Flying in the Persian/Arabian Gulf
Hi Granny and Helmet,
I had heard that the ex-ansett drivers had screwed us in the tax deal when they all shifted to working out of HK on tours. The aussie tax dept cottened on their attempts to bludge more than they deserved.
The reason I asked is because I know a few of the lads touring out of OZ and haven't been able to catch up with them in a while. So thanks for the reply.
Granny; I pretty much assumed that the best course of action would be to get a swiss account and live off the CC. It seems the most logical and safe bet if you are going to live this lifestyle. Still don't know what I will do with the kids thou....
It used to be 180days a year out of the country which wasn't that hard to achieve. I suppose that it will just make the O/S work less attractive on the whole for everyone if there are no advantages and you still are away from home.
The Canadians have a great system, where if you work for a Canadian company O/S you only pay 15% tax. Big adjustment from the 45% they normally charge... Still have to pay GST and PST thou...
Thanks again guys and if anyone has any further info please fill in the blanks..
Steve
I had heard that the ex-ansett drivers had screwed us in the tax deal when they all shifted to working out of HK on tours. The aussie tax dept cottened on their attempts to bludge more than they deserved.
The reason I asked is because I know a few of the lads touring out of OZ and haven't been able to catch up with them in a while. So thanks for the reply.
Granny; I pretty much assumed that the best course of action would be to get a swiss account and live off the CC. It seems the most logical and safe bet if you are going to live this lifestyle. Still don't know what I will do with the kids thou....
It used to be 180days a year out of the country which wasn't that hard to achieve. I suppose that it will just make the O/S work less attractive on the whole for everyone if there are no advantages and you still are away from home.
The Canadians have a great system, where if you work for a Canadian company O/S you only pay 15% tax. Big adjustment from the 45% they normally charge... Still have to pay GST and PST thou...
Thanks again guys and if anyone has any further info please fill in the blanks..
Steve
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Steve 76.
Just to add to Granny's writings on Nz tax laws, you will be able to do 180 days out of NZ each consecutive year after the initial long period of 245 days odd the first year. But as well as selling your assets, and telling the IRD you are to become a non resident, you must not have any dependents in NZ ie Wife or Kids. you can buy property in NZ as a non resident however, but you cant leave it behind so to speak as it appears that your intention is to stay . I think the NZ Ird website is www.ird.govt.nz. They have a section in there which will give you a clear idea on how to assess you personal situation regarding this cheers. It is easier i find to keep your family outside NZ, but not necessarily the one you work in. YABU
Just to add to Granny's writings on Nz tax laws, you will be able to do 180 days out of NZ each consecutive year after the initial long period of 245 days odd the first year. But as well as selling your assets, and telling the IRD you are to become a non resident, you must not have any dependents in NZ ie Wife or Kids. you can buy property in NZ as a non resident however, but you cant leave it behind so to speak as it appears that your intention is to stay . I think the NZ Ird website is www.ird.govt.nz. They have a section in there which will give you a clear idea on how to assess you personal situation regarding this cheers. It is easier i find to keep your family outside NZ, but not necessarily the one you work in. YABU
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Oman
M/V
I have been to Oman often and have flown there regularly. I have always, though, been a visitor.
I like the place and the people a lot. I think it is the best place to be on the Arabian Peninsular if you have to be there.
I do not know what it would be like to work for the organisations you mention though I have visited the Royal Flight residential compound and the facilities are good.
If you are based in Muscat life is not wild but there are a few excellent hotels and restaurants.
The Western expatriate population is comparatively small compared to other Middle East locations and is predominently British(nothing wrong with that)...and I would recommend the pub at the InterCon on Monday nights during quiz night for meeting people and arguing over the right answer.
The scenery in the mountains (flying) can be spectacular and you will not have to shell out a lot of money thereafter to go to the Grand Canyon because you will have already seen better.
A positive viewpoint but I hope it helps
I have been to Oman often and have flown there regularly. I have always, though, been a visitor.
