Ammroc

[Bounty Hunter]

Originally Posted by fuelman407

LOL!! Good says! All I can say is keep trying. Sara should be in her office today! But, I know she will have a ton of emails waiting for her. Being over here I can call but they do not answer all the time. So, do not expect much the first few days! They will get the medical exam over the first few days. Did some looking online for a rental car for the short term. They sub-compacks started at almost $800 per month, not cheap there. One concern I have is the 90 day probation. Should I wait till that is over to lease or buy a car. And when you are renting a apartment you just cannot do it one month at a time, think it is a long tern thing. Need to findout about buying verse renting there. If we stay there for eight years, might be better to buy a apartment. This way you will have something to sell when you leave. Think Dubai is the best place for that now. I know the drive is long but money in my pocket will be worth it. Just have to see once we are there! What job are you being hired for? I am looking forward to getting back on the F-16 again! I have more experience with the F-15, but the fuel system is much better on the F-16. Spent seven years as a FTD instructor on it! Where are you located now? Keep intouch and if I can help with anything once I am there let me know. Hope you get there when you want! It is a long flight over there! much jet lag! Temps are so hot there now, the height of the summer! See ya!

Yes! I got an email from Nirmala now (it is 0130, Sat nite/Sun Morn) and she said it would take 4-6 weeks for my security clearance and that it was submitted on the 14th of June. When did you send your documents for your security clearance? I just feel like I am waisting my terminal leave. I think (and I have heard) that the best bet is to get a hotel-apartment for the first 3 months (probation time). They can go for month to month without a long term lease. I have talked ot over with other people and have been thinking about buying too! I am going to wait about 8 months or so before I pursue that. I have been hired into the C130 program as a primary crew chief. Its a start and if I just keep my head down and produce units, I may get a raise or something. (not really sure how that sort of thing works overseas...) Take care and I'll see you there!

[fuelman407]

Originally Posted by Bounty Hunter

Yes! I got an email from Nirmala now (it is 0130, Sat nite/Sun Morn) and she said it would take 4-6 weeks for my security clearance and that it was submitted on the 14th of June. When did you send your documents for your security clearance? I just feel like I am waisting my terminal leave. I think (and I have heard) that the best bet is to get a hotel-apartment for the first 3 months (probation time). They can go for month to month without a long term lease. I have talked ot over with other people and have been thinking about buying too! I am going to wait about 8 months or so before I pursue that. I have been hired into the C130 program as a primary crew chief. Its a start and if I just keep my head down and produce units, I may get a raise or something. (not really sure how that sort of thing works overseas...) Take care and I'll see you there!

Great! They are slow there! I do not know why my security clearance only took two weeks! Maybe it was a regional thing and me being here in saudi working with the Saudi Air Force maybe why! Don't know! I have been looking at Expedia.com for hotels during the time frame I will be there and only three have rooms. Since the company is owned by the Royal family maybe they have connections! Yes, will look for a hotel-apartment setup too! Once, I get past the probation time will look hard for a place to buy! I worked on C-130's at Kadena AB a long time ago (1975-1977). One job I hated (being fuel system) was removing deteriated foam from the fuel tanks! WOW! was that a mess! I retired in 1995 from Randolph AFB, TX. If I can find a way to get internet there will drop you a line to let you know what is happening. Hope to hear from Sara about my wife's visitor visa. If not, she will fly back to China and wait for me to get my residence card. Will take them about two weeks for that. Then, she can fly here on my visa. Where are you at now? While you are waiting, take a look at the Best Homes website and look at both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Think you will see the cost difference with Dubai. The Foxhill 6 development looks like a good one! one bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, parking space (that is important there!) and the size is over 1400 sq. ft. If you are single there are smaller ones for less but this one annual rent is 48,000 ADE. Buying may be the answer! We will see. Enjoy your terminal leave and be prepared for the hot weather there! See ya!

[fuelman407]

Sorry, the website is Better Homes!!! Not Best Homes!

