Job Discussion Forums

[Pilot in Command]

What's the scoop on this inside Saudi Arabia?

[johnslat]

Dear Pilot in Command,
I'll be very surprised if anyone can give you " the scoop " on this incident, beyond what's in the papers ( try www.arabnews.com ). The government here controls the media, so it's highly doubtful we'll ever know such details as why he was shot. They might try to pass it off as yet another episode in the infamous " liquor wars ", for the powers-that-be don't want to admit that there could ever be ( gasp ) anti-western terrorism here in the Peaceable Kingdom.
Regards,
John

[Pilot in Command]

Thank you for responding, John.

The article stated that he was shot 3 times in the abdomen by someone wearing a Saudi Naval uniform.

This really hits home, so to speak, since I worked in Jubail for two years.

The timing is remarkable... this happened the day after the latest warden message warning of possible impending terrorist action against US interests in Saudi Arabia (message #19).

For once (very unfortunately) the embassy was right. I might have to start taking them a bit more seriously.

I'm thinking about coming back, but this really gives me a moment of pause.

[scot47]

Here in the K of SA we only know what appears in the local press. Since that is now available on the web, we have no special advantage over someone in San Diego or Southampton. There are rumours of course but no sane person pays attention to them.

[johnslat]

Dear Pilot in Command,
My personal opinion of the embasssy remains unchanged. If you issue enough warnings, sooner or later one of them is bound to closely precede an actual incident. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Regarding your coming back, the decision is, of course, entirely yours. But personally I'm a lot more worried about getting killed by the traffic here than by any terrorist attack.
Regards,
John

[scot47]

I agree with John that a traffic accident is a greater likelihood than being blown away by some Islamist. I restrict my movements but that is because the traffic here FRIGHTENS me. Driving here has to be experienced. Like the rest of the Saudi expereince it has to be lived. A description is not enough !

As for advance warnings of attacks,were we given advance notice of the presious attacks here, in Nairobi or Mombasa ? Experience in British cities during the 30-year war with the IRA has shown that there is not much you can do when faced with determined terrorists.

[Pilot in Command]

All excellent points, guys.

I have a lot of experience driving there, and I can certainly relate to your comments about that. I've had my share of close calls. There were times when I wished I had a camcorder to record some of my encounters so I could share them with the folks back home. You just can't adequately describe the Saudi Arabian driving experience to people who've never experienced it for themselves.

I've decided that, if I go back, it'll be in a situation where I don't HAVE to drive anywhere, i.e. the company provides transportation to/from work and the compound has all I need to live. Not that I'd refrain from going into town; I'd just go with someone else who wants to deal with Saudi drivers!

Stay safe!

[grahamb]

Are they more dangerous behind the wheel than Spanish drivers? Now that is scary!

[Pilot in Command]

I can't comment on Spanish drivers (though I've heard stories). I CAN say that there's a good reason why you have to have your blood type on your Saudi driver's license! They also request that you give blood when you apply for the license!

There's a phenomenon in Saudi Arabia called "cars passing cars passing cars." Picture that on a two-lane road, i.e. one lane in each direction! I've seen it!

[johnslat]

Dear Pilot-inCommand,
It's interesting what you can find on the Net. Here's an excerpt from a web page put up by a menber of the USA military who was on the east coast of Saudi Arabia in 1991:

" Terrorism is always on our minds, but our biggest fear comes whenever we have to drive anywhere. There is no "weapon of mass destruction" that Sadam could have used against the Saudis that could have killed as many people as automobiles kill each day. I honestly believe that the Islamic Clerics should add a fifth tenet to their religion: "Thou shalt stay out of automobiles!" The Saudis and their guest workers are simply the world's craziest drivers. When they're not driving at supersonic speeds, they're cutting sideways across three lanes of traffic to get off at an exit. The average Arab driver cannot stand to be behind anyone; he (she's are not allowed to drive) will jump curbs, cross medians, do anything possible to get ahead of the vehicle in front of him. Arab driving skill is clearly reflected in their highway fatality rates. Fatal accidents occurred almost every day we were here, and the highways are lined with wrecked vehicles which are mangled beyond recognition. "

That says it well, I think. The site address, in case you're interested is:

http://home.att.net/~ka2e/gulf/gwchap4.html

Regards,
John

[Pushok]

I read that from a population of 20 million in Saudi there are 20,000 road deaths per year. That's half the number of the whole of Europe. Scary stuff and I admit that when thinking about returning to Saudi the traffic is more frightening than the 'terrorism'.

[scot47]

I have been coming here on and off since 1970. Nowadays my priority when looking for a job is to find one where I can minimise the amount of time I spend in a motor vehicle. You can find jobs where you will not have to drive much - or at all, like me. I can walk to work and everything I need is withoin walking distance. If I have to go downtown I take a taxi.

Alas some people are so fixated on the internal combustion engine that they cannot imagine life without their own car.