When I first arrived, Westerners were not allowed to rent on the free market, except in compounds with proper "security". This was shortly after the Al Khobar incident. The allowance at that time was 3X your monthly base salary. I am not sure if the security requirement has changed, but they had stopped offering that allowance back then.

A new allowance of 35-50k SAR per year, won't even get a decent drivers shack in most compounds.

Like I said earlier. The whole idea of offering the 'allowance' was for it to be refused.
And conveniently followed by a companwide survey.
This way the corruptors that be, have a legitimate and well documented 'refusal' of their generous offer. Thereby continuing to justify pay to keep new hires in expensive hotels whilst enjoying the kickbacks from the same.
My 2 Kronos worth

That my friend is evident in all aspects of the operation. It is readily apparent by the way we are starting to be treated by all walks of employees. I think many must have lost a nut during their move over here.

Just in the past month I have had stuff pulled on me that no one would have dared to try even a year back.

Isnt the rental offer the same that is presently provided to Saudi nationals?

VAMY, I would be extremely disappointed if they offered me 50,000 SAR per year for accommodation, but that is exactly what they did to all employees of the SBU's who weren't flight crew or western, in fact they paid them 3x basic salary.

There is an easy solution to the housing issue, they could easily renovate the 70 odd apartments in NC8 that were previously used by the Winter Group and Al-Salaam, the construction of these apartments would allow them to be occupied following limited renovation and at a cost substantially less than the massive amounts getting paid today to renovate places that will only last a limited number of years due to salt damage. But once again it appears that someone is making something out of this massive renovation so it will continue.
I feel sorry for people staying in hotels for 12 months or more, it isn't right and needs to be rectified.

Renos?
The going rate for one of the "Adnan Specials" was 1 mill' SAR, walk away, no more to pay, on road, fitted out, key in hand 😁 (2 story 3 bdr townhouse). Many fingers in the pie at that price of course, especially when there's a storage warehouse near the mosque, full of a lot of new equipment/furnishings ready to use. Adnan is not around anymore of course. No idea what the current cost would be, after his departure and change of the Compound Maintenance company.

The Motel upgrade looks great, yes. Long overdue. I think it's an Egyptian mob doing it?

I was offered a new motel unit, I refused. Those dumb heads designed it without a kitchen. It's just like a hotel room, not suitable for long stay. People are staying in hotels for 24+ months Mutt. It's quite hard.

Apparently one FO got so fed up and rented an apartment on his own for thrice the allowance amount, and refused to accept the allowance too !

Now saudia provide Riyadh base pilots brand new Compund

What's the name of the compound Majed. Is it villas or apartments?

"town house meeting today"..... might be interesting :)

Mutt.
How was the meeting. Anything from the usual?

Those who attended, both Saudi and non-Saudi appeared to have enjoyed it and found it extremely positive. But i don't believe that they presented any specific changes.

@ Majed & @ Top gun - yes it's very nice. I had a look at it. 2 n 3 bhk compound with UG parking, gym, cinema, basket ball court, etc. Marvella community.

https://g.co/kgs/4KioUH


@ Mutt - Looks like it was a good entertainment. Just a like a movie we watch it and forget it.

But looks like not much of flying in Ruh base.

Not much of flying for what fleet?

Any fleet. how much can you fly max in 20 days anyways.

On the 320:

90-95 if it was scheduled incredibly efficiently.

I am guessing they will be doing minimum guarantee at least with a few hours of OT.

No shortage of domestic round trips out of RUH.

Why would I fly with Saudia anyways...

Its free :)

Staff travel with SV is quite expensive, sure ACM is free but at the risk of being abused and mistreated by some supervisors. My experience is to travel using ZED, you can enjoy a glass of wine on business class and being treated with some decency and respect.... And don't need to dress like a clown.

My experience is traveling First Class on a term pass :)

Term Pass is GOLD it almost makes up for all the years put in. I gave up on ACM the last few years before term pass kicked in.

ACM v/s Term pass.
Apples and Oranges

I second. For new joiners yeah. Not for ten year old veterans.

@ Mutt
 

After 5 years Qatar im now in Saudi , and I like it more.
Guess were from the same Homeland,where Merkel is the Boss.
Cheers

I bet, QR has its own share of scary stories. We have a lot of ex qataris.

Nope not me, I have my licenses and I'm sitting in a seat for which I'm qualified, unlike some of my colleagues from Merkel land, (if rumors are to be believed.)

If rumors are to be believed not just Germans.... some captains from south of the Equator and from across the Atlantic are in the wrong seat.

Sorry, not specific to Saudia, ....but anyone have any insight into a VVIP Riyadh based A320 which is currently recruiting.
Thanks.

Doesn't that go against the concept of having an airline that doesn't need government subsidies? A lot of the loss making routes are fare controlled by government rules.

So why aren't these routes working for Saudi Gulf? If rumours are to be believed they are suffering.

Presently domestic flights become really "fare controlled" by competitors, not by government.
Compare base fares for some main domestic routes, e.g. JED-RUH for any date after Hajj:
Nesma - 190SR ~42EUR which can cover an A320 seat cost for 1:45 hour flight (I compare with W6 or FR numbers)
Nasair - 250SR
Gulfair - 306SR
Saudia - 339SR

Anyway, what then will happen with Saudia's ridiculous high cost base which will remain in main company?

Vamy
Are you sure you got the right bloke???

Vamy,

1) Definitely correct, cost base is ridiculous.

2) As for the other guy, this is more than "skeletons in the closet", a DUI, job termination or a violation. This particular guy is accused of spending time in a Sri Lankan prison for claiming Skipper qualifications when he never actually possessed them. It is well documented on the internet with a search of the name.

Now the crew hotels are being requested for a new contract without uniform laundry and breakfast to lower costs!

That did not take long to end up on PPRUNE, just saw the emails a few hours ago, YYZ and IAD is official, no more breakfast and laundry.

This particular guy is accused of spending time in a Sri Lankan prison for claiming Skipper qualifications when he never actually possessed them. It is well documented on the internet with a search of the name.

hahahaha I remember him so very well....and yes, a recent search produced a very interesting article about this fellow in the Chicago Tribune 1994

This these extras have any effect on hotel cost or were they "thrown in" by the hotels to get the contracts, as were suites at one stage.