Gulf Air Interview (threads merged)
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better ask the folks at the interview time frames for command....not too sure about these things, would hate to steer you in the wrong direction....seniority is a bit more involved and includes both date of hire, and "seat/fleet" aspects...it is a primary factor in command awards...made easier by one crew base again....for now anyway....
Last edited by ironbutt57; 27th Apr 2006 at 15:40.
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Turnaround times with a/c change
Hello there,
Anybody knows where to find the minimum turnaround times?
There is a table with 45 min (40' for transit), but what about the 01:15 if you have an a/c change. Is it gone on last revision? (revisions
)
Thanks,
LNB
Anybody knows where to find the minimum turnaround times?
There is a table with 45 min (40' for transit), but what about the 01:15 if you have an a/c change. Is it gone on last revision? (revisions
)Thanks,
LNB
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GF Line training
Just a small question for the Gf Flyers:
How long does it take for an Ab-Initio Pilot (CPL-IR,FROZEN ATPL) to complete his A320 Simulator Training+ Line training A320?
Your comments would be higly appreciated.
TREK
How long does it take for an Ab-Initio Pilot (CPL-IR,FROZEN ATPL) to complete his A320 Simulator Training+ Line training A320?
Your comments would be higly appreciated.
TREK
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Hi, all!
Iīve appiled for a Gulf Air A320 position. Can anybody tell me something about the tests, which are to be done there and how to prepare best for them? Thank You very much!
Iīve appiled for a Gulf Air A320 position. Can anybody tell me something about the tests, which are to be done there and how to prepare best for them? Thank You very much!
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Gulf Air guys,
I have enjoyed reading your posts and am considering applying. I am currently an American Airlines 767 FO and have pretty much had enough of the US Airline industry roller-coaster ride. I am interested more in stability than $$. Can you guys answer the gut question of how stable you feel at GF? I know every company has its ups and downs, if you read the AA pilots forums you'd think there was about to be a mutiny at any moment.
I have spent a lot of time in Bahrain and am comfortable there. What are the company furnished flats in Juffair like on the inside? I know juffair well and know some flats looks horrible from the outside yet are pretty decent inside.
I see that GF gives 50 days vacation, how do you get that? Do you bid for it in advance or can you request certain times off?
How is the flying/scheduling? I know it sucks everywhere, but do you get a line mixed with reserve or stand-by? How does it work? Does pay increase each year or is and FO with 1 year paid the same as an FO with 10 years?
I appreciate your honest answers and look forward to buying the first round at JJ's one night.
Hercpilot
I have enjoyed reading your posts and am considering applying. I am currently an American Airlines 767 FO and have pretty much had enough of the US Airline industry roller-coaster ride. I am interested more in stability than $$. Can you guys answer the gut question of how stable you feel at GF? I know every company has its ups and downs, if you read the AA pilots forums you'd think there was about to be a mutiny at any moment.
I have spent a lot of time in Bahrain and am comfortable there. What are the company furnished flats in Juffair like on the inside? I know juffair well and know some flats looks horrible from the outside yet are pretty decent inside.
I see that GF gives 50 days vacation, how do you get that? Do you bid for it in advance or can you request certain times off?
How is the flying/scheduling? I know it sucks everywhere, but do you get a line mixed with reserve or stand-by? How does it work? Does pay increase each year or is and FO with 1 year paid the same as an FO with 10 years?
I appreciate your honest answers and look forward to buying the first round at JJ's one night.
Hercpilot
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GF, a few thoughts
Hello Hercpilot,
"Can you guys answer the gut question of how stable you feel at GF?"
# I don't believe GF will ever go bankrupt, no matter the gravity of its financial situation. Because:
a) GF gives a lot of jobs to bahrainis, a lot of money goes through the company, the country needs GF.
b) Bahrain needs an airline to cope with its growth, eventhough not growing as UAE or Qatar, Bahrain is expanding economically. I believe GF will need to expand as well to cope with this growth, however, not in the dimension of a global carrier, as EK, EY are trying to do. And will probably achieve.
"What are the company furnished flats in Juffair like on the inside? I know juffair well and know some flats looks horrible from the outside yet are pretty decent inside."
# I agree with you. Maybe Juffair is gonna even look nice in a couple of years. Lack of vision, Juffair could have little channels, some green areas where the kids could go and play.....dreaming. Be ready to spend from 500 to 800 in Juffair.
"I see that GF gives 50 days vacation, how do you get that? Do you bid for it in advance or can you request certain times off?"
# You must bid for your next year leave until october (guess so) from the previous year. Some guys get what they want, some of them don't. Some guys keep getting what they want, all the time and some others, never get the slot that they want. You see, there is no balance in rostering, the decent thing to do is: this year you didn't get, but next year your slot will be granted. Kind of. Despite being short of pilots, they are not cancelling leave slots.
