Some things are so easy to say ‘No’ to…
Phone call:
Hi, it’s Mark from Disguised Name Resourcing, I’ve got an urgent short-term contract if you’re interested?
I’m under contract right now.
Can I tell you about it anyway, see how you feel?
OK.
I need an infrastructure project manager for six weeks. Security cleared to DV, with extensive experience of [stuff] and [more stuff]. Looking at your CV I can guarantee you an interview. The rate is £1,800 per day tax free. There’s free accommodation, all living expenses paid and free flights there and back.
Where is it?
Kabul, Afghanistan.
No thanks!
Thats a big fat HELLLLLLL NO!
Wimp.
😉
Lol, the way things are at the moment, I might just be inclined to take that!
Infrastructure Manager, that sounds quite similar to my role! hehe
And I’m wondering, the Disguised name, I don’t suppose it started with a C…?
Oops, I missed the word “Project” in the title!
£1800 a day?
From what I’ve heard, you don’t get out of bed for less than 2.5k
It’s an easy no. That’s a place where even the bodyguards they give you turn you in for ransom or just kill you. And those features of daily life are worth what kind of a daily rate?
Masher, really? 🙂
Hey it happens some people come back from there 😀
Sorry I used the wrong smiley, nothing to laugh aloud about the situation there
I got a call from a similar company offering me similar rates for a job doing health and safety inspections on new miliatary bases being built. I was most interested until I learned that it too was in Afghanistan. I would be ferried too and fro from sites by Chinook helicopter. The M60 might be an utter bitch in the morning but at least it isn’t lined with Taliban trying to blow my Ford Fiesta to kingdom come.
Would it be a 7-day week? 🙂
My mate Viv, single, skint, desperate, did a 3-month stint in Baghdad with the US. She made big money and got out alive.
Nice new look on the blog, Brennig.
Personal circumstances aside – I’d go for it.
It’s only for six weeks and you get £54k tax free!!
Plus what an wheeze!!
More importantly, and it’s easy for me to say but how dangerous would it really be?
Kabul isn’t Helmand. It’s the seat of government and it’s full of Brit, Yank and of course Afghan forces. It has got to be the safest place in Afghanistan. Now that might not sound like much but think about it; how many non Afghan civilian deaths have there been in Kabul over the last 3 years? I can’t think of any. In fact in Afghanistan as a whole I can’t think of one recent example of foreign, civilian fatality though I’m sure there must be the odd case.
Going by statistics at least, you’re at far greater risk mate using the London transport.
Harry, I would still say no. I’ve been under fire twice before; I have no inclination to go for a ‘third time unlucky’ tempting of the fates. I’ve tried to research civilian deaths in Kabul in 2008 and the figures are remarkably difficult to find; bearing in mind that the media in Kabul are controlled by the US Military, I would not be so minded to believe that no reports of deaths equals no deaths!
However, there is one overriding factor… I am currently under contract and therefore not in a position to take this one up, should I be so minded.