More fun & games in the Magic Kingdom
I am a figment of my own imagination
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 726
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From: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
I heard a buzz this afternoon that US cit's have been advised to leave, might cut the numbers down. Riyadh always has been more extreme, being next door to the area where the Mutawwa training is done up in Gassim. The town where the hems of the thobes are worn high and the face fungus long.
But then again, a fanatic of any stripe is a thing of rare 'beauty' and they can be found anywhere. In this day and age you can get bombed in London New York, Madrid, Oaklahomea city, Nairobi, Omagh, just as easily, take your pick. Of course one does stand out a little more in this part of the woods which tends to make the neck tingle a tad in certain sections of town.
But then again, a fanatic of any stripe is a thing of rare 'beauty' and they can be found anywhere. In this day and age you can get bombed in London New York, Madrid, Oaklahomea city, Nairobi, Omagh, just as easily, take your pick. Of course one does stand out a little more in this part of the woods which tends to make the neck tingle a tad in certain sections of town.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 984
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From: Victoria
Heard about 6 BWoS PC-9 IPs handed in their notices yesterday in Riyadh. One wasn't prepared to wait the statutory 12 weeks and is b&%%$#@%g off ASAP. Most of the families, recently returned after they thought things had settled down following the Iraq war, have packed their bags again and are leaving - most for ever.
Hate to admit it, but Mr Bin Liner may be getting his wish.........
Hate to admit it, but Mr Bin Liner may be getting his wish.........
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 548
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From: Not a huge sand box but very nice winters anymore
There are a couple of Cessna guys who are going too. More to resign next week and several more who are undecided, but leaning towards going.
Also a number of techy's who have put in their notice. A few more and they will not be able to run two shifts.
I thnk alot of folks were so unimpressed with the head of security because he has a "I told you so" attitude. The complete lack of trust was also made apparent by one senior manager saying "If you don't like it then leave". Mind you he also said there was no asbestos in the PC-9 only to find out a few days later that a number of the airframes were riddled with the stuff.
The level of incompetence here knows no bounds.
Also a number of techy's who have put in their notice. A few more and they will not be able to run two shifts.
I thnk alot of folks were so unimpressed with the head of security because he has a "I told you so" attitude. The complete lack of trust was also made apparent by one senior manager saying "If you don't like it then leave". Mind you he also said there was no asbestos in the PC-9 only to find out a few days later that a number of the airframes were riddled with the stuff.
The level of incompetence here knows no bounds.
Lupus Domesticus
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 520
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From: NZ
It occurs, to this unbiased outside observer, that the Saudis are about to discover (the hard way) whether or not they as a nation are bright enough to maintain the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed, without the assistance of the expats who are the targets of the very fundamentalists the regime nurtures.
If they are, then why haven't they been doing so all these years?
And if they're not...well, I guess I just answered my own question.
Fortunately for the expats, there are very shortly going to be plenty of well-paying opportunities in Iraq. Unfortunately for the Saudis, their future can very likely be lumped in with the likes of Zimbabwe, Serbia, Afghanistan, Argentina and East Germany.
What a very great shame.
Not.
If they are, then why haven't they been doing so all these years?
And if they're not...well, I guess I just answered my own question.
Fortunately for the expats, there are very shortly going to be plenty of well-paying opportunities in Iraq. Unfortunately for the Saudis, their future can very likely be lumped in with the likes of Zimbabwe, Serbia, Afghanistan, Argentina and East Germany.
What a very great shame.
Not.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
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From: KSA
Not that I'm thinking of quitting you'll understand but does anybody have the contact details of the Sqn Ldr fast-jet poster at Innsworth.
The job is wonderful and made better by the highly capable, professional and dedicated officers that we work for. It's just the compound security measures such as tank traps, concrete barriers and heavy machine guns that make one wonder what one is doing here!
Pse post the contact details here. Thanks awfully chaps.
Masalama
The job is wonderful and made better by the highly capable, professional and dedicated officers that we work for. It's just the compound security measures such as tank traps, concrete barriers and heavy machine guns that make one wonder what one is doing here!
Pse post the contact details here. Thanks awfully chaps.
Masalama
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 984
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From: Victoria
Latest information indicates 10 BWoS PC-9 IPs have resigned from Riyadh. I suspect that this is just the first wave. Haven't heard anything about the Hawks drivers though. Strongly concur with Blue Wolfs' sentiments. The only worthwhile people in that place are the expats.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4
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From: Norfolk
Fast Jet Poster
Salami upyerbum
Pilot poster at Innsworth is now Sqn Ldr Jerry Mayhew, Tel (01452) 712612 ext 6148, e-mail: [email protected]
but there's a queue! oh......and I'd use a new "handle" .....I know the RAF are much more tolerant these days but that might be stretching it a bit.........(their tolerance I mean!)
Pilot poster at Innsworth is now Sqn Ldr Jerry Mayhew, Tel (01452) 712612 ext 6148, e-mail: [email protected]
but there's a queue! oh......and I'd use a new "handle" .....I know the RAF are much more tolerant these days but that might be stretching it a bit.........(their tolerance I mean!)
