Gulf Air
Join Date: Sep 1998
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The word at the Orval is, 'Only go if your only other option is to shoot yourself!'
The Ts & Cs are appalling (apparently).
The pay is only just adequate – unless you're used to living in third world Africa, when it might seem a little better.
The rostering is a joke. They purport to run a 30 day scheme, however, it's always being changed and you'll only get the new one about six hours before the old one expires.
Do not bother to book leave. If you do, it can, and will, be cancelled anytime up until your departing aircraft rotates.
Always expect to work your days off.
Always expect to be called out on standby. Your local indigenous colleagues will go sick at the drop of a hat. (Dinner party, birthday, special day for a relative six times removed, etc.)
Do not be surprised if, in the middle of giving an in-flight briefing, your colleague gets out of his seat and starts to pray in a back corner of the flight deck.
Do not complain. This will be construed as an insult.
Bahrain is a great place, so long as nothing goes wrong. However, don't forget that you won't be there very much and will be spending most of your time down the route in countries about which you may not want to read.
The Ts & Cs are appalling (apparently).
The pay is only just adequate – unless you're used to living in third world Africa, when it might seem a little better.
The rostering is a joke. They purport to run a 30 day scheme, however, it's always being changed and you'll only get the new one about six hours before the old one expires.
Do not bother to book leave. If you do, it can, and will, be cancelled anytime up until your departing aircraft rotates.
Always expect to work your days off.
Always expect to be called out on standby. Your local indigenous colleagues will go sick at the drop of a hat. (Dinner party, birthday, special day for a relative six times removed, etc.)
Do not be surprised if, in the middle of giving an in-flight briefing, your colleague gets out of his seat and starts to pray in a back corner of the flight deck.
Do not complain. This will be construed as an insult.
Bahrain is a great place, so long as nothing goes wrong. However, don't forget that you won't be there very much and will be spending most of your time down the route in countries about which you may not want to read.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: MidEast
Posts: 46
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Ill intended???
Well, well, well... long time I didn't read a post so ill intended over here...
I'd really like to believe that Trappist Guy had a really really bad time here or just couldn't sleep properly last night.
Gulf Air certainly does have its lows (not one or two) but at the same time, not to the extent Trappist exposes.
Pay depends on the size of your family. If you're single, married or even with 1 kid, F/O salary can give you a decent life, although you'll have to put some money from your pocket into housing and school. But you'll still be able to save some $$$.
Yes, we do have problems with rostering. Historically, it has been the biggest attrition point here... Last minute changes, delays, block extension... but it isn't that bad either, happens all over I believe. Just do a quick search regarding EK rostering practices.
The leave cancellation has not happened for more than a year now. And doesn't seem it will happen again. Unless the much-awaited exodus to EY really happens in the months to come.
Calling on days-off has also been greatly reduced. The same on STBY. More than 3 months they don't call me!!!
No colleague ever interrupted a briefing to pray. Yep, they do pray on the cockpit and personally I respect them for their faith. Nothing wrong with that.
Yep, Bahrain is a nice place for family life. Safe, apart from driving on thursdays and fridays... (ah, those saudis, kuwaitis, qataris and bahrainis themselves!!!)
My best advice is, come for the interview and see for yourself.
Nice people to work with, although most of the new captains are toooo afraid of simple things like crosswind, cloud layers, drizzle, being high on the approach...
Best of luck!!
JJ
I'd really like to believe that Trappist Guy had a really really bad time here or just couldn't sleep properly last night.
Gulf Air certainly does have its lows (not one or two) but at the same time, not to the extent Trappist exposes.
Pay depends on the size of your family. If you're single, married or even with 1 kid, F/O salary can give you a decent life, although you'll have to put some money from your pocket into housing and school. But you'll still be able to save some $$$.
Yes, we do have problems with rostering. Historically, it has been the biggest attrition point here... Last minute changes, delays, block extension... but it isn't that bad either, happens all over I believe. Just do a quick search regarding EK rostering practices.
The leave cancellation has not happened for more than a year now. And doesn't seem it will happen again. Unless the much-awaited exodus to EY really happens in the months to come.
Calling on days-off has also been greatly reduced. The same on STBY. More than 3 months they don't call me!!!
No colleague ever interrupted a briefing to pray. Yep, they do pray on the cockpit and personally I respect them for their faith. Nothing wrong with that.
Yep, Bahrain is a nice place for family life. Safe, apart from driving on thursdays and fridays... (ah, those saudis, kuwaitis, qataris and bahrainis themselves!!!)
My best advice is, come for the interview and see for yourself.
Nice people to work with, although most of the new captains are toooo afraid of simple things like crosswind, cloud layers, drizzle, being high on the approach...
Best of luck!!
JJ
