Saudi work

Status
Not open for further replies.
zog

zog

Senior Member
Location
Charlotte, NC
I have an chance to go work in Saudi Arabia, actually run a plant with about 2000 employees, for 2 years, after which I could retire before age 40. I hear the "commute" is an adventure, body armor and sidearms required.

Has anyone had any experience with this type of work? 2 years would be tough away from my family but we wouldnt have to worry about money ever again. Heck, I was out on a submarine for 4 years and didnt get paid squat, at least this has a payoff.
 
My wife's uncle was there for years, will you be living on the compound like ARAMCO or living off the open market.

Woman cannot drive.
No Christmas cards in the Saudi Mail.
But he never mentioned guns or body armor and he only left 2 or 3 years ago.
 
realolman said:
You'll never have enough time with your kids if you're home every night.

Money ain't everything.
Click to expand...

I know that, I just took a big pay cut to be with my family more, but we are talking about ALOT of money here.
 
This is certainly a personal choice but IMO if you have young kids part of your job as being a parent is being alive and present. It is one thing to put yourself at risk in defense of your country but to do it just for the cash, adventure or experience .....

American contractors do get killed and / or taken hostage.

JMHO
 
are you leaving your family behind for 2 years? how often will you come home to visit? how old are your kids? what does your wife think about it?
 
zog said:
I know that, I just took a big pay cut to be with my family more, but we are talking about ALOT of money here.
Click to expand...
I would wonder why it pays enough for 2 years work that I could retire after I was done. And if I had to wear a side arm and body armor too....
Will your family draw this money if you are the victim of terrorism or other violence that took your life?
Just something to think about...
 
iwire said:
This is certainly a personal choice but IMO if you have young kids part of your job as being a parent is being alive and present. It is one thing to put yourself at risk in defense of your country but to do it just for the cash, adventure or experience .....

American contractors do get killed and / or taken hostage.

JMHO
Click to expand...

Thats how I feel about it, just the 1st time I have had a 7 figure salary dangled in front of me and it makes a person think. I am going to ponder it for a few days and probally decline.
 
ultramegabob said:
are you leaving your family behind for 2 years? how often will you come home to visit? how old are your kids? what does your wife think about it?
Click to expand...

I would get a few trips back, but not many, My kids are 15, 10, and 5, those are all great years I would miss. I expected my wife to say no way but she said she would support any decision I made (Good woman), she just didnt want me coming home with 10 more wives, even though I told her I would make her "Head wife" :)
 
What is A LOT of money ?Are we talking about a million a year or talking about a couple of hundred thousands a year. It makes a big difference on decision making. Without getting into details, they have to pay you really good money in order to take that risk.
My wife always says the same thing about supporting I. However, when things get tough with the kids, sickness or other issues at home: I receive phone calls here and there to tell I that she needs me home A.S.A.P. It is tough on everyone, just like being in the service without a family. Either way good luck with your decision. My vote would be no. I think it is a position that fits for a single person.
 
zog said:
(cut) I hear the "commute" is an adventure, body armor and sidearms required. (cut)
Click to expand...
zog -
First I'd never be so presumptious to advise anyone on this sort of decision - so this isn't advice, just a few thoughts, based on my time as a US gun-slinger in free-fire zones.

I've never heard of civilian technical contractors carrying firepower - big red flag.

Civilians carrying sidearms are combatants with little legal protection.

Would I do it? As a civilian, working for a foreign corporation? Sure. Money tied up in the US. Any courtroom battles are in the US. If those two conditions were deal stoppers, that would send me a message.

edited to remove discussion on looking different than anyone else (by having a pistol instead of a rifle)

cf
 
Last edited:
Cold Fusion said:
zog -
First I'd never be so presumptious to advise anyone on this sort of decision - so this isn't advice, just a few thoughts, based on my time as a US gun-slinger in free-fire zones.

I've never heard of civilian technical contractors carrying firepower - big red flag.

Civilians carrying sidearms are combatants with little legal protection.

Would I do it? As a civilian, working for a foreign corporation? Sure. Money tied up in the US. Any courtroom battles are in the US. If those two conditions were deal stoppers, that would send me a message.

edited to remove discussion on looking different than anyone else (by having a pistol instead of a rifle)

cf
Click to expand...

"Armed" was the word that was used, I guess I assumed what that meant. I am still awaiting details, thanks for the other tips. I good friend of mine actually worked this exact job a few years ago, and was paid well, so I know it is legit.
 
Zog - I can't give advice but I?ll give you my perspective.

I have worked in Pakistan, Algeria, India and Dubai, plus have many friends who have worked in Saudi Arabia. I've been a target of Muslim extremist kidnappers in Pakistan and watched anti-American flag burning demonstrations from my taxi in Karachi.

I made some money, but not enough to cover missing my son's home runs, my daughter's dance recitals and Thanksgivings with the family. (I was not on an extended assignment, so I didn't get much additional pay.) But I learned a lot, met a lot of wonderful people from other cultures and learned a lot about myself and others. For many reasons, I won't do it again.

Ten years ago I would say go for it. Now, with our US reputation and unrest in the Middle East, I would think very hard about the opportunity. My Canadian and British friends working in the Mid East have few problems. My US friends in the Mid East pretend to be Canadian. Most of the people I know working in Saudi or Iraq or Algeria are divorced or in a family relationship where they would get divorced if they spent any more than 2 months straight with their wives.

Most of the Americans I know are going to Dubai and leaving Saudi Arabia and Iraq to the British engineers. (Dubai is the best assignment, it is a different world.)

The internet was a life saver for me. Being able to blog and talk daily with friends and family kept me sane. It is much easier now to stay in contact. But it is very hard on the family to not see you everyday. Family status is no longer a safe option like it was 15-20 years ago.

You could bring your family to meet you in Europe on a roll out and learn from the international experience. Some people send their kids to school in Switzerland on the company's ticket.

Good luck making the decision. As others have said, money isn't everything. The company wouldn't be offering such a great compensation package unless there was something less attractive about the position. At least in Saudi Arabia, you are not going to get malaria or have other health issues. The political unrest in Saudi Arabia is somewhat under control. It is better than working in Iraq.

It could be a wonderful experience, or it could destroy your family.

I know people who went into international work to make the $$ needed to retire. They are all still working, addicted to the lifestyle or the money.

Best wishes on your decision. If you go, make sure you have plenty of friends and family to help the wife and kids back home.
 
My uncle is doing electrical work in afghanastan right now. They send him home every 3 monthsfor 2 weeks, so I dont think that would be to bad but he also doesnt have any kids and his wife is a little moody to say the least. He just signed up for another year
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top