"How is the flying/scheduling? I know it sucks everywhere, but do you get a line mixed with reserve or stand-by? How does it work?"
# If GF would fix its rostering system, half of most peoples problems would disappear. The reasons why we don't have an electronic bidding system are unknown to me.
Our flight duty limitations are very simple:
a) after 11 hours, or previous duty period, the company can (and will) send you anywhere.
b) you don't exceed 55 hours within 7 days
c) within 7 days you need 36h rest, if not, within 10 days, you need 60h rest.
d) there is nothing regarding changes in time zones and night duties. We do night turnarounds with 12 h duty and after minimum rest they can still send you somewhere else. Or even worse, you got a flight right in the morning, after coming from a night flight.
"Does pay increase each year or is and FO with 1 year paid the same as an FO with 10 years?
# It's like socialism. Paiy is the same for everybody! Some say long haul guys get a bit more because of the time away, like a taxi. But you spend more in your nightstops as well, so no big difference. But it's much more civilized operation then on the 320.
# That's the way I see GF, a lot of people do disagree, some guys think that flying for GF is THE job. I respect their opinion, eventhough some of them don't respect mine. It depends how you see things and how your expectations are being fulfilled. A good thing is that you know Bahrain, you're used to the dust, heat and the crazy drivers.
"I appreciate your honest answers and look forward to buying the first round at JJ's one night."
#hey, no sweat, all the best and see you around Bahrain!
LNB
"Can you guys answer the gut question of how stable you feel at GF?"
# I don't believe GF will ever go bankrupt, no matter the gravity of its financial situation. Because:
a) GF gives a lot of jobs to bahrainis, a lot of money goes through the company, the country needs GF.
b) Bahrain needs an airline to cope with its growth, eventhough not growing as UAE or Qatar, Bahrain is expanding economically. I believe GF will need to expand as well to cope with this growth, however, not in the dimension of a global carrier, as EK, EY are trying to do. And will probably achieve.
"What are the company furnished flats in Juffair like on the inside? I know juffair well and know some flats looks horrible from the outside yet are pretty decent inside."
# I agree with you. Maybe Juffair is gonna even look nice in a couple of years. Lack of vision, Juffair could have little channels, some green areas where the kids could go and play.....dreaming. Be ready to spend from 500 to 800 in Juffair.
"I see that GF gives 50 days vacation, how do you get that? Do you bid for it in advance or can you request certain times off?"
# You must bid for your next year leave until october (guess so) from the previous year. Some guys get what they want, some of them don't. Some guys keep getting what they want, all the time and some others, never get the slot that they want. You see, there is no balance in rostering, the decent thing to do is: this year you didn't get, but next year your slot will be granted. Kind of. Despite being short of pilots, they are not cancelling leave slots.
"How is the flying/scheduling? I know it sucks everywhere, but do you get a line mixed with reserve or stand-by? How does it work?"
# If GF would fix its rostering system, half of most peoples problems would disappear. The reasons why we don't have an electronic bidding system are unknown to me.
Our flight duty limitations are very simple:
a) after 11 hours, or previous duty period, the company can (and will) send you anywhere.
b) you don't exceed 55 hours within 7 days
c) within 7 days you need 36h rest, if not, within 10 days, you need 60h rest.
d) there is nothing regarding changes in time zones and night duties. We do night turnarounds with 12 h duty and after minimum rest they can still send you somewhere else. Or even worse, you got a flight right in the morning, after coming from a night flight.
"Does pay increase each year or is and FO with 1 year paid the same as an FO with 10 years?
# It's like socialism. Paiy is the same for everybody! Some say long haul guys get a bit more because of the time away, like a taxi. But you spend more in your nightstops as well, so no big difference. But it's much more civilized operation then on the 320.
# That's the way I see GF, a lot of people do disagree, some guys think that flying for GF is THE job. I respect their opinion, eventhough some of them don't respect mine. It depends how you see things and how your expectations are being fulfilled. A good thing is that you know Bahrain, you're used to the dust, heat and the crazy drivers.
"I appreciate your honest answers and look forward to buying the first round at JJ's one night."
#hey, no sweat, all the best and see you around Bahrain!
LNB
Last edited by LDG NO BLUE; 22nd Jul 2007 at 06:27.
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I agree with most of LNB's post. Only thing I would add is regarding the leave bidding system. You go to the bottom of the list on your first year and move up over a 3 year period and then down to the bottom again. It's the same for everyone regardless of senority. This means you have a better chance of getting what you want the closer to the top of the list you are. Plenty of guys get close to what they want in the first year, so just because you are new does not mean you end up with rubbish!