I like the place and the people a lot. I think it is the best place to be on the Arabian Peninsular if you have to be there.
I do not know what it would be like to work for the organisations you mention though I have visited the Royal Flight residential compound and the facilities are good.
If you are based in Muscat life is not wild but there are a few excellent hotels and restaurants.
The Western expatriate population is comparatively small compared to other Middle East locations and is predominently British(nothing wrong with that)...and I would recommend the pub at the InterCon on Monday nights during quiz night for meeting people and arguing over the right answer.
The scenery in the mountains (flying) can be spectacular and you will not have to shell out a lot of money thereafter to go to the Grand Canyon because you will have already seen better.
A positive viewpoint but I hope it helps
Saudi Jobs....
Saudi based recruiter called....offered me $50,000 to work in Saudi for the Armed Forces there.....one year contract as a Bell 412 Test Pilot/Instructor. I reported that would be a significant paycut over what I make now in the USA. They countered by asking for my desires re: pay.....told them....was informed that the customer would only pay the initially offered amount. The pay for that same job (212's then) in 1975 when Agusta had it directly was almost the same as that offered in 2003.
Someone is definitely out of touch with reality these days! The Middle East operators all seem to think they are competitive with each other...and are in general....but are lagging behind the rest of the world it seems.
Anyone else having the same kind of luck when talking to those offering Middle East employment?
Someone is definitely out of touch with reality these days! The Middle East operators all seem to think they are competitive with each other...and are in general....but are lagging behind the rest of the world it seems.
Anyone else having the same kind of luck when talking to those offering Middle East employment?
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Is there anything else involved? Some of the ME jobs offer a wage, plus a house, kids education, car and domestic staff, so the salary (tax free) doesn't have to stretch too far.
Also provided....bachelor housing, one economy ticket per annum, 30 days paid vacation, 2 five day holidays in country, transport to/from work, medical insurance, 1/2 months salary for contract completion. One year contract with automatic renewal.
I would suggest to you that a full year in Saudi with all things considered would require pay well in excess of pay received for living at home, and working at the mill.
Anyone that considers 50K per year a decent salary for living in Saudi, with no pork, poon, or booze and no transport for non-work use is a good deal......needs to do some reality checking. (IMHO) For a married man to leave his wife and children it certainly isn't worth the pay and perks being offered. You can earn almost that much as a starting pilot in the Gulf of Mexico and have a one week on and one week off roster to boot. Granted Lousiana and Saudi are not that much different....but at least you can get a good pork chop sandwich.
I would suggest to you that a full year in Saudi with all things considered would require pay well in excess of pay received for living at home, and working at the mill.
Anyone that considers 50K per year a decent salary for living in Saudi, with no pork, poon, or booze and no transport for non-work use is a good deal......needs to do some reality checking. (IMHO) For a married man to leave his wife and children it certainly isn't worth the pay and perks being offered. You can earn almost that much as a starting pilot in the Gulf of Mexico and have a one week on and one week off roster to boot. Granted Lousiana and Saudi are not that much different....but at least you can get a good pork chop sandwich.
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SaSless
You are quite right some ME operators are behind the 8 ball when it comes to dollars. 50 k is not near enough to go without Ham sammys and beer for a year. Some companys in the US pay that as a retainer before you even fly and get your hourly rate. The great line of tax free income is just that- a great line, it is only tax free at source of income if you have Mum and the rugrats back home and therefore meet residence status in your home country you pay your tax there. And even if you are single and go to Saudi for a year then return home in most countrys you havent been away long enough and the tax man will still want his cut.
Everywhere you go in this part of the world there are is still tax
Tax for service charges in resturants -municipality charges etc- they still get you.
Cost of living is high too so even in country those bucks go no where, go to the supermarket for a weekly shop and stand back! it anit cheap.
