U.S. to order military dependents out of Bahrain
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Well said Bahrain lad and Captain Sensible. Note that none of the Embassy warnings posted above even advises to consider leaving the island, far from instructing people to depart immediately.
The British Embassy Travel Advice has not been updated since April 5, and is the usual 'be vigilant'. The American Embassy has not contacted its wardens to warn US expats of anything, and its latest warden message dated July 5 simply says "the Department has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the U.S. Embassy in Manama, on a voluntary basis".
We talked to the Embassy last night and they are distancing themselves from the notice to depart, saying that it applies to the military only. There is concern about the effect this will have on the Free Trade Agreement between US-Bahrain, which is yet to be ratified.
Contacts in Juffair have confirmed the posting by Sirwa69 - the American forces dependants were already planned for departure. For political reasons - the US is not happy at the 'bad boy six' being released - this has been brought forward.
We will certainly not be complacent - there remains a rumour that 'something' will happen 'within 30 days' - but no need to panic. There are many places a lot less safe than here (also in Europe and US), we are staying put.
The British Embassy Travel Advice has not been updated since April 5, and is the usual 'be vigilant'. The American Embassy has not contacted its wardens to warn US expats of anything, and its latest warden message dated July 5 simply says "the Department has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the U.S. Embassy in Manama, on a voluntary basis".
We talked to the Embassy last night and they are distancing themselves from the notice to depart, saying that it applies to the military only. There is concern about the effect this will have on the Free Trade Agreement between US-Bahrain, which is yet to be ratified.
Contacts in Juffair have confirmed the posting by Sirwa69 - the American forces dependants were already planned for departure. For political reasons - the US is not happy at the 'bad boy six' being released - this has been brought forward.
We will certainly not be complacent - there remains a rumour that 'something' will happen 'within 30 days' - but no need to panic. There are many places a lot less safe than here (also in Europe and US), we are staying put.
Join Date: Sep 1999
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Just got this …..
Persistent if indistinct intelligence reports based on electronic intercepts and live sources, indicate that Al-Qaeda is determined to strike some time this year. All non-essential personnel are therefore advised to leave the continental united states of America
This actual report was taken from a New York Times report, the part about leaving is all mine, but it begs the question, why is Bahrain less safe?”.
Mutt.
Persistent if indistinct intelligence reports based on electronic intercepts and live sources, indicate that Al-Qaeda is determined to strike some time this year. All non-essential personnel are therefore advised to leave the continental united states of America
This actual report was taken from a New York Times report, the part about leaving is all mine, but it begs the question, why is Bahrain less safe?”.
Mutt.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I'm reading this with some personal interest and am asking for your input. I am in the situation of having my spouse already over in Bahrain. Myself and my children are slotted to head over in the next couple of weeks. He tells me all is fine over there. What I'm hearing on this end is another story. The Canadian government travel site has posted a warning to Canadians suggesting that they not travel to Bahrain, and that those who are there "carefully evaluate" the need to remain. (The passage that Loopy posted has since been updated) Those of you that are there, please continue to post your feelings regarding any security issues. (I must admit that billy24-kit does make a good point). For those of you considering going, what do you think? And for those who are already there but have not yet been joined by your family, would you happily bring them over now? I'm looking for some help here!
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Not many flying jobs out there Guys.
I hope some of these post are wrong, otherwise we are all being used as political pawns.
The beheading in KSA did cause me to re-evaluate my decision on staying.
911 caused us all a lot of pain in the aviation industry.
Some of us still trying to recover.
Its a personal choice, I will be staying until the market improves.
Lets all hope they catch these fanatics soon.
Best thing now is to send your family home and wait and see if it gets better.
I feel much better knowing I am not placing my family at the same risk.
Also if something were to happen and a evacuation came down, it would be much easier for you to get out rather than having to worry about your family too, lets all hope this does not happen.
The potential for things to go bad real quick is there.
Probably the main reason for the warning.
I hope some of these post are wrong, otherwise we are all being used as political pawns.
The beheading in KSA did cause me to re-evaluate my decision on staying.
911 caused us all a lot of pain in the aviation industry.
Some of us still trying to recover.
Its a personal choice, I will be staying until the market improves.
Lets all hope they catch these fanatics soon.
Best thing now is to send your family home and wait and see if it gets better.
I feel much better knowing I am not placing my family at the same risk.
Also if something were to happen and a evacuation came down, it would be much easier for you to get out rather than having to worry about your family too, lets all hope this does not happen.
The potential for things to go bad real quick is there.
Probably the main reason for the warning.
Last edited by Earl; 6th Jul 2004 at 20:59.
