Gulf Air Interwiev.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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"I'm not interested in cutting my pay in half and on top of that relocate to the mid-east. "
Thats a quote from one of your previous posts! ****! When you are in a hole stop digging.
Thats a quote from one of your previous posts! ****! When you are in a hole stop digging.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I'm an GF FO and my last pay check few days ago was 24500 AED (6,670.47$US). Brenoche, tell me where I can make 49000AED (13,340.94 $US) so I can send my resume right now.
Your quick reply is appreciated.
Yo le Chameau
PS Do you think your company minds if I have problems with my X-wind landings???
Your quick reply is appreciated.
Yo le Chameau
PS Do you think your company minds if I have problems with my X-wind landings???
Join Date: Oct 1999
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24500dhms? and how many days off did you have to work, leave days sold, or overtime flown? and what fleet? And if you are in AUH you get a lot more housing than in BAH.
Most recruitment is onto the 320 where there is no overtime, minimum days off and a lot of time spent in hotels. Single 320 captains are only on around the 2800BD mark. I'm not there any more but my last pay check was 2780BD after a full months work, 8 days off, and about 65 hours flying. And that was including training pay. Thats why i left.
How are you vfenext? 2 cars and a speedboat now? the wide body fleet must be treating you well.
I don't know where brenoch is from but my mates back in the UK charters are taking home quite a bit more after tax than i was in GF. they also get a pension and various other benefits. The whole deal is worth about twice what GF pay so technically he's correct. and they don't have to spend so much time away in the same old dreary hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Its not a bad deal in GF, but its not great either.
Anyway, i'm not in the ME anymore so i really shouldn't be here.
Most recruitment is onto the 320 where there is no overtime, minimum days off and a lot of time spent in hotels. Single 320 captains are only on around the 2800BD mark. I'm not there any more but my last pay check was 2780BD after a full months work, 8 days off, and about 65 hours flying. And that was including training pay. Thats why i left.
How are you vfenext? 2 cars and a speedboat now? the wide body fleet must be treating you well.
I don't know where brenoch is from but my mates back in the UK charters are taking home quite a bit more after tax than i was in GF. they also get a pension and various other benefits. The whole deal is worth about twice what GF pay so technically he's correct. and they don't have to spend so much time away in the same old dreary hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Its not a bad deal in GF, but its not great either.
Anyway, i'm not in the ME anymore so i really shouldn't be here.
Last edited by ia1166; 6th Nov 2004 at 01:31.
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There you go. you sold 3 days for 3000 dhms, correct? so normally about 21000 dhms which is around 3200 sterling take home. The same as a UK F/O after tax give or take. no pension, nominal health care etc etc. You also have to pay high rent for a property you will never own, not that you're in it much anyway. If you continue to sell 3 days leave a month you'll be left with 12 days leave a year. You need to be careful here because if you don't take leave in a block of 14 days or more you lose 2 travel days per block which is 4 in a year. it's in the small print somewhere. No one would work for that kind of leave benefit.
Anyway, stick to the facts when you go on about your pay, otherwise people may get the wrong idea, and don't show off what is in effect a fairly average deal.
Anyway, stick to the facts when you go on about your pay, otherwise people may get the wrong idea, and don't show off what is in effect a fairly average deal.
Join Date: Nov 2004
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There is an Assessment Centre (direct entry pilot interviews) from 22-25 November, 2004 and apparently they're offering A320/767 type rating options contrary to their ad for 320 only. Desperate times aead for GF with fleet expansion, I guess. How many going on this interview?
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Tibetsi
GF something like 57 different nationalities.GF poster outside the Pink Building. GT(AUH base), probably about 10 different nationalities. The male cabin crew are mostly Bahraini's. Sky Chefs if not mistaken, mostly Ozzy, Sky Nannies, whoever, I think are volunteers. Ladies though. Great service, to those who have availed.
Pilots: Gulf countries, Uk, Ireland, French, Belgian, Iceland, USA, Canada, Australia, Romania, German, Nordic, Indian, South African, Zimbabwean, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Egyptian,Nigerian, the list goes on. Funnily enough we get on well most of the time.
ALL the airlines in the Gulf have plusses and minuses. Go for what suits you. If you want something of a Western life-style, GF/GT, EK, EY, is probably what you should look at, being far more liberal. GT ( AUH),suits me, so I'm happy. If you are not you should go, to pastures "greener".
tic
GF something like 57 different nationalities.GF poster outside the Pink Building. GT(AUH base), probably about 10 different nationalities. The male cabin crew are mostly Bahraini's. Sky Chefs if not mistaken, mostly Ozzy, Sky Nannies, whoever, I think are volunteers. Ladies though. Great service, to those who have availed.