Still other things make up for the low pay and cost of living such as -- umm arrr arrr umm I will think about and get back to you
You are quite right some ME operators are behind the 8 ball when it comes to dollars. 50 k is not near enough to go without Ham sammys and beer for a year. Some companys in the US pay that as a retainer before you even fly and get your hourly rate. The great line of tax free income is just that- a great line, it is only tax free at source of income if you have Mum and the rugrats back home and therefore meet residence status in your home country you pay your tax there. And even if you are single and go to Saudi for a year then return home in most countrys you havent been away long enough and the tax man will still want his cut.
Everywhere you go in this part of the world there are is still tax
Tax for service charges in resturants -municipality charges etc- they still get you.
Cost of living is high too so even in country those bucks go no where, go to the supermarket for a weekly shop and stand back! it anit cheap.
Still other things make up for the low pay and cost of living such as -- umm arrr arrr umm I will think about and get back to you
Gatvol
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You can make more money than that as a Tour Toad in Vega$, plus walk around money. They set the price because they can get the Canadians in a Heartbeat for those kinda coins......
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Well the great glut of (well quailified) pilots of past years is slowly drying up ....and the Middle east operators are veeeery slooowly finding out the haaard way that the guys they want will not come out to work for nothing ...the Canadians mentioned will soon dry up 'cos of the adverse exchange rate AND the fact that they WILL be liable for income tax unless they are non-resident, elswhere the Aussies and Kiwis that are well qualified are also being hammered by the adverse exchange rate and the unqualified ones can't do the job!! ...yea verilly we are living in interesting times ... pity the various managements don't yet see what they need to do (clue ....a 30% pay rise only puts crews back where they were a year ago prior to the US $ decline ????). 
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I have had a number of chats with Canadians aiming to work overseas...(when you guys post it, it sounds so derogatory...Canadians...) (LOL)...
Abu Dhabi Helicopters as much as offered me work over the phone..."Hurry up and send us a copy of..." but the money wasn't worth it: $3500 USD per month, no per diem, no transportation, unknown accommodations etc. And Gulf Heli was about $220 USD while on site (6/6 tours) with meal allowances of between $45-65 USD per day.
Not enough for this Canuck to leave home....
Abu Dhabi Helicopters as much as offered me work over the phone..."Hurry up and send us a copy of..." but the money wasn't worth it: $3500 USD per month, no per diem, no transportation, unknown accommodations etc. And Gulf Heli was about $220 USD while on site (6/6 tours) with meal allowances of between $45-65 USD per day.
Not enough for this Canuck to leave home....
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As someone who worked for this company in Saudi, I can safely say, STAY AWAY!!!!!
The annual ticket home is ONLY able to be used AFTER you have been there 12 months. The pay sucks, you have to share accommodation, although the villas aren't bad. Alcohol is available on the compound from people who make it there. Nice booze, if a little strong!!
July last year a bunch of us started in Saudi for this company. One pilot, 2 ground school instructors, 5 mechanics. By xmas that year, only 1 mechanic was left. Everyone else had resigned. Took the pilot nearly 5 months just to get clearance to fly!!!!!
As i said.... STAY AWAY!!!
edit for spelling
The annual ticket home is ONLY able to be used AFTER you have been there 12 months. The pay sucks, you have to share accommodation, although the villas aren't bad. Alcohol is available on the compound from people who make it there. Nice booze, if a little strong!!
July last year a bunch of us started in Saudi for this company. One pilot, 2 ground school instructors, 5 mechanics. By xmas that year, only 1 mechanic was left. Everyone else had resigned. Took the pilot nearly 5 months just to get clearance to fly!!!!!
As i said.... STAY AWAY!!!
edit for spelling
Last edited by griffo; 18th Jun 2003 at 02:03.
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Gulf helicopters/Abu Dhabi aviation
Hey Gents, anybody ever worked for the above mentioned companies in Doha, Qatar, or Abu Dhabi? If so,any insight on working in that area in those countries?? Pay, benefits, social scene, crime, housing (married accom or single only), good maintenance, flying, schedules , lots of expats there or just a few,Etc etc?????
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.