[fuelman407]

Originally Posted by fuelman407

Great! They are slow there! I do not know why my security clearance only took two weeks! Maybe it was a regional thing and me being here in saudi working with the Saudi Air Force maybe why! Don't know! I have been looking at Expedia.com for hotels during the time frame I will be there and only three have rooms. Since the company is owned by the Royal family maybe they have connections! Yes, will look for a hotel-apartment setup too! Once, I get past the probation time will look hard for a place to buy! I worked on C-130's at Kadena AB a long time ago (1975-1977). One job I hated (being fuel system) was removing deteriated foam from the fuel tanks! WOW! was that a mess! I retired in 1995 from Randolph AFB, TX. If I can find a way to get internet there will drop you a line to let you know what is happening. Hope to hear from Sara about my wife's visitor visa. If not, she will fly back to China and wait for me to get my residence card. Will take them about two weeks for that. Then, she can fly here on my visa. Where are you at now? While you are waiting, take a look at the Best Homes website and look at both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Think you will see the cost difference with Dubai. The Foxhill 6 development looks like a good one! one bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, parking space (that is important there!) and the size is over 1400 sq. ft. If you are single there are smaller ones for less but this one annual rent is 48,000 ADE. Buying may be the answer! We will see. Enjoy your terminal leave and be prepared for the hot weather there! See ya!

Sorry, I got the website wrong. It is Better Homes! Not Best Homes!

[chucktownmo]

got my visa but no start date yet what are the office hours

[fuelman407]

Originally Posted by chucktownmo

got my visa but no start date yet what are the office hours

The office hours are 0800 - 1600 Abu Dhabi time. I am totally frustrated with the lack of communication with them! I sent an email yesterday to Sara asking about the status of my wife's visitor visa, no answer. So, I called both of them today and no answer! My situation is different from others! I cannot stay in Saudi past 15 July, I have to leave. Just cannot wait here for them to arrange things. So, I told both that if I do not hear anything from them by 10 July, I will have to buy tickets for my wife and I back to China and wait till they can get this whole thing straighten out. That will cost them more to fly me back to Abu Dhabi from Beijing! I have a valid visitor visa for China till Sept. I will not call them or email them anymore till I hear something! The ball is in their court now. I have to know one way or the other if they can coordinate my wife's visitor visa! IF, not then I am going to China to wait for them. I swear, they are so poor at letting people know what is going on! At least you have your visa now and you can wait for them to get back with you! Oh! they will but when? I cannot wait! Must buy my wife's ticket to China or know she is coming with me to Abu Dhabi! Good luck on your end! Hang in there!

[Bluemac34]

Hi, my name is Mac and I am waiting for security clearance for work at AMMROC on the Apache.
I have been waiting for 3 weeks now, but was told approx 4 weeks.
I too would like info/advice on living accomodation. I am coming out alone but will have the wife and family visiting from time to time.
Are there any other UK people joining on the Apache programme?
Cheers, see you there (hopefully)

[chucktownmo]

Originally Posted by Bluemac34

Hi, my name is Mac and I am waiting for security clearance for work at AMMROC on the Apache.
I have been waiting for 3 weeks now, but was told approx 4 weeks.
I too would like info/advice on living accomodation. I am coming out alone but will have the wife and family visiting from time to time.
Are there any other UK people joining on the Apache programme?
Cheers, see you there (hopefully)

Just Be patient they are hiring alot of people so I guess they can't answer every email but they are doing their best it took me 2 weeks for the clearance and 1 week for the visa and today i got a call from them telling me they will have my plane ticket and hotel soon. I heard the helicopters will start out in Abu Dhabi but will move to Al Ain. Al Ain is much cheaper then Abu Dhabi and less traffic then Dubai. I think I think I will pick Al Ain to live. Good Luck

[Bluemac34]

Thanks for the reply.
Interesting to hear the Apaches may be moving to Al Ain.

[irishman66]

I got my security clearance in two weeks and my visa within ten and have now received my flight booking for the 30th July. It all took four months from interview to now.