. let me know.

BTW some info on the life in Oman would be highly appreciated.

hi
OMAN
after so many pages on this fourm,
some loves it and some hates it
we all (i think) came to one conclusion
*come here yourself and give it a try*
see for your self if it suit you or not:ok:

Newcomer with Questions???
 

@ Bhd.......when Is The Move To The New Muscat Acc..going To Be Made Or Is It To Early To Say?

they (our bosses) say at the end of 2012:rolleyes:

Maybe it has changed, but when I arrived a very long time ago, before they had the chance to get used to expats arriving,I was met and whisked through all Immigration stuff by one of the DGCAM Hr guys. I was never sent anywhere without an HR guy there to help.
Can't say what it is like now, but what was written by cripton was certainly not my experience.

DD you are a vip,they should have put the red carpets for you mate:ok:
cripton:what about the 2% that you dont agree with jaws on?and can we go totaly naked on those beaches you mentioned,coz that could be a bouns for some:cool:

Muscat ACC schedule
 

Just looking to clarify how the rotation works there. Is it a 9 or 10 calendar day rotation? (or did I misunderstand this totally) Where you lose me is coming off the last 11PM to 7AM. I hear about this "sleep day" that I assume is the remainder of the day in which you come of the last 11-7. Does this count as one of your 3 days off?

Is it:

a) Six work shifts over part of 7 calendar days, "sleep day" as first day off and then 2 more days off.

b) Six work shifts over part of 7 calendar days,"sleep day" (not as a day off) and then 3 other days off.

c) Other

What is the minimum number of hours between scheduled shifts?
How often are you scheduled overtime and what is the pay for overtime?

Thanks in advance. Very likely inbound early next year. Job offer in hand.

Shifts when I was there and don't think it has changed greatly:

M M A A N N sleep Off Off Off

M : 0700 -1500
A : 1500 -2300
N : 2300 - 0700

There was an evening shift as well but I won't complicate things with that as I am not sure if it is still being used?

:)

Hi Fox,

Long time, no see. When are you in Muscat next? Stop in, bro.

Every evening shift, we have one guy/gal start at 2100 and they work until 0200-0300ish. Otherwise, the roster cycle, as stated, hasn't changed for 12 years or so.

For everyone contemplating Muscat as an employment option, just remember that money is not everything. It's not nothing but you'll never survive if it's your only aim. I always advise anyone coming here to have a firm plan B so that psychologically and physically, you can move when you want, when that last straw goes on the camel's back.

From someone who's been here 18 years, it's been a great time and I haven't regretted my time here regardless of the challenges. The traffic is a challenging mix and hectic at times, the lifestyle is what you make of it and my colleagues, both Omani and expat are, for the most part, a great bunch of poeple who laugh easily, a good sign.

In a nutshell, the pros far outweigh the cons. Come on over!

ATCO me ol mucker! Well things have been a little busy on the travel front chasing these environmentally challenged Formula 1 cars around the traps and my excuses for getting back down to the jewel of the Middle East have run out so I will see you in October! Ironically it is another F1 related issue that is bringing me there but that's another story, a few cold ales will be mandatory! ;)

Just piecing the days together now so hopefully we can get a cathcup and track down some of the other lads as well....blimey most of you must be in zimmer frames by now!!?? :}

Will drop a line again soon, in the meantime I have to get back to this flow control malarki that some mob down the road...woops, wrong audience to be airing my dirty flow laundry! :E

Muscat Shift Cycle
 

Vector361

Yes it is a 10 day Calendar rotation. Option B is correct.
As Fox3 said, rotation is; M,M,E,E,N,N,Rest,OD,OD,OD = 10 days
- M=0700-1500, E=1500-2300, N=2300-0700
- Finish at 0700L on your 7th day of the cycle, Go home and sleep.
- Days 8,9,10 are Off Duty.
- Day 11 = Day 1 of new Cycle. M shift starting at 0700L

All rostered times between shifts are either 16hrs or 24hrs. Maybe once a month 11.5hrs for an LE Shift (see below)
Minimum time between shifts is 9hrs. This will only happen if you make a shift swap at YOUR discretion. e.g. You agree to do an Evening shift (1500-2300) before a morning shift (0700-1500) i.e. only 8 hrs between shifts. You will get either last hr off Evening shift, or first hr off Morning shift, providing 9 hrs between shifts. With good negotiation you can get both hrs off, i.e. 10 hrs between shifts. Remember this only occurs due to a shift swap at your discretion.

