There is no Cargo B747 roster, unless you fly for Air Atlanta. SVA Classic crew fly both cargo and passengers, the roster is easy, reserve for the next 6 months. 70-110 hour credit time on average, overtime paid after 75........

Mutt

Mutt, thank you very much for all the info. have few more questions for you. Where do they fly cargo and pax on the classics? Where does training take place, how long does it last and what is the pay during it? If one was to get hired as an FO on the classic, is there a possibility of upgrade at all? Thanks again for taking your time to answer all the questions.

Yikes....where do i begin...

747Cargo - Brussels and Dhaka.
747 Passenger - Africa, India, Dhaka, Colombo, Pakistan, Indonesia.

Jeddah in their own facility.
2 months in ground school/sim full salary no expenses
4 months line training full salary with expenses

Snowballs chance in the desert! (Although this might change :):))

Mutt

thanks for the info Mutt. Do they also take classics to the US? Where is the training?
Thank you once again

Let me tell you the truth about B747 HZ-AIU this machine most of the time is grounded so if you looking at flying cargo you will be on ground most of the time, this aircraft is good from the maintenance perspective but had a veru bad luck i flew this machine all over the word as a flying spanne/flight mechanic and i know this aircraft inside out.

Saudia as an employer is very gooooooood & veryyyyyyyy generous you will not have a problem there beside what you should expect as an expat any where in the world people generally are friendly & helpful i enjoyed my stay over there for 12 short years very much and still regeretting my resignation.

That is actually the first post (Saudia) that people are saying nice things about the employer. I did interview with Gulf Air last year, got the job and turned it down. I have no regrets, and i hope Saudia will turn out to be my final destination. From previous posts I conclude that Saudi Arabian is really a great place to work. I was born and raised in Europe so being an expat is something I live with everyday, and so far it has been a blessing.
thank you

Am I competitive??
 

I left (furloughed) United Airlines 7 years ago and havent flown since. I am type rated on 757/767 and have plenty of hours. Are the airlines in the middle east, Emirates, Saudia, Quatar, etc, going to consider me as qualified for hire because of my time out of the cockpit or am I wasting my time applying? Any info would be appreciated. BB

I don't think you're wasting your time at all. Unfortunately, they are looking for folks that are current, so get yourself current even in the small plane. If you really want to fly, now would be the time to get current. I am also ex United, laid off last October.
Cheers and keep your spirits up

Classic doesnt go to the USA, those flights are operated by Air Atlanta.

Training is in Jeddah, company facility.... Takes about 6 months !!!!

Mutt

Hello All

Can someone please post take home pay each month for Capt/FO. I have looked at the T & C but I think you guys get a lot of soft pay otherwise it seems very low. I was told by friend it the best place to work in ME better than EK and EY can someone tell us why?
When will they start hiring for the A330, and other they looking at CCQ the crew on A320/A330. Thanks for any help. Also MUTT thanks for all your info you put out here.:ok:

They want you current....... but there is nothing stopping you from buying an hour in a sim and regaining currency, i wouldnt bother doing any sort of check ride as it isnt worth the money!

Hey at least crews still get first class food in the cockpit, in fact there is a number to call before a flight to order special meals.... The Tom Yum is awesome :)

It is very low but as a state employer it must stay within government guidelines!

Nope, its a secret!

They wont!

They wont, each of the A320/330 and 340 fleets will be dedicated crews....

Unfortunately the flying club is about to close, the company will enter the real aviation world on the 1st November when Sabre brings in their crewing system..... booooooo hoooooooooo:{:{:{

On a final note, the 2 bucket concept applies in Saudia just as everywhere else in the ME, 1 bucket has the money in it, the other the sh1t. It up to each person to assess which bucket is more important to them! :ok:

Mutt

MUTT

Can you post the monthly pay as was asked. Thanks for all you do.

MUTT
 

Hi everyone...

I've never met him, but I know Mutt knows of what he speaks...

