Kuwait - info requested
Thread Starter
Kuwait - info requested
Like Rotorbloke in an earlier post, I'm interested in finding out as much as possible about life in Kuwait from people with recent relevant experience. I haven't been near there since 1991, when things were somewhat different(!) from the present day. No need to proffer gen on climate - more interested in the way of life, attitude of expats and locals, quality-of-life, that sort of thing.
Rotorbloke - I wonder if we're interested in the same fling-wing contract
?
Rotorbloke - I wonder if we're interested in the same fling-wing contract
?
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Thud_and_Blunder,
Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I just finished a contract in Kuwait, and will be happy to share my experiences with you.
Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I just finished a contract in Kuwait, and will be happy to share my experiences with you.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Like the above I have just retired after 38 years of flying and having spent the last 12 years at KAC mostly as a Training Captain. I and many others joined just after the first Gulf War when KAC was rebuilding. That gradually happened and also gradually most expats moved on. However, they have a continuing need for experienced Captains qualified on their types.
Lifestyle has been very good over the years (weather conditions excepted), however as the need for expats reduced so did the expat benefits. They are still good and better than most other places, eg, 61 days paid leave per year (fridays excepted), 2 free air tickets home (where-ever) per year, adequate housing allowance etc etc. Starting pay is not brilliant but it is tax free and as most services are either free or paid for by KAC you have a lot of trouble spending much of you salary. As years go by as in most Companies the salary increases so that after 8 years as Captain the structured salary rises are achieved and the salary is competitive. Resignation gratituties start after 5 years and grow with the years. Saving and investing ability is therefore very good.
KAC as a Company is quite good with a very good infrastructure, however they suffer from poor quality management at the higher level. The mid and lower level management actually make the Company work and generally are very good and easy to work with. On the flying side the training is very good and the general level of the standards is high. As a result less than 50% of recruited expats usually get through the initial training process. Some of the failures are self inflicted by not putting in the required work. However once thrugh it you will find life is quite enjoyable and the day to day pilots you work with very friendly.
Kuwait itself is another story. In the past it was a very relaxed place but in recent years things have changed, where in the past it was a very safe place I can't say that now. I personally had no problems but there were events that made you think a little about your own safety.
Why did I leave, well having achieved more than $1.5M from saving and investment over the 12 years, a looming medical condition and most of all the rediculuous security checks (especially going in and out of the USA) I decided it was time.
I have no problem with KAC and if I got an itch to go back to flying I would have no hesitation in going back to KAC. Generally all the ME Airlines are good with one exception. The new operation based in Qatar is a disaster from top to bottom. There is enough info on this in pprune for those interested to check.
Have a good day 
Lifestyle has been very good over the years (weather conditions excepted), however as the need for expats reduced so did the expat benefits. They are still good and better than most other places, eg, 61 days paid leave per year (fridays excepted), 2 free air tickets home (where-ever) per year, adequate housing allowance etc etc. Starting pay is not brilliant but it is tax free and as most services are either free or paid for by KAC you have a lot of trouble spending much of you salary. As years go by as in most Companies the salary increases so that after 8 years as Captain the structured salary rises are achieved and the salary is competitive. Resignation gratituties start after 5 years and grow with the years. Saving and investing ability is therefore very good.
KAC as a Company is quite good with a very good infrastructure, however they suffer from poor quality management at the higher level. The mid and lower level management actually make the Company work and generally are very good and easy to work with. On the flying side the training is very good and the general level of the standards is high. As a result less than 50% of recruited expats usually get through the initial training process. Some of the failures are self inflicted by not putting in the required work. However once thrugh it you will find life is quite enjoyable and the day to day pilots you work with very friendly.
Kuwait itself is another story. In the past it was a very relaxed place but in recent years things have changed, where in the past it was a very safe place I can't say that now. I personally had no problems but there were events that made you think a little about your own safety.
Why did I leave, well having achieved more than $1.5M from saving and investment over the 12 years, a looming medical condition and most of all the rediculuous security checks (especially going in and out of the USA) I decided it was time.
I have no problem with KAC and if I got an itch to go back to flying I would have no hesitation in going back to KAC. Generally all the ME Airlines are good with one exception. The new operation based in Qatar is a disaster from top to bottom. There is enough info on this in pprune for those interested to check.
Have a good day
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies - I've been away from the internet for 5 days so haven't answered sooner. I look forward to hearing from you when you get the opportunity, BadAndy. The KAC experience sounded very pleasant - we rotary types rarely get to see those sorts of terms and conditions. Certainly not the case in the contract I'm interested in!
Cheers,
T & B
Cheers,
T & B
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Kuwait Lr31
Hi folks,
just wondering if any of you know of an operator flying Lear 31's around. I believe they fly into Bagdad a bit? If you have any info on what they are like I'd be greatful.
Cheers
Bingo
just wondering if any of you know of an operator flying Lear 31's around. I believe they fly into Bagdad a bit? If you have any info on what they are like I'd be greatful.
Cheers
Bingo
