Job Discussion Forums

[balancedsentiments]

Good to see it's helped someone, Parched. Transfers to Muscat came through for a couple of people, to join family and to do some post-grad study at SQU, so some more positions opened up. Hope it works out for you.

[parched]

Thanks for the good wishes...it seems I'll be headed there next month.

What would you advise regarding car rental? Past posters have recommended renting at the airport with a big name company, so based on that I am thinking of getting one in Muscat upon arrival and driving it to Nizwa after the necessary orientation business is taken care of with TATI. Or have rental options improved in Nizwa?

[balancedsentiments]

Car rental places are few and far between in Oman in general. Do it at the airport. The whole thing will be an awful lot easier if you follow a TATI driver from there. See you soon!

[parched]

Thanks very much. See you in September.

[rustyrockets]

I wish I was qualified to get a job in Oman

[pooroldedgar]

Rustynut,

Try with TATI. You likely are qualified, or at least can be in a year or two. Their requirements are more likely what they want, not what they're willing to take.

[parched]

I rented a car at the airport as advised and followed the TATI PRO. It was a good move. While getting the labor card in Muscat there was free time, during which I was able to explore the city on my own. I then drove to Nizwa, and having a car here is tremendously useful for commuting everyday to campus, shopping, running errands, and flat hunting. For newcomers, if you are able to do so, I advise getting a car at the airport straightaway. Rental agencies will need to see your passport, driver's license, and $500 of available credit on a credit card for insurance purposes.

[EFL Educator]

YES I agree renting a car upon arrival in Oman is a great idea....providing one can afford it! I knew a lot of teachers in Nizwa who arrived with almost nothing...

[madrileno]

[Tazz]

All hail the car and the car lovers in inevitable pursuit of car defined status! Why would anybody rent one on arrival to pursue the TATI PRO? Was he clicking his fingers as you followed behind in the newly rented motor?

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[Tazz]

As a confirmed and dedicated non-driver I'm appalled by the number of times I'm in mates car-or taxi that I've seen road carnage-must be 50%.....well, maybe not carnage-but accidents, serious accidents. That aside, I can't see the sense, for the life of me, in taking a pretty massive loan to purchase a new car-once the 3 month probation period is over.....plenty of decent 2nd hand cars available for 1000-1500.Most of us here are agency hires-disposable and easily gotten rid of.... I've been here 2 years and seen 'em come- and go. Big turn over-especially in the ministry colleges......turning up at the airport and renting a car to follow the TATI pro?!!!

[parched]

You bet. I want to be familiar with the city of Muscat--where different places are and how to get to them. Driving from the airport begins one's orientation immediately, and for me, I learn my way around much faster in the driver's seat as opposed to riding as a passenger.

It's true that there is some aggression on the roads in Oman, but I find drivers here to be quite good in comparison to those in other Gulf countries.

[Tazz]

Well you is much braver than me.....even sitting in passenger seat of a taxi-travelling from Nizwa further into the interior, fills me with dread!

[pooroldedgar]

Tazz, the dread your talking about is surely at least partially existential as opposed to purely vehicular.