Working in Qatar

dutemplar

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I had a verrrrry long day Monday - I'm in Baltimore, and was doing a 25 hour shift Monday 0800 to Tuesday 0900...

Got the emai from SMG that was sent to 4 of us at once. The one email address to an app account may resemble my name here...

I said essentially that interested but I'm in the middle of this, and was blindsided. 2 weeks is impossible however.

A few weeks ago got a contingency contract for a verrrrrrry different position in Northern Iraq, but it's just that.... Contingent on them getting the contract.

Doing a serious WTF do I want, right now.

After reading your posts in this thread I realized that you were in my recruitment group. I too got the offer and signed the contract 4/2014 was suppose to go in November but I put it off a little. Then was scheduled for January 26 this year and that was a go no. same story you have shared and no word. Finally went back to work in at end of March since the funds ran out. Figured it was a no go. Got word last night they are ready to bring me over. Not sure if I want to anymore. I got a buddy working there now and he says it a not a great place to work .

Scott
 

dutemplar

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T-2 weeks. Definitely sorting / purging / packing.

Last trips were all PMC or a cadre slot at KASOTC.

... Gladly accepting all suggestions on what to take/ ship, etc.
 

SandpitMedic

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I feel like whatever you need you could likely get in Doha. Essentials and electives. I'd travel light to avoid and bullshittery with the airlines.

Don't forget copies of everything.
 

akflightmedic

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Agreed. Anything you need can be bought there. Anything you want can also be bought. Travel light...have said this a million times however I always have those guys who show up with 5 trunks of "stuff" they could not be without.

Get there, get settled, survey and assess...then go buy what you think you need or have what you thought you needed shipped over. You will be surprised. Traveling abroad is a wonderful experience and even better when you lighten your load and do not have a bunch of "stuff" weighting you down and impacting your decision making.
 

dutemplar

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Understood and appreciated.

I'm, of course, planning on the full 3 years - or more. This is also a permanently split out of where I am living so there is a lot of purging and donations going on...

Storage is one van load going to my mom's, that's it.

Plus the whole "don't expect to get paid until July 28th" and taking the minimum cash with me...

I was no longer expecting this.

Thank you.
 

akflightmedic

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Good thing you have mom for free storage. A very dear friend of mine recently returned from Iraq...after SEVEN YEARS! She was only going for 1 year..ended up making a career out of it. Unfortunately she had to place things in storage, you know those things we can never be without. :)

7 years x $150 per month = $12,600 dollars of stupidity as she is now unloading it and trashing most of it due to the fact that it was junk then only she did not realize it. :) Add in the fact that she could have replaced everything she stored and still had money left over...I am sure this goes on more than most people talk about.

If you do not touch something within 6 months or even 12 months, odds are you never will and if you find that rare occasion when you do...well it is almost cheaper to buy than store. LOL

I am glad you have a long term plan, usually everyone does. However, before you travel with stuff....always good to get boots on ground and have a few paychecks rolling before you start transitioning.
 

dutemplar

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You know the joke, if I die I hope my wife doesn't sell the guns for what I told her they are worth?

If something happens, I hope my mother doesn't sell the 121 bottles of scotch for what she thinks they are worth.... :). The brothers babysitting hardware know the actual value.

Yea, I moved to Baltimore 5 years ago for a relationship that has failed... And had a storage unit for far far too long as she hoarded more stuff into it. No way.
 

dutemplar

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Three of us have been here 11 days. Looks very busy, but most everyone happy here barring a few issues.

They are still recruiting and short on CCPs. Just saying...
 

MedicSansBrains

If it's the PC police then I'm not home.. got it?
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Read the whole thread and the ups and downs are better than any gripping drama on the television. I hope to be overseas one day. Would love to hear an in depth update from @dutemplar !!
 

SandpitMedic

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Uh oh... I know someone new who isn't going to like seeing that "PM only."

Lolz!

Hope all is well bud!
 

dutemplar

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Life is good overall.

They have tweaked a few things. I would still recommend it but that's a side conversation.
 

MedicSansBrains

If it's the PC police then I'm not home.. got it?
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I can PM now!
 

dutemplar

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In general, I will add this: I'm very happy here and loving life. Recruitment is torturously slow and painful but I think it's worth it. Aside from enlisting and going the way I did this is IMO the best thing ever. (Four months down...) By the grace of goodness, I will not do just 3 and out, but retire from here and way sooner than working until the day I died in the US...
 

ExpatMedic0

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WOW, found out about this today.... apparently 3 American paramedics working for Hamad in Qatar have been detained. Someone shared this GoFund me for them with more details. Here is the link https://www.gofundme.com/7bsthhg8

