Question:
A while back I read a posting here about driving a truck in Kuwait. That was in mid-April.
This morning I'm sitting in the Transportation Dept. of ORHA (Office of Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Assistance), just south of Kuwait City. I haven't driven anything but an SUV (brand new Suburban... gas-guzzler, but petrol is $.20/liter over her...), because I was given the job of local shuttle dispatcher. They drive primarily flat-beds and reefers here. The living conditions could be better, but are improving. The pay is very good, and there are a lot of guys and gals here with family at home. By that I mean, it's not all just hot-shot single truck-driving cowboys and cowgirls.
The company has its problems: communication up and down the 'chain of command' is less than ideal. Fact is, the whole enterprise is really less than ideal. But if all continues the way it is now, I'll leave here in a year with $75k (and that's NO TAXES boys and girls).
But let me warn you, there are a lot of unhappy drivers over here; unhappy for one legitimate reason or the other. Frankly, it's like Tina Turner says in "Private Dancer": you keep your mind on the money.
But, if you decide to check into this, you'd be wise to pick up the "P" endorsement (yes, passengers), so you can drive a bus. That's pretty good duty, usually. And, if you call the Halliburton recruiter and he/she tells you to send in a resume, include EVERYTHING you can do: are you a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, etc. They need/use just about everybody here. Are you a pest control/vector control specialist? Bingo.
Check out Halliburton.com on the net. Or, call the Watts (800) directory assistance and ask for KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root) in Houston (it's on Clinton Drive... but don't let that stop you..).
Listen, it's not a cake-walk. The hours are long, there are no 'days off', and as a driver, unfortunately you get treated, let us say, poorly, at times. Sound familiar? But in one month, I've put $6500 in the bank. Now, I know there are some super-truckers out there who'll think that's merely chicken feed. But, mine won't get taxed, as I'm overseas.
Think it over.

Answer:
It's a good deal IF you like HEAT and can handle the Cultural and Class differences.
What does the night time temp. go down to?
Keep your eyes open for Maggots in your food.
I really hope you last the year.
Mike
Answer:
Well, not everyone has it as good as I do. You might not believe this, Rab., but I live at the Hilton Resort, smack dab on the Persian Gulf. True, many others are living somewhere down a bit lower on the 'comfort level'. But conditions are improving, albeit not quickly enough. For some, the sacrifice might be worth the paycheck.
It's hot...even at night, but even in Baghdad and out at Camp Arifjan (an Army base where at one time truckers were living in tents), the food is good, plenty, healthy and free. Yeah, this is not a cushy job, friend, but if you can put of with the BS and the hard-ships (which won't last forever), that bank account of yours will look real good in a year.
This is NOT for everybody, true.

Answer:
Truthfully I was baseing my comments on a friends experience from years ago. I quite sure things have improved. His biggest complaint was the heat
they could only work at night it was so hot,he was an Operator unloading ships,no Beer and missing his Family. He lasted 3 months.
For a Single guy it's a good way to build a Bank Roll to work with,you sure can't do it here
anymore.
Mike
Answer:
You've given me something to think about....hmmmm
I could put up with everything Except the EXTREME HEAT.

Answer:
I don't deny there's an abundance of heat in these parts. It reminds me of Las Vegas in mid-August. I think I'm staring to get acclimated. Soon, I'll be moving up to Baghdad. The only nice thing about that is: far from the Gulf, it's a 'dry heat'. Or so they say. It's still gonna be hot. But the company is slowly equiping the presidential palace in Baghdad (where our central base is) with A/C. We've got several HVAC guys here.
OK, they say there's no alcohol here. Well, you can get 'what you need' here, with the right connections... and $. And, you can buy 'near beer'. Sure, it's not the same, you're not going to get the proverbial buzz. But I honestly like the taste of beer, so the near-beer, while not the real McCoy, is tolerable. I sure wouldn't wanna pass up a chance to put nearly $100K in the bank (13+ mos.), just because I had a thirst for the intoxicant. Priorities might just be askew.

Answer:
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Indiana RoadRunner
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A legend in his own mind!
See me dance


Answer:
And what happens when some anti-American, Al-Queda dudes get the idea into their heads of using you imperialist billy-riggers as target practice for their next big score?
No thanks, pal. No amount of money in the world is worth a Russian-made RPG up the tailpipe!
I could put up with everything Except the EXTREME HEAT.
The random bursts of AK-47 fire might be a bigger problem for me...
http://www.subway.com
"Daddy was a veteran, a southern Democrat. They oughta get a rich man to vote like that." - Alabama

Answer:
Alcohol was available back then but if they found out you drank ANY it was a trip home immediately.
Yes it may be dangerous but those are big bucks.
Think about the wage for driving through the Bronx
or the Windy.
Mike
Answer:
BUS DRIVER JOB
Fuel Specialist JOB
Forklift and Driver Combo
TRUCK DRIVER AFGHANISTAN
TRUCK DRIVER KUWAIT
I searched KBR's website and have posted some links that I think some drivers may be intrested in.
My Uncle retired from B+R as a general foreman, he worked everywhee his first 20 or so years ad finished 15 in the S.E. Texas area. He lives up the street from B+R. I worked there several times too as well as many cousins. It is a very big and good company.

Answer:
Your links aren't working.
Mike
Answer:
http://www.usaid.gov/about/employment/
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http://www.yellowfreightdrivers.com/article_50_paid_for_time.htm

Answer:
http://www.us-mission.ch/press2003/0509%20Iraq%20Fact%20Sheet.htm
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http://www.yellowfreightdrivers.com/article_50_paid_for_time.htm

Answer:
Originally posted by RABELAM:
Your links aren't working.
Mike
Crap I don't know why they don't work unless that site doesn't allow direct links. Anyway go to
http://www.kbr.com/
and search emloyment for truck include all the locations. They list each job by country.

Answer:
Has anyone actually found any info all I get is a big run around fom web site to web site