Not as Dangerous in Iraq for Contractors as it was?

[Pig-Pen]

I read in another part of the IIF that KBR is not paying as much to go to Iraq as thy were because some mentally retarded person in that company has decided that Iraq is not as dangerous as it used to be. Copy and past this link to your browser and decide for yourself. http://icasualties.org/oif/Civ.aspx

[firedawg2000]

Totally false information. I'm here in Iraq with KBR. Everybody's pay is just fine. Nothing has changed.

However, there are more players involved then just KBR. Other contractors are bidding on jobs with DOD at lower cost. They save the military money, but at the expense of the employee. KBR is the highest paying contractor out here as far as I know. These other little companies that are popping up every where don't even come close.

[s1rGr1nG0]

Firedawg is absolutely correct. I'm with KBR down in Kuwait and we don't get as much as they do in Iraq because they are considered in a "hot" zone. Our base pay may be the same but they get a higher percentage uplifts for being in Iraq. Other companies may pay more per month than KBR but thier contracts are shorter, no R&R, and when your contract is up there is no guarantee they will extend it.

[LakewayDaze!]

Firedawg is absolutely correct. I'm with KBR down in Kuwait and we don't get as much as they do in Iraq because they are considered in a "hot" zone. Our base pay may be the same but they get a higher percentage uplifts for being in Iraq. Other companies may pay more per month than KBR but thier contracts are shorter, no R&R, and when your contract is up there is no guarantee they will extend it.

This is correct. Depending on the job you have some companies will gaurantee you up to 15K a month. The catch is you have to complete a certain amount of work. If you don't finish you don't make as much. If it takes you 8 hours a day or 18, you have to finish so much per month. Most companies besides KBR offer 6 month contracts which is not very long in this environment. I know we work 7 days a week and 12 hours a day. I have been doing this for going on 21 months. It gets old, trust me. If I took a 6 month contrct I would basically have to start looking for a job right away because that 6 month contract is over before you know it. Things have gotten a lot better for some and worse for others. It all depends who you ask and what there gripe level is. :) I am about done. Who wants my spot? There are a lot of people on this forum in IRAQ. I am sure they can tell you some more. I don't have the patience to think right now as I am on my 11th hour and ready to go home. MRR should be clocking in soon and he will be rested. LOL

[movetopi]

I worked in Iraq for 11 months on a 1 year contract and I was making almost $11K a month. Now as you can see I was making good money. As for KBR a friend that left KBR to come to my company with better bennies then KBR and better pay then KBR was very happy to be there with my company. Now you say that you are happy to be with KBR and that is good for you but don't go around saying that they are the best company around when other can prove you wrong. and yes I got home leave every 90 days and yes I only worked 6 days a week so if you are going to say something be sure you are right in what you are saying.

[LakewayDaze!]

It's not really worth arguing about is it?? If you were happy I say great for you. Have a great day!!

[Javabear]

I worked in Iraq for 11 months on a 1 year contract and I was making almost $11K a month. Now as you can see I was making good money. As for KBR a friend that left KBR to come to my company with better bennies then KBR and better pay then KBR was very happy to be there with my company. Now you say that you are happy to be with KBR and that is good for you but don't go around saying that they are the best company around when other can prove you wrong. and yes I got home leave every 90 days and yes I only worked 6 days a week so if you are going to say something be sure you are right in what you are saying.

I am here in Iraq with KBR now. Who was the contractor you were working for and how do I get in touch with them? $11k/month would certainly shorten the duration I would spend here.

[firedawg2000]

I worked in Iraq for 11 months on a 1 year contract and I was making almost $11K a month. Now as you can see I was making good money. As for KBR a friend that left KBR to come to my company with better bennies then KBR and better pay then KBR was very happy to be there with my company. Now you say that you are happy to be with KBR and that is good for you but don't go around saying that they are the best company around when other can prove you wrong. and yes I got home leave every 90 days and yes I only worked 6 days a week so if you are going to say something be sure you are right in what you are saying.

If you're going to compare your company to KBR and claim to be the better of the two then you should post the name of your company instead of keeping the name anonymous. I'm familiar with a lot of contractors out here and what they're paying people because the employees love to talk about it like yourself, but if you're interested in a fair comparison then you should post the name for all to see.

[garryzeno]

Can you say, ITT???

[firedawg2000]

ITT are low ballers. Just like Dyncorp, just like CSC, just like D&P, etc. I'm sure he's not representing ITT.

[avid]

ok guys I gotta chime in here I've been only in Kuwait not Iraq but I've been here for 2 years the first 9 months with KBR the rest with ITT I'm still with ITT.

Some facts...........

KBR
7 days a week 12 hours a day
share a small bedroom with 1 other person
share a small bathroom with 4 other people
lockdown (cannot go anywhere but work and your room) almost the full 9 months I was with them
14 days r-r total every 16 weeks
good money compared to home


ITT
6 days a week 12 hours a day
bedroom by myself
bathroom by myself
no lockdown (when I'm not at work I can do what I want where I want)
14 days r-r total every 26 weeks
WAY BETTER MONEY THAN KBR

[Jerry]

.... No one is chimeing in from CSA? Its it because the westreners are getting paid a little more than the TCN's?