Late Evening (LE) Shift - ONCE per calendar month you MAY be rostered the LE shift.
- It will replace either of the E shifts in one of your standard cycles.
- Start time is 2100L (normally that day you would have started at 1500)
- You are rostered on duty until 0330L i.e. 6.5hr shift length, however...
- If the Night shift Watch starting at 2300L has it's full compliment of staff i.e. no one has called in sick or absent - you are released from duty at 2300L, therefore doing only a 2 hr shift. Go home & be happy.

Overtime - Zero. There is no provision or requirement for overtime.
You never have to stay longer than 8hrs, (unless a cyclone destroys the countrys highways and the next Watch can not make it to work due to floods.)
In cases of increased sickness when a watch is left short of staff, management will call staff on Off Duty days to VOLUNTEER to come in to work to cover the shift. You will be compensated with (two) days in leu, i.e. 2 individual days you can take off at a later date. These are hard to use up, so are not much of an incentive therefore the request is turned down by most controllers. No extra pay - ever.

Enjoy

EID MUBARAK everyone
please,no hugging or shaking hands in Muscat ACC
and keep it H1N1 free:ok:

Thanx BHD
 

Doing some research on the Muscat area. First how far is the facility from....well everything (lol)...seeb.. muscat...etc. I'm single no kids ..so what's the best area for me....How's Shatti (pricey?). Could someone name some living areas or communities? Who knows of some nice areas ...not shaby...but not insanely overpriced. Don't mind paying a little extra for quality living (but not trying to get killed in rent as well). How much would it be to lease something like a Toyota RAV4?

Obsidian09
 

Have a look at Google Maps (although it's a bit ouf of date) it will give you an idea of the lay out of the town.
Where you want to live might depend on what you are planning on doing in your spare time - alot of the social activities are based around the Qurm, Medinat Qaboos area.
Qurm is quite a drive after a night shift (7am finish) when you are fighting the rush hour traffic to get home.
Areas where some of the controllers have/are living in are:
Al Hail, Al Azaiba, Al Ghubra and Bawshar.
It used to take me about 20 minutes from Al Ghubra on a good day and the worst day was 2 hours (after some rain).

good info thanx
 

Info appreciated thanx jaws.....

POST
 

thanks for the info...zkjaws...very helpfull..........

Obsidian09,
One of the controllers lives in a two bed room apartment in Shatti and he's paying 900 rials a month (some 2320 USD). In comparison, my two bed room apartment, in Al Ghubra, is 375 OMR. Villas are starting at some 2000 rials a month in Shatti. It is beautiful area, but it comes with a price.

take your bow jaws,there you go?
your a house broker in muscat?and thats better than being an atco anywhere?!:D
again my opinion is and,i understand totaly that some never travelled at all
check in a hotel or a motel when you arrive for ?say?a month or so
and study the reigon around you and make your choice
vs a (HOME,CAR,.....etc)

You a hairdresser?

Where is the Muscat ACC located?
 

I found the DGCAM training building just to the S of the airport @ Seeb on Google Earth.

Is the ACC at the airport or is it located somewhere else?

And the "new" ACC will be at the airport?

I take it there no "GPS NAV" in Oman yet!

Thanks

Vector361
ACC is at the airport and the new one will be there as well. Car GPS NAV works quite well (Garmin and BMW I can confirm). Maps are bit old, but, there should be an update soon.

to be exact,the ACC is next to the cargo building
the new one wont be in the airport
it will be in Al mawaleh south near the "wave" round about

The ads have hit the local papers for the new controllers.