Pilots: Gulf countries, Uk, Ireland, French, Belgian, Iceland, USA, Canada, Australia, Romania, German, Nordic, Indian, South African, Zimbabwean, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Egyptian,Nigerian, the list goes on. Funnily enough we get on well most of the time.
ALL the airlines in the Gulf have plusses and minuses. Go for what suits you. If you want something of a Western life-style, GF/GT, EK, EY, is probably what you should look at, being far more liberal. GT ( AUH),suits me, so I'm happy. If you are not you should go, to pastures "greener".
tic
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Ia166
You turn coat!
Just heard you did a runner from Gulf Air!
Not 3 months ago, you would come home drunk ( and ladyless ) and lambaste, through Pprune, those who were warning of the unliklihood of progression at Gulf Air.
You were also very vocal against a Belgian F/O who did exactly what you did - a runner!
See you in Saigon!
You turn coat!
Just heard you did a runner from Gulf Air!
Not 3 months ago, you would come home drunk ( and ladyless ) and lambaste, through Pprune, those who were warning of the unliklihood of progression at Gulf Air.
You were also very vocal against a Belgian F/O who did exactly what you did - a runner!
See you in Saigon!
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Hello Bagshaw. Firstly i left because i had a good offer that would not wait for me. i did what i did out of necesity and not spite and i'm not particularly proud of it, and i don't care much for you mentioning it on this forum. Secondly i'm not reappearing on this forum to slag off GF, just pointing out the salary is not as great as some people would have you believe. I'm not disuading people to go to GF. Its ok and i had a good time but i had to move on so i did. I'm grateful for my time there but my future is somewhere else. I still have friends there in fact. I sincerely hope i don't see you in the future as you got a career boost from GF and are only where you are now because of gf, but are too bitter to admit it.
nuff said and don't bother looking me up.
nuff said and don't bother looking me up.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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And now becoz ia1166 is from tennessee...same as me...he's home on leave at a family reunion..trying to pick up girls....good thing he didn't get hurt when his porch collapsed...and killed his 12 pet dogs.....next thing you know..he'll be mowing his lawn...and find a Pontiac.....behind his house that is mobile....but his 12 cars that not......give me a cll dude! I Pm'd you the number!!!!!!!!!!
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Ia166
We all had good offers. Just so happens that the rest of us gave our 3 month contractual notice- at great cost financially and in terms of seniority.
You can bemoan and misrepresent what I have said, but the pilots who served out their notice period acted in a professionally gracious manner toward Gulf Air. Politely informing management of their reasons for departure- poor renumeration and Mr Hogan backtracking his no Direct Entry command policy- resulting in a PAYRISE for those who remained.
To save colleagues the trouble of moving half way around the world, and Gulf Air wasting resources ( as evidenced by pilots leaving in under a few months ), painting an accurate picture of career prospects on PPrune a tool for pilots to weigh up their decision.
You then, with a well known handle to management, tried to shoot the messengers by playing the man. I suppose this is how Contract pilots behave to further their careers.
I am sorry to hear about your dogs-a truely positive personality trait of yours.
Vfenext
I expect you to follow Ia166's path when it suits.
We all had good offers. Just so happens that the rest of us gave our 3 month contractual notice- at great cost financially and in terms of seniority.
You can bemoan and misrepresent what I have said, but the pilots who served out their notice period acted in a professionally gracious manner toward Gulf Air. Politely informing management of their reasons for departure- poor renumeration and Mr Hogan backtracking his no Direct Entry command policy- resulting in a PAYRISE for those who remained.
To save colleagues the trouble of moving half way around the world, and Gulf Air wasting resources ( as evidenced by pilots leaving in under a few months ), painting an accurate picture of career prospects on PPrune a tool for pilots to weigh up their decision.
You then, with a well known handle to management, tried to shoot the messengers by playing the man. I suppose this is how Contract pilots behave to further their careers.
I am sorry to hear about your dogs-a truely positive personality trait of yours.
Vfenext
I expect you to follow Ia166's path when it suits.
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Have to agree with Baggy here.
All of the Aussies that ia1166 put down because of their short time at GF had the decency to work out their three months, and in doing so, sacrificed valuable seniority at their new airline, but unlike SOMEONE ELSE, they did the right thing. The other thing is that the Aussies were all A320 endorsed when they got to BAH, so basically GF just gave them currency, and most stayed at least 12 months.
