Job Discussion Forums

also in saudi · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 137

Unmotivated Saudi military students and the military work environment are the same whether you work for BAE or some other contractor. No military contractor pays better than BAE.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject:

Amen, bro.

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

If we could go back to the original thread, which is about Life on a BAE Compound, I actually found that compound life was more than just bearable.

Cleopatra is wrong, by the way. BAE staff ARE engaged on single-status contracts, but they can then apply for accompanied status, and will be given it if accommodation is available.

A lot of people left BAE last year, so accompanied status accommodation is now VERY available. For the lasst six months of my contract, moreover, I was living alone in a three bedroom villa. My previous villa mate left, and his place was never taken up.

On that compound, which WAS primarily single status, we had a swimming pool, bowling alley, TV lounge, dining hall, library, football pitch, tennis courts, running track, gym as official facilities. I will not go into the unofficial ones.

We were also about two miles away from the KIng Fahad Causeway to Bahrain.

It could have been far, far worse.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I would have taken a job with BAE in a heartbeat.

Spent lots of weekends on their compounds over the years, Al Gosaibi in the old times. Dana and Azzizyah.

Great facilities and great pay and conditions.

Students are problematic but that is the case everywhere in Saudi.

Ignore the doomsayers ....let them enjoy their miserable 12k rats a month.

I never enjoyed poverty myself.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

I worked for BAE from 1993 to 1995. The positive posters about compound life are true. I shared with two other ex-RAF guys who were a great laugh and made living in KSA a lot better. I met a lot of different people who were in KSA for a variety of reasons. many of them still work there and enjoy it. In terms of financial rewards, it is difficult to beat.

I was there as a single guy. I went back to Saudi as a married man to KFUPM in 2000 - 2002.

I didn't like the teaching very mush at BAE but it is tolerable and many of the cadets do want to learn and progress. Some don't or can't.

If you want to save and enjoy your free time, BAE is not a bad gig. It is a great time to study, read, join loads of clubs and make lifelong friends.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Balzac, thank you very, very much, but I think you're wasting your time.

Some of the posters on these threads don't want to know the truth. They want to see their own moronic prejudices given the authority of having been set in print.

Or, of course, there is the possibility that they are partly motivated by sour grapes.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I would also add that BAE employees were probably on the whole a happier bunch than ESL teachers elsewhere in the Kingdom.

Why?

Better pay and conditons would of course be number one and very good compounds with all amenities thrown in.

I reckon I had a better job in Saudi than most of the BAE guys but they had way better pay and living condtions than i did.

I might add that they were finished by lunch time every day as well.

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

A Day in the Life of a Teacher at BAE (Weekday)

Get up early, own room fully furnished (in shared Villa)
Have breakfast - in canteen (free)
Leave dirty laundry in bag by door
Get on bus (provided)
Get to work - start lessons
After three classes - a tea break (free)
Another three classes
Break
Get back on bus back to compound
Find clean sheets, cleaned room and clean laundry
Change and head for three course lunch (free)
Go to pool and swim/sunbathe for two hours
Meet up with buddy and play snooker
Meet up with linies (ex RAF villa mates) watch TV
Play footy on pitch for an hour
Go have dinner (free)
Get ready to go out
Get either a bus provided by company or Hiace (petrol free)
Go to Rashid Mall -
Back to compound, game of squash or tennis
Watch DVD (library on compound)
Write a letter home - take to Villa?? put it in a bag on door handle as guy would be flying to UK next day
Go to bed at about 10 pm
Read, swop a mosquito, dream of large ladies.

cyclistlongdistancerunner · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 31

First of all I would like to say how do you do to everyone on the Saudi Board!!

Balzac I have been following your "adventure" [to coin a word!!] with BAE.

I believe you have been there now for a month or two . . .

I was wondering if you could give us your impressions of your job, the local scenery [with all that implies!] and so on.

Thank you very much.