Gulf Air T&c

[QAR]

Just would like to know from anyone at GULF AIR as Im keen to join.

1.what is the pay pack for a direct entry A320 type rated Fo?

2.what is the time to command?

3.what other perks they offer like anuall leave,housing,etc...

4.how is the company CRM?

4.how is life in bahrain?

I hope you guys can give some info and guidance...

Regards

[Sultan85]

Bahrain??? I hope that you can live with the crazy traffic + the crazy Sudi drunk drivers.
Also sooooo crazy housing price + poor under structural.

[boiler]

I think Bahrain is better than all the other countries in the region Sultan85. When was the last time you heard dozens of people dead in a traffic accident in Bahrain (recall the AUH-DXB highway accident). In regards to rent, still Bahrain is the cheapest in region (though it is rising). Just ask any DOH, DXB, or AUH resident.

[ironbutt57]

Bahrain..easy relaxed living..not lots of outdoor activities unless u like boating, or limited 4-wheeling..

GF..command times..folks now in command training range in the 7-9 years range..4 per month for at least the next calendar year..time in servic will drop as current commands continue

Initial command on 320

two-year f.o.'s on 320 now moving on to 330/340 f.o.

dont know the pay package for f.o.'s

CRM? probably best in the region, with a professional, but comfortable working environment..not a "reporting get u in trouble kind of place"

AQP training system in place..designed to train.not chop..very standardized and open..no little vendettas or secrets..you will have your full training syllabus and lesson plan provided to you and your training will be conducted in strict adherence to said syllabus..no "inventive" instructors..

plenty of nightlife if that's your thing

several affordable social clubs for the family with facilities

schools expensive, but good educational standards

driving..some traffic jams..and weekend visitors from "neighboring countries" that wreak havoc on weekend evenings..you will learn a different style of driving..but nothing like Dubai..which is actually frightening most times..

[left_to_first_class]

Bahrain life is pretty good if you prefer the more relaxed approach to life.
Plenty of good restaurants, bars and cafe around. Housing is getting expensive but quality is good.
It can get boring if you get stuck in a routine so need to escape on a regular basis for a sanity check.
Do you have family or are you single?
Overall better place in my opinion then the other states.

[Heleheleyani]

you can get more detailed information about the current FO package at

www.ppjn.com

[moza]

does gulf air hire decs

[Mephistopheles]

GF have not hired DECs for a long time & have no plans to.

[Sal-e]

One of the biggest mistake people make is judge the place before having a look at the other GCC places. Although impractical, one way to do it is to have a look around the neighbourhood before deciding. Most would agree that Bahrain has the best overall package compared to her neighbours.

[MMS]

I agree with Sal-e, but i just wish that GF would recruit. Im still waiting for them to start their recruitment phase.....I also wish they had some boeing aircraft on a sooner delivery date than the 787.

[Panama Jack]

Not exactly sure what is happening exactly today, but crews were told last week that 150-160 pilots needed, basically ASAP. So whether they are interviewing at the moment, or leafing though resumes is unbeknownst to me, but there should be fresh faces here in the very near future.

Ironbutt57's summary is fairly accurate. He forgot to mention the opening of a new waterpark here in Bahrain which is said to be even better than the one in Dubai. There are issues and problems in Bahrain, but overall, life is fairly easy here.

[smiling boy]

dude think other airlines but not gf too much politics

[Sal-e]

smiley face,
politics for politicians. Why would you want to get embroilled in that stuff as a pilot? Just do that flying stuff and you should be fine.

MMS, the figure is 160 in the next year. I think around 30 to 50 will be leaving due retirement/natural attrition etc. So think more along the lines of 190 to 210 pilots required in the next year. So put in that CV.

[Che Guevara]

dude think other airlines but not gf too much politics

Interesting comment from a 'first timer', I wonder if you can elaborate on that for us?
By the way, if you think the other airlines in the Gulf are not affected by politics, you are sadly mistaken.

QAR, I think Ironbutt has a pretty good take on life in Gulf Air and Bahrain, however we are all different and look for different things life so take a 'flying' visit and check it out for yourself if you are interested in applying.

Basically the money is good, nice working atmosphere and not a bad place to live.

Chao

[QAR]

thanks che for your input on GF and life style..

ironbutt has mention a few points but i would like

I have +4000hrs tt and +2000hrs on 320..

1.do you have he inside on how long will take to command is it 7-9 years like a few said?

2.the take home pay how much would be in US and do they give housing allowance?

thanks

[Che Guevara]

Hi QAR

I don't know exactly what the F/Os manage to take home every month, however if you look at this link then you can probably work it out: http://www.ppjn.com
You need to multiply Bahraini Dinars by 2.65 to find the USD equivalent.

Time to command has recently been about 7-9 years however they will be moving faster than this in the near future as there are no more DECs at the moment.

Finally, yes they do give a Housing allowance, mediacl benefits etc.

Good luck

Che

[ironbutt57]

Like Che mentioned, f.o.'s with 6yrs+ now being assessed, and 7-9yrs on course...bear in mind these folks were probably set back by the large influx of the GT DEC's, split GT/GF seniority list, and the subsequent "retiring" of the 767 fleet...but as the commands are now gearing up, i would suspect by 18 months from now, you will see 3-4yr f.o.'s who are aeronautically qualified (enough hours) on the command course...no specific numbers but a recently recalled American Airlines former colleague with 6yrs+ seniority at AA is netting (takehome pay) around 60% of what our f.o.'s here do...and thats without the housing etc...etc...needless to say he's back at a Gulf carrier!

[Not too small]

Hope For The Best

Hi if you are swiss try to join for management from the beginning you will get it and you will keep you command.
If your not swiss apply for management too you will get it but you be a first officer.
Good luck the more but you say the higher position you get.

[polarus]

Stay AWAY from GF!!!

Bahrain is nice but a job at GF is a lesson in stupidity! Your fellow pilots for the most part are good to work with BUT you will hate the company. Too long to upgrades, too many crooks, just watch the swipe in and out in the Pink Palace. Crazy, dirty, smelly place trying to make its way into the 1970s ... nevermind 2008.

STAY AWAY IMHO!

[tmax]

Sure you could not pass the intreview!!