Arabian Jets
Join Date: Apr 2008
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I have a few general comments, and a specific one as well.
First, take the best job offered! I always laugh when I read a post from someone with 1,200 hours who asks "should I fly for Delta or American". Do you have multiple job offers? If you have a job, why do you want to leave?
Second, Arabian Jets (like the name implies) is in Saudi Arabia. If you haven't lived there, figure it out.
Third, almost without exception, management companies are imperfect, and none of them revolve around pilots. Like Mr. B200 Driver said, do your job and quit your bitchen because it doesn't do you or anyone else any good. Being a chief pilot (as a few posters have alleged B200 to be) is about the most thankless job in aviation. Until you've been there for a year or two, why not give him some slack?
With that said, I know a guy who has a friend who either works in, or has heard of Jeddah. He says Arabian jets is better than average, pays their bills, and is adding aircraft. In the past few months, they have hired a few and fired a few.
Too bad you didn't say what you applied for, but if you need a job, I'd take it, it's better than average and they pay.
Oh, as a final comment, who the He$$ has EVER heard of an employment contract? If you worked for me, I'd have <that poster> drug tested regularly.
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First, take the best job offered! I always laugh when I read a post from someone with 1,200 hours who asks "should I fly for Delta or American". Do you have multiple job offers? If you have a job, why do you want to leave?
Second, Arabian Jets (like the name implies) is in Saudi Arabia. If you haven't lived there, figure it out.
Third, almost without exception, management companies are imperfect, and none of them revolve around pilots. Like Mr. B200 Driver said, do your job and quit your bitchen because it doesn't do you or anyone else any good. Being a chief pilot (as a few posters have alleged B200 to be) is about the most thankless job in aviation. Until you've been there for a year or two, why not give him some slack?
With that said, I know a guy who has a friend who either works in, or has heard of Jeddah. He says Arabian jets is better than average, pays their bills, and is adding aircraft. In the past few months, they have hired a few and fired a few.
Too bad you didn't say what you applied for, but if you need a job, I'd take it, it's better than average and they pay.
Oh, as a final comment, who the He$$ has EVER heard of an employment contract? If you worked for me, I'd have <that poster> drug tested regularly.
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Mr. "Flying Dude", do you have any specific stories about things that happened to you, or are you just relaying one sided rumors?
I did see that they are advertising on 350 for a Hawker crew and a 900 crew.
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I did see that they are advertising on 350 for a Hawker crew and a 900 crew.
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Join Date: Apr 2008
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Interesting to note, Arabian Jets seems to advertise quite often for pilots on 350. Their web site doesn't seem to indicate that they are rapidly expanding, so it seems to reason that they have a high turnover like "flying dude" indicates.
I've also had two private emails from former pilots who say that this is a difficult company to work for, so perhaps you should only consider them if you can't find anything else.
Does anyone with first hand knowledge disagree?
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I've also had two private emails from former pilots who say that this is a difficult company to work for, so perhaps you should only consider them if you can't find anything else.
Does anyone with first hand knowledge disagree?
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Most snakes have a fairly similar body. Its the head that differs.
So pick your snake.
Like anywhere else, it depends what you are looking for. If you want to fly a lot, work hard, and are able accept the fact you are not in Kansas anymore Toto, then AJ is just another Middle Eastern operator, no worse than most out there, and in fact in many aspects it is way better than many out there - so I reiterate: PICK THE SNAKE YOU KNOW HOW TO HANDLE.
So pick your snake.
Like anywhere else, it depends what you are looking for. If you want to fly a lot, work hard, and are able accept the fact you are not in Kansas anymore Toto, then AJ is just another Middle Eastern operator, no worse than most out there, and in fact in many aspects it is way better than many out there - so I reiterate: PICK THE SNAKE YOU KNOW HOW TO HANDLE.
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I got a PM last week from a pilot who seems to be working for Arabian Jets (He emailed me after my earlier posts).
He said Arabian Jets has fired two DO's, one CP, eight pilots and one director of MX since the beginning of 2011, most of them for no reason other than to avoid paying them (Two or Three more have also quit on their own). He said that there is a law suit for back pay against the company by three of the pilots . He says that they constantly change flight handlers once they run up a big tab for fuel etc.
His latest tale is about the 350 advert for a G-IV SIC. Seems that a G-IV pilot quit, so they upgraded a FO with only 200 hours in jets to PIC and are hiring a new FO, that's why the latest post.
Also, he said that "The king grounded most of the fleet" for some reason, and they now only have two aircraft flying!
All I can say is WOW! Why do these companies do this? "Come work here so we can fire you"!
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He said Arabian Jets has fired two DO's, one CP, eight pilots and one director of MX since the beginning of 2011, most of them for no reason other than to avoid paying them (Two or Three more have also quit on their own). He said that there is a law suit for back pay against the company by three of the pilots . He says that they constantly change flight handlers once they run up a big tab for fuel etc.
