Gulf Air Update
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AA
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allatp ; It's a Flying Club. Not a "proper" airline. Stay with it. Get in. Fabbo people. You will do, on average, 30 years ! I did, only 17. Interview at LHR was for B767 DEC. I was phoned, same evening by CP 767 stating I was accepted. Next evening, he stated that DEC for 767 was no longer sanctioned." Sorrry. Welcome to GF", he said, Burt, I was offered DEC 737, burt only on one year contract. Why not join us, anyway for B767 RHS ? "OK" said desperado. " , because, as explained, this would be a "three" year contract. Better than "one", eh ? ". "How soon do you want me?", said desperado, "Tomorrow would really help" said, equally desperate CP. I joined, larfed an awful lot, flew with the most talented bunch I have ever known, got my Command back within 6 months. Despite being kicked in the ollies 17 years later, I still tear up at the fabbo memories. Allatp, stay with it. You will never look back..........well, maybe, except in anger ! L A R F ! Oh, I keep saying "Burt" because that was all the UK Northern birds used to say. Burt, that's another story ! Poolside, Gulf Hotel ? Thought I was at the Manchester Excelsior Hotel !
AA
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Still the worst employer in the Gulf region by faaaaarr!!!!! stay away by all means, leaves are cancelled until 2019, pay is less by 30 percent from rival airlines
and school allowances have been the same since 2012!!!
stay away, if you respect yourself as a pilot!!!!!!!
and school allowances have been the same since 2012!!!
stay away, if you respect yourself as a pilot!!!!!!!
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Gordomac
Gordo good to see you havnt lost your sense of humour. I was 1988 to 98 from the Antipides. It was a steep learning curve, but all in all they were the best company, I ever worked for and theres been a few . Not the money though. Just offended my last company im 71 so that could be it. My intolerance of stupidity hasn't improved. Do you keep in touch with any of the Arab boyos . Yaquoob Aliskari, Ismael Abdulla,Isa Abdullah, Suhail Ismael. Muhamad Al Mejeiny, Ali Alufy .I pulled an Aussie clanger being introduced to Yaquoobs wife, I shook her hand, at least I didn't try to kiss it. I realised straight away id done something wrong, he put his head in his hands . He was training me to be a Tristar captain. The sort of person most of those guys were they recognised an Aussie Yid was beyond manners and it was never discussed. He seemed to like me. I certainly did and had great respect for him.
I take it your in Cyprus. Had a great holiday there. Spent the most time in Pathos. Anyone ex GF, I may know also living there. GH living in UK, I speak to at times. I new poor Rad had passed away after being in a terrible state after a serious stroke. Your safe, multiple divorces there's nothing left for travel. Although much as I dislike travel, I have always yearned for Argentina . I knew a retired is it Aero lianas? cap and he described to me barbecuing the best steak you've ever had while your nectar is chilling in the icy stream as you bask in the barmy sunlight
I take it your in Cyprus. Had a great holiday there. Spent the most time in Pathos. Anyone ex GF, I may know also living there. GH living in UK, I speak to at times. I new poor Rad had passed away after being in a terrible state after a serious stroke. Your safe, multiple divorces there's nothing left for travel. Although much as I dislike travel, I have always yearned for Argentina . I knew a retired is it Aero lianas? cap and he described to me barbecuing the best steak you've ever had while your nectar is chilling in the icy stream as you bask in the barmy sunlight
Hi Greg. Not so much of a GF update but more of one for "Where Are They Now" so I won't bore others. I will PM you later today. Great memory jog though. You did a decade. I did nearly two & others three ! Some even retired to Bahrain . Glad you are Ok & managing a larf. Good Time to hang up the flying boots, poor yourself a cheeky one & surf through some of the old pics.
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@allatp any updates about your application mate?
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Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
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They have huge shortage on F/Os ,they have been doing assessments to local pilots, around 100 newbes waiting their turn to be hired! you can imagine how childish they are! they lack planning to be honest, what i know for sure that they are not renewing contracts for expats, so that may be the reason.
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
AA
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They have huge shortage on F/Os ,they have been doing assessments to local pilots, around 100 newbes waiting their turn to be hired! you can imagine how childish they are! they lack planning to be honest, what i know for sure that they are not renewing contracts for expats, so that may be the reason.
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
Replacing the expats for sure is a long term goal, but I can't see it happening in the near future unless they reduce the fleet.
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They have huge shortage on F/Os ,they have been doing assessments to local pilots, around 100 newbes waiting their turn to be hired! you can imagine how childish they are! they lack planning to be honest, what i know for sure that they are not renewing contracts for expats, so that may be the reason.
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
Better to try with QR ..
and if you have a job at home , stick with it
Cheers mate
Their only concern is the annual leave situation.
Cheers.
AA
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Positive:
- Fleet expansion (as by management) until 2023: all A330 and all A320 and A321 staying, total 28 airplanes. Adding 10x 787-900 (6 further options) by end of 2020: 3 delivered, 2 more by end 2018. 2 in 2019 and 3 in 2020. Further 12 A320Neo (2 this year) and 17 A321Neo over the next 5 years until end 2023. Total by 2023: 67 airframes. (Rumours of 330Neo or A350 being swapped for remaining 787 orders)
- Decent salary, although it could do with an update considering the rising costs and inflation. Locals, have been leaving in recent years but most stick around. Expats don't stick around for the salary, but for the lifestyle and life in Bahrain.
- Fleet transfers are on going, long term career perspective looks good at the moment.
Downside (room for improvement 😉
:- Gulf Air is never fully crewed, almost no standby cover, resolved with volunteers working days off and leave cancellations, unstable rosters with many changes as a result. Leave cancellations are the rule, not the exception especially during peak periods, therefore you can never plan a holiday with family.