[Jerry]

From EAGLE or AE/COM out there... would love to hear from you Stewart & Stevenson as well... Oshkosh we all know you gig is up it was fun whule it lasted though... if its help ITT is currently doing a 700 man mass hire. www.itt.com under "Systems Division" ...oh and Eagle... you guys out on 40 need to start applying too. You didn't meet your mission and ITT is taking that too you have 2 months. Especially you guys who covered down for A E COM who just hit ground from loosing the Italy contract... Maurice, Barry, and the rest of the "European Dream Team" get your butts in gear and get over here because we got some Bradleys to do!!!


Jerry

[Jerry]

ITT are low ballers. Just like Dyncorp, just like CSC, just like D&P, etc. I'm sure he's not representing ITT.

Actually ITT is the best paying for maintenance with the most days off in Kuwait.

[s1rGr1nG0]

ok guys I gotta chime in here I've been only in Kuwait not Iraq but I've been here for 2 years the first 9 months with KBR the rest with ITT I'm still with ITT.

Some facts...........

KBR
7 days a week 12 hours a day
share a small bedroom with 1 other person
share a small bathroom with 4 other people
lockdown (cannot go anywhere but work and your room) almost the full 9 months I was with them14 days r-r total every 16 weeks
good money compared to home


ITT
6 days a week 12 hours a day
bedroom by myself
bathroom by myself
no lockdown (when I'm not at work I can do what I want where I want)
14 days r-r total every 26 weeks
WAY BETTER MONEY THAN KBR

What you mentioned about KBR above is not completely right. Yes, we have been on lockdown periodically. The longest was for about 7 weeks and I have been here since January of 2004. I have been back for about 4 months now and there has been NO lockdown the entire time. We pretty much come and go as we please any other time. Also, I have had a single room and bathroom to myself virtually the whole time I have been here.

As for the R&R every 26 weeks with ITT. That might be well and good for some people, but, I have a wife and 6 year old daughter at home that I want to see so working 6 months at a time with no break won't cut it for me regardless of how much they pay.

I'm not slamming ITT or any of the other contracting companies out there. I know there are good people busting thier asses everyday for them as well as KBR. We all came here for money. Some people have priorities in other areas. Hell, I have considered trying to move to ITT but looking at my current situation I decided it was better for me to stay where I'm at.

[s1rGr1nG0]

Hey Jerry, ITT does mostly maintenance type work?? What about admin and IT stuff? They have much of that? Just....curious! :D

[Jerry]

What you mentioned about KBR above is not completely right. Yes, we have been on lockdown periodically. The longest was for about 7 weeks and I have been here since January of 2004. I have been back for about 4 months now and there has been NO lockdown the entire time. We pretty much come and go as we please any other time. Also, I have had a single room and bathroom to myself virtually the whole time I have been here.

As for the R&R every 26 weeks with ITT. That might be well and good for some people, but, I have a wife and 6 year old daughter at home that I want to see so working 6 months at a time with no break won't cut it for me regardless of how much they pay.

I'm not slamming ITT or any of the other contracting companies out there. I know there are good people busting thier asses everyday for them as well as KBR. We all came here for money. Some people have priorities in other areas. Hell, I have considered trying to move to ITT but looking at my current situation I decided it was better for me to stay where I'm at.

Not to seem challanging but....

KBR does not allow you to rent a car or provide you with a Kuwait Drivers licence. Also you can not sopnser anyone in Kuwait because you can't get a civil I.D. and NBK won't let you have a bank account without a civil I.D.

You also cannot have visitors at the compounds... ITT can... overnight even :D

We also earn time and a half and over time. I will give you all one thing though... You LNO Tiwanna is the greatest.

Jerry

[Jerry]

Hey Jerry, ITT does mostly maintenance type work?? What about admin and IT stuff? They have much of that? Just....curious! :D

Actually since ITT has been around since Alexander Grahm Bell commo is thier thing. They do alot for AMC.

[s1rGr1nG0]

Not to seem challanging but....

KBR does not allow you to rent a car or provide you with a Kuwait Drivers licence. Also you can not sopnser anyone in Kuwait because you can't get a civil I.D. and NBK won't let you have a bank account without a civil I.D.

You also cannot have visitors at the compounds... ITT can... overnight even :D

We also earn time and a half and over time. I will give you all one thing though... You LNO Tiwanna is the greatest.

Jerry

Hehe, not be be challenging either, BUT...we are going through the process of getting our Visa18's right now. They are flying us to Bahrain for a day or two to get them and then back. Also, I have several friends who have rental cars. Usually several people will get together, (one or two dayshift people with one or two nightshift people), and split the cost of the car. So the bank account and rental car thing will be taken care of shortly. You are right about the no outsiders allowed in our compounds. I'm sure the Filipinos would make a bit more money if that was the case! :D

It sucks going into town for a night out then having to do 160KpH to get back before midnight!

[MasterMason]

Some of you out there might not know it but I am a long time contractor 15 Years +, almost 10 years in Kuwait (ITT and CSA) CSA SUCKS, Haiti with Brown and Root, Europe with Lockheed, Italy with Lockheed.

In my opinion all Companies dealing in Government contracts are just about the same, you get what the contract SOW and local labor laws entitle you to, and no more. It is one hell of a life but you can make a lot of Money.

All you folks in Iraq keep you heads down. I have seen to many people get complacent and not go home

The contractors in Kuwait never forget you are in a Muslim country no matter how many Shopping Malls and Mc Donald’s you see.