His latest tale is about the 350 advert for a G-IV SIC. Seems that a G-IV pilot quit, so they upgraded a FO with only 200 hours in jets to PIC and are hiring a new FO, that's why the latest post.
Also, he said that "The king grounded most of the fleet" for some reason, and they now only have two aircraft flying!
All I can say is WOW! Why do these companies do this? "Come work here so we can fire you"!
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AJ - Beware
As one of the recent GIV - departing Captains, stay away from these idiots. Yes it is true they upgraded the FO. He first started flying with me this year. Good pilot but no jet time only King Airs when he came to company. If you like 25+ hour duty days go to work for them. The GIV - Captain that replaced me said he had 40 hour days between getting outta bed and into the last bed. Part 91 operation. However after seeing different faces on the jet almost all of the time?????? Chief Pilot would deny deny deny my concerns they were conduction illegal charter operations. After I got a business card from a charter broker as he escorted his passengers on the jet, I again asked the Chief Pilot. This time he said don't worry the FAA nor anyone else could track the money.
Yes they don't pay bills. I had to come up with over $1000.00 US out of my pocket for handling in Dubai. Day was already an 18 hour duty day and company wanted me to sit on jet with passengers until they could fly someone from Jedday with money to pay the fee as FBO would not let us off the jet. Since I still had to fly to Kuala Lumpur I paid the fee to get us going as going to a hotel was outta the option. Now for the good news they put you in apartments 40 minutes north of Jeddah and expect you to sit there 24 hours a day ready to fly at the drop of a hat. No guards, no compounds as highly recommended by the US State Department. Apartments are nice but at a rundown resort on the Red Sea only frequented by Saudis on the weekend. We were told tourists never came there as the place had been hit by terrorists 7 to 8 years ago with about 8 people killed. Job is billed as flying for the Royal Family - Prince Turki Ben Nasser to be specific as I was told by the Chief Pilot. My Saudi visa said "not authorized to work" in Saudi. Company said "don't worry, be happy" not a problem. These people are a problem. They do pay but you never know when you will get your check. When I left it took forever to get my final pay. One last comment about maintenance. I was lectured by the DOM not to ever write up any discrepancies. DOM was to be verbally notified and he would decide what and when to fix. And yes if you don't come 12 months current you must pay for you own training with a promise of them paying for training. After 7 months as their lead captain on the GIV with training coming up - no job! IMHO - stay away. And for the good news when you are gone they make up a total BS story as to why you are no longer with them.
Yes they don't pay bills. I had to come up with over $1000.00 US out of my pocket for handling in Dubai. Day was already an 18 hour duty day and company wanted me to sit on jet with passengers until they could fly someone from Jedday with money to pay the fee as FBO would not let us off the jet. Since I still had to fly to Kuala Lumpur I paid the fee to get us going as going to a hotel was outta the option. Now for the good news they put you in apartments 40 minutes north of Jeddah and expect you to sit there 24 hours a day ready to fly at the drop of a hat. No guards, no compounds as highly recommended by the US State Department. Apartments are nice but at a rundown resort on the Red Sea only frequented by Saudis on the weekend. We were told tourists never came there as the place had been hit by terrorists 7 to 8 years ago with about 8 people killed. Job is billed as flying for the Royal Family - Prince Turki Ben Nasser to be specific as I was told by the Chief Pilot. My Saudi visa said "not authorized to work" in Saudi. Company said "don't worry, be happy" not a problem. These people are a problem. They do pay but you never know when you will get your check. When I left it took forever to get my final pay. One last comment about maintenance. I was lectured by the DOM not to ever write up any discrepancies. DOM was to be verbally notified and he would decide what and when to fix. And yes if you don't come 12 months current you must pay for you own training with a promise of them paying for training. After 7 months as their lead captain on the GIV with training coming up - no job! IMHO - stay away. And for the good news when you are gone they make up a total BS story as to why you are no longer with them.
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Sitting Ducks?
Two years ago I read from another expat pilot in Saudi who wanted to rent a villa on his own for him and the other pilot that you must live in a compound with armed guards and TWO security walls, one made of concrete.
So you are basically sitting on the beach waiting for the terrorists to come back and kill more people? All this and no beer while you wait!
So you are basically sitting on the beach waiting for the terrorists to come back and kill more people? All this and no beer while you wait!
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Yep! That is about the size of it. Of course just before I left they hired us a driver from India I believe. This was the first time he had driven a car. No idea what he was doing. Extremely dangerous rides to and from the aircraft. He did bootleg "sid" to anyone who was stupid enough to drink it.
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AJ - Beware
And if you still want to work there here is a few points I left out. You don't ever get the contract they promised, therefore they never give you the medical they promisted and therefore you never get an end of service bonus. They advertise - tax free money! HAHAHAH No way! Sure you don't get a 1099 and they don't report your earnings to the IRS but try an axplain away those large monthly deposits in your bank account from Saudi Arabia.