I've been out of the flying biz for the last 4+ yrs, but have spent a lot of time working in Saudi Arabia...NOT for Saudia...

Based in Riyadh, Jeddah would be much better, but now that I see this thread, I'm ready to go back...MUTT!!!...can you help me?

Seriously folks...forget the rest, listen to what Mutt has to say and you'll get the straight poop on what's going on at Saudia...

And Mutt...if you get a chance, PM me if the hiring is as rabid as it seems...I've got 6 yrs left before the big 60 and am able to be "on the road" again...

Dale

Please don't post the take home pay, no one needs problems from the tax authorities.

The rates are posted in the T&C's and yes, there is soft credit. Budget on the posted rates and then be happy with the extra.

Cost of living is very cheap in JED. Housing, Utilities, Medical, Schooling and Travel are covered or subsidized.

You don't spend a lot of money here.

FlynHigh, look at the message from Metro301 and you will see one reason why your question isnt getting answered, the other reason that you can only guarantee payments as per your contract. In this evolving airline world, the whole thing can change overnight....

DI3G.... doors are wide open, airline side and corporate side :):) Plus they are open to 65...... Move quick as door closes at 53.4 years without typerating..

Metro301.... think of your "biggest gripe".... close you eyes, click your fingers and it will be "gone" in the July roster.... inshallah.... (Otherwise back to plan "A" in November :):))

Just remember that "this isnt for everyone..... your personal experience may be extremely different to anyone else"......

Mutt

Mutt - Mashallah!! That was my only gripe. How am I going to function as a pilot without a major gripe????

To repeat what others have said:

Mutt is the BEST source of info at Saudia. I have been here 3+years and I still get the real scoop from him. I listened to him before I took the job, he gave great, accurate and unbiased insight which allowed me to make an informed decision. It has worked extremely well for my family and I.:ok:

"Just remember that "this isn't for everyone..... your personal experience may be extremely different to anyone else"......"

Interview????
 

Did Saudia conduct any selection interviews at Cairo between 23 to 28th May, 09? If they did, any news when and where the next might be?
Thanks

Yes...

Jeddah 15th June....



Mutt

do they invite you to attend the screening or can you go by yourself?

which type rating are they looking for now?

Thanks again Mutt
 

Mutt,

I have operated for Saudia 74 program on Haaj contracts at two ACMI carriers you probably know. Any Chance you could provide a phone contact to flight ops. Jeddah.

Thanks,

Sushi

Anyone from last week get the dates yet for the medical and sim check in Jeddah? They said 2-3 weeks, and today was 2 weeks...

Thats quite a large building..... who exactly are you looking for?

Arabic weeks..... it actually means months!!! Still waiting to see friends arrive for their medicals, they interviewed in FEB...

Mutt

Anybody know if they stick to the age 55 requirement. I'm a 747-4 Ca and have a chance to take an early out......

The problem is that you arent typed on a type for which they are hiring, so the 53 will apply..... Suggest you try alwafeerair.com as they should be in the air before Ramadan.

Mutt

which type rating are they looking for now?

Any number close to the CP's office would be nice, if able...


Thanks again.

Sushi

Up to 53 years - type rating not required.
53-55 years - type rating required - E170/MD90/A320

sushi, it doesnt work that way and is a waste of a phone call, all that they will do is refer you to HR.........

Mutt

?
 

Is the training 6 month if I am rated and current on the aircraft SV is hiring?

Thank You!

E-mail from Belal
 

Mutt,
I got an e-mail from Belal asking me for my passport specs to get me a visa, last time I spoke with him he said he got all the info and that my application and paperwork was being screened. After the screening he would let me know when I was to go to Jeddah. Now, my question is, is the next interview going to be in Jeddah? Because I have not been in Cairo. I applied for the B 747 F/O position. If I am being pulled streight to Jeddah before going to Cairo, is that good ? I sure hope so, I want the job. I was with Air Atlanta and am one of the guys on permanent furlough at the moment. I last spoke with Belal last week. Thanks in advance for any info,
Urraca:ok:

It makes more sense to do everything in Jeddah at once, rather that this hogwash of interviewing in Cairo and months later bringing the people to Jeddah for medical and simride.....

