Non Payers In Saudi
 

If any of you are approached by a company in Riyadh called Space Wing Aviation Company to fly for them, be advised, the last four pilots have not been paid. If you need more info on this company google will find it.

Seconded!!!!!
 

Do not fly for this outfit.

They have come up with the money to lease a DA-900 but the crews have all yet to be paid form the last tour.

I was promised we would all have money today and even an advance in my case as I am now only able to offer the operation limited support. Now it's cash on arrival, heard it before, jackanory!

The a/c is currently at Luton and M-reg.

I have total respect for the british owner and operator and those directly connected in the UK but if you fly on behalf of the lessee you WILL find yourself out of pocket.

On occasions guys did get cash, they sent a functionary with only a comedy amount to pay for a hotel, guess what, the amount given to the crew = the balance. They even left a young, new-start Moroccan flight attendant, no visa, in the UK with no accommodation or money! I know she got home but have no idea how.

I've been carrying expenses for them for nearly 2 months, Pay to fly scheme?!

If they come up with the money as promised this morning I shall publish a retraction but anyone who agrees to conduct flights on behalf of the lessee not only leaves themselves wide open but makes recovery that much more difficult for the rest of us!

Well I certainly do not remember you telling me that mutt, however I do remember you saying it was something you would prefer not to be involved with, unfortunately it was too late, I was already in. I prefer not to publish the tail number, the owners are good people and I have no wish to tarnish their aircraft, its the company in Saudi at fault.

Saudi operators ....mmm least said the better...not on my christmas card list this year either...:E:hmm:

Oh Well....
 

No Money, No Alarm clock!

I'd like to recognise NN for not naming the operator/tail no. It really isn't their fault.

If anyone feels tempted to show up for this though, do yourself a favour and hire a backbone!

Getting paid is a two step process.

Step 1: Get an open return ticket before you leave home.
Step 2: Return the flight manual as soon as you get paid.

Good plan, I've done that kind of thing before more than once, not so simple however in this case.

We got home 'free' by repatriating the aircraft for maintenance. Then we would only have been inconveniencing the owner with whom we have no beef.

Excuse me for appearing stupid, but why don't freelance crews insist on at least a month's money upfront before they set off? If everyone did it then the problem would go away. Or am I missing something?

No, your not missing something, that is often the way it is. But, each freelance opportunity arrives under different circumstances and every now and again it screws up. There is no one size fits all, sometimes it requires a quick decision to get a job done, this has never happened to me before and, as long as I accept to get people out of the smelly stuff, I have to accept it may happen again.

My account with them has now been settled in cash, I now have no problem with this company. :D

Errm, I have and I'm not alone.

I remain less than impressed, It seems they'll pay in emergency to ensure the continuity of the operation.

They have all the information they need to pay, and when they do I'll start answering their calls again. One thing I can guarantee them is this is far from over!

I have to say, I was in no way speaking for anybody else, I only wanted to put a line below what I said before, they did not pay me, now they have. Does this mean I trust them? No.

Freelancing Contract flying is a balancing act
 

As previously mentioned, there is no one size fits all.

I specialise in glf contract flying services. If I get a request to solve a problem, or establish an opn, then yes funds up front, and/or return business ticket.
If I get a panic call to help tomorrow, not so easy to determine the risk factor.

These days it is even less easy, all I can say is do any due diligence, check WWW and PP,a nd then take a chance.

glf

Thnaks guys, do they have anything currently too do with a company called JetEx Support based in Dubai>>>

I am not positive on these either, but had there rep at our aircraft in several locations recently, causing delays?

Thanks :)

Jetex have provided services for them but are in no way connected with them. I have never had a problem with Jetex and and used them quite a bit over the years.

Stands back in amazement!
 

It took a quite unnecessary faff to get there but I have just been told there is confirmation of a transfer of payment.

All of this could so easily have been avoided.

Great news :ok:

Ok , VP-BHT owner after 4 months of emails managed to get 'something' not the full amount (no where near in fact) but it was something at least.... still not getting a xmas card from me though:\ - dont think they care:E

dynamite dean
 

Was that Space Wing?

I can see the next thread.....'Pilot gets right hand chopped off in Saudi Arabia for stealing aircraft flight logs'

Somehow that $300 check doesn't seem so important when you got a guy standing over you with a hatchet in the town square.