They are expecting 20,000 applications.

Is this all part of the plan to (ultimately) have all Omani staff?

@ BHD
 

:ok:Hey, that's a thought......but what's the daily average $$$ on a hotel in that area.....I like the idea though!

@ Short Approach.......jokes........
 

lol! actually... I drive a BMW M3.....just considering something a bit more efficient for everyday life for that area (I have no clue)...for EXAMPLE a Toyota RAV 4, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX.......but I like your style and humor ....you got me on that one .....I owe you one :E

helpful
 

Just wanted to thank everyone again for being so informative.....this seems to be a pretty cool forum site......:8......

Interested in going to Muscat?? Expect some of the following…

You will work with some of the nicest people in some of the most challenging conditions. You will earn double what the local controllers earn, which doesn’t go down well with them, but at least they won’t blame you for it. The 4000 is not a bad salary, but for most, it’s not enough to keep you there for longer than a year or two.

You will also have to contend with poor frequencies, not enough headsets, an outdated radar system, lots of multi tracking, procedures that seems to favour everyone except Muscat area (I guess most centres feel this way), a restroom and Area centre that is dirty and untidy, not enough sectors, not enough controllers, low moral, many promises, continuous route changes, high traffic levels, no proper flow control (apparently they initiated some, but soon removed it after some pressure from UAE), very expensive schools, equally expensive rent, hot summers, great winters, nice beaches and many other aspects which you will have to experience for yourself if you make the move. Expect not to be picked up at the airport when you arrive, expect to wait at least three weeks before you even step foot in the centre (airport permits take time), expect to pay an advance payment of three months or more on a villa, expect to wait at least 4 months for a visa. Be patient, remember that you are not in your own country anymore, respect the locals even if not all of them will respect you and enjoy the experience if you can. If not, leave like I did.

Some people there are very happy and others not so much. Don’t get your hopes up on that new centre or more money and you should enjoy the place! It all depends on where you come from or what you give up to go there.:)

probatory time
 

what about those 4 months of probatory....the aplicant will get paid,, the 4000OMR?

thanks in advance folks...........

So Dusty, how is your Farsi??! :p

dusty i salut you,
for all wanna come to Muscat dusty gave the naked truth,
and im sure that im going to point out 100 faults or advantages in any system in any ATC joint around the world
the only 100% perfect ATC system exist in heaven
i beleive that after the storm of people coming in and out,who we have left are happy with what they have on their plates
they get their leaves,they get a chance to modify the airspace....etc

Locals never envy expats,and do you know why?
because a year ago the were getting 3/4 of what expats were getting right now.and area local ATCOS salaries have increased by at least 1000 rials.
(the already feel like a million dollars babies)

Ive recieved an offer to become an ATC in Oman also......more info pls

I'm intrigued. I've had no reply from direct PMs to 2 controllers from the US on this forum. Is this a trust issue, lack of familiarity with the site or just can't be bothered? I was merely interested in bouncing ideas of other potential colleagues but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Another big thanks to those already in Muscat (or previously worked there) that have patiently answered all my (no doubt tedious) questions.

Cheers

R there other europeans in Muscat , I would like to talk whit them if its possible.
Im single and i have a lot of free time.Would like to know something about the social live in Muscat .
Im driving a new Audi Q7 (its in case if u r going call me a hairdresser), whats the price for a new car in Muscat and etc.
Something more about your operating system and working conditions etc.
It does not sound so good to pay 25-30% for a rent, does it?
Tnx in advance!!! Im just looking for a reason to leave my curent job.


P.s Guys I just need your help its not so easy to arrive at decision!!! Tnx again!!!

Prascho, plenty of air hostesses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but not many options in Muscat to change your single status.

Tnx m8 i didnt expect anything else!
Seems i have to visit Muscat and to c for what r we talking about.
I know that u r great guys!!!

Probatory Months
 

Can Anyone Tell Me If The 4 Probatory Months Will Be Reward.



Thaks In Advance......