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In the north,
Welcome to Pprune. The decision about moving to Bahrain wont be easy, however it has to be made by yourself and your spouse. Both Earl and I live in Jeddah, its in a totally different country and at least in my case i know nothing about Bahrain.
Please be careful about what you read on here as not all posters are actually in Bahrain.
I would suggest that you review topics in this forum regarding Gulf Air, try to identify posters who actually reside in Bahrain and send them a personal message.
Good Luck with the decision.
Mutt.
Welcome to Pprune. The decision about moving to Bahrain wont be easy, however it has to be made by yourself and your spouse. Both Earl and I live in Jeddah, its in a totally different country and at least in my case i know nothing about Bahrain.
Please be careful about what you read on here as not all posters are actually in Bahrain.
I would suggest that you review topics in this forum regarding Gulf Air, try to identify posters who actually reside in Bahrain and send them a personal message.
Good Luck with the decision.
Mutt.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Thats correct Mutt,
Its a personal choice.
Everyone of us knows what our comfort and security level is and when that level has been reached.
Once there its time to go.
Right now it seems that no where is safe for our families.
Here in Jeddah things are only at a elevated level of concern.
In Bahrain it may be different.
Its a personal choice.
Everyone of us knows what our comfort and security level is and when that level has been reached.
Once there its time to go.
Right now it seems that no where is safe for our families.
Here in Jeddah things are only at a elevated level of concern.
In Bahrain it may be different.
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In the north,
I am Canadian, lived in Toronto and now in Bahrain. Yes your husband is right, "all is fine here". On a day to day basis, life goes on in a normal way. As the embassy says, the situation could deteriorate very quickly without notice. Have you ever been out here? You might be in for a culture shock regardless.
We have been here 18 months, during the war we were not too worried about our safety here. Now is a different story since the attacks happened in Saudi. If individuals are being targeted there, in my opinion it's only a matter of time before it happens here.
Ask yourself a questions.. "WHY TAKE A CHANCE?"
We are leaving for good at the end of this month, safety was not the only factor but did have alot of influence on our decision. I understand the aviation industry as a pilot is not great in Canada/US. Forturnately I am not affected by this, I am a controller and every country in the world is short staffed. It's not an easy decision for your family, I am sure of that.
Feel free to PM me with any questions/concerns. Also, I can give you our phone number and you can call and speak with my wife about your concerns.
Cheers
I am Canadian, lived in Toronto and now in Bahrain. Yes your husband is right, "all is fine here". On a day to day basis, life goes on in a normal way. As the embassy says, the situation could deteriorate very quickly without notice. Have you ever been out here? You might be in for a culture shock regardless.
We have been here 18 months, during the war we were not too worried about our safety here. Now is a different story since the attacks happened in Saudi. If individuals are being targeted there, in my opinion it's only a matter of time before it happens here.
Ask yourself a questions.. "WHY TAKE A CHANCE?"
We are leaving for good at the end of this month, safety was not the only factor but did have alot of influence on our decision. I understand the aviation industry as a pilot is not great in Canada/US. Forturnately I am not affected by this, I am a controller and every country in the world is short staffed. It's not an easy decision for your family, I am sure of that.
Feel free to PM me with any questions/concerns. Also, I can give you our phone number and you can call and speak with my wife about your concerns.
Cheers
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We are 'actually in Bahrain' with our two young kids and have never felt the slightest concern about safety, other than on the roads.
I agree it comes down to personal and comfort levels, I will never criticise anyone for leaving if they do not feel comfortable, and it is understandable to think twice before coming here. There are plenty of places we would not move to, and Saudi is one of them, even when we are right next door.
My input: your spouse is right, all is fine in Bahrain. But in the end you need to be convinced and satisfied. Dealing with culture (and climate) shock can be hard enough without being worried about safety as well. For us, we would not stay here with our kids if we felt seriously at risk. We are staying, we are happy here.
Why take a chance? Again personal choices. My choices include living in Bahrain, piloting flying machines, riding motorcycles, racing karts, having kids and German in-laws. All too risky according to some of my friends and family.
I agree it comes down to personal and comfort levels, I will never criticise anyone for leaving if they do not feel comfortable, and it is understandable to think twice before coming here. There are plenty of places we would not move to, and Saudi is one of them, even when we are right next door.
My input: your spouse is right, all is fine in Bahrain. But in the end you need to be convinced and satisfied. Dealing with culture (and climate) shock can be hard enough without being worried about safety as well. For us, we would not stay here with our kids if we felt seriously at risk. We are staying, we are happy here.
Why take a chance? Again personal choices. My choices include living in Bahrain, piloting flying machines, riding motorcycles, racing karts, having kids and German in-laws. All too risky according to some of my friends and family.
