Flying in the Persian/Arabian Gulf
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Live in Oz - grew up in Southern Africa
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The End of Van 7
Yes - it is true!!! Van 7 was officially closed down today. No - not just closed down, the actual bar counter was physically removed from the place.
A new carpet to be installed tomorrow or the next day, most likely.
Thus ends many years (25 is it?) of history.
All thanks to the rectal/cranial inversion of one richard cranium.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Europe
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You gotta be kidding me
I'm afraid 'Qatar's' post at the top of the page is slightly missleading...and my response may generate a debate that I am more than happy to participate in, but I would like to provide the other side to working for the 'glorious Middle East cash cow'.
I went to Qatar for an experience and most certainly had that. I met some great people and had fun but it also narrowed some stereotypes for me to the point I had to leave. I was appalled at the reaction I had to their ineptitude and unjustified arrogance. Imagine being told that a young pilot with 1500 hours was an expert at everything including nvg mct profiles even though he had never done it!
I spent a year or so flying for the Qatar Air Farce and I would say the flying is relatively benign but living there is anything but fun. I was lied to from the moment I attended the job interview to the second I left the country. I was not paid the agreed contract price at any time. I was not treated with dignity or respect at any time by my employer. Moreover, once there I felt like a prisoner as an exit visa was less than easy to obtain.
What appalled me more was the institutional racism towards far more experienced pilots than myslef simply because they were Pakistani. This attitude unfortunately pervades all elements of Qatari life and I found very difficult to reconcile.
Administration is a joke both for the military and the governement for permits and visas and licenses etc. I spent nearly 5 months living in 2 rooms with my wife and 2 kids because they were too lazy to sort out my inclusive accommodation.
We had a run in with the police because of a minor argument at school between one of my children and an Iraqi child whose parents reported it to the authorities. I was subsequently abused by a police colonel for being Christian and white, blaming me for all bad behaviour at the school and not even attempting to learn what occurred. I soon learnt that there is no right or wrong, just their perspective no matter what the truth may be.
Flying in Qatar may award you a tax free income, but beware, the attitude of the Qatari people and some of the other expats is less than desirable.
Bring on the responses!
I went to Qatar for an experience and most certainly had that. I met some great people and had fun but it also narrowed some stereotypes for me to the point I had to leave. I was appalled at the reaction I had to their ineptitude and unjustified arrogance. Imagine being told that a young pilot with 1500 hours was an expert at everything including nvg mct profiles even though he had never done it!
I spent a year or so flying for the Qatar Air Farce and I would say the flying is relatively benign but living there is anything but fun. I was lied to from the moment I attended the job interview to the second I left the country. I was not paid the agreed contract price at any time. I was not treated with dignity or respect at any time by my employer. Moreover, once there I felt like a prisoner as an exit visa was less than easy to obtain.
What appalled me more was the institutional racism towards far more experienced pilots than myslef simply because they were Pakistani. This attitude unfortunately pervades all elements of Qatari life and I found very difficult to reconcile.
Administration is a joke both for the military and the governement for permits and visas and licenses etc. I spent nearly 5 months living in 2 rooms with my wife and 2 kids because they were too lazy to sort out my inclusive accommodation.
We had a run in with the police because of a minor argument at school between one of my children and an Iraqi child whose parents reported it to the authorities. I was subsequently abused by a police colonel for being Christian and white, blaming me for all bad behaviour at the school and not even attempting to learn what occurred. I soon learnt that there is no right or wrong, just their perspective no matter what the truth may be.
Flying in Qatar may award you a tax free income, but beware, the attitude of the Qatari people and some of the other expats is less than desirable.
Bring on the responses!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Age: 79
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Van Five
Spent my first months at Van Ten, them to my spiritual home in the Single-Malt Van Five.
Van Five may have been done in by smog or smug.
Salutations to CF. Maybe the BS bag is now fuller than the Money bag.
All will work out for the best.
P Lee still aviating?
SirVivr
C Alexander
Van Five may have been done in by smog or smug.
Salutations to CF. Maybe the BS bag is now fuller than the Money bag.
All will work out for the best.
P Lee still aviating?
SirVivr
C Alexander
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: ...in view of the 'Southern Cross' ...
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Yeeuuup Phil is still doing it ........
AND Van 5 still an excellent place to hang out ... Deck still great!
Inhabitants .... still civilized (sort of?).
Cheers
AND Van 5 still an excellent place to hang out ... Deck still great!
Inhabitants .... still civilized (sort of?).
Cheers
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Age: 79
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Van 5
Deck used to be greater because of the bird cage. Particularly the parrot.
One morning the real parrot was replaced with a stuffed one. Immediate suspicion was that Blade Grip did the removal and substitution. He did live in royal splendor in the front room with the only en-suite bathroom.
It may have something to do with BG walking out early and catching me trying to teach the parrot " cock-a-doodle doo."
Wellll, he was a training captain and shouldn't they be up early to catch us miscreants?
Late birthday greetings to Kitty.
Chas A
One morning the real parrot was replaced with a stuffed one. Immediate suspicion was that Blade Grip did the removal and substitution. He did live in royal splendor in the front room with the only en-suite bathroom.
It may have something to do with BG walking out early and catching me trying to teach the parrot " cock-a-doodle doo."
Wellll, he was a training captain and shouldn't they be up early to catch us miscreants?
Late birthday greetings to Kitty.
Chas A
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bellingham, Washington, USA
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It tasted like chicken! But you're right, BG probably was the culprit. I'll relay your B-day wishes to Kitty!
Salusa, no sign of Kurt. Last seen back home near Wichita. I'm heading there in a weeks to pick up an "aeroplane". I'll try to find him for you...
Does he owe you money?
Salusa, no sign of Kurt. Last seen back home near Wichita. I'm heading there in a weeks to pick up an "aeroplane". I'll try to find him for you...
Does he owe you money?