How does this compare with someone who the moment they become a DE at GF's expense, shoot through, using their newly acquired qualification to get another job?
A bit of a credibility problem it think ia1166.
And don't try and tell us that it was an on-the-spot decision; the evidence left behind says otherwise.
All of the Aussies that ia1166 put down because of their short time at GF had the decency to work out their three months, and in doing so, sacrificed valuable seniority at their new airline, but unlike SOMEONE ELSE, they did the right thing. The other thing is that the Aussies were all A320 endorsed when they got to BAH, so basically GF just gave them currency, and most stayed at least 12 months.
How does this compare with someone who the moment they become a DE at GF's expense, shoot through, using their newly acquired qualification to get another job?
A bit of a credibility problem it think ia1166.
And don't try and tell us that it was an on-the-spot decision; the evidence left behind says otherwise.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Bagshaw, dont assume to know anything about what I might do in the future. You don't know me from adam! I have lasted here at least 5 times longer than you did and never complained anywhere near as much as you or your countrymen did. You made yourselves infamous here with your behaviour and spoiled it for any australians who might actually really need a job in the future.
As for Ia1166's dog, he is fine and happy in a new home so what are you talking about....oh sorry I forgot you don't know.
MOAN ON BROTHER!!
As for Ia1166's dog, he is fine and happy in a new home so what are you talking about....oh sorry I forgot you don't know.
MOAN ON BROTHER!!
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vfenext, you seem to have a big problem with the Aussies.
I don't know in which circles you move, but from what I have seen and heard, no-one holds anything against them. They came, had a look around, and found that there were greener pastures elsewhere. What do you expect them to do, stick around when they saw little chance of promotion, and pray towards the Pink Palace five times a day for the next 20 years?
Contrary to what you say, they were not whingers, and were well-liked by those that they flew with. Perhaps that is your problem; knocked back by the airlines that took them?
Secondly, if you bothered to check your facts, you would note that GF has continued to recruit Aussies, and I think it is a big discredit to management to suggest that they are small-mined enough to black-list a particular nationality based on the actions of a few.
I don't know in which circles you move, but from what I have seen and heard, no-one holds anything against them. They came, had a look around, and found that there were greener pastures elsewhere. What do you expect them to do, stick around when they saw little chance of promotion, and pray towards the Pink Palace five times a day for the next 20 years?
Contrary to what you say, they were not whingers, and were well-liked by those that they flew with. Perhaps that is your problem; knocked back by the airlines that took them?
Secondly, if you bothered to check your facts, you would note that GF has continued to recruit Aussies, and I think it is a big discredit to management to suggest that they are small-mined enough to black-list a particular nationality based on the actions of a few.
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REM No problem with aussies at all, but they did piss people off here a LOT. I have never been knocked back by any airline, lucky I know.
You really believe management have broad minds?
Bagshaw is the only one I have a problem with, he left and ever since has been throwing slurs at GF from the fragrent harbour. He got what he wanted and should just shut up and get on with it, instead of giving others the two fingers. Nobody mentioned a black list by the way, but don't deny the 320 fleet office are ultra careful these days. The CP got badly burned by the last exodus.
You really believe management have broad minds?
Bagshaw is the only one I have a problem with, he left and ever since has been throwing slurs at GF from the fragrent harbour. He got what he wanted and should just shut up and get on with it, instead of giving others the two fingers. Nobody mentioned a black list by the way, but don't deny the 320 fleet office are ultra careful these days. The CP got badly burned by the last exodus.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Gulf Air:Forced Overtime, Forced Leave!!!
So now not only are we forced into doing ridiculously tiring blocks, insane overtime but now once you have helped the company out due to shortages you get given forced leave deducted from your leave balance!!!
This doesn't sound fair or legal. Anyone know how this is viewed by Bahrain labour law?
Can we be forced to work over out 75 flying hours & then when we reach the magic 900 hours be forced on leave?
How about giving me the option of doing only 75 hours a month?
It just seems things are going from bad to worse.Now with the Canadian invasion of the crew planning & rostering dept we have never been treated do bad.Any thoughts?????
This doesn't sound fair or legal. Anyone know how this is viewed by Bahrain labour law?
Can we be forced to work over out 75 flying hours & then when we reach the magic 900 hours be forced on leave?
How about giving me the option of doing only 75 hours a month?