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Thanks gents. Its a tough decision. When I got hired 7 years ago I never thought I'd consider leaving AA or the USA but here I am facing that decision. I guess like everything else, its all about perspective.
Cheers
HP
Cheers
HP
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Hercpilot we got a few AA guys here, and they are enjoying it...lots of ups and downs...best thing for housing is to find a place take the contact number to the GF housing chap, and let him haggle with the landlord, GF have more "wasta" than we do as individuals and can usually get the place u like at a better price...yes you will more than likely ahve to subsidize it no free ride in that respect....nor at Emirates, Etihad, Qatar either....Singapore....to name a few....sign of the times...
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Ok, You guys have prompted another set of questions. The pay and benefits show approximately 450 BD per month for Travel allowance. What is the real bottom line? I expect you spend some of that travel allowance. Also as an FO how many days flying? How many times do you go over the 75 hours and make the extra 20BD? This is turning into a budget drill. I am assuming 650BD for a flat. 25 phone. 25 utilities and 150 for a car. Thanks
HP
HP
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Travel allowance(per deims) bd1.5 "sign on" to "sign off" at base...these per deim hours will vary but your figures are in the ballpark ...hours...same answer...buy a new suv or something with some modicum of safety? (impact protection)bd 2-300 per month with 20% down...ie: Ford explorer 9000bd purchase price....flat price is ballpark..could go up or down a bit...bit of shopping will put you in an unfurnished villa for the same...fone?? depends on how often you call home..or use the msn chat or whatever...i'd guess 50-75bd.. you will probably be rostered for 20 -22 days per month, and most likely get a day or two callout..(you can say "no" unless you are extended out of base..but get paid none the less) most places we go it is possible to make money on the per deims...months over 75 depends on fleet...but probably more often than not...but dont count on it when crunching the numbers...that's "beer money" definately the most "relaxed" mob in the gulf...
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HP your calculations are about right but the breakdown is difficult to give because it depends on the fleet you are assigned to. You can expect to take home around $6000US/mth and it can be more depending on O/T and if you work days off or not. Your 6500BD for accom is a bit high, not neccessary to spend that much, 500BD should cover it. Stay away from Juffair at all costs!!!!
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I did the "budayia villa" thing for 11 yrs....nice quiet etc...etc...single status, or married no kids. Juffair works...when I was headed back from Auh to Bah, I swore never Juffair....never say never..I'm here in a 5-star flat contribute 25% and am happy for it...but BE careful.. a trip around to prospective bldgs on a fri morning is advseable to look at the type of licence plates parked out front loads of Saudi cars is indicative of what kind of neighbors you might have...but there are many nice bldgs here, and the drive to work is 15 mins the drive home is a different matter..but a short detour to hidd and over the "new bridge" is time saving...all this is beside the point I have friends on all fleets, and will "pm" you the pay slip facts and figures so you can decide....kids in school are the show stopper here...academic standards are fantastic....fees are as well....another matter entirely...Emirates guys suffering the same headache as well....
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Right now I live down by Seef mall. Nice area and not too miserable a drive. No kids (no that would be coming here) to worry about schooling and I just shed 180 lbs of ugly fat so no wife to bring. Is the $6000/month estimate for an FO or Capt? Its getting more enticing by the minute particularly since my alimony is tied to my base salary. By the way do any of the US guys pay taxes on any of the income?
Thanks again. You are all being very helpful and patient! Kilkenny's are on me! If I can buy someone a beer at Fiddler's and pick their brain I'll post my local mobile in a PM.
Cheers
HP
Thanks again. You are all being very helpful and patient! Kilkenny's are on me! If I can buy someone a beer at Fiddler's and pick their brain I'll post my local mobile in a PM.
Cheers
HP
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Hi, all!
I really donīt want to be annoying, but is there anybody that can give me some detailed information about the Gulf Air tests or at least where to get some. I would really appreciate. Thanks a lot!!!
I really donīt want to be annoying, but is there anybody that can give me some detailed information about the Gulf Air tests or at least where to get some. I would really appreciate. Thanks a lot!!!
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Gulf air...
Thank you guys, I have been reading carefully all of your comments... I have been applying since 2004 for gulfair but never get any answer.... I used to fly for air canada jazz on the dash8 with a total of 5500h... so... I heard that there is some guys with a very low time hired on the A320.. no big deal I guess... just waiting for my time to come... one thing for sure it seems to be a very good company... but what kind of test can we expect?
thank you very much guys for your advises... hope to meet you over there one day..
cheers.
thank you very much guys for your advises... hope to meet you over there one day..
cheers.