Job Discussion Forums

[run-jp]

Although Vinnell is said to NOT be one of the worst mil contracters in the country, the are making efforts to take over the most awful spot. The local directors of Vinnell, an ex-US Army 2 star and retired field grades, let the MODA and US Army MPs walk all over them by cutting the # of cars they can drive on the present compound by more than half. Besides having about a dozen of their cars turned away at the gate Dec 30/31st, a lot of these folks had to wait 80 minutes off camp in a lot strewn with garbage and teeming with flies "for unexplained security reasons") After walking "home", one of the teachers was detained by MPs (but not charged) for walking a shortcut thru a vacant dirt lot on the compound (didn't hear if a reason was given for this, except that the MPs could practice their "Let's look for an American Taliban" techniques. I did hear that he wasn't allowed to move his hands basically, even to put on his hat as a cool wind was picking up.
Another teacher was loudly scolded by Saudi soldiers by parking a Vinnell car too close to his guard hut when he couldn't enter (Heaven forbid that the Saudis might be expected to "guard" this lit-up area. As you can see all the security people do for Vinnell is make more restrictive rules to protect themselves in case of law suits (i.e. when you get blown up!(''))

The Crown Prince himself released about 160 mil $, much of it ear-marked for Vinnell so they could move into their own secure compound in the summer of 2003 ...in sh"Allah. Who knows whose pockets had to be lined
or will be lined with this, and Vinnell is still only scheduled to move in Feb. if a list of security measures are completed at the new compound. The top 6/7 USer's at Vinnell continue to have gobs of priviledges (unlimited driving
, and likely access to booze, shopping at the air Force Base, maybe diplomatic bag stuff) while the average Vinnelli will see his danger bonus of $700 dropped this year (this is scheduled).
With the growth of the ESL industry and the Web, V has an easier time
recruiting, than even before they were bombed-oddly. However, as word is likely getting out about how they are using the "We were attacked for being Americans, 9-11ish excuse" as a way to cut corners and degrade basic working condtions, it may backfire on them. It seems that the top guys get bonuses for staffing planned postions at about 82% or higher.

Since they are somewhat now below this #, they ll want to improve their image to recruit and mantain folks. If you are thinking of teaching for Vinnell, i would seriously RETHINK of Working Elsewhere

Remember only the stuff in writing counts. any verbal promises (there rae many) are non-binding. If youare nuts enough to do this, why not ask for
a signing bonus of 3 or 4,000 $ to be awarded after 3 months. Three 4 or 5,000 $ bonuses were given to teachers before May 93, so why not after.

maybe it is not the worst job in KSA but it surely has become a "staring
at the-same-4-walls" on weekends job, that you probably want to avoid.


Yokel in the (overcrowded) Yukon