How are crews in the sandpit reacting to the Middle East situation?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sandpit
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How are crews in the sandpit reacting to the Middle East situation?
Hey Guys,
I was just wandering how the crews in the Middle East are reacting to the current situation. To tell you the truth I think folks are safer over here, ie UAE, Qatar, Bahrain...., than back in the capital of a major western country such as London. However, I have heard of crew in the area trying to get work back in the west (or east), mainly because their families left due to the current situation or are wanting to leave. Is this affecting many folks or is it just happening to an iscolated few?
Do any of you feel uneasy when flying into destinations such as Kuwait, Tehran, Karachi, Islamabad...where due to the current situation and with the amount of extremists that are in the area, things could go tits up very quickly?
Do any you have any say when it comes to flying to a destination where some of you might feel slightly uneasy?
If there are any Kuwait Airlines crews out there, what is happenning with you guys with the large cut in flights? Do you have to remain in the country on standby, or do you get to return home (if you are foreign pilots of course) until the current situation dies down?
Cheers for any replies
DB
I was just wandering how the crews in the Middle East are reacting to the current situation. To tell you the truth I think folks are safer over here, ie UAE, Qatar, Bahrain...., than back in the capital of a major western country such as London. However, I have heard of crew in the area trying to get work back in the west (or east), mainly because their families left due to the current situation or are wanting to leave. Is this affecting many folks or is it just happening to an iscolated few?
Do any of you feel uneasy when flying into destinations such as Kuwait, Tehran, Karachi, Islamabad...where due to the current situation and with the amount of extremists that are in the area, things could go tits up very quickly?
Do any you have any say when it comes to flying to a destination where some of you might feel slightly uneasy?
If there are any Kuwait Airlines crews out there, what is happenning with you guys with the large cut in flights? Do you have to remain in the country on standby, or do you get to return home (if you are foreign pilots of course) until the current situation dies down?
Cheers for any replies
DB
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Surrounded by aluminum, and the great outdoors
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Family gone home 'case the gas come this way, bout broke my back hauling the barkalounger up to the roof to see any fireworks that might head this way!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Got a new sunbed and installed a shower on the roof...now I am looking for an extra fridge....first row experience so to speak...
Yes, I also believe we are much safer here as in most other places...and the wind will drift the gas towards Osama...
Yes, I also believe we are much safer here as in most other places...and the wind will drift the gas towards Osama...
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: 'Merica
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gents,
As a Riyadh resident, I generally feel quite comfortable there. More so than in my brothers home of Glasgow where 3 died last weekend in 'gang' violence.
There are 2 entirely different issues I believe. First of all, the option for war and all that comes with it. This gives me no cause for concern about my personal safety in Saudi Arabia.
Secondly, however, will be the anti-western backlash on the streets. This DOES bother me. Often enough already I am stopped and quized as to my origins - "American??" is the question.
I consider myself to be well adjusted to life in the region, but do fear for anyone who looks or acts like a european or american once people start dying in Iraq.
Bear
As a Riyadh resident, I generally feel quite comfortable there. More so than in my brothers home of Glasgow where 3 died last weekend in 'gang' violence.
There are 2 entirely different issues I believe. First of all, the option for war and all that comes with it. This gives me no cause for concern about my personal safety in Saudi Arabia.
Secondly, however, will be the anti-western backlash on the streets. This DOES bother me. Often enough already I am stopped and quized as to my origins - "American??" is the question.
I consider myself to be well adjusted to life in the region, but do fear for anyone who looks or acts like a european or american once people start dying in Iraq.
Bear
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DXB
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bear,
Have to agree totally with your comments. Whilst across the border in Dubai, I to feel the same, that it will be a backlash, that is the threat.
The anti-western backlash is my concern, and therefore I plan to remain low key for the meanwhile. There is no need to be out and about, especially if there is no need. Plus it's a damn good excuse to stop Mrs.AOG from spending money in the numerous shopping malls for a couple of weeks.
My thoughts and wishes go out to all those, that will be more directly affected than myself.
AOG007
Have to agree totally with your comments. Whilst across the border in Dubai, I to feel the same, that it will be a backlash, that is the threat.
The anti-western backlash is my concern, and therefore I plan to remain low key for the meanwhile. There is no need to be out and about, especially if there is no need. Plus it's a damn good excuse to stop Mrs.AOG from spending money in the numerous shopping malls for a couple of weeks.
My thoughts and wishes go out to all those, that will be more directly affected than myself.
AOG007
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Qatar
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sage counsel, gentlemen, and much the same applies here in Qatar.The backlash possibility does exist, but there are a couple of mitigators:
- There is precious little love for Saddam in the Gulf, and his departure will prompt a large collective sigh of relief, unless there is significant and sustained civilian bloodshed
- Gulf authorities have shown little tolerance of displays of dissent by non-nationals (think post 9/11), and in qatar/Dubai the national populations are v. small. More of a prob in Saudi/Bahrain perhaps, but can't be entirely discounted anywhere. The likelihood is any antagonism is likely to be uncoordinated and a spontaneous response to specific events.
- Mrs Killick is obviously a soulmate of Mrs AOG, and there has been an equally merciful easing of the pressure on the family purse as a result of the lower profile thing. This is basic common sense and most expats seem to have quietly slipped into this mode.
- My chosen viewing point is teh Golf Club, which offers unrestricted vistas, and at least allows me to legitimately have some form of weapon in my hands (not that I can hit anything with it, but it's a comfort)
I still think it's more likely that I would meet a premature end at the hands of some lunatic in a Landcruiser than by gas, bomb or hate-crazed zealot, but the odds have shortened a little, hence the precautions.
- There is precious little love for Saddam in the Gulf, and his departure will prompt a large collective sigh of relief, unless there is significant and sustained civilian bloodshed
- Gulf authorities have shown little tolerance of displays of dissent by non-nationals (think post 9/11), and in qatar/Dubai the national populations are v. small. More of a prob in Saudi/Bahrain perhaps, but can't be entirely discounted anywhere. The likelihood is any antagonism is likely to be uncoordinated and a spontaneous response to specific events.
- Mrs Killick is obviously a soulmate of Mrs AOG, and there has been an equally merciful easing of the pressure on the family purse as a result of the lower profile thing. This is basic common sense and most expats seem to have quietly slipped into this mode.
- My chosen viewing point is teh Golf Club, which offers unrestricted vistas, and at least allows me to legitimately have some form of weapon in my hands (not that I can hit anything with it, but it's a comfort)
I still think it's more likely that I would meet a premature end at the hands of some lunatic in a Landcruiser than by gas, bomb or hate-crazed zealot, but the odds have shortened a little, hence the precautions.
