Anyone ever work in Saud Arabia
 

I may be taking a job that will put me in saudi for 10 months out of the year for the next 2 years. Whats it like over there? How is safety.

http://www.thekingdommovie.com/



Sorry........felt compelled. Personally, have no idea what it's like.........but the money would have to be REALLY REALLY good to get me to go anywhere in the middle east.

Good movie.
The money will be:D

Does your brand, spanking new wife have an opinion on this one? :D

The rotation is 30 to 45 on and 10 home so she is cool with it.She just doesn't want me gone when we have kids. But so far she does not have a problem with it since she will get to stay home and not work.:D

just remember... drugs, alcohol or pornography is a serious offense and that trafficking in any of these items is punishable by death.

there are many sites dedicated to americans (more british and europeans work there than any other foreigner) working over there...

yeah i read about that.:eek:

Wtf are you supposed to do on your time off???

My time of will be in the US on the boat:D or I will go to Go to Dubai(SP?)

I traveled the world extensively for 15 years doing oilfield work, many of the places had some or a lot of resentment about the wealthy American workers. Most of Saudi is a lot safer than say South Central LA, but some places are worse. Your company will most likely house you and tell you where you can and where you cant go.

Listen to them, they have been doing this stuff for a hundred years and for the most part will keep their employees safe. Observe and respect their customs and religious beliefs (or at least convince them that you do), don't tell them how we do it back in the USA.

Foreign work is a great education and for the most part safe. Always check with the State department website before traveling.

BTW the money is usually excellent

I got home about 6 months ago after spending close to 2 years working in the Middle East, mostly Iraq myself but I spent some time in Kuwait and the UAE. I worked for Halliburton, not on the oil side of things though. I worked on a contract supporting Coalition military operations in the Middle East. I had a great time out there and the money was unreal. As Wobble Said, If your employer recommends that you stay away from an area, listen to them. There are parts of the Middle East that we ARE NOT WELCOME, there are cultural events that are not open to us and they will not simply ask you to leave, it coold turn into a serious PITA for you. also stay away from any questionable behavior, I found it best just not to drink at all while I was over there, the last thing you need is any kind of conflict, your doing or otherwise, and to have alcohol on your breath. If you want to know anything else just PM me and I will send you my phone number.

I was offered a job there about a year ago. After looking into it further I turned it down.

If hazard pay type job, you just have to decided if the risk vs reward is ok with you. I know some people who went over and did similar jobs to what they did here in the U.S. but were paid 4-5X+ over, so the money is there.....

Why?

Thanks, will do. I will know more in a few weeks,and make my decision then.

I thought I would go out of my mind. Everything is diff. Mainly because I have 2 boys that I couldn't be away from for that long. I looked into bringing them over there for the summer and holidays but it's too dangerous. Why take a chance.

I guess in the end I finally decided that I can do just as well here at home without all the problems associated with that job

I have a friend that did a 1 year contract for Halliburton. I think it paid 100k or more.
That was 2 years ago. it worked well for him- he went back to do it again and is still there now.

I didn't get any impression from him that he was fearing for his life.
It all comes down to if the money is worth it to you.

I have to friends over there now and they like it.Money is 100k+for 9 months work and they said it is pretty safe.They are being put up by the price and he takes care of everything.
They have been over there for 2 months now and just signed another contract for 2 more years. They come back in a few weeks to finish a job in Mexico,and that is when i was thinking of starting with them.
I will get all the details soon.

Who are you going to work for or did I miss that? I was in Iraq myself for 7 motnhs. I'm thinking about going back over seas for a while to make some extra coin.

I remember when you went. Did you succeed in converting the experience into a Cig? :D (And welcome back.)

Need to factor in tax consequences. Try and get with the emplyers CPA to calculate your after-tax money. Also factor in cost of living. Try and come up with an after-tax disposable income amount and compare with local jobs.

all expenses paid for living travel and food.

As far as taxes I'm not sure about that, have not gotten that far yet.

Spend 330 days out of twelve months overseas and the first 85.7K is tax free I believe. Here is the IRS rule http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch04.html#d0e3823

I knew a guy that missed it by 2 days back when and got hammered by the IRS. Important to carefully document stays.

For most jobs this means taking vacation in foreign countries about half the time.

You may also get to choose the currency you get paid in, get some good advice on this.

There is a lot to the 330 days, not quite as cut and dry as it may seem. The IRS likes to audit the $85.7 exclusion. Good point with the currency. There are some complicated issues there. By U Boy - make sure your asking these questions and make sure you understand what their talking about. If you can't understand what their saying then you dayum sure won't be able to explain it to the IRS.

IMO the taxes are the most important aspect of that $100K number. Don't forget the tax prep fees you'll have to dish out for the taxes. That chit is complicated and can be very expensive. It all adds up. Best to get a handle on it so it doesn't catch you by suprise. I see you mentioned they pay for your cost of living and travel. You need to ask about the tax consequences of that as well. It may be added to your wages, which can bring more tax liability on top of the $100K. So even though your not "paying for it" you MAY still be taxed for it. Don't listen to jo chit the rag man "I've done it this way for years" guy. Do it right.

I couldn't imagine taking a gig like that.
Sure, the money sounds good. But everything you're giving up, and you have a new bride.
I've had the opportunity to take jobs that would have me traveling heavily, but I like coming home at night, and being with my wife and dogs. I've sacrificed the coin to live my life the way I want to.
I have a few friends that travel heavily for work, and they always dread the trips - but they do get paid well for it.
I know there are two sides to it all, I guess it just wouldn't be worth it to me.

Oh, and the no beer thing... Not a chance...:D

late 70s to 80s my fathers co did a lot of work over there, there is no drinking/ or sex over there they will kill you. we use to get paid 3000 a week in 90 I was all set to go to turkey for 6mons for a 100,000 to run a job installing carpets in a hotel . but the war in kuwaut worried my father so we gave it up and Iwas the only us guy on the job.I would have yelled at someone and got my head taken off for being a mean boss:D.I might just go to Dubai and try to sell some $40,000 area rugs for 80,000 get some gas money back:p:D

I was involved with the building of the Air Port parking roof years ago, It was all Solor panels on a spaceframe building.
I was the only person who landed and had on Cowboy Boots.
Im sure things have changed a bit.