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Arabian Jets Sucks
mizarlee is 100% correct in his post. Arabian Jets is a terrible company. I still have not been paid my salary or final pay and it has been months. Arabian Jets will be out of business very soon if they keep going like this. If you are thinking about working for Arabian Jets, CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING !!!
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wow, how do you guys really feel?
If this is all true, have you explored filing a lawsuit?
It wouldn't be easy, and it would take a while, but have you thought of this??
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If this is all true, have you explored filing a lawsuit?
It wouldn't be easy, and it would take a while, but have you thought of this??
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AJ and law suit.
Not really a good idea for me. Sueing someone that has more money than God! is not up my alley. I'm trying to survive as it is. The main financial backer of AJ is Prince Turki Bin Nasser or so I was told.
He runs a Presidential Ministry for the King of Saudi Arabia and doesn't like to pay his bills according to what I've seen on Internet searches - He left his yacht crew and yacht high and dry in Spain.
Best to walk away from these crooks and try and warn as many people as possible. Sad part is Chief Pilot from South Africa was just as bad as these folks - no backbone, lies on command and only thought of himself. Please get foodstamps before selling your soul and working for these people.
Gotta love the owner of the GIV. Apologized as he boarded the GIV in Cairo for being late as he had to pray before coming to jet. We barely got the door closed and out came the Johnnie Walker. He and his Saudi General friend each drank a fifth of the fire water and had to be poured off the jet in London. What a bunch of hypocrites!
He runs a Presidential Ministry for the King of Saudi Arabia and doesn't like to pay his bills according to what I've seen on Internet searches - He left his yacht crew and yacht high and dry in Spain.
Best to walk away from these crooks and try and warn as many people as possible. Sad part is Chief Pilot from South Africa was just as bad as these folks - no backbone, lies on command and only thought of himself. Please get foodstamps before selling your soul and working for these people.
Gotta love the owner of the GIV. Apologized as he boarded the GIV in Cairo for being late as he had to pray before coming to jet. We barely got the door closed and out came the Johnnie Walker. He and his Saudi General friend each drank a fifth of the fire water and had to be poured off the jet in London. What a bunch of hypocrites!
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Absolute Truth
Mizarlee, Arabianknights, Beserker and Flying Dude have all spoken the truth while leaving an abundance of negative information unshared. Its called CLASS.
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Arabian Jets Sucks
CYA for all you getting strong armed at Arabian Jets into flying....... the friend of the cousin who is the brother of the sister's great aunt. Courtesy of AIN alerts.
Former Platinum Jet Pilot Gets Six Months’ Prison Time
Pilot Francis Vieira, 61, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the 2005 takeoff crash at Teterboro Airport of a Challenger 600 operated by defunct Platinum Jet, was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison and an additional six months of house arrest. According to U.S. District Court papers, Vieira entered a guilty plea on the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to defraud the U.S. The court further noted that from November 2002 to November 2003, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based charter operator Platinum Jet did not have a Part 135 certificate and, despite the lack of proper certification, “Vieira and his co-conspirators agreed to operate Platinum Jet as a commercial jet charter company and flew several dozen illegal charter flights.” Three of Vieira's co-defendants—Michael Brassington, Paul Brassington and Andrew Budhan—will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dennis Cavanaugh in Newark, N.J., in the coming weeks. Joseph Singh, former director of charters, was sentenced last Tuesday to one year of probation and ordered to pay $200,000 restitution to victims of the operation. Contract pilot John Kimberling, who was in the cockpit at the time of the Teterboro crash, is being tried separately in Florida. Charges against a sixth Platinum Jet employee, director of maintenance Brien McKenzie, were dismissed earlier this year.
Former Platinum Jet Pilot Gets Six Months’ Prison Time
Pilot Francis Vieira, 61, who had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the 2005 takeoff crash at Teterboro Airport of a Challenger 600 operated by defunct Platinum Jet, was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison and an additional six months of house arrest. According to U.S. District Court papers, Vieira entered a guilty plea on the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to defraud the U.S. The court further noted that from November 2002 to November 2003, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based charter operator Platinum Jet did not have a Part 135 certificate and, despite the lack of proper certification, “Vieira and his co-conspirators agreed to operate Platinum Jet as a commercial jet charter company and flew several dozen illegal charter flights.” Three of Vieira's co-defendants—Michael Brassington, Paul Brassington and Andrew Budhan—will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dennis Cavanaugh in Newark, N.J., in the coming weeks. Joseph Singh, former director of charters, was sentenced last Tuesday to one year of probation and ordered to pay $200,000 restitution to victims of the operation. Contract pilot John Kimberling, who was in the cockpit at the time of the Teterboro crash, is being tried separately in Florida. Charges against a sixth Platinum Jet employee, director of maintenance Brien McKenzie, were dismissed earlier this year.