- Work is to the max of FDP with absolute minimum days off as required by law 8 days off in 28 days on a rolling average. Schedules often not taking circadian rhythms into consideration, jumping between morning, night, day and evening flights. 3 long night turnaround flights followed by a next morning early morning start is not uncommon! As long as it is legal on paper. Expect no common sense, if it's legal you're expected to be able to do it and be well rested to operate to the maximum of the allowable FDP.
- You're a number in the scheduling game, there is hardly appreciation for Human Factors Performance and Limitations (Fatigue Risk Management System FRMS is not implemented, yet), as mentioned if it is legal on paper you're expected to be able to do it. Schedules are often extremely tough on A320 with lots of night flights and or 4 sector days.
- Massive expansion planned, more than doubling the fleet size in 5 years, without a proper recruitment drive. DEC stopped/not advertised for time being, focus on internal upgrade, DEFO (returning Bahraini) and Bahraini semi sponsored cadets through Tamkeen. However falling far short in training capacity at the moment.
- Command Upgrades are stalled due extreme shortage of First Officers, most are maxed out on hours and don't be surprised to see 2 and 3 Captains operating together.
- Contract is not respected by the company, leaves are cancelled at will and details like place of recruitment have been changed on renewal for expat pilots, be careful.
- Being sick is penalised by the company with planned/assigned days off being removed as per a pro-ration schedule.
Happy landings,
Force
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Here a more valuable update... but bear in mind plans change, especially in aviation!
Positive:
Downside (room for improvement 😉:
Happy landings,
Force
Positive:
- Fleet expansion (as by management) until 2023: all A330 and all A320 and A321 staying, total 28 airplanes. Adding 10x 787-900 (6 further options) by end of 2020: 3 delivered, 2 more by end 2018. 2 in 2019 and 3 in 2020. Further 12 A320Neo (2 this year) and 17 A321Neo over the next 5 years until end 2023. Total by 2023: 67 airframes. (Rumours of 330Neo or A350 being swapped for remaining 787 orders)
- Decent salary, although it could do with an update considering the rising costs and inflation. Locals, have been leaving in recent years but most stick around. Expats don't stick around for the salary, but for the lifestyle and life in Bahrain.
- Fleet transfers are on going, long term career perspective looks good at the moment.
Downside (room for improvement 😉
:- Gulf Air is never fully crewed, almost no standby cover, resolved with volunteers working days off and leave cancellations, unstable rosters with many changes as a result. Leave cancellations are the rule, not the exception especially during peak periods, therefore you can never plan a holiday with family.
- Work is to the max of FDP with absolute minimum days off as required by law 8 days off in 28 days on a rolling average. Schedules often not taking circadian rhythms into consideration, jumping between morning, night, day and evening flights. 3 long night turnaround flights followed by a next morning early morning start is not uncommon! As long as it is legal on paper. Expect no common sense, if it's legal you're expected to be able to do it and be well rested to operate to the maximum of the allowable FDP.
- You're a number in the scheduling game, there is hardly appreciation for Human Factors Performance and Limitations (Fatigue Risk Management System FRMS is not implemented, yet), as mentioned if it is legal on paper you're expected to be able to do it. Schedules are often extremely tough on A320 with lots of night flights and or 4 sector days.
- Massive expansion planned, more than doubling the fleet size in 5 years, without a proper recruitment drive. DEC stopped/not advertised for time being, focus on internal upgrade, DEFO (returning Bahraini) and Bahraini semi sponsored cadets through Tamkeen. However falling far short in training capacity at the moment.
- Command Upgrades are stalled due extreme shortage of First Officers, most are maxed out on hours and don't be surprised to see 2 and 3 Captains operating together.
- Contract is not respected by the company, leaves are cancelled at will and details like place of recruitment have been changed on renewal for expat pilots, be careful.
- Being sick is penalised by the company with planned/assigned days off being removed as per a pro-ration schedule.
Happy landings,
Force
AA
Nice post Aeroforce,
The not respecting the contract was the reason why I left in 2016 and most of
what you say was going on back then when I was there. Especially the leave cancellations and crew roster.
One example I did a flight one night and was told by the CM that one of the Cabin crew who was due to go back
for leave had arranged a big gathering and paid for Hotel etc and they cancel this person's Leave with 24 Hr notice.
Luckily we had 5 on that night so This person could sit quietly at the back.
When I joined they wanted me to start yesterday due to 20 odd Captains leaving
pretty much at once apparently for that as well.
I agree if you like living in bahrain etc as you say I guess you can make it work if not or
like my case think hard.
My 10 Pence worth that's all,
Regard's.
The not respecting the contract was the reason why I left in 2016 and most of
what you say was going on back then when I was there. Especially the leave cancellations and crew roster.
One example I did a flight one night and was told by the CM that one of the Cabin crew who was due to go back
for leave had arranged a big gathering and paid for Hotel etc and they cancel this person's Leave with 24 Hr notice.
Luckily we had 5 on that night so This person could sit quietly at the back.
When I joined they wanted me to start yesterday due to 20 odd Captains leaving
pretty much at once apparently for that as well.
I agree if you like living in bahrain etc as you say I guess you can make it work if not or
like my case think hard.
My 10 Pence worth that's all,
Regard's.
Nah, fight my own battles and even Slow, plus a few others, are used to your constant prodding Gypo and are unlikely to jump into pure envy based vitreol. On thread though, horses for courses. Loved every second of GF for 17 years.I certainly would still enjoy the deal because I finally got used to the GF Flying Club . Even the final battle with NS was a lesson in itself and although my kick in the ollies was brutal, it was time to go. Now, time to go into my Lidle's inflateable, J&C in hand, at least three lengths of my lovely pool. Sorry Gypo, eat your troubled little heart out.