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Post by JeffSteiner on Apr 16, 2014 3:39:28 GMT
I guess it is possible that some have said that they received le on March 31st, but I find it odd that they only chose to mention it 2 weeks later...are they contractors or Aramcons? Have they revenue generating jobs (drilling, rigging, etc.) as opposed to some of us who are more administrative or infrastructure?
My understanding is that it is also possible that the persons who are telling of getting le may be slotting into existing unfilled spots, i.e. -- a le was issued (in December?) for an Engineer III from the UK and the guy that was supposed to fill it was found unsatisfactory at some point in the BI or medical. Newer guy comes along, Engineer III from the UK and bingo bango, he's off.
And now, the other side of the coin -- it is also possible, from what I have read here, that some of us might not fit in the next block issued. There must be priorities FOR ARAMCO that might not correspond to how important I think I am! So, if something comes in for "yst II" and someone else is selected, there is not one thing I can do about it.
Maybe I am starting to get the whole "insh" gestalt, but I cannot lose any more sleep over it. And I am gonna try really hard not to irritate anyone else about it, including my relocation advisor, who also has no power, no control, and no real idea of what is going to happen. Besides, my favourite hockey is done for the season; my favourite ball team is kicking ; Formula 1 is rocking and, (dare I say it?) it is actually getting pleasantly warmer where I live. Well, other than today.
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Post by aymansamy on Apr 17, 2014 0:00:28 GMT
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Post by BBQ10 on Apr 17, 2014 9:48:17 GMT
I was given some very encouing news this morning...to the tune of what JeffSteiner wrote earlier. If all goes well, we might get some good news in a week's time. I remain cautiously optimistic though!  |
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 17, 2014 13:28:23 GMT
Thanks for the heads up.
Checked in with relo advisor - telling me she still doesn't have anything or any update.
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Post by ritzkool on Apr 17, 2014 13:56:14 GMT
Thanks for the encouing update BBQ10.
However, personally, I don't know what to believe anymore.
Both ASC Houston and AOC London have no real inkling as to when the visa block will be released by the KSA govt.
I have been waiting for nine months now (since my interview) and seven months (since I received the official offer from Aramco).
In nine days time, it would be exactly one month since I renewed my visa medical.
My original relocation date was supposed to be December 2013. My life is now topsy turvy as I have planned everything revolving around that.
And, as Jeff Steiner pointed out, there is a high possibility not all of us will be getting our job les in this next visa block.
I am prepared for the worst. When you have hit rock bottom, you can't go any lower...
Cheers to everyone and have a splendid weekend.
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Post by BBQ10 on Apr 17, 2014 14:09:32 GMT
That's so bizarre. I was told Houston is saying the exact same thing.
I hear you, ritzkool! I feel positive, but am not counting on anything...
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Post by ritzkool on Apr 17, 2014 14:19:32 GMT
Thanks BBQ10.
Let's all make a pledge to gather for a dinner when we are finally in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
We can call it "The More Than Six Months Visa Block Waiters Club Cookout" or something...
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 17, 2014 14:46:48 GMT
Nah we're in Houston. They don't have anything new. But: I get to renew my visa medical!
I did ask though wouldn't it be better to wait for an actual available visa before doing medicals.
No answer. Guess that was a dumb question.
ASC closed tomorrow, weekend in KSA starting about an hour ago. See y'all next week!
(just for "that Steiner fellow" - see y'all next week - Insh)
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Post by erdna_oaoj on Apr 18, 2014 14:32:11 GMT
Absolute silence from London... Well let's all enjoy our extended weekends and maybe next week insh... My second medical visa was done more then a mouth ago and if this thing gets more delays new x-rays will be needed... I guess David_and_Nitta and the "Steiner fellow" are redoing the medicals next week, let's see if that give us some luck  Relax an enjoy the holidays. |
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Post by JeffSteiner on Apr 18, 2014 19:24:53 GMT
Actually, this Steiner fellow already re-did his medical and I am happy to say that I am even healthier than before; apparently stress and anticipation will lower one's BP and make you generally good to go. D&N -- almost a little to clever on your part or parts -- thing is, I never know which of you I am speaking to -- so, I will wish both of you a happy long weekend, thereby avoiding any use of a religious term to describe the holiday.
For the record, I am mostly glad that I used my own real name to log in here; no hiding permitted, even if I must occasionally be "that Steiner fellow". But it is frustrating at times to address a response or inquiry to "GroveWanderer" (which I think is clever, to be truthful) or "tvdloo" (whom I have since come to know) without knowing gender (ok, David_and_Nita, that one is covered!), point of origin, age, nationality, background, or even how to get in touch before we all go "over there". I know that you cannot go back and change it all without messing up everything including your history and credibility, but I hope that once we are all in Kingdom, we'll all be able to "interact" without the forum.
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Post by boban on Apr 18, 2014 20:58:11 GMT
Hey guys, just to give you update on weather here... I am in Bahrain (next to KSA), and its between 33-38C, desert summer is slowly picking up... Prepare your sun cremes, and get some nice UV glasses See you soon in ABQ Ins! |
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 18, 2014 22:41:46 GMT
You ain't seen nothing. Wait til it's August, 82 F in your house even with (2) AC's running, and the windows frost because of the humidity outside - LOL
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Post by JeffSteiner on Apr 19, 2014 2:18:54 GMT
Yeah, I was in Doha in August 2012 -- unrelated contract work for the new airport -- and remember getting outside in the morning for a run at 0600 and it was easily 36 degrees then. Thereafter who cares really cuz you are in the car or bus and then to work and jeepers really, don't you expect it to get hot?! I will take hot or likely to be hot over snow and sleet and shovelling any day of any week. I look at the temp on my phone and it seems to be like 32 at midnight there and I think, okay, I can do that. It's something like 4 here. I will get over that and focus on the work -- which I will actually have to do, right -- and it is so much easier when it isn't so gosh darn cold.
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Post by David_and_Nita on Apr 19, 2014 13:29:03 GMT
:lol:
No jeepers here - we are acclimated. I work in Operations after all and "go to work" (to me) means go to work dressed in long sleeved FRC, steel toed boots, and spend much of the day tramping and climbing around outside. That's my definition of fun.
I'm just doing my part to build team morale by pointing out that hey whatever the weather is today it can always get a lot worse! I'm quite sure that everyone feels better after having that pointed out.
I will however comment on interior Alaska - after a year or two up there anywhere on the planet is a wonderful place to live and work. They don't even bother to shovel the show. Just pack it down, throw some rocks on it, and walk/drive on it is for 9 months. I'm on your side on the snow thing. Seen enough snow for a lifetime. It's over-rated.
:lol:
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Post by RICKB on Apr 21, 2014 15:32:17 GMT
o Everyone! I am new to the forum but have been following the conversation for quite some time. Have been waiting on my Visa le for some time also and was hoping someone has some new information/news. I keep coming back here a couple of times a day to look for new postings. Its really hard to wait without any information.
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