It just seems things are going from bad to worse.Now with the Canadian invasion of the crew planning & rostering dept we have never been treated do bad.Any thoughts?????
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Mogley, I think that you are being unfair targeting the Crew Planning guys. They have a task; to cover the flying with the crews available.
It is not their fault that there are not enough Pilots to do the job.
Are you sure about being forced to take leave at 900hrs? I know at least one who is doing office work. The problem is going to get worse though, as there must be quite a few 330/340 guys approaching the magic number.
BTW, what is your hang-up about nationalities? The fact they a couple of the Crewing Managers are Canadian surely has nothing to do with it. They are simply doing the best they can with very limited resources; or is it only Canadians that can do that???
We have had vfenext slagging Aussies, and now you appearing to denigrate Canadians. Both of you need to grow up and, as Bagshaw Crusher says, play the ball, not the man.
It is not their fault that there are not enough Pilots to do the job.
Are you sure about being forced to take leave at 900hrs? I know at least one who is doing office work. The problem is going to get worse though, as there must be quite a few 330/340 guys approaching the magic number.
BTW, what is your hang-up about nationalities? The fact they a couple of the Crewing Managers are Canadian surely has nothing to do with it. They are simply doing the best they can with very limited resources; or is it only Canadians that can do that???
We have had vfenext slagging Aussies, and now you appearing to denigrate Canadians. Both of you need to grow up and, as Bagshaw Crusher says, play the ball, not the man.
Last edited by EAN36; 26th Nov 2004 at 04:17.
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Bahrain is not a bad place to be. As with most countries it has it's quirk's. The latest debate on the Island is wether Lingerie should be displayed in shop windows! Such displays are apparently corrupting local men.
The Bahrain Yacht Club http://www.bahrainyachtclub.com.bh/ is the place to be for anything nautical. It also has a great Dive section with all the latest equipement at low cost. Approx $8 for a full day at a local dive site. A good social side rounds off the experience. As a bonus it has a great beach to kick back on and enjoy a beer or three.
GF is OK. The airline has changed considerably and mostly for the good. Work is fairly hard with the 900hr annual limit being reached by many. Salaries are OK and rising. 8% per annum for the next 2 years. As a Capt on the Big Buses I,ve been taking home the best part of $11,000 per month for the last 6 months or so. That does include a chunk of overtime, school fees etc. On the down side the dollar rate is killing us just now having devalued some 15% recently.....ouch. Ce la vie.
Working with the locals is a different experience. Most have a western outlook but a large minority do not. Religion plays a major role, praying and fasting during Ramadan is a good example. It's not uncommon to find both flight deck crew's taking nil by mouth during the day for 16 hrs or so depending on the trip !! A blind eye is turned by Flight Safety for fear of offending anyone. The no smoking rule however is strictly enforced. In general however, working conditions are fine. Crewing is, on occasion, still a shambles. Lack of crew being the nub of the problem. Can't see that changing without a deal of action in the salary department. It will have to come, just a question of when.
If you fancy a change of pace in the sun come on down. I've had a lot of fun here and plan to stay a while whilst keeping an eye on the markets elsewhere.
The Bahrain Yacht Club http://www.bahrainyachtclub.com.bh/ is the place to be for anything nautical. It also has a great Dive section with all the latest equipement at low cost. Approx $8 for a full day at a local dive site. A good social side rounds off the experience. As a bonus it has a great beach to kick back on and enjoy a beer or three.
GF is OK. The airline has changed considerably and mostly for the good. Work is fairly hard with the 900hr annual limit being reached by many. Salaries are OK and rising. 8% per annum for the next 2 years. As a Capt on the Big Buses I,ve been taking home the best part of $11,000 per month for the last 6 months or so. That does include a chunk of overtime, school fees etc. On the down side the dollar rate is killing us just now having devalued some 15% recently.....ouch. Ce la vie.
Working with the locals is a different experience. Most have a western outlook but a large minority do not. Religion plays a major role, praying and fasting during Ramadan is a good example. It's not uncommon to find both flight deck crew's taking nil by mouth during the day for 16 hrs or so depending on the trip !! A blind eye is turned by Flight Safety for fear of offending anyone. The no smoking rule however is strictly enforced. In general however, working conditions are fine. Crewing is, on occasion, still a shambles. Lack of crew being the nub of the problem. Can't see that changing without a deal of action in the salary department. It will have to come, just a question of when.
If you fancy a change of pace in the sun come on down. I've had a lot of fun here and plan to stay a while whilst keeping an eye on the markets elsewhere.