The Go Fund me page states "We are asking everyone to take notice of a dire situation happening abroad with 3 American citizens in Doha, Qatar who are facing detainment and are being prevented from leaving the country. These individuals were contracted by Hamad Medical Corporation to work as paramedics over a three year contract. They became victims of massive government layoffs on January 25, 2016 due to the oil prices plummeting. In the beginning of their contract they were forced to obtain a loan from the bank after not being paid for 3 months and this loan was guaranteed over the life of their contract and backed by Hamad Medical Corporation (the sponsor). Five days after the layoffs Hamad Medical Corporations contacted the bank and informed that they were no longer employed and now the Qatar National placed a Travel Ban and is demanding them to pay the remainder of their loans immediately if not they will face incarceration. The state run Hamad Medical Corporation breached their contract and is not upholding their end of the contract by not paying them out of their last year or even a portion of it. This is also happening to people across the board with other nationalities. Their accounts have been frozen, salaries have been retained, credit cards have been shut off and have no access to money to fulfill any means of paying their loans; they lack money for basic necessities. They have sold everything they have there but it does not put a dent in the grand total. Because they have not been able to pay, they will be forced to commit a crime of “bounced check” which is a serious offense there in Qatar which can hold up anywhere from 6 months to 7 years or whatever the courts see fit. They are unable to accept any job offers in the US as they are not allowed to leave the country, therefore, making their situations worse. Moreover, the only way the government bank will forgive the debt is if the person dies. This has caused an increase in suicide deaths in the past 20 days here there in Qatar for those in similar circumstances and no means of correcting this; and no one ever hears of that or this situation as Qatar censors everything internally.

This is absolutely absurd and is infringing on their basic human rights, especially when the government is effectively making them commit a crime. We are asking anyone who has at least $1.00 to spare to contribute to this cause. We know times are tough for many people, but any amount will be beneficial to relieve them of this and have them return home safely. We have estimated this amount to be sufficient for all of them combined (as they will most likely incur more costs as a result of this set by the courts). Any amount left over will be donated to a charitable organization of Toys for Tots who gives underprivileged children toys during Christmas time. Please think about this situation and let’s help them return home from a country the US protects, but in return, does not equally give the Americans the same treatment. The US government agencies have been informed and the US Embassy there but it appears that there is little to be done.

Mr. Tim Reeber, from Honolulu, Hawaii, a Critical Care Paramedic and a paramedic of 16 years who has worked across the US and Internationally. He was also the paramedic instructor for the US Army MEDEVAC and 80th Civil Affairs Division. He is married and has one child with another on the way. He has one year remaining on his contract.

Mr. Kenneth Paton, from Omaha, Nebraska, also a military veteran, SSgt with US AF, with two deployments in Kuwait and Qatar. He was working as a Critical Care Paramedic and has one year remaining on his contract. He has three young children of his own."
 

MedicSansBrains

If it's the PC police then I'm not home.. got it?
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WOW, found out about this today.... apparently 3 American paramedics working for Hamad in Qatar have been detained. Someone shared this GoFund me for them with more details. Here is the link https://www.gofundme.com/7bsthhg8

The Go Fund me page states "We are asking everyone to take notice of a dire situation happening abroad with 3 American citizens in Doha, Qatar who are facing detainment and are being prevented from leaving the country. These individuals were contracted by Hamad Medical Corporation to work as paramedics over a three year contract. They became victims of massive government layoffs on January 25, 2016 due to the oil prices plummeting. In the beginning of their contract they were forced to obtain a loan from the bank after not being paid for 3 months and this loan was guaranteed over the life of their contract and backed by Hamad Medical Corporation (the sponsor). Five days after the layoffs Hamad Medical Corporations contacted the bank and informed that they were no longer employed and now the Qatar National placed a Travel Ban and is demanding them to pay the remainder of their loans immediately if not they will face incarceration. The state run Hamad Medical Corporation breached their contract and is not upholding their end of the contract by not paying them out of their last year or even a portion of it. This is also happening to people across the board with other nationalities. Their accounts have been frozen, salaries have been retained, credit cards have been shut off and have no access to money to fulfill any means of paying their loans; they lack money for basic necessities. They have sold everything they have there but it does not put a dent in the grand total. Because they have not been able to pay, they will be forced to commit a crime of “bounced check” which is a serious offense there in Qatar which can hold up anywhere from 6 months to 7 years or whatever the courts see fit. They are unable to accept any job offers in the US as they are not allowed to leave the country, therefore, making their situations worse. Moreover, the only way the government bank will forgive the debt is if the person dies. This has caused an increase in suicide deaths in the past 20 days here there in Qatar for those in similar circumstances and no means of correcting this; and no one ever hears of that or this situation as Qatar censors everything internally.

This is absolutely absurd and is infringing on their basic human rights, especially when the government is effectively making them commit a crime. We are asking anyone who has at least $1.00 to spare to contribute to this cause. We know times are tough for many people, but any amount will be beneficial to relieve them of this and have them return home safely. We have estimated this amount to be sufficient for all of them combined (as they will most likely incur more costs as a result of this set by the courts). Any amount left over will be donated to a charitable organization of Toys for Tots who gives underprivileged children toys during Christmas time. Please think about this situation and let’s help them return home from a country the US protects, but in return, does not equally give the Americans the same treatment. The US government agencies have been informed and the US Embassy there but it appears that there is little to be done.

Mr. Tim Reeber, from Honolulu, Hawaii, a Critical Care Paramedic and a paramedic of 16 years who has worked across the US and Internationally. He was also the paramedic instructor for the US Army MEDEVAC and 80th Civil Affairs Division. He is married and has one child with another on the way. He has one year remaining on his contract.

Mr. Kenneth Paton, from Omaha, Nebraska, also a military veteran, SSgt with US AF, with two deployments in Kuwait and Qatar. He was working as a Critical Care Paramedic and has one year remaining on his contract. He has three young children of his own."
@dutemplar Are you ok??
 

SandpitMedic

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Holy ****.

For all of you who can't wait to get on the contract train, here is an example of the untold risks.

I'll be donating. Hope our boys fare alright.
 

SandpitMedic

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@ExpatMedic0
That link is dead. Just tried it.

Any other source on this?
 
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