Jobs that involve travel to Iraq and Yemen?

[simongr]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Better than having to go to France!

Oh so true!

The difference for me is the ongoing overt war situation, that multiplies the danger, IMO. I helped host a group of Iraqi visitors a few years ago and they felt the country was much improved. I'd love to visit both stans but too dangerous.

I would have considered them "equivalent" but YMMV (I have no personal experience of any of these places!). Yemen is under-rated as a dangerous place (sorry simongr).

There's certain parts of Western Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa that i'd have on an "equivalent" list. The danger differs in nature, but all are dangerous in their own way.

Thanks docjames - having done some reading Yemen certainly seems higher risk than Iraq and in fact is rated higher by the UK FCO.

Having not had a call back from the recruiters today I am wondering if the CV wasn't up to it...

It is sad indictment of my boss that I would rather take a job which requires travel to Iraq than continue to work for her...

 

[medhead]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

It is sad indictment of my boss that I would rather take a job which requires travel to Iraq than continue to work for her...

Won't she be gone in September anyway.

 

[Major]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Yemen is a dangerous place for foreigners. Any employer would need to provide tight security as well as underwrite all your insurance needs. It is right up there on my do not visit list

Kidnappings of foreigners on rise in Yemen | World news | The Observer

 

[simongr]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Won't she be gone in September anyway.

You might have me confused with someone else - I have no connection to the Australian government (other than through the payment of taxes and being bound by the laws of the country and by using state and federally provided services and voting - but apart from that I have no connection with the Australian Government - well and the issuance of passports and receipt of the Health Insurance Rebate - but apart from that...)

 

[Simo]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Money would have to be HUGE.

It would have to be for me to take a position like that a short time and extremely secure location.

The reason for the short time is not the fact of being away from Family is more the fact the longer you are there the more chance something bad could happen to you.

 

[simongr]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I agree for me it might be an acceptable part of a role - like if you want to enjoy the large salary and benefits and travel to DXB, AMM and BNE then occasionally you need to go to Iraq for two weeks...

 

[Lu-Lu]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

You should read the book The Panther by Nelson DeMille set in Yemen..... I know it's fiction but you never know.

 

[casanovawa]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Hmm, could be semi interesting for a few visits to places such as that, still wouldn't mind them being interspersed with visits to Geneva or Paris etc..

I work for 50% of my time in a business unit in our Dept that works in the overseas consultancy area, we now require any private consultants we use to have all their own insurance etc, but after a review was held guidelines were put in place that we won't send staff or consultants into countries rated 4 or worse by DFAT... We either can't bid for work in those countries or would need to bring people out to be trained or advised etc in a suitable secure 3rd country in the region..

Can't see what job it was but would be interesting to find out...

 

[samh004]

Qatar Airways also flies there, for when they become a member of OW.

 

[Flashback]

They are a little unnerving but the company wouldn't send people there if they didn't think they could be made safe.

Certainly not a wind up. This AFF so if I were to be travelling for work I would of course be looking to maximise status/benefits as I would if travelling to a bad area or a good area.

Having worked in said type of countries - I can ensure you that where they are unsafe, very tight controls are in place to ensure your safety.

I would have considered them "equivalent" but YMMV (I have no personal experience of any of these places!). Yemen is under-rated as a dangerous place (sorry simongr).

There's certain parts of Western Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa that i'd have on an "equivalent" list. The danger differs in nature, but all are dangerous in their own way.

Definitely parts of Western Africa - have worked in them over the past year (and most likely heading back in again soon), but as with everything if the right systems are in place then you'll be OK (.. and having a backup plan is key!).

 

[casanovawa]

Certainly didn't work out to well for those hostages at that gas plant in Algeria or wherever....

 

[scaredeycat]

You have your life... It should be precious ​for you!

 

[smit0847]

Chandler Bing went to Yemen.

 

[Flashback]

Certainly didn't work out to well for those hostages at that gas plant in Algeria or wherever....

That's not to say gaps don't appear, but it's all about reducing risk. In fact one of my staff who was about to travel back in this morning has had flights pushed back due to some unrest in country expected over the next few days.

 

[amaroo]

Wouldn't want to be caught with a British & unfortunately these days an Oz passport in this neck of the woods......maybe try applying for one with a large sabre on the cover before sending the resume

 

[casanovawa]

In some of these places, might well be worth having some head to toe garb stashed in your luggage in case a quick get away out the back was required...

Some brown trousers might not go astray either...

 

[simongr]

That's not to say gaps don't appear, but it's all about reducing risk. In fact one of my staff who was about to travel back in this morning has had flights pushed back due to some unrest in country expected over the next few days.

Thanks Flashware - I recognise the need and intent to minimise risk and that is why it is even being considered and not discounted completely.

 

[simongr]

You have your life... It should be precious ​for you!

It is precious to me both now and in the future and if the role has long term benefits for me then that is positive to outweigh the risks involved.

The main reason for posting here was to get comparable experiences as I have no experience (other than as family of military and thus connection to people in actual war zones/warfare) in this area.

 

[RooFlyer]

I went there about 4 times in the '90s for a mining gig. Sana'a was a bit rough but the company looked after us. Out in the country, it's like any undeveloped/not westernised country, gorgeous and very hospitable.

Our trips were punctuated by the odd civil war, though. I remember visiting the Australian Ambassador in Cairo who said travel to Sudan at the time was verboten, but Yemen was OK when there wasn't an actual war.

Mining takes you to some pretty dodgy places, but I wouldn't go to Iraq or Yemen now for quids.

 

[simongr]

I went there about 4 times in the '90s for a mining gig. Sana'a was a bit rough but the company looked after us. Out in the country, it's like any undeveloped/not westernised country, gorgeous and very hospitable.

Our trips were punctuated by the odd civil war, though. I remember visiting the Australian Ambassador in Cairo who said travel to Sudan at the time was verboten, but Yemen was OK when there wasn't an actual war.

Mining takes you to some pretty dodgy places, but I wouldn't go to Iraq or Yemen now for quids.

I was getting quite a positive vibe from that post until the last line...

Thanks though - all experience and advice is valued.