You are lucky that the visa procedures have relaxed enough so that this can happen....

Deake1..... yes, even if your last flight on that aircraft was a week before !!! Gotta teach you how to use the proper fingers!~

Mutt

Hi Mutt

Please check your PM's

Thanks, Windsurferexpat.

Thanks
 

Mutt,
Thanks for the reply. Now I have to wait for Belal to work on getting me the visa. I flew the sim yesterday and went through the hole sim assesmant I was told they will give me. Right seat takeoff, steep turns, stall, ILS, to a miss approach, then VOR approach to a full stop. Followed by a takeoff with a V1 cut and come back for a 3 engine ILS approach. All is going well with that, I will be flying that until called. If you need to add anything to this work out please let me know. All this I am doing in a class C B-747/classic sim. Guess I am lucky to have such a nice toy for myself !!!!:) Say, do you think Belal will just get a letter to the airport and I get the works when I get there? That was the procedure Air Atlanta was putting us through whenever the VISA expired or the first time you arrived there. My first time I had to wait 6 hours to get the passport stamped. Last time it was a 2 hour wait, not that bad. Well, thanks again for your reply and it is better to go streight to the source than go to a third country and then to the source. Thanks again and I do hope I get hired. Seeyaa,
Urraca :ok:

in Jeddah
 

Mutt,

I am in Jeddah for the next ten days and was wondering if you have time for a coffee as I have some questions about life as a pilot in Saudi. I am living in Sierra Compound and I also have access to a car so we can meet where ever you would like.

Thanks
Chris
[email protected]

any possibilities for ex 777 driver with experience from another ME carrier but off type 3 years?

ME Pilot, your email address isnt showing, please PM your mobile number to me..

Winton, they dont hire to the 777, suggest you look at the other side of the Gulf.

Mutt

hey
 

helllo mutt!
any info on the cabin crew package and the living conditions in riyadh??

Saudai Perspective
 

I just took early retirement after 19 yrs with Saudia, 9 on the A-300 and 10 on the MD-11, all in the left seat. Great place to work, great people to work for! They will go out of their way for you as long as you give them what we all want, RESPECT. In that time I flew around 9000 hrs. Now take 1 month + vaca, and you will get about 45 hr block a month for 19 yrs. Easiest flying job on the planet. My last year was 200k us and end of contract 300k. No problem to make a mil in 15 years. I know of no capt who put the time I did in who isn't. Things are tightening up a little more now with the work rules, but they will still schd for a 6 day block of time off a month with an acm anywhere in the system. Living in Saudia City has went way down since my start in 1990, but as mentioned before they seem to have realized it and getting better. I was with my wife and 2 kids, school paid but not the best school. OK if your kids are young. All in all, if you get an offer, jump on it! Respect them, respect their religion, don't bitch about nothing to do, that's the hardest part, get an interest in something as not much entertainment is provided. I am trying to go back now on the A-320 but no type and 56. Good luck to all!

Hi Poina, welcome to PPrune........ i strongly suggest that you write directly to your 2nd last fleet manager (Abdullah) and/or training manager (Hasan) as they are both in a position to make things happen for you... especially following our little management reshuffle. BTW, svcity is about 90% full, with newly renovated fully equipped houses for new hire pilots, right down to the microwave.... :):)

djonfire, they dont hire FA's for RUH base.... only Jeddah and that depends on the nationality. Salary is pretty crap to start.

Mutt

thanks
 

Hey metro301,
Thanks for the response. I have over 3,000 hrs in the crj900. What airplane do you fly over there? Is your family over with you? Maybe I will be over there one day. Take care.

Thanks Mutt
 

Mutt, You may be the single greatest force in flightdeck recruitment at SV. Thanks for your candid guidance.

Could you provide any feedback on the actual competitve numbers for the 742/3. I have the mins.

Thanks in advance..Sushi