Iconoclast
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,132
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From: The home of Dudley Dooright-Where the lead dog is the only one that gets a change of scenery.
Moving target.
I worked in Iran from 1974 to 1977 for Bell Helicopter International. Most of my tour was in Tehran where the local anti Shah terrorists were using American executives and military officers for target practice. While this was going on the Shah had a conversation with the Director of BHI telling him that the employees should be more presentable. This resulted in the issuance to the employees of a uniform consisting of a blue blazer and Grey trousers and a light blue shirt and a blue tie. This wouldn’t have been too bad but the blazer had a very prominent light blue emblem on the left breast just over the heart. Most of our directors were ex military officers and they went along with it until the terrorist started to kill Americans at a more rapid rate. The top men in the company stopped wearing the uniform, as did most of the employees. However our department director was an ex Marine Captain and he kept wearing the uniform and tried to insist that all department personnel wear their uniforms as well. The Iranian engineers in the department hoped he would be the next target.
And all that it implies. You guys in Saudi will understand.
And all that it implies. You guys in Saudi will understand.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: KSA
WillieTonka,
Thanks for the info. Good advice about the handle; I'll change it to something far more appropriate (I was going to say 'fitting' but that definately wouldn't be appropriate!) for the UK. Maybe Cumberland... or Melton Mowbray Apple and Sage.....
Cheers
Thanks for the info. Good advice about the handle; I'll change it to something far more appropriate (I was going to say 'fitting' but that definately wouldn't be appropriate!) for the UK. Maybe Cumberland... or Melton Mowbray Apple and Sage.....
Cheers
Guest
Posts: n/a
The Leadership
Reference the "I told you so..." attitude of a fool of a security officer. This unit also said at security brief earlier in the year that, as a measure of how seriously he was taking the possible mandatory evacuation, "Those of US, on J Class (Business) travel - there will be no J Class on these flight - they are chartered!'
Also, lets not forget the words of wisdom from the head of AY in the Magic Kingdom..."You are disloyal if you resign" and "...you are all just a bunch of mercenaries". This from a man who moved himself off a BWoS compound and onto the secure Diplomatic Quarter - Confirmed! Mercenary or coward and Hypocrite - which would I prefer...?
The Leadership and Communication showed by this company is simply appaulling. On the lock down day following the bombings, The BWoS TV station, the one we were to tune to in the event of 'something happening', gave news that it was now safe to travel to Bahrain again and was last updated on 4th May.
Also, lets not forget the words of wisdom from the head of AY in the Magic Kingdom..."You are disloyal if you resign" and "...you are all just a bunch of mercenaries". This from a man who moved himself off a BWoS compound and onto the secure Diplomatic Quarter - Confirmed! Mercenary or coward and Hypocrite - which would I prefer...?
The Leadership and Communication showed by this company is simply appaulling. On the lock down day following the bombings, The BWoS TV station, the one we were to tune to in the event of 'something happening', gave news that it was now safe to travel to Bahrain again and was last updated on 4th May.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 984
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From: Victoria
I also seem to recall being told that the company (BWoS) had "a contingency plan" in place to deal with situations such as this. Haven't seen any eveidence of it.....unless camping on the doorstep of Kanoo travel constitutes a plan.
I see the Americans, Brits and Germans have closed their embassies in Riyadh for fear of further attacks. Strangely enough the Aussies aren't closing theirs though - yet.
Since BWoS management has said that they "will take their lead from the British Embassy", I wonder if an open ended all expenses paid holiday for BWoS AY employees!?!
I see the Americans, Brits and Germans have closed their embassies in Riyadh for fear of further attacks. Strangely enough the Aussies aren't closing theirs though - yet.
Since BWoS management has said that they "will take their lead from the British Embassy", I wonder if an open ended all expenses paid holiday for BWoS AY employees!?!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: Aus
Ah, The good old RSAF pep talk. I remember them well.
Is there anyone left over there who remembers a certain Major from 9th Sqn whose command of English produced the pearl:
"You think that I know F*ck nothing ...Well I can tell you that I know F*ck ALL"
How we all managed to keep straight faces is still beyond me
Sad to see it come to this though.
Keep your heads down over there.
Is there anyone left over there who remembers a certain Major from 9th Sqn whose command of English produced the pearl:
"You think that I know F*ck nothing ...Well I can tell you that I know F*ck ALL"
How we all managed to keep straight faces is still beyond me
Sad to see it come to this though.
Keep your heads down over there.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 548
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From: Not a huge sand box but very nice winters anymore
To be fair to the Commandant, I don't remember him saying that we were over reacting. However, he did say let's not over estimate the level of the threat. He also did not understand why the academic/engineering wing were not resigning like the flying wing! Well most of us have our families out here and the others do not. Also we tend to be a bit younger and have more options.
We do have some sort of APC outside the compound now, but I don't know how long it will stay with us.
The number of IP's who have resigned I think will go up with this coming Ramadan. All depends on if it is safe and if the families are back.
We do have some sort of APC outside the compound now, but I don't know how long it will stay with us.
The number of IP's who have resigned I think will go up with this coming Ramadan. All depends on if it